From TORTURE to DETENTION Access of Torture Survivor and Traumatised Asylum-Seekers to Rights and Care in Detention Co-funded by the European Union STRENGTH workshop, 2016.01.26.

About the STRENGTH project Goals Why Hungary and Bulgaria? What is „complex rehabilitation?” Activities of the project between 2014 July and 2015 December

Monitoring detention centres 12 visits in both countries Multifunctional research teams Identification Referral Legal/medical follow-up

1. The lack of systematic identification makes legal safeguards ineffective Lack of identification protocols for vulnerable asylum-seekers What happens in practice? RECOMMENDATION: Standard identification procedures to be led by an expert psychologist or psychiatrist. Regular monitoring, regular mental support VISIBLE ? INVISIBLE disabled people elderly people pregnant women single parents with minor children minors unaccompanied minors victims of human trafficking, persons with serious illnesses, persons with mental disorders and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence, such as victims of female genital mutilation TVs can be found in detention in the same proportions as in open facilities! No protocol, and no individual good ssolutions either In practice relying on subjective opinions (troublemaker?) KEY: trainer mental health personnel

2. Scarce and confusing information contributes to re-traumatisation in detention How does the asylum procedure work? Should I ask for asylum? What happens if I don’t? Why am I detained? For how long? Do I have a lawyer? Where is he/she? Is this a prison? What are my rights in detention? “We do not know what to expect. People are moved to another building and then back with no explanation. Upon arrival at the border we are often given documents to sign with no translation. We are not sure what we are signing.” RECOMMENDATION: when interpreters are not available, information in writing! Intercultural mediators, training on intercultural communication RECOMMENDATIONS: competent and specifically trained asylum officers proper interpretation intercultural training and mediators consultations for detainees

3. The lack of training and sensitisation of staff contributes to conflicts basic language skills health hazards who are asylum seekers? trauma, torture and its symptomps intercultural contexts, conflict resolution RECOMMENDATIONS: all of the above… “I was detained in my home country by an unknown armed group. I was beaten in prison with my hands tied to my back and my eyes blindfolded. I didn’t know who they were. Being closed here reminds me continuously of those experiences. I have flashbacks all the time and I cannot sleep at night. If I do fall asleep, nightmares wake me up. Right after waking up, it strikes me like an electric shock that I am again in a prison, and I am terrorised that they will hurt me again.”53 “I know that many come from war-torn countries. But still, there must be a reason why they are in prison! And if you see how they behave, it is clear that gentle words, decent behaviour and rule of law are nothing in the countries where they come from. What they understand is aggression and oppression.” Menedék Association has been implementing a series of training projects in immigration detention centres since 2011, aimed at developing the competences of police staff, armed guards, as well as psycho-social and health care professionals in the centres

4. Working cooperation with the authorities Proper access and provision of information What else is monitoring good for? RECOMMENDATION: formal cooperation agreements Formal cooperation agreements would be good for: - identification of torture victims - fulfilment of all other related legal obligations - reduction of tension in detainees and stress in detention staff

5. Unnecessary limitation of detainees’ contact with the outside world Limitations re-traumatize: no communication, idleness, no information about family members. Example of Syrian man, payment of bail with the last money. RECOMMENDATIONS: asylum-seekers should keep mobile phones provision of WIFI network

6. Interpretation is unavailable in many crucial settings Examples: patients don’t take medicines, doctors give always the same pills. Serious cases! A diabetic Syrian man. Traumatized patients in medical care: trained medical staff, trained interpereters! RECOMMENDATIONS: everyday presence of interpreters for a couple of hours. When not there, information sheets to be provided.

7. Specialised medical care is not available Only emergency care No systematic, specialised and state-funded medical care and monitoring is ensured for victims of torture RECOMMENDATIONS: access to appropriate medical treatment or care regular monitoring of the situation access to interpreters NGO services to be made available Example: paranoid psychosis – urgent hospitalization needed.

8. Specialised social and psychological care is not available No psychologist or psychiatrist Social workers: what do they do and what is missing? Social workers’ activities: often limited to hand out sanitary packs, clothes or other utensils while being mostly separated from their clients by iron doors or having their offices in a part of the centre where detainees have no access to. Mental health personnel: state funding utopistic, but there are specialized NGOs! EU law obliges states to provide care to TVs