IMMIGRATION

Detainees are not torture, authorities say

4 Nigerians, 1 Tanzania. Deen in tie 

Authorities overseeing the Nyirbátor closed camp in the eastern Hungary have said that at no time and under no circumstance were detainees under their supervision beaten and, or denied their rights

This was disclosed during a visit by a human rights organisation which had received a petition signed by ten of the detainees alleging abuse of their rights at the closed camp.

The head of the camp, Mr. Kristian, said that detainees are being treated according to the European Union normative which clearly stipulates detainee’s rights. His assertion collaborate what the immigration and the parliament on minority rights had earlier forwarded to the Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organisation in response to the latter’s observation.

During the visit, it was disclosed that about 252 asylum seekers from 36 different countries (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Nigeria, Georgia, Palestine, Serbia, Iran, Sudan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and so on) are being held.

Although most of the detainees claimed they had escaped persecution for political or religious belief in their respective countries, authorities doubt such claim saying majority are economic refugees who often make things difficult by concealing their true identity.

“But we will find out where they come from and deportation depends on their nationality,” said Kristian, adding that we can only keep them “here for six months”.

Whilst no detainees have been kept in the camp beyond the maximum six months, they complained bitterly about the general condition of the camp.

“Our condition is very bad and critical,” said Nigerian Uba George, who introduced himself as a professional boxer. “We are locked up all day. We can’t bear it anymore.

Looking dejected and saddened, Adegboyega Ayeni and Ademola Sefiu said that they regretted leaving Greece to come and face this kind of confinement. They pleaded to be sent back to Greece, where they hope to continue their life in spite of the economic problems they may be facing in that region.

Nigerian, Turkish & Palestine. Deen in tie

Not all detainees in the camp are actually asylum seekers. 

“The situation in the prison is even better than this place” (deportation camp), said Peter Muhagama from Tanzania who is being kept for other crime. “There are no activities, no news or whatsoever”.

Abimbola Ijitimehin, who said he was arrested on his way back to Bosnia where he had been residing before running into trouble in Italy, claimed he was not seeking asylum. “I am not asking anything from the Hungarian government,” he asserted. “Let them take me to my country – Nigeria. I don’t have any problem in my country. As a footballer in Bosnia, I was doing fine until I ran into trouble in Italy”.