Publication date: 21 April 2023

The updated AIDA Country Report on Belgium provides a detailed overview on legislative and practice-related developments in asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and content of international protection in 2022. Further, the report includes an annex providing an overview of temporary protection.
Main theme: Asylum
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: asylum procedure, reception condition, detention

Publication date: 16 March 2023

At the beginning of 2023, a coordination meeting of the directors of the Belgian closed detention centers was held. At this meeting, they expressed their concern about the significant increase in the trafficking of drugs inside their centers. That’s why EMN Belgium was asked to launch an ad-hoc query in order to gather information on how this issue is addressed in the other Member States.  

Publication date: 22 December 2022

Do Member States have guidelines on the reception of LGBTIQ+ individuals in detention facilities? This ad hoc vraag, launched by Luxembourg, examines what guidelines, procedures and possible best practices are in place when these persons are detained.
Main theme: Ad Hoc Queries
Publication Type: EMN Reports & studies
Keywords: detention, vulnerable persons

Publication date: 24 September 2020

24 Member States provided information on national laws and practices regarding the detention of families with children in migration procedures, the possibility to detain one of the parents and detention in the context of the age assessment process.
Main theme: Ad Hoc Queries
Publication Type: EMN Reports & studies
Keywords: detention, families, unaccompanied minors

Publication date: 05 December 2018

This report critically reviews the Belgian policy on return, detention and removal of foreign nationals and presents recent figures. Just like Myria's latest migration report, the report focuses on issues related to the right to family life of persons in detention. Myria formulates recommendations to improve the respect for the human rights of those persons. 
Main theme: Return & Readmission
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: detention

Publication date: 30 June 2017

UNHCR developed a practical tool called "Stateless Persons in Detention: A tool for their identification and enhanced protection". The purpose of the instrument is to facilitate identification o persons in the context of detention who may be stateless and to support the achievement of solutions to their predicament.
Main theme: Statelessness
Publication Type: Study
Keywords: statelessness, identification, detention

Publication date: 19 May 2017

In the wake of the refugee crisis and in reaction to terrorist attacks, European governments are seeking tighter control over the whereabouts of migrants and refugees. This policy paper sheds light on EU rules regulating the detention of applicants for international protection, how they are currently implemented by Member States, and the ongoing reform process.
Main theme: Asylum
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: detention

Publication date: 18 February 2015

18 (Member) States provided detailed national information and available statistical data on the detention and removal of unaccompanied and accompanied minors. This query was launched by the Belgian EMN national contact point.

Publication date: 03 November 2014

This Inform summarizes the main findings of the corresponding EMN study aimed at analyzing Member States’ use of detention and alternatives to detention in the context of immigration policies

Publication date: 03 November 2014

This focused study presents an analysis of (Member) States use of detention and alternatives to detention in the context of immigration policies and identifies similarities, differences and good practices in this field

Publication date: 02 July 2014

This focused study examines the use of detention and alternatives to detention in the context of immigration policies in Belgium.

Publication date: 15 April 2013

The compilation of responses from 6 Member States to this French Ad hoc query provides some useful information inter alia on organizations granted access to detention centres and sites accessible to such organizations.
Main theme: Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords: detention, legal aid

Publication date: 24 October 2012

UNHCR issues the Guidelines on the Applicable Criteria and Standards relating to the detention of Asylum-Seekers and Alternatives to Detention pursuant to its mandate.
Main theme: Asylum
Keywords: detention, alternatives to detention

Publication date: 11 May 2011

The Centre for Equal Opportunities and Opposition to Racism (Centre) published a report about the respecting of fundamental rights of detainees of the INAD-Centre on Brussels Airport
Main theme: International Protection, Borders & Visa
Publication Type: Report
Keywords: detention, INAD-centre

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During a visit to the prison in Beveren, the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration said that more illegally staying detainees are being sent back directly from prisons, through the work of the return counsellors in the detention facilities. 

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The Federal Institute is tasked with regularly examining the situation of persons deprived of their liberty through preventive visits, making recommendations to the competent authorities and proposing legislation and verifying its compatibility with international standards.

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In a national study released in July 2023, EMN Belgium reviews the Belgian policy and practice regarding detention and alternatives to detention. The study clarifies which detention places and alternatives to detention exist in Belgium, how the decision-making process unfolds and how detention and its alternatives are actually implemented.

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On 16 September 2020, the Interior Committee of the Belgian House of Representatives held a parliamentary hearing on a legislative proposal concerning the prohibition of detention of minors. EMN Belgium contributed to the hearing by presenting the laws, policies and practices in other EU Member States.

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As of 11 August, irregularly staying families with minor children can be detained with a view to removal in family housing on the grounds of the closed detention centre 127bis.

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Organised in the framework of the Made Real Project funded by the European Union, this conference provides a comprehensive understanding of the EU legal framework on alternatives to detention (ATD) for asylum seekers and migrants.

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This conference will allow the general public to learn and discuss the findings of the CONTENTION project which examines the different dimensions of the lawfulness of detention with differing practices and differing forms of implementation at national and European level.

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On 12 and 13 June 2014, the European Migration Network Conference 2014 took place on "Irregular migration and return: challenges and practices". The Conference was organised in Athens, within the framework of the Hellenic Presidency of the EU Council.

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This year, the EMN Conference aims to support the policymaking process on a number of key areas of irregular migration policy, namely readmission, return, reintegration and cooperation with countries of transit and origin, as well as re-entry bans and (alternatives to) detention.

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In its ruling n° 166/2013 taken today 19 December 2013, the Constitutional Court rejected the appeal introduced with regard to the detention of families with children.