Source: https://www.globaldetentionproject.org/countries/europe/france
Timestamp: 2018-04-20 14:13:49
Document Index: 425522704

Matched Legal Cases: ['§75', 'ARTI000006334944', 'Application no. 25389', '§74', '§74', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 1']

France Immigration Detention Profile | Global Detention Project | Mapping immigration detention around the world
Submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR): France
Putting Immigration Detention in Interdisciplinary Perspective
France Immigration Detention
France has one of Europe's oldest administrative immigration detention regimes, which dates back to the 1970s. Although experts laud the strong constitutional guarantees that are provided to immigration detainees, the annual number of detainees and the legal time limits for detention have increased significantly over the last 10 years.
Immigration detainees (2016): 45,937
Detained minors (2016): 4,507
Immigration detention capacity (2016): 2,054
Persons expelled (2015): 44,706
International migrants (2015): 7,784,400
New asylum applications (2016): 118,685
Profile Updated: April 2009
France Immigration Detention Profile
French immigration and asylum policies have tightened in recent years. In 2006, the French Interior Ministry instituted the controversial practice of establishing targets for deporting undocumented immigrants each year. Since then, the government has increased police raids to arrest unauthorized immigrants and introduced legislation to make it harder for immigrants to bring their families to France (Lakoff 2008; Bennhold 2007). Accordingly, in January 2009, the government announced that it had surpassed the 2008 target of 26,000 deportations by nearly four thousand cases (Connexion 2009). A similar trend toward more restrictive policies has been evident in immigration detention practices.
Since 2003, there have been substantial changes to the policies governing immigration detention in France, which is regulated by the Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile. The legal length of detention of irregular immigrants awaiting deportation has nearly tripled for some forms of detention, and the pressure to fill deportation quotas has led to larger numbers of people being placed in detention (Cimade 2008).
French immigrant detention centres hold undocumented immigrants subject to deportation. These include both immigrants who are awaiting final determination of their status and those who are already subject to a deportation order. Judicial processes and appeals are carried out during detention to determine whether a deportation order is to be issued, upheld, or revoked. Several different types of deportation orders can be issued, depending on the issuing authority. The vast majority (about 76 percent in 2007) of individuals confined in French immigration detention centres are subject to a deportation order, or arrête préfectoral de reconduite à la frontière, which is issued to people whose only offense is their irregular status. In contrast, the deportation order interdiction du territoire français is typically issued alongside a criminal conviction. Detainees subject to an interdiction du territoire français comprised 6.5 percent of all detainees in 2007. Additionally, asylum seekers who initially entered the Schengen zone through another country constituted about 8 percent of detainees in 2007. According to the “Dublin II” Conventions regulating asylum in the Schengen area, asylum seekers may be deported to the country through which they originally entered the Schengen area or to the country in which they have already filed an asylum claim. However, this practice is criticised by NGOs like Cimade, especially because it limits detainees ability to appeal (Cimade 2008).
Persons held in detention may, during their confinement, submit an application for asylum in France. Upon preliminary approval of an asylum application, asylum seekers may be provided a temporary residence permit, in which case they are released from detention (Ceseda 2008). Legal asylum seekers may be housed in centres d’accueil de demandeurs d’asile (CADA), which are non-secure facilities (Direction de la Population et des Migrations 2000).
Immigration authorities provide access to non-governmental organisations to detention centres. Until recently, the French NGO Cimade was the only organisation authorised by the government to provide assistance to immigrants at these centres. In April 2009, the government announced that Cimade would no longer have exclusive access to detention sites (Nouvel Observateur 2009). In addition to assisting detainees in finding legal council and other services, Cimade assesses the conditions of detention and publishes an annual report on its observations. The 2007 annual report calls attention to problems relating to the legal rights and physical handling of detainees. Common complaints by detainees include inadequate heating and food provisions, as well as excessively long periods in detention. The Cimade report also highlights the psychological strain experienced by persons in detention and criticizes the practice of detaining children. Nearly 200 children under 10 years of age were placed in detention in 2007, including one 3 week-old infant (Cimade 2008). In 2007, the European Parliament voiced its concerns about the detention of children in family zones, stating that this form of deprivation of liberty is "particularly shocking" when imposed on children (European Parliament 2007).
France’s aggregate detention capacity has increased considerably since 2003 (Cimade 2008). The Global Detention Project has gathered data on some 36 detention sites in France (not including short-term holding facilities, or zones d’attentes, located at airports and other ports of entry). These detention sites operate under the authority of the Interior Ministry and are managed by territorial prefects. The total detention capacity of these sites was 1,724 in 2007 compared to 739 in 2003 (Cimade 2008).
Immigration detainees are held in two types of secure centres: locaux de rétention administrative (LRA) and centres de rétention administrative (CRA). Cimade reports that 24 CRAs and over 150 LRAs are currently operational in French territory (Cimade 2009). Detention in LRAs is legally limited to 48 hours, although Cimade reports several instances of detention in LRAs exceeding this limit (Cimade 2008). If immediate deportation is not possible, detainees are typically transferred from an LRA to a CRA (Ceseda 2008). Although the maximum length of detention in the CRAs was increased from 12 to 32 days in 2003, the average length of detention in 2007 was 10.17 days (Cimade 2008).
In addition to these detention sites, France has 85 zones d’attente in various ports of entry. The zones hold individuals who are not authorised to enter the country until they can leave France or, in the case of asylum seekers, until a preliminary hearing of their case can be arranged (Ceseda 2008). The zones are intended for very short-term detention and often lack permanent holding structures (ANAFE 2008). Typically, people are held in these facilities for only a few hours. However, there have been cases of excessively long confinement in the zones. While the legal limit of detaining persons in zones d’attente is 48 hours, this may be extended with court orders to a total of 20 days. In one case, Asebeha Gebremedhin, an Eritrean national seeking asylum in France, was held in a Paris airport for 20 days and subsequently brought an unsuccessful claim of illegal detention to the European Court of Human Rights (Gebremedhin v. France 2007, §75).
France receives the highest number of asylum seekers per annum (35,160 in 2008) in Western Europe and is third among industrialised nations after the United States and Canada. The largest numbers of asylum seekers in France in 2008 originated from Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (UNHCR 2009).
In 2006, estimates of the number of irregular immigrants residing in France ranged from 200,000 to 400,000 (Murphy 2006). Government-set quotas for deportations have been successful in increasing their number—nearly 30,000 deportations were carried out in 2008, exceeding the target of 26,000 (Connexion 2009).
The increase in the rise of deportations has led to a concomitant rise in detention capacity, which was 1,724 in 2007, up from 739 in 2003—an increase of 133 percent. The number of persons detained per annum rose from 28,220 in 2003 to 35,008 in 2007. The legal maximum length of detention was raised from 12 days to 32 days in 2003, albeit the average length of detention in 2007 was 10.17 days (Cimade 2008).
Detained persons are primarily male, constituting 92 percent of total detainees in 2007. Whereas in 2006 nearly a third of all detainees in France were of Romanian or Bulgarian origin, in 2007 detainees were predominantly of North African origin. Algerians, Moroccans, and Tunisians constituted nearly a third of detained persons. Other major nationalities include Turkish, Chinese, and Indians (Cimade 2008).
Association nationale d’assistance aux frontières pour les étrangers (ANAFE). 2008. « Liste zones d’attente en France : Tableaux communiqués par les services des douanes et de la police aux frontières le 3 juin 2008. » http://www.anafe.org/download/generalites/List-za-nov08.pdf (accessed 19 March 2009)
Bennhold, Katrin. 2007. “Sarkozy moves quickly to tighten immigration laws.” International Herald Tribune. 12 June 2007.
http://www.iht.com/bin/print.php?id=6112573 (accessed 13 June 2007)
Centre de media indépendant de Marseille. « Défaillances au centre de rétention de Marseille. » Centre de media indépendant de Marseille.http://marseille.indymedia.org/news/2006/06/6248.php (accessed August 21, 2007)
CIMADE. « Rapport annuel 2005 sur les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative. » CIMADE,http://www.cimade.org/publications/rapport2004.html (accessed August 21, 2007)
CIMADE. « Rapport annuel 2006 sur les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative. » CIMADE.http://www.cimade.org/assets/0000/0073/rapport_retention_2006.pdf(accessed May 7, 2008)
CIMADE. « Rapport annuel 2007 sur les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative. » CIMADE.http://www.cimade.org/assets/0000/0645/Rapport_Cimade_retention.pdf (accessed 23 February 2009
CIMADE. 2009. « La retention administrative.»http://www.cimade.org/poles/enfermement-eloignement/rubriques/22-r-tention-et--loignement?page_id=151 (accessed 29 April 2009)
Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile (CESEDA). 2008
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?idArticle=LEGIARTI000006334944&idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000006147744&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006070158&dateTexte=20081007 (accessed 1 April 2009)
The Connexion. “Deportations pass 2008 targets.” 13 January 2009.http://www.connexionfrance.com/news_articles.php?id=595 (accessed 27 April 2009)
Direction de la Population et des Migrations. « Circulaire MES/DPM n° 2000-170 du 29 mars 2000 relative aux missions des centres d'accueil des demandeurs d'asile. » Ministère du Travail, des Relations sociales, de la Famille, de la Solidarité et de la Ville.http://www.adrim.fr/pdf/circulaire_mission_des_cada.pdf (accessed 27 April 2009).
European Parliament. 2007. The conditions in centres for third country national (detention camps, open centres as well as transit centres and transit zones) with a particular focus on provisions and facilities for persons with special needs in the 25 EU member states. Directorate-General Internal Policies, Policy Department C, Citizens and Rights and Constitutional Affairs. Contract REF: IP/C/LIBE/IC/2006-181. December 2007.
Gebremedhin [Gabermadhien] v. France. 2007. The European Court of Human Rights. Judgement of 26 April 2007. Application no. 25389/05.http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=1&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=Asebeha%20%7C%20Gebremedhin&sessionid=22876615&skin=hudoc-en (accessed 27 April 2009)
Journal officiel de la République française. « Décrets, arrêtés, circulaires. » 13 September 2006,http://www.educationsansfrontieres.org/IMG/pdf/centres_retention.pdf(accessed 21 August 2007)
Journal Officiel. 2008. « Arrêté du 21 mai 2008 pris en application de l'article R. 533-1 du code. » 21 May 2008.
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000018879646
(accessed 4 May 2009)
Lakoff, Aaron. 2008. “Not wanted after the voyage: The politics of immigration in France and Canada.” Global Research.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/PrintArticle.php?articleId=10071 (accessed 24 April 2009)
Murphy, Kara. 2006. “France’s New Law: Control Immigration Flows, Court the Highly Skilled.” Migration Policy Institute.
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/Backgrounder2_France.php (accessed 1 April 2009)
Nouvel Observateur, « La Cimade va de nouveau contester la répartition des associations en rétention » 14 avril 2009.
http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/depeches/societe/20090414.FAP6332/la_cimade_va_de_nouveau_contester_la_repartition_des_as.html (accessed 22 April 2009)
Nouvel Observateur, « Rétention: évasion de 7 personnes. » Nouvel Observateur, http://archquo.nouvelobs.com/cgi/articles?ad=societe/20060919.OBS2480.html&host=http://permanent.nouvelobs.com/(accessed August 21, 2007)
Office Français de l’Immigration et du l’Integration (OFII). Web site. « Autres : Demandeurs d’asile. »
http://www.ofii.fr/autres_51/demandeurs_d_asile_335.html (accessed 1 April 2009)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 2008. International Migration Outlook 2008. OECD. September 2008.
http://www.oecd.org/document/3/0,3343,en_2649_33931_41241219_1_1_1_1,00.html (accessed 1 April 2009)
Parlement Européen, Commission des libertés civiles, de la justice et des affaires intérieures. « Rapport de la délégation de la commission LIBE sur sa visite à Paris. » Bruxelles, 23 Mars 2006,http://www.anafe.org/download/generalites/2006-visite-diazdemera.pdf(accessed 6 April 2009)
STEPS Consulting Social Study for European Parliament. 2007. The conditions in centres for third country national (detention camps, open centres as well as transit centres and transit zones) with a particular focus on provisions and facilities for persons with special needs in the 25 EU member states.” European Parliament. REF IP REF IP/C/LIBE/IC2006-181. December 2007. http://www.libertysecurity.org/IMG/pdf_eu-ep-detention-centres-report.pdf (accessed 1 April 2009)
Tabet, Marie-Christine. « Un nouveau centre de rétention pour les sans-papiers expulsables.' » Le Figaro, 19 juin 2006,http://www.lefigaro.fr/france/20060619.FIG000000173_un_nouveau_centre_de_retention_pour_les_sans_papiers_expulsables.html (accessed 6 April 2009)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 2009. Asylum Levels and Trends in Industrialized Countries 2008: Statistical Overview of Asylum Applications Lodged in Europe and Selected Non-European Countries. UNHCR. http://www.unhcr.org/statistics/STATISTICS/49c796572.pdf(accessed 27 April 2009)
45,937 2016
47,565 2015
49,537 2014
45,377 2013
38,266 2013
43,746 2012
Assfam, Forum Réfugiés, France terre d'asile, La Cimade and Ordre de Malte. « Centres et locaux de rétention administrative - Rapport 2012."
39,989 2012
51,385 2011
Assfam, Forum Réfugiés, France terre d'asile, La Cimade and Ordre de Malte. « Centres et locaux de rétention administrative - Rapport 2011. » November 2012
48,553 2011
60,000 2010
Assfam, Forum Réfugiés, France terre d'asile, La Cimade and Ordre de Malte. « Centres et locaux de rétention administrative - Rapport 2010. "
58,267 2010
50,000 2009
La Cimade. "Rapport 2009 sur les centres et locaux de rétention administrative." 26 October 2010.
55,538 2009
32,268 2008
34,379 2007
30,923 2006
30,707 2005
25,849 2004
1,258 2013
668 2012
4,507 2016
5,100 2015
5,692 2014
3,381 2013
2,674 2012
5,701 2011
4,822 2015
96,375 2014
Eurostat. Asylum and Managed Migration. Enforcement of Immigration Legislation.Third country nationals refused entry at the external borders. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-migration/data/database. Accessed 25 November 2015.
48,965 2013
49,760 2012
0.61 2015
0.61 2013
0.83 2010
2,054 2016
1,779 2015
1,817 2013
1,672 2012
Centres de rétention: Valls étudie des fermetures. 26 October 2012
1,693 - -26 2007
773 2003
44,706 2015
43,371 2014
19,525 2014
44,458 2013
51,844 2013
20,140 2013
22,760 2012
56,225 2012
64,247 2011
20,425 2011
22.4 2014
68,432 2017
66,864 2015
68,859 2014
67,088 2013
21.7 2014
64,395,000
64,395,000 2015
66,317,994 2014
Population totale par sexe et âge au 1er janvier 2015, France
65,585,857 2012
Population totale par sexe et âge au 1er janvier 2013, France hors Mayotte
7,784,400
7,784,400 2015
7,439,100 2013
7,196,000 2010
200,000 - 400,000 2006
Plein Droit, N° 77, juin 2008
304,507 2016
273,126 2015
232,487 2014
217,865 2012
3.93 2014
3.45 2012
118,685 2016
59,041 2014
54,940 2012
1,370 2016
1,290 2015
1,247 2014
1,210 2012
Yes Constitution of October 4, 1958 (Constitution du 4 octobre 1958) Article 66 1958 1958
LOI n° 2015-925 du 29 juillet 2015 relative à la réforme du droit d'asile (1) 2015
LOI n° 2015-925 du 29 juillet 2015 relative à la réforme du droit d'asile (1). https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030949483#LEGISCTA000030950408
Code for the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and Asylum Seekers (Code de l’entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d’asile/CESEDA) 2004 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA)
Ministerial Decree no 2011-820 of 8 July 2011 implementing law no 2011-672 of 16 June 2011 on immigration, integration and nationality et and on removal procedures of foreigners. 2011
LOI n° 2016-274 du 7 mars 2016 relative au droit des étrangers en France (1) 2016
LOI n° 2016-274 du 7 mars 2016 relative au droit des étrangers en France (1) . Legifrance. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/loi/2016/3/7/INTX1412529L/jo#JORFSCTA000032164266
Instruction du 20 novembre 2017 relative aux objectifs et priorités en matière de lutte contre l’immigration irrégulière NOR : INT/V/17/30666/J, Ministre de l'intérieur, Gérard Collomb, https://www.gisti.org/spip.php?article5767 2017
Instruction du 20 novembre 2017 relative aux objectifs et priorités en matière de lutte contre l’immigration irrégulière, NOR : INT/V/17/30666/J , Ministère de l'intérieur, Gérard Collomb, https://www.gisti.org/spip.php?article5767
Circulaire du 31 mai 2013 relative aux modalités de prise en charge des jeunes isolés étrangers : dispositif national de mise à l'abri, d’évaluation et d’orientation 2013
Circulaire du 31 mai 2013 relative aux modalités de prise en charge des jeunes isolés étrangers : dispositif national de mise à l'abri, d’évaluation et d’orientation
Circulaire interministérielle du 25 janvier 2016 relative à la mobilisation des services de l’Etat auprès des conseils départementaux concernant les mineurs privés temporairement ou définitivement de la protection de leur famille et les personnes se présentant comme tels 2016
Arrêté du 30 mars 2011 pris en application de l'article R. 553-1 du code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile 2011
Circulaire du 14 juin 2010 relative à l’harmonisation des pratiques dans les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative et lors de l’exécution des escortes - NOR : IMI/M10/00105/C 2010
Circulaire du 14 juin 2010 relative à l’harmonisation des pratiques dans les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative et lors de l’exécution des escortes
Arrêté du 2 mai 2006 pris en application de l'article 4 du décret n° 2005-617 du 30 mai 2005 relatif à la rétention administrative et aux zones d'attente 2006
Detention to effect removal 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). R.551-1
Detention pending transfer to another Schengen country 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.531-1
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.531-2
Detention for unauthorised entry or stay 2013
Detention for failing to respect a voluntary removal order 2013
Detention to prevent absconding 2013
Detention for suspicion of terrorist-related activities 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 552-7
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.621-2
Unauthorized entry 365 2013
Declared inadmissible by another Schengen state 365 2013
Unauthorized re-entry 1095 2013
Ad-Hoc Query on criminal penalties for illegally entering/staying TCNs update Requested by NL EMN NCP on 4th April 2013. Compilation produced on 6th August 2013.
Ad-Hoc Query on detention of asylum seekers. 13 March 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.222-2
Access to consular assistance Yes Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.551-2
Access to asylum procedures Yes Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.551-3
Independent review of detention Yes Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 552-1
Right to appeal the lawfulness of detention Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 552-9
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 552-10
Information to detainees Yes Yes 2011
Right to legal counsel Yes Yes 2011
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 552-11
Access to free interpretation services Yes Yes 2011
Designated non-secure housing Yes infrequently 2014
Supervised release and/or reporting Yes No 2014
Home detention (curfew) Yes Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.561-1
Directive on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals 2008/115/CE of December 16, 2008. Report on the implementation of Directive 2008/115/CE in France
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.523-3,4,5
Registration (deposit of documents) Yes Yes 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.561-3
Electronic monitoring Yes infrequently 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L. 562-1
Unconditional release Yes Yes 2011
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA)- L.554
Unknown "[...] other mechanisms than detention exist in French law (mostly house arrest) but these mechanisms are exceptionally used and secondary. In practice, less than 7% of the TCNs [third-country nationals] under return decision or/and removal order, are not put in detention centers [...] despite the opposite approach of the Returns Directive. Detention remains the standard measure to apply in almost all the cases (see the long list of Article L-551-1 CESEDA).2 2013
Unknown In 2013, the authorities issued only 1,258 "assignations à résidence" [home detention decisions] i.e 2.9% of detention orders. French NGOs allowed into detention centres note that home detention is used not as an alternative but as a complement to "rétention" to perform the removal measures. 2013
Unaccompanied minors Yes 2013
Note du 3 juin 2013 aux services de Protection judiciaire de la jeunesse relative aux modalités de prise en charge des jeunes isolés étrangers: dispositif national de mise à l'abri, d'èvaluation et d'orientation
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.221-5
Persons with disabilities Yes 2013
Fiche n° 4-14 : Responsables de centre de rétention administrative
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). R.316-2
Rapport concernant la mise en oeuvre de la Convention du Conseil de l’Europe sur la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains par la France
Stateless persons 2013
Le statut d'apatride
Asylum seekers Yes 2013
Accompanied minors Yes 2013
Pregnant women Yes 2013
Elderly Yes 2013
Accompanied minors Yes 2011
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). R.553-1
Elderly Yes 2011
Pregnant women Yes 2011
No No 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). L.511-1
OP ICESCR, Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 2015
OP CRC Communications Procedure 2016
ICPED, International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 2008
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1986
PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees 1971
ICCPR, First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 1984
Committee on the Rights of the Child §74. The Committee recommends that the State party guarantee sufficient human, technical and financial resources throughout its jurisdiction to specialist and child‑specific support, protection, legal representation, social assistance, and educational and vocational training of unaccompanied migrant children and build the capacities of law enforcement officials in this regard. It also recommends that the State party: (a) Adopt the necessary measures, including those of a legal nature, to avoid the detention of children in waiting zones through increased efforts to find suitable alternatives to deprivation of liberty and place children in appropriate accommodation, andto fully respect non-refoulement obligations; [...] 2016
UNCRC, "Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of France," February 23, 2016, http://uhri.ohchr.org/document/index/2C6F3E71-EAC0-48FE-B58E-416146917EF1
Committee on the Rights of the Child "§74 [..] (a) Adopt the necessary measures, including those of a legal nature, to avoid the detention of children in waiting zones through increased efforts to find suitable alternatives to deprivation of liberty and place children in appropriate accommodation, andto fully respect non-refoulement obligations; (b) Put an end to the use of bone tests as the main method to determine the age of children, using instead other methods that are proven to be more accurate. 2016
Committee on the Rights of the Child. Concluding observations of the fifth periodic report of France. United Nations. CRC/C/FRA/CO/5. 23 February 2016. http://uhri.ohchr.org/document/index/2C6F3E71-EAC0-48FE-B58E-416146917EF1
Committee on Enforced Disappearance Any person in pretrial or administrative detention should have the right to communicate with the outside world and this right should not be restricted beyond 48 hours. Repeal article l221-2 of the code on the entry and residence of aliens and the right of asylum in the version introduced by the law of 16 june 2011 as far as detention procedures in ad hoc holding areas [zones d'attente] are concerned. 2013
Concluding observations on the report submitted by France under article 29, paragraph 1, of the Convention, adopted by the Committee at its fourth session (8–19 April 2013). CED/C/FRA/CO/1. 8 May 2013.
Committee against Torture Like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) following its visit to France, from 27 September to 9 October 2006, the Committee recommends that the State party allow sufficient time and provide all essential procedural guarantees for asylum applicants held in an administrative holding centre, without, however, unduly extending the holding period on that account; any appeal relating to an asylum application submitted at the border be subject to a hearing at which the applicant threatened with removal can present his case effectively, and that the appeal be subject to all basic procedural guarantees, including the right to an interpreter and counsel. 2010
Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 19 of the Convention: Concluding Observations of the Committee against Torture: France. CAT/C/FRA/CO/4-6
Committee on the Rights of the Child Taking into account the Committee’s General Comment No. 6 (CRC/GC/2005/6) on the treatment of unaccompanied and separated children outside their country of origin, the Committee urges the State party to: (a) Take all necessary measures to enable the decision of placement in waiting zones to be challenged; (b) Systematically appoint an ad hoc administrator as required by its domestic law; (c) Ensure the access and availability of adequate psychological assistance to unaccompanied children and to children within the waiting zones from exploitation, in particular through strict surveillance of access to these zones. 2009
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention: Concluding observations: France. CRC/C/FRA/CO/4 11 June 2009
Human Rights Committee Rreview detention policy in regard to undocumented foreign nationals and asylum-seekers, including unaccompanied children; reduce overcrowding and improve living conditions in such centres, especially those in the Overseas Departments and Territories. Have no tolerance for acts of ill-treatment perpetrated by law enforcement officials against foreign nationals, including asylum-seekers, who are detained in prisons and administrative detention centres; establish adequate systems for monitoring and deterring abuses and develop further training opportunities for law enforcement officials. Undocumented foreign nationals and asylum-seekers must be properly informed and assured of their rights, including the right to apply for asylum, with access to free legal aid; ensure that all individuals subject to deportation orders have an adequate period to prepare an asylum application, with guaranteed access to translators, and a right of appeal with suspensive effect. 2008
Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee - France 2008 CCPR/C/FRA/CO/4
CPCSE, Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse 2010
ECHR, Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (commonly known as the European Convention on Human Rights 1974
ECHRP1, Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights (amended by protocol 11) 1974
Return Directive 2011
Reception Directive 2006
Procedures Directive 2008
ECHR Article 5 1974
ECHR Article 6 1974
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) R.M. and others v. France, n°33201/11, violation of Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) in respect of the child, violation of Article 5 § 1 (right to liberty and security) and 5 § 4 (right to speedy review of the lawfulness of detention) in respect of the child 2016
European Court of Human Rights, Press Release ECHR 248 (2016) 12.07.2016, Judgments and decisions of 12 July 2016
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) A.B. and others v. France,n° 11593/12, Violation of Article 3 – in respect of the child A.B., Violation of Article 5 §§ 1 and 4 – in respect of the child A.B. 2016
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) A.M. v. France, n° 56324/13, violation of Article 5(4) (right to seek a judicial review of the detention) 2016
European Court of Human Rights, A.M. v. FRANCE, 56324/13, 12 July 2016
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) R.K. and others. France, n° 68264/14,Violation of Article 3 – in respect of the applicants’ child, concerning the administrative detention, Violation of Article 5 §§ 1 and 4 – in respect of the applicants’ child 2016
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) R.C. et V.C. v. France, n°76491/14, Violation of Article 3 – in respect of the child V.C. 2016
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) Popov v. France, 39472/07 and 39474/07, violation of Article 5(1) and 5(4) in respect of the children 2012
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) Treatment of detainees: contemptuous behaviour of persons placed in administrative detention by surveillance staff is unacceptable and will be punished. Conditions of detention: provide appropriate heating in all detention centres; equip furniture in accommodation facilities of all detention centres with locks; staff should not openly carry telescopic truncheons; provide systematic medical examination of persons on the day of arrival in detention centres and upon being returned to detention after an abortive deportation operation due to resistance of the person to be removed; provide products for personal hygiene throughout the duration of the detention; introduce a range of purposeful activities; keep providing specialised training to police officers working in detention centres; keep a specific register for placement in isolation cells in all detention centres. 2012 2012
Rapport au Gouvernement de la République française relatif à la visite effectuée en France par le Comité européen pour la prévention de la torture et des peines ou traitements inhumains ou dégradants (CPT) du 28 novembre au 10 décembre 2010. CPT/Inf (2012) 13. 19 April 2013.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Conditions of held foreigners at the border, notably at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport: the Commissioner stresses the importance of keeping families together, and particularly of refraining from detaining children, especially unaccompanied minors. The Commissioner noted that the effective exercise of such essential rights as those to consult a lawyer, to receive visits from family and friends and to submit an asylum application were highly restricted in practice.Conditions in the Mesnil-Amelot Administrative Holding Centre and the problem of annual expulsion quotas: the Commissioner invites the French authorities to stop the practice of moving persons from prisons to Holding Centres, establishing a separate administrative expulsion procedure for them. The policy of setting an annual total number of persons irregularly resident in the territory to be apprehended and expelled would seem to be creating an attitude of unnecessary, indeed inhumane, haste on the part of some of the authorities responsible for achieving these objectives. 2008 2008
Memorandum by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, further to his visit to the Zones d’Attente (waiting areas) at Roissy Airport and the Mesnil-Amelot Administrative Holding Centre
Argentina 2002 2017
Belgium 1964 2017
Benin 2010 2017
Brazil 2001 2017
Bulgaria 1997 2017
Burkina Faso 2011 2017
Cape Verde 2011 2017
Chile 1998 2017
Costa Rica 2001 2017
Croatia 1996 2017
Congo (Democratic Republic) 2009 2017
Dominica 2007 2017
Estonia 1999 2017
Ecuador 2000 2017
El Salvador 1999 2017
Greece 2004 2017
Gabon 2008 2017
Guatemala 1999 2017
Hungary 1998 2017
Haiti 2007 2017
Honduras 2000 2017
Latvia 1998 2017
Luxembourg 1964 2017
Libya 2007 2017
Montenegro 2006 2017
Morocco 2001 2017
Mauritius 2010 2017
Mexico 1998 2017
Netherlands 1999 2017
Portugal 1995 2017
Panama 1999 2017
Paraguay 1997 2017
Romania 2007 2017
Slovakia 1997 2017
Sweden 1991 2017
Switzerland 2000 2017
Senegal 2009 2017
Spain 2003 2017
Tunisia 2009 2017
Uruguay 1997 2017
Venezuela . 2001 2017
Viet Nam 2012 2017
Macedonia 1999 2017
Germany 2005 2017
Austria 2015 2017
Spain 1989 2017
Netherlands 1964 2017
Mauritius 2007 2017
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Visites de pays des titulaires de mandats au titre des procédures spéciales du Conseil des droits de l'homme depuis 1998,
Yes 2018 2018
Draft report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review* - France , Human Rights Council, A/HRC/WG.6/29/L.1
Yes 2013 2017
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review France, A/HRC/23/3, 21 March 2013 , p24; 120.162 , 120.164, https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/france/session_15_-_january_2013/ahrc233e.pdf
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - France 2008 A/HRC/8/47
Centralized system 2013
Centralized immigration authority 2013
M. le préfet de Mayotte Ministry of the Interior Interior or Home Affairs 2015
Ministère de l’Intérieur de l’Outre-mer et des Collectivités Territoriales Interior or Home Affairs 2007
Préfet de département Law enforcement, border control and national security Ministry of Interior (Home Affairs) 2013
Préfet de département Governmental 2013
Code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile (CESEDA). R.553-2
Police aux frontières Governmental 2013
Interior Ministry Governmental 2013
Police qux frontières Governmental 2013
M. le préfet de Mayotte..Ministère de l'intérieur, de la sécurité intérieure et des libertés locales Governmental 2013
Arrêté du 19 janvier 2004 précisant les conditions d'application des articles 55, 59 et 61 du décret n° 2001-635 du 17 juillet 2001 pris pour l'application de l'ordonnance n° 2000-373 du 26 avril 2000 relative aux conditions d'entrée et de séjour des étrangers à Mayotte.
M. le préfet de Mayotte. Ministère de l'intérieur, de la sécurité intérieure et des libertés locales Governmental 2013
M. le préfet de Mayotte. Ministère de l'intérieur Governmental 2013
Police aux frontières (PAF) Governmental 2012
Gendarmerie nationale Governmental 2008
Police nationale / Police des Airs et Frontières PAF Governmental 2007
CIMADE, "Rapport annuel 2007 sur les centres et les locaux de rétention administrative," CIMADE, http://www.cimade.org/assets/0000/0645/Rapport_Cimade_retention.pdf (accessed February 23, 2009)
Gendarmerie nationale Governmental 2007
Police nationale Governmental 2007
Yes Dedicated immigration detention facilities 2013
National Consultative Commission of Human Rights (Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme) National Human Rights Institution (or Ombudsperson) (NHRI) 2016
Members of the European Parliament International or Regional Bodies (IRBs) 2013
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights International or Regional Bodies (IRBs) 2012
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture International or Regional Bodies (IRBs) 2012
Members of the French parliament Parliamentary (Congressional) Organs 2012
General Inspector of all Places of Deprivation of Liberty (Contrôleur général des lieux de privation de liberté) OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) 2012
Public prosecutor; judge for freedom and detention ( juge des libertés et de la détention) Judiciary organs 2012
La Cimade Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 2012
Association Service Social Familial Migrants Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 2012
Forum Réfugiés Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 2012
France Terre d'Asile Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 2012
Ordre de Malte Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) 2012
Do parliamentary organs carry out visits? Show sources
Do parliamentary organs carry out visits?
Do parliamentary organs publicly report on their detention findings? Show sources
Do parliamentary organs publicly report on their detention findings?
37,173,800 Yes Yes Yes 2018
Projet de loi de finances pour 2018 : Asile, immigration, intégration et nationalité, « B. LES CENTRES DE RETENTION ADMINISTRATIVE ET LES MESURES D'ASSIGNATION À RÉSIDENCE : DES DISPOSITIFS PERFECTIBLES, DONT LE FINANCEMENT POSE QUESTION, » http://www.senat.fr/rap/a17-114-2/a17-114-26.html
29,531,300 Yes Yes Yes 2017
49,765,200 Yes Yes Yes 2016
28,794,100 2015
République Française. "IMMIGRATION, ASILE ET INTÉGRATION - BUDGET GÉNÉRAL MISSION MINISTÉRIELLE PROJETS ANNUELS DE PERFORMANCES - ANNEXE AU PROJET DE LOI DE FINANCES POUR 2015.
32,520,400 2009
Sénat. Projet de loi de finances pour 2009 : Immigration, asile et intégration. Rapport général n° 99 (2008-2009) de M. Pierre BERNARD-REYMOND, fait au nom de la commission des finances, déposé le 20 novembre 2008 II. LA LUTTE CONTRE L'IMMIGRATION ILLÉGALE ET LES RECONDUITES À LA FRONTIÈRE.
Building and maintenance 6.283.310 2018
Building and maintenance 3.819.260 2017
Building and maintenance 2.266.920 2016
Building and maintenance 14,353,000 2015
Medical 8,807,600 2015
Transport 24,164,500 2015
Transport 47,425,600 2009
Estimated annual budget for non-custodial measures (in USD) Show sources
Estimated annual budget for non-custodial measures (USD)
1,129,180 2015
42,732 2014
41,421 2013
39,772 2012
24,760 2015
16,379 2011
5,264 2010
12,028 2012
12,997 2011
22 Very high 2015
20 Very high 2014
20 Very high 2012
90 -0.7 2012
90 -0.8 2011
91 -1.5 2010
Immigration Ministry (Le ministère de l'immigration, de l'intégration, de l'identité nationale et du développement solidaire): http://www.immigration.gouv.fr/
Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides (French): http://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (English): http://www.diplomatie.fr
Commission de recours des réfugiés (French): http://www.commission-refugies.fr/
International Labour Organization: France Office: http://www.ilo.org/public/french/region/eurpro/paris/index.htm
IOM - France: http://www.iomfrance.org/
UNHCR – France: http://www.unhcr.org/fr/#_ga=1.184309862.1574793458.1466088472
UNHCR – France Country Information: http://www.refworld.org/country,COI,UNHCR,,FRA,,4562d8b62,,0.html
Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.fr/
Association nationale d’assistance aux frontières pour les étrangers (ANAFE): http://www.anafe.org/
Association d’accueil aux médecins et personnels de santé réfugiés en France (APSRF): http://apsr.asso.fr/
Comité médical pour les exilés (COMEDE): www.comede.org
Coordination Française pour le Droit d’Asile: http://cfda.rezo.net/
Forum Réfugiés: www.forumrefugies.org
France Terre d’Asile: www.france-terre-asile.org
Groupe Accueil Solidarité (GAS): www.gas.asso.fr
Ligue des Droits de l’Homme: www.ldh-france.org
Migreurop: http://www.migreurop.org
Pastorale des Migrants: http://migrations.catholique.fr/index.php?ID=1010160
Ouest France: http://www.ouest-france.fr/
Le Point: www.lepoint.fr
France Universal Period Review – 3rd Cycle Submission to the Universal Periodic Review by the Global Detention Project (Geneva, Switzerland) 29th Session of the UPR Working Group, January-February 2018 Submitted on 29 June 2017 The Global Detention Project (GDP) is an independent research centre based in Geneva, Switzerland, that investigates the use of […]
What can we learn from the interdisciplinary study of immigration detention regimes? Michael Flynn explains in this essay for Oxford University’s “Border Criminologies” research network.
Global Detention Project Submission to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 64th session (4 – 22 July 2016) The Global Detention Project (GDP) welcomes the opportunity to provide information for consideration of the combined seventh and eighth periodic report of France (CEDAW/C/FRA/7- 8) submitted to the Committee on the […]