34. The Committee is concerned at the increase in difficulties encountered in gaining access to a refugee status determination procedure due to the closure of several urban refugee reception offices, and at the reports of inadequate safeguards in such a process. The Committee is concerned about allegations that some immigration officers refuse to provide asylum seekers with transit permits at the port of entry, putting them at risk of immediate arrest or deportation. The Committee is concerned about allegations that these obstacles have resulted in the development of corrupt practices and have increased the vulnerability of migrants, especially children, by rendering them undocumented and stateless (arts. 6, 7 and 13).
35. The State party should facilitate access to documentation and fair procedures for asylum seekers, including translation services and, where the interests of justice so require, access to legal representation. It should ensure that asylum applications are processed expeditiously and that the principle of non-refoulement is respected under all circumstances.
36. The Committee is concerned about reports of: (...) and (c) protracted detention of stateless persons and their deportation to countries where they were not recognized as citizens. (...).
37. The State party should ensure that detention pending deportation is applied as a last resort only, with special regard being given to the needs of particularly vulnerable persons, and that individuals detained for immigration-related reasons are held in facilities specifically designed for that purpose. (...)
Detention
Nationality/Identity documentation