The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has published two reports on its 2022 ad hoc visits to Belgium and Cyprus in the context of a Frontex-supported return operation to the Democratic Republic of Congo, together with the responses of the Belgian and Cypriot authorities.
The two reports examine the treatment and conditions of detention of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty under immigration legislation and the safeguards afforded to them in the context of their removal. The CPT sent, for the first time, two delegations to observe the preparations and conduct of a joint return operation (JRO) by air from Belgium and Cyprus to the Democratic Republic of Congo that took place on 8 November 2022.
The return flight was organised by Belgium, with the participation among others of Cyprus, and was supported by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). This is the sixth removal operation by air monitored by the CPT over the past decade.
In its report on the visit to Belgium, the CPT noted that its delegation received no allegations of ill-treatment from the persons being removed. (see report executive summary)
In the report on the visit to Cyprus, the CPT found that the persons being returned were treated with respect by the Cypriot Police but highlighted the need for clear guidelines on the flight preparations and the boarding procedure, including as regards health-related issues.
The two reports and responses have been published at the request of the Belgian and Cypriot authorities.
