Italian MEP suggests government wants to ‘hide truth’ about Albania migrant centre
Cristina Guarda says delegation was denied access to cells in offshore detention facility, at which six people have attempted suicide
TL;DR
- An Italian MEP, Cristina Guarda, alleges the government is trying to hide the truth about conditions at an offshore migrant detention center in Albania.
- A delegation of MEPs was reportedly denied full access to the facility, including cells and key information, and faced obstacles during their inspection.
- Testimonies from detained individuals describe 'limbo and alienation,' with reports of six suicide attempts and other self-harm incidents since mid-May.
- The center, run by Italy in Gjadër, Albania, is part of a controversial pact to process asylum applications of adult men intercepted at sea.
- Despite assurances of human rights guarantees, MEPs were unable to verify the respect for those rights due to restricted access.
- The facility faces criticism regarding 'sweltering' heat, lack of activities, and the 'constant' use of psychotropic drugs.