(insertion of a new paragraph, paragraph 12bis, using text that is currently in the last sentence of paragraph
12)
“Furthermore, he or she should never be deported involuntarily transferred to another State where he/she
would may subsequently face onward involuntary transfer to a third State where in which he/she would be
at real risk of subjected to torture (known as ‘chain’ or ‘indirect’ refoulement). [Footnote: General
Comment No. 1, paragraph 2; Avedes Hamayak Korban v. Sweden, CAT/C/21/D/1997, 16 November
1998, paragraph 7; and Z.T. v. Australia, CAT/C/31/D/153/2000, 11 November 2003, paragraph. 6.4; and
CAT/C/GRC/CO/5-6, paragraph 19]”
vii) Paragraph 13
21. We recommend inserting the following text at the end of paragraph 13, which would refer to the
changes that we have proposed below in relation to paragraph 18(e): “All involuntary transfer
decisions must be subject to appeal to a judicial body as outlined in paragraph 18(e).”
Recommended insertion of a new paragraph, paragraph 13bis
The resort to immigration detention as tool to deter irregular migration has become increasingly widespread
and institutionalized over the past fifteen years. In this context, the Committee has held that States parties
should ensure that: “detention is used only as a last resort, in accordance with the requirements of international
law, and not for administrative convenience”,24 and has recommended the repeal of provisions establishing
mandatory detention of persons entering their territory irregularly.25 The Committee has also stated that
persons in need of international protection, including “vulnerable people, in particular children, torture
survivors, victims of trafficking, and persons with serious mental disability should not be detained” while their
asylum, deportation or extradition cases are being examined.26
According to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment, children’s deprivation of liberty solely based on their or their parents’ migration status is never in
the best interests of the child and may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.27 The Committee on
the Rights of the Child has held that immigration detention – even for relatively limited duration or in contexts
that are relatively “child friendly” – is never appropriate for children. The CRC Committee and a number of
international and regional experts have therefore called upon States to “expeditiously and completely cease”
the immigration detention of children, and to adopt alternatives to detention.28 In light of the above, we
recommend the insertion of a new paragraph, paragraph 13bis, as set out below.
Recommended textual addition
(insertion of a new paragraph 13bis)
24
CAT, Concluding Observations: United Kingdom, UN Doc. CAT/C/GBR/CO/5, 24 June 2013, para. 30; CAT,
Concluding Observations: Sweden, UN Doc. CAT/C/SWE/CO/6-7.
25
CAT, Concluding Observations: Australia, UN Doc. CAT/C/AUS/CO/4-5, 23 Dec. 2014, para. 16.
26
CAT, Concluding Observations: United Kingdom, UN Doc. CAT/C/GBR/CO/5, 24 June 2013, para. 30; CAT,
Concluding Obseravtions: Finland, UN Doc. CAT/C/FIN/CO/7, 20 Jan. 2017, para. 13.
27
Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment, Juan E. Méndez, Report on Children Deprived of Liberty, 5 March 2015, UN Doc. A/HRC/28/68, 1 Feb.
2013, para. 80.
28
Summary of normative standards and recommendations on ending child immigration detention, Interagency Working
Group on Ending Child Immigration Detention (IAWG), 2016.
11
AI Index: IOR 40/6040/2017