Central- and East European countries have to issue rules re. refugees and migrants for joining the European Community. One reason why the Czech Republic is not longer on top of the list of the candidates is because they refused to adapt the repressive rules re. migration and refugee politics. Due to the increase of secret crossings at the Czech-German border causing criticism from Brussels and the German government the first detention centre was opened near the German border in November 1998.

In May 1999 a FFM-Team paid a first visit to Balkova. (compare FFM report of May 5, 1999). A year later, on April 25, 2000, FFM, accompanied by two members of the Czech Organisation OPU (Organisation for the Aid of Refugees) repeated this visit. This project was sponsored by Pro Asyl, Germany.

The following short report is based on the following talks:

• (one and a half hour) with Major Hubka, warden of Balkova as well as with Jan Mathy and Dr. Chudoba from the Czech foreign police;
• (30 minutes) with a psychologist working in Balkova;
• A short prison tour;
• with 30 refugees on April 26, 2000 in Cerveny Ujezd, one of the two Czech reception centres. Most of them have been taken into custody at the German border. All of them were detained in Balkova before they were deported to Cerveny Ujezd.

Due to the warden Balkova accommodates 300 persons. During our visit 184 migrants and refugees were held under detention. 65% of the prisoners are said to have tried to cross the border secretly and were deported by the German border patrol (BGS). According to the warden and the Czech foreign police the Czech border patrol of each district decides who of the deported refugees and migrants will be detained in Balkova.

Last year prisoners could reckon on being released after 30 days, but since January 1, 2000 a new Czech foreign law provides that they will be held under detention for 180 days (compare law no. 326 of November 30, 1999 on Residence of Alien for the Purpose of Administrative Expulsion). This law that corresponds to the rules of the Schengen-Aquis legitimates Balkova and four other detention centres that are in the planning.

According to this foreign law illegal migrants are supposed to be detained until a certificate for their passport will be issued in order to deport them. Due to the law and the warden they have the right to apply for asylum, on which they will be released and sent to the reception centre in Cerveny Ujezd. Statements of several refugees however maintained the contrary. They said that they had applied for asylum with the German border patrol as well as with the Czech authorities. In spite of this they have been sent to Balkova under false pretences where they had been held under detention for several weeks without any explanations. Only when they went on hunger strikes of four until five days they were sent to Cerveny Ujezd.

It’s not the first time that FFM points out that refugees are robbed by the German border patrol before they are deported. In Cervent Ujezd we met families and others who confirmed that even the Czech authorities has started this too. In case of the Iranian family N. , a couple with three children that were held under detention for 48 hours by the German border patrol had to pay DM 2.600,-- ( FFM has copies of the receipts). After being deported to the Czech Republic the local border patrol withheld another DM 600,--. Afterwards they were sent to Balkova.

These doings, withholding "bails" and "police costs" aims at reducing the financial means of refugees and migrants in order to prevent them from crossing the border again.

In Balkova we differ between an open and a closed confinement. The open confinement means that the prisoners have contact with other prisoners during the day. Due to the warden women and/or families are detained there. The closed confinement means that the prisoners will be detained with up to four other prisoners in a cell for at least 23 hours. According to the warden, above all, men who are travelling alone and had tried several times to cross the border secretly, are detained there. In Balkova there are no translators, no spiritual advisers, no lawyers. The prisoners have no opportunity to call or get phone calls. So they are practically cut off from the outer world. All former prisoners describe the hygienic conditions as unbearable. The prison staff is aggressive and unfriendly and treat the prisoners at will. Some said that they have been beaten. Several former prisoners reported about hunger strikes and attempted suicides.

FFM was extremely alarmed at the detention of families and children in Balkova for several weeks. Especially little children have to face psychological and physical consequential damages.

In the near future four other detention centres will be installed in the Czech Republic for taking refugees and migrants in custody who are on their way to the countries of the European Community. Detention Centres like Balkova are part of the most repressive forms of the extending "Shielding policy" of the western European countries. So they are part of the growing shielding system of the European Community towards refugees and migrants.

Anja Zickuhr, Martin Beck, Dominique John