Conditions Condemned At Czech Detention Facility For Asylum Seekers

The Czech Republic's ombudsman is condemning conditions at a detention facility for asylum seekers in her country, saying they violate the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Anna Sabatova said on October 13 that the children detained with their parents at the Bela-Jezova center north of Prague are being forced to stay in worse conditions than prisoners.

She said that the detention in such a facility "defies our view of the Czech Republic as a civilized country."

Sabatova complained on October 13 that children are traumatized by the conditions without any reason.

She said migrants there "didn't commit any crime. They were not convicted of anything. Still, they have to suffer."

The Czech Republic routinely detains all migrants without proper documents for several weeks, a practice repeatedly criticized by rights organizations.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters