Asylum Seekers in Poland

2.2.2015

Question for written answer P-001646-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Malin Björk (GUE/NGL)

In Poland, many asylum-seekers are placed in custody or treated as if they were criminals. According to Polish law, both adults and children can be held in custody for up to two years, and a quarter of the migrants placed in secure custody in Poland are children.

The EU Directive on this matter states that children should only be deprived of their freedom as a last resort, and then for as short a time as possible.

The European Court of Human Rights (European Court) in Strasbourg has already condemned Greece for similar treatment of asylum-seekers.

Does the Commission consider Poland’s imprisonment of asylum-seekers and their children to be in accordance with the EU Directive?

Will the Commission take action against the Polish authorities because of their practice of placing asylum-seekers and their children in custody?

What action has the Commission taken following the European Court’s decision in the case of Greece, either in relation to the Greek authorities, or to all EU Member States in general?