Bulgaria Bulgaria 'jails' asylum seekers

5 Nov 2011 | asylum detention

‘Aljazeera’ reports that Bulgaria routinely locks up asylum seekers, despite EU law banning the use of detention centres. On joining the border control-free Schengen zone, the number of immigrants heading for Bulgaria is expected to rise dramatically, as the many thousands who currently cross illegally into the EU. Most are detained for months, which is against both Bulgaria’s national laws and EU regulations. Government officials acknowledge they are breaking EU rules and national law, but insist they can only properly cater for just 400 asylum seekers, including children at open reception centres.

Source : Aljazeera