Austria allows detention of any asylum seeker

New Austrian legislation that entered into force on 1 July permits the detention of any asylum seeker for up to 120 hours, and for up to 148 hours under certain circumstances. Additionally, asylum seekers to be returned to other European countries under the Dublin Regulation may be put in pre-deportation custody if they leave the centre without authorisation.

Anny Knapp from the Austrian Asylkoordination, ECRE Member, strongly criticised the new legislation, holding it unacceptable to imprison asylum seekers for days. Knapp also raised questions about the provision permitting the detention of asylum seekers who leave the reception centre, worrying that police will apply this rule without careful consideration.