Immigration - in brief (7)
01 January 1991
Immigration - in brief
France: France deported 29 undocumented Romanian immigrants on
a special charter flight on 6 February. This was the 35th special
charter flight since the interior minister Jean-Louis Debr? took
office in 1995. Most deportations have been to Romania and
African countries. Guardian, 7.2.97
Netherlands: Asylum officials criticised: The National Ombudsman
office has criticised the Justice department's so-called "contact
officers" who question asylum seekers after they complete their
application forms. This interview is normally the only chance
that the applicant gets to state their case. According to the
Ombudsman, the quality of these officers is insufficiently
controlled and guaranteed. There have been about a dozen
complaints about intimidation and pressure exerted by contact
officers and their lack of knowledge about the situation in the
countries of origin. The Ombudsman suggests that the interviews
should be recorded on tape and that an independent complaints
commission be set up.