On 29 October the Commissioner made an on-site visit to Strasbourg and its area focused on the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. After having met local lawyers and NGOs expert in this field, he visited the migrant detention centre of Geispolsheim, where he held discussions with the staff and detainees.
He concluded the visit with a constructive meeting with the Prefect of Bas-Rhin and of the Alsace region, during which the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the good collaboration between state services and the NGO working at the migrant detention centre of Geispolsheim.
The Commissioner also shared with the Prefect a number of concerns about the psychological distress of detainees, but also about the situation of immigrants and asylum seekers outside the detention center, emphasizing in particular the lack of enough places in reception centers for asylum seekers and the worrying situation of unaccompanied migrant minors.