Interior minister responds to criticism of conditions at migrant detention centres

Interior Minister Milan Chovanec has posted an open letter online reacting to recent criticism by the country’s ombudswoman, Anna Šabatová. Last week, Ms Šabatová described conditions at detention centres for migrants in the Czech Republic as “unacceptable” not least for families with children. In all, she outlined 14 points that an inspection of the facilities uncovered. On Monday, in a letter posted on the Interior Ministry website, Mr Chovanec responded by saying conditions at detention facilities for foreigners had “always been humane”; he argued that migrants detained had access to quality health care, to clothes, as well as to healthy meals. The ombudswoman reportedly is not planning to comment; she is due to meet face-to-face with the minister on Tuesday.

Author: Jan Velinger