POTSDAM, Germany – The study visit/workshop, “Best practices in managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers,” organised by the MARRI Regional Centre in partnership with Ministry of Interior of Land of Brandenburg, was held in Potsdam and Eisenhüttenstadt Detention Centre for Asylum Seekers in Land of Brandenburg, Germany on 18-19 June 2009.
Its objective was to assist the MARRI Member States’ national institutions responsible for managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers in their efforts to achieve international and European minimum standards and provide some guidance and examples of how a reception/detention centre for asylum seekers can be established and maintained.
It gathered participants from MARRI Member States’ national institutions dealing with asylum. Two relevant high level government officials per national delegations (generally heads of reception/detention centers for asylum seekers and heads of asylum units in MARRI Member States) provided an update of the current state of affairs in running reception/detention centers, identified gaps and needs, shared experiences, discussed problems, and set recommendations and expectations for the future. German experts contributed from EU perspective, drawing on their expertise and experience. Their role was to share EU/German best practices and experiences in running reception/detention centers for asylum seekers.
The main output of the study visit/workshop was supported and strengthened capacities of the MARRI Member States’ national institutions responsible for managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers in view of more efficient functioning of reception/detention centers for asylum seekers.
Specific objectives of the MARRI study visit/workshop were to (i) raise the awareness of the relevant high-level government authorities about the importance of the proper management of the reception/detention centres; (ii) familiarise MARRI MS national institutions responsible for managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers with international and European standards and (iii) transferring experiences and best practices in management of the reception/detention centres.
Specific objectives were realised through two groups of activities, (i) workshop in the Ministry of Interior in Potsdam and (ii) study visit of Eisenhüttenstadt reception/detention centre for asylum seekers in Land of Brandenburg and Central Aliens Authority for Asylum Seekers of Brandenburg (ZABH), under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior of Brandenburg.
In the workshop part (first day), the following activities were realised: (i) analysis of national and international legal ground for establishment/functioning of reception/detention centers for asylum seekers, (ii) analysis of the institutions responsible for managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers and their organizational structure, (iii) analysis and overview of achievements and progress made in managing reception/detention centers, (iv) exchange of practices, identification of gaps and needs.
In the study visit part (second day), provided by the Ministry of Interior of Land of Brandenburg, the participants visited Eisenhüttenstadt reception/detention centre for asylum seekers in Land of Brandenburg and Central Aliens Authority for Asylum Seekers of Brandenburg (ZABH).
At the end, the participants adopted the Potsdam_Conclusions.
For further information, please contact the MARRI Regional Centre at info@marri-rc.org.mk