Harsh Conditions Inside Migrant Detention Centers in Sweden Spark Widespread Controversy

Media reports in Sweden have revealed harsh and controversial detention conditions at the migrant detention center in the town of Åstorp, following warnings issued by oversight authorities about violations and inhumane practices at the facility run by the Migration Agency.

The Swedish National Audit Office stated that detainees face a risk of “unnecessary suffering,” highlighting the lack of clear management at the center and weak legal safeguards protecting the rights of those held.

Among the human-interest stories that drew attention is the account of a detainee using the pseudonym “Amir,” who spent 150 days in the center, describing harsh conditions and sleeping arrangements with four to six people sharing a single room.

Amir described the situation in detention as akin to slow death, citing restrictions such as the ban on using personal mobile phones and limiting daily outdoor time to just an hour and a half.

Despite the criticism, Maria Lindgren, head of the Åstorp center, stated that the management welcomes the audit report and is working to address the shortcomings, noting that some of the points raised only partially reflect the reality.

It is worth noting that Amir arrived in Sweden in 2011 with his family but never obtained a residence permit. As a stateless person from Kuwait, deportation is practically impossible, placing him in a complex legal and humanitarian situation.

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