23
Rights’ first-hand observations that clients lose
some individuals phones are broken in the
weight over time while in detention. Maher
process. Five participants also mentioned that
described the experience as, “You can feel
they used to have a ball to play football with.
yourself decaying.” In addition to losing weight,
However, Jamal shared that, “There are some
the lack of food caused participants to
other police officers on certain shifts that are really
experience new health problems including a
bad and horrible, and the treatment depends on
lack of sleep, feeling weak, and stomach pain.
what police is guarding that day. Sometimes we
Other participants shared their concerns about
lose the ball, and they refuse to bring it.” As such,
how the poor quantity and quality of food
negatively impacted their psychological health.
even the limited access individuals have to
recreation is not guaranteed and depended on
Maher explained, “Without food, I am depressed,
police treatment.
and my whole personality is different, while Faris
The lack of activities leads to further isolation
stated, “I am not the same person I came from
for some individuals in the PRDC. As Haytham
Gaza to here. In my country, my health was much
explained, “I stay in my room mostly. I do go walk
better than it is here by a lot.” Because of this,
and pray, but the rest of the time I stay in my room.”
Brian stated, “The most difficult thing here [in the
Lana reiterated this sentiment, “Sometimes
PRDC] is the food.”
when I want to go out in the sun when the weather
C. Lack of Recreational Activities
Throughout the reporting period, the PRDC
continued to have no recreational facilities for
individuals to make use of during their time in
the PRDC. Thus, as in the first two editions of
is nice, there are a lot of men outside. I go back
inside the container and sit there locked up because
there is no separate yard. I spend most of my time
in the container.” As such, the lack of
recreational activities contributes to the
deteriorating mental health of individuals in
this report,46 each of the 13 participants
detention.
interviewed for this report shared that they had
At least four participants reported that while
no access to recreational activities while
other individuals in detention did socialize
detained in the PRDC, whether organized by
with one another, the socialization occurred
the authorities or individuals in detention. As
based on social identities, such as nationality.
Idris explained, “The authorities do not plan any
As Soloman explained, “The Pakistani detainees
activities, and there are no activities we can
play games, but I don’t interact with them a lot,
organize because there is nothing here [in the
and I don’t play with them,” while Ali explained,
PRDC].”
“the other detained persons would socialize in
Six participants mentioned they passed the
groups – like those from Idlib would be together –
time in the PRDC by spending it on their phone.
However, as observed by Equal Rights some
individuals are unable to do the same because
they do not have access to a phone: due to the
policy of requiring one to break their camera,
46
but I was the only person from my place and
therefore by myself.” Based on Equal Rights
staff’s
first-hand
observations,
such
socialization has a disproportionate impact on
Black asylum seekers, who have historically
Detained and Forgotten, supra note 1, at 49-50; Still Detained and Forgotten, supra note 2, at 25-26.
‘Still detained and forgotten’ – Update on Detention Policies, Practices, and Conditions on Kos 2023/24