The delegation further spoke with several individuals who were held in an isolated wing, and who required
psychiatric care, many due to suicide attempts. A fundamental lack of appropriate support services were
provided including no presence of pre-screening procedures upon arrival, and with long delays in all access to
health care.
In 2016, the CPT delegation's report[158] reiterated their previous concerns, calling the cells ‘filthy’, and
expressed severe disappointment at the lack of follow up from their recommendations. The report also
highlights the credible allegations of physical and verbal ill-treatment of detainees by police officers in Tavros
(Petrou Ralli), supported by medical evidence.
There have not been any follow up visits to Tavros (Petrou Ralli) since 2016, and since it officially became a
PRDC. This is alarming, considering the extensive reports of concerns raised by the CPT in the past.
Our Findings
We only obtained three interviews with people who were
held in Tavros (Petrou Ralli). The respondents included
individuals from Egypt, Togo and Iran, one of whom was
20-years-old, one 27-years-old and one 28-years-old. All
three were held in Tavros (Petrou Ralli) before being
transferred to other detention centres, one for a five
month period.
The respondents were apprehended for their lack of legal
documentation, and able to apply for asylum in Tavros
(Petrou Ralli), however with very little information,
translation or legal counselling. As a result, they received
rejections, but did not understand how to appeal or lodge a
subsequent application. The general conditions were
reported as extremely poor, dirty and specifically, that the
structure of the facility both indoors and outdoors, was
reminiscent of a prison.
We spoke to 3 men who were 20, 27 and 28
years old who were detained in Tavros
(Petrou Ralli) at some point since 2020 from
the following countries of origin:
Iran
1
Egypt
1
1
Togo
Source: Tavros (Petrou Ralli PRDC), Border Criminologies
39