Global Detention Project and International Refugee Rights Association prepared a joint report about the treatment of women in the immigration Detention Centres. The reporting departement team of IRRA undertook interview with seven lawyers (five of them women), who represent women detainees in seven detention centres [Kocaeli, Istanbul, Kırklareli, Izmir, Gaziantep, Erzurum, and Hatay.] It is important to note while these interviews represent only a partial sampling of Turkey’s full detention systems, the results may be indicatory of the current state of the country’s policies with respect to women in immigration detention.
According to the report Turkey should be encouraged to regularly collect and publish gender disaggregated data on the number of women and girls being held in immigration detention facilities throughout the country. Specially, human rights training should be provided to all officials working with women refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and victims of trafficking to enable them to more appropriately meet the gender needs and protect the human rights of women and girls under their care. In the event that pregnant and nursing women are detained, they must be provided with specialized care, including appropriate and regular access to medical care and gynecological check-ups; appropriate, nutritious food, vitamins, and other supplements as required; appropriate clothing, especially for pregnant women; and supplementary food for babies and breastfeeding mothers.
