Rights groups urge Canada to end ‘abusive’ immigration detention

Amnesty International and HRW say indefinite detention of immigrants in Canada causing widespread distress and trauma.

Montreal, Canada – The indefinite nature of Canada’s immigration detention system is causing psychological harm for thousands of people detained every year, including refugee claimants, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in a new report on Thursday. The report, titled “Immigration Detention in Canada and its Impact on Mental Health”, said immigration detainees are handcuffed, shackled and subjected to solitary confinement, among other harsh conditions. But not knowing when they will be released, as Canada does not have a limit on the amount of time someone can be held in immigration detention, in particular is worsening the psychological effect of their detention, the rights groups said.