Massive refugee camp criticised for lack of privacy, discrimination

The Dutch human rights committee and the national ombudsman have both criticised conditions at the country’s biggest refugee centre, saying the lack of privacy, noise and discrimination is leading to health problems.

The Heumensoord centre near Nijmegen houses some 3,000 asylum seekers in marquees – large tents usually used to host events.

The committee and the ombudsman both say the accommodation is dangerous to health and personal safety and that the government should avoid such mass centres in the future.

No privacy

Asylum seekers in the centre have complained in particular about the sleeping arrangements which consist of cubicles containing eight beds and no door. The committee says the total lack of privacy is leading to stress, insomnia and depression.

The lack of activities and boredom is another issue that needs tackling, the report says. It also recommends improving the complaints procedure.

‘We have been to seven other locations and the same problems exist everywhere,’ human rights committee chairwoman Andriana van Dooijeweert told broacaster Nos. ‘But they are more manageable because there is more overview. If you are with 3,000 people in one place, the problems are more difficult to manage.’

Gay refugees

In addition, the report says discrimination is a problem. ‘A gay refugee whose bed was smeared with excrement was given clean sheets, but nothing was done to tackle the problem,’ the report said.

The gay rights lobby group COC is campaigning for gay refugees to be moved to separate accommodation on safety grounds, .

Among the 3,000 asylum seekers in Heumensoord are 700 children. Children’s ombudsman Marc Dullaert is due to report on their situation shortly.

The camp is due to be dismantled on June 1.