Czech police use tear gas against asylum seekers
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Czech police use tear gas against asylum seekers, 31 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee964615.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 31, 2015
Czech police say they used tear gas to stop migrants who were trying to flee a detention center in the country's northeast on July 31.
"A hundred migrants revolted. A special forces unit had to intervene because of the intensity of the protest," a police spokeswoman said.
The migrants, who were mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, have been held in the detention center awaiting deportation from the Czech Republic.
The spokeswoman, Katerina Rendlova, said the migrants caused damage to the detention center as they tried to flee.
After appealing for calm in Arabic and English, police resorted to "various methods, including handcuffing and tear gas," she added.
The migrants were expected to be sent to the countries through which they first entered into Europe's Schengen zone.
Under the European Union regulations, a migrant's asylum claim is processed in the EU country they first arrive in.
Local media reported that the migrants were likely trying to reach Germany.
Based on reporting by AFP and ceskenoviny.cz
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
