Sudan report concerning torture unproven

The abuse of Sudanese people who were repatriated to their home country cannot be confirmed with certainty. That’s the conclusion of the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons in a long-awaited report. “There are serious doubts concerning the veracity of witness reports that have appeared in the media,” says State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken. “It is a good thing that the truth in the matter is coming to light.”

Theo Francken also confirms that there is now nothing standing in the way of the government starting the repatriations back up. Currently there are 18 Sudanese in closed centres. The Secretary of State in any case plans to follow the recommendations of the Sudan report, in particular should there be a renewed cooperation with Sudanese identification missions in Brussels in future. “We will then have to warn all Sudanese who are eligible for repatriation well in advance that they are going to be interviewed,” Theo Francken concludes. “During that interview, an official from the Immigration Service and an interpreter will also always be present.”