Last year lawyers specialising in asylum cases set up a special group to draw attention to the serious mental health problems among people who fear being deported.
Leers told the media last summer 40 asylum seekers have killed themselves in refugee centres since 2002 and there are some 40 attempts a year.
DutchNews.nl – Asylum seeker kills himself to avoid deportation, leaves two children
There is now an English language version of the article I translated earlier today. This one adds the figures above regarding the effect of these policies and threats of deportation on the asylum seekers’ health. When I speak about State violence in the treatment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, I am not being hyperbolic or exaggerating. These deaths and suicide attempts are the most visible consequence. Sadly, there are no statistics concerning undocumented immigrants and the mental health issues associated but I suspect the figures would be as chilling.
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