From his isolation cell in Merksplas, Anas shares a few words about his situation: violation of rights and repression on one side, struggle by any means necessary on the other.
Anas requested access to medical care, which was denied. This is sadly very common in closed centres: while the context of detention undermines people’s physical and mental health, detainees report an almost total lack of adequate care.
Even in the most serious cases, the authorities at the centres encourage the deterioration of people’s health. There have been cases where detainees, not knowing what else to do, have called an ambulance, only for the centre to refuse to let it in.
These are very serious threats to people’s lives. In this context, the only means of resistance available to people is sometimes to put their health at risk, for example by going on hunger or even thirst strikes, as is the case here with Anas.
Anas also tells us that he filed a complaint; to our knowledge, no complaint has ever led to anything. This complaint system seems like nothing more than a smokescreen to give the appearance of compliance with laws designed to protect rights, except that the only laws that apply in detention centres are those of racism, classism and xenophobia.
In response, Anas finds himself in solitary confinement for daring to speak out and assert his rights. It is a classic mechanism that is used in closed centres: the slightest sign of resistance exposes people to repression (solitary confinement, transfer, deprivation of telephone privileges, threats).
Strength to him and to all those who are locked up! Freedom for all!
