20.04.2020: Immediate release of all people in detention !

This is a translation of the following press release:
https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20200417_OTS0014/sofortige-enthaftung-aller-personen-in-schubhaft-bild

"Alarm: Hunger Strike in detention centres - Endangerment of people in detention during Covid-19

Vienna (OTS) - The initiative "Close Return Centres" received the following information: Despite the fact that deportations cannot be carried out, over 100 people are currently held in detention. Despite Covid-19 and the infeasability of deportations, people are not being released from detention. For 7 days now, more than 10 people have been on hunger strike in the detention centre Rossauer Lände. Some of them have resorted to drastic measures and have sewn up their mouths. Several prisoners in the detention centre Hernals are also on hunger strike. All those affected have been in detention for several months and could not be deported to date.

"The hunger strike is an expression of the inhuman and dangerous conditions to which persons in dention are being exposed in general and even more so during Covid-19." The cells are said to be closed for 24 hours, visits have been forbidden since March 19, and due to lack of staff, visits in the internal court are only sometimes allowed. In view of the described conditions, the initiative concludes: "In prison, protection against the spread of Covid-19 cannot be guaranteed." As an appropriate response to the current threat and since deportations are no longer possible in the near future, the prisoners demand the immediate release of all persons in detention, equal right to health for all and equal access to the necessary resources. Now."