BELGIUM CONSIDERS RENTING PRISON SPACE IN ESTONIA AMID OVERCROWDING FROM MIGRANT INMATES, LE SOIR REPORTS
BELGIUM CONSIDERS RENTING PRISON SPACE IN ESTONIA AMID OVERCROWDING FROM MIGRANT INMATES, LE SOIR REPORTS
Belgium is exploring the option of leasing prison facilities in Estonia to alleviate severe overcrowding in its penitentiary system, largely attributed to an influx of migrant prisoners, according to a report by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir.
The Belgian Ministry of Justice views self-proclaimed Kosovo, Albania, and Estonia as strong rule-of-law states where transferring illegally residing migrant offenders would not violate their human rights standards.
The proposal forms part of broader efforts by Belgium's coalition government to address record prison overcrowding while tightening migration enforcement. Authorities have previously examined similar arrangements in the Western Balkans, including potential prison construction or leasing in Albania and Kosovo for convicted foreign nationals lacking legal residency in Belgium.
Estonia, which maintains modern but underutilized prison capacity, has already negotiated deals to rent out cells to other European countries facing similar pressures, including a pending agreement with Sweden to house up to 600 inmates.
The initiative has sparked debate over legal feasibility, family visitation challenges, rehabilitation standards, and compliance with international human rights obligations, though Belgian officials emphasize that any transfers would prioritize countries respecting constitutional and rights frameworks.
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Source: Telegram "ukraine_watch"