VOICES FROM DETENTION:
A Report on Human Rights Violationsat the Northwest Detention Center
in Tacoma, Washington
July 2008
Seattle University School of Law International Human Rights Clinic in collaboration with OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone)
Voices from Detention:
A Report on Human Rights Violations at theNorthwest Detention Center
In Tacoma, Washington
Seattle University School of Law International Human Rights Clinicin collaboration with OneAmerica (formerly Hate Free Zone)June 2008
1
Table of ContentsExecutive Summary..................................................................................................................................3
Background...................................................................................................................................3
Methodology.................................................................................................................................4
National Operation and Oversight of Detention Centers..........................................................4
International Human Rights Law.................................................................................................5
Applicable Domestic Law............................................................................................................5
The Northwest Detention Center................................................................................................5
Report Findings............................................................................................................................6
Conclusions and Recommendations..........................................................................................9
I. Introduction...........................................................................................................................................11
II. Methodology........................................................................................................................................12
III. Background of Immigrant Detention in the United States.............................................................14
A. Shift in Immigration Policy Led to Dramatic Increases in Detention................................14
B. Operation of and National Standards for Detention Centers.............................................16
C. Investigations Repeatedly Find Inhumane Conditions andAbuse in Detention Centers..................................................................................................17
1. ABA and UNHCR Note Major Deficiencies.................................................................17
2. NGO Reports Also Note Serious Problems................................................................17
3. U.S. Government Identified Similar Deficiencies........................................................18
4. Poor Detention Conditions in the International Spotlight.............................................19
5. All Reports Consistently Recommend Binding National Detention Standards............19
IV. International Human Rights Law......................................................................................................21
A. Treaties...................................................................................................................................21
B. Customary International Law................................................................................................22
C. Specific Rights under International Human Rights Law....................................................22
1.
Right to Liberty: Freedom from Arbitrary Detention.....................................................22
2.
Prohibition on Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment...........................23
3.
Right to Legal Access and Due Process......................................................................24
4.
Right to Food and Medical Care..................................................................................25
5.
Right to Family Unity....................................................................................................25
6.
The Rights of Refugees under International Law.........................................................26
a. The Convention on Refugees Prohibits Most Detentions of Refugees..........27
b.
Treatment of Refugees in Detention............................................................28
V.
Applicable Domestic Law...................................................................................................................30
A.
Federal Law and Regulations Governing Conditions of Detention..................................30
B.
Constitutional Rights of Immigrant Detainees....................................................................31
1.
Prohibition Against Cruel and Inhuman Treatment......................................................31
2.
Rights to Family Unity..................................................................................................32
VI. Conditions at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC)................................................................34
A. Background............................................................................................................................34
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