The Council of Europe Friday published a letter criticising the Netherlands’ asylum reception processes at the Ter Apel asylum centre. Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic addressed the issue in an August 26 letter to Eric van der Burg, the Dutch Minister for Migration.

According to Mijatovic’s letter, more than 700 asylum seekers are forced to sleep outside of the centre, and many lack access to clean water, food and sanitary facilities. Mijatovic said these conditions fall “short of even the minimum standards under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.” Article 3 of the ECHR establishes the right to absolute freedom from torture and inhumane treatment. Mijatovic also observed an “overall delay” by authorities in rectifying recognised issues.

Van der Burg responded to Mijatovic on September 1. He acknowledged the worsening conditions and elaborated on short term solutions. The Minitry of Defense will open a large emergency shelter, and new measures aim to provide shelter and supplies for vulnerable persons. Furthermore, authorities will allocate 730 million Euros ($726,570,000 USD) to improve conditions. As a long term solution, the Dutch government plans confer upon individual municipalities a statutory duty to safeguard human rights while providing asylum reception.