The Jesuit Refugee Service has condemned all acts of violence committed during Tuesday’s demonstration by Safi centre detainees, and expressed its solidarity with all the members of the armed forces and the police who sustained injuries during the disturbance.

At the same time, the JRS said it would like to invite the authorities to look seriously into the reasons behind these repeated protests which, they say, are a sign of deep frustration in the detention centres.

“Hundreds of detainees have to wait for as long as eight or even 10 months before they are even interviewed. Many receive a definitive rejection of their asylum application just before the 12 month period elapses, which means they can spend a further six months awaiting release and so hopes for freedom are dashed at the very last moment,” a spokesman said.

The JRS said everyone must seriously look for ways of improving communication between the authorities and the detainees so that such incidents do not occur again.