Rae considers suing state as migrant pressure grows

Rae municipality is considering legal action against the state as rising migration pressure strains local authorities and public services, ERR reports. Police say the pressure is unlikely to ease soon and could increase before winter.

A total of 542 people from 48 countries have been detained inside Estonia or at its borders this year. Among them were 111 people of Somali, Sudanese and Ethiopian origin, 43 from Eritrea, 33 from Bangladesh and 32 from Ukraine. People from Turkey and Moldova were also among those detained.

Authorities say migrants often begin their journeys in Russia or Belarus, from where they are directed towards the borders of Latvia, Lithuania or Poland and forced to cross. People detained on land are returned to the Russian side. Those intercepted at the air border are held in detention centres until they can be flown back.

As of Sunday, 120 people had been returned to Latvia this year. Three others were sent to their countries of origin: two to Bangladesh and one to India.

The Police and Border Guard Board says Estonia is facing its highest level of illegal migration pressure in recent years. The Social Insurance Board says the state was not prepared for the situation and is trying to help with cases involving migrant minors. Local governments say they do not feel adequately supported, and Rae municipality is considering taking the state to court.

Indrek Aru, head of the Northern Prefecture’s border guard bureau, said the situation was placing significant demands on the police and partner organisations. Some partners have increased their readiness and assigned additional staff, he said.

People are not deported immediately after detention. Authorities first establish their identity and origin and determine whether they qualify for international protection. Some are held in detention centres, where Aru said capacity was under pressure: standard rooms were over their usual capacity, reserve space had been added and extra beds ordered. Detainees have access to food, washing facilities and a safe place to stay, he said. The police are also working to create alternative detention capacity.

Interior Minister Igor Taro said Estonia’s capacity had not yet been exhausted. He said there were hundreds of vacant places in police detention houses around the country, while noting that Rae was under pressure because the main detention centre is within the municipality.

Under the law, the municipality where a detention centre is located takes on guardian responsibilities for minors. The article says Rae municipality does not feel it has received adequate help from the state.