(This report is written from Detention prison at Findel Luxembourg)
Findel (Helvilux)- Luxembourg, once ranked 5th globally for its anti-corruption efforts, has fallen sharply in international rankings. The country’s score for 2026, standing at 78 out of 100, marks a notable decline from its peak of 85 in 2015. This drop reflects deepening concerns about corruption, particularly within the migration and asylum sectors. At the heart of these allegations is Minister Leon Gloden, whose leadership is being increasingly questioned as serious reports of human rights violations emerge from the country’s detention facilities.
A Tarnished Image for Ministry of Home Affairs
Minitry of Home Affairs is under intense scrutiny after back to back asylum centers, reception centers, returning center scandal. Luxembourg’s press index ranked the country 13th out of 180 nations, a modest standing that raises concerns about press freedom and government transparency. Helvilux Media, a local independent outlet, has undertaken a courageous investigative effort into the deplorable conditions at Luxembourg’s detention centers . The exposé, backed by in-depth reporting, casts a dark shadow over the operations of the Kirchberg CPA, the first reception center for asylum seekers, the secondary refugee camp in Mersch, and the so-called Maison Retour in Luxembourg City.
The investigation has uncovered disturbing practices, including substandard living conditions for asylum seekers, the improper handling of sensitive legal cases and reports of arbitrary detention. Yesterday, the Luxembourg immigration authorities went as far as to arrest the publisher of Helvilux, who also founded the non-profit organization that runs the outlet. By taking this drastic step, the authorities appear to believe they can silence Helvilux’s critical voice. However, Helvilux remains resolute, now detailing the shocking conditions within the country’s detention center so called Centre de rétention near Findel airport.
Detention Center Under Scrutiny
The publisher of Helvilux, who is currently held at the detention center, reports harrowing conditions that starkly contrast Luxembourg’s stated values of human rights. The center, located at 10, Beim Haff, Findel, is a place where many detainees wait to be deported. The publisher has stated that residents do not need special Ramadan provisions but rather basic amenities that respect their fundamental rights, such as the right to communication and the right to movement.
According to Helvilux’s investigation, detainees are given outdated Nokia mobile phones with minimal credit, which is insufficient for contacting family or legal representatives. The detention center also reportedly limits access to the internet, with malfunctioning computers being the only available means of communication for many. Resident while going to computer room cannot carry the phone which is provided to them by authority. If a resident is not allowed to take their Nokia phone into the computer room, how can they log into their email? Since the OTP and two-factor authentication are sent to their mobile phone or relative, and they cannot retrieve the code from relative or device, how can they access their email to send an important message to their lawyer? A time-limited internet access schedule exists, but security guards arbitrarily enforce these rules, often without any rational explanation.
Harassment and Inhumane Conditions
The conditions reported by the publisher are alarming. Detainees are allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and discriminatory behavior by both other residents and security personnel. Reports indicate that a significant number of detainees are Muslim, and during meal times, tensions run high. Security guards reportedly fail to intervene when verbal attacks occur, and detainees with no connection to the Ramadan fasting period are made to feel unsafe or unwelcome.
Additionally, detainees have reported being denied access to necessary psychological care. Helvilux’s publisher relayed that several residents have attempted self-harm, yet security personnel have done nothing to address these mental health crises. The lack of appropriate care and oversight is a clear violation of the ethical standards that should govern such facilities.
There is also a notice stating that there is a 120 Euro charge for an ambulance. This means that if a person truly feels sick, he or she may become afraid of being charged 120 Euros. As a result, they might avoid calling an ambulance. This kind of practice is being used to mentally pressure or confuse residents.
According to the house rules, a basic sanitizing set is supposed to be provided. However, in practice, only a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap are given.
If Luxembourg compares itself to countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Norway rather than Albania, Italy, or Portugal then it should at least meet international standards by providing essential hygiene items such as deodorant, moisturizer, and other basic personal care products as part of the sanitizing set.
It has also been claimed that many of the products provided are either of very low quality or imitation products made to look like well-known brands. This raises concerns about quality standards and transparency. It would be important to clarify who benefits financially from supplying these lower-quality products.”
Minister Gloden’s Role in the Crisis
Minister Leon Gloden’s office has been linked to growing allegations of profiteering and the exploitation of vulnerable asylum seekers for the benefit of private companies. It is claimed that certain companies with close ties to the Minister are profiting from providing substandard services to detention centers. Asylum seekers, many of whom are fleeing war or persecution, are reported to be treated as commodities, used to generate profit rather than being provided with the necessary support during their asylum process.
Helvilux’s publisher, currently detained, called on Minister Gloden to take responsibility for the situation and make a public statement addressing the allegations. He demanded that Luxembourgish media be allowed access to the detention centers so the public can witness the dire conditions firsthand.
Legal Concerns and Ethical Violations
There are also concerns about the ethical practices of certain lawyers working with the migration authority, including a controversial figure, Max Leners. Helvilux as already exposed Leners practises in another case. Reports suggest that Leners has compromised his professional integrity by allegedly working as an agent for the Luxembourg immigration authorities. This has raised questions about the fairness of legal processes for asylum seekers and the extent to which their cases are handled impartially.
Further troubling reports suggest that detainees who are eligible to remain in Luxembourg are being moved arbitrarily to Maison Retour, where conditions are reported to be equally harsh. There, detainees are subjected to violence and intimidation, which may influence their ability to prepare their legal cases adequately.
The Helvilux publisher’s account sheds light on the disturbing practices happening within Luxembourg’s detention centers. The investigation paints a picture of a system where basic human rights are violated, detainees are subjected to inhumane conditions and vulnerable individuals are exploited for financial gain. Minister Gloden must now address these concerns publicly and take concrete steps to ensure that the country’s detention facilities operate with transparency, accountability, and respect for the rights of asylum seekers.
In the wake of this scandal, the Helvilux media outlet is not backing down. The publication is now preparing to release further reports on the conditions within Luxembourg’s detention centers. With increasing pressure from both local and international organizations, it remains to be seen whether the Luxembourg government will take action to rectify the situation or whether the system will continue to fail those who need protection the most.
The investigation by Helvilux, while courageous, raises fundamental questions about the treatment of asylum seekers in Luxembourg. The actions of the immigration authorities, alongside the apparent complicity of the government and key figures like Minister Leon Gloden, suggest that the country is far from living up to its commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights. The public and media must continue to hold the government to account, ensuring that Luxembourg’s detention system is reformed and that the fundamental rights of its most vulnerable populations are respected.
(Report is written and published from Centre de rétention, Findel – Luxmebourg)
