A Lawyer’s Revelation: Exposing Arbitrary Detention

In a startling revelation that continues to resonate decades later, lawyer Sixtus Ugolini recounts his courageous decision to expose a clandestine detention center operating on the marseille docks. His motivation stemmed from representing victims like Mohamed Sherif, a moroccan fisherman and political opponent who vanished after being summoned to a police station. Ugolini suspected a disturbing agreement between local authorities and the Moroccan consulate.

I publicized the case for all the victims of this system, not only my client.
Sixtus Ugolini

Unraveling the truth: An Accidental Discovery

The full scope of the operation came to light through a series of coincidences. While defending a young Algerian man, Ugolini was alerted by the man’s parents, who witnessed him being transported to the Arenc mole after his release.This sparked an inquiry that revealed a hidden detention center where individuals where held without legal justification. Ugolini turned to the press, specifically The Marseillaise, to bring the story to light.

I understand that all those who disappear in this hangar are detained without title.
Sixtus Ugolini

The investigation,aided by journalist Alex Panzani,uncovered disturbing details about the facility,including reports of detainees committing suicide to avoid deportation. Shockingly, the detention center had been operating since 1964, with dockworkers witnessing the transport of handcuffed individuals, yet assuming it was standard police procedure.

national Outcry and Political Fallout

The initial report in The Marseillaise ignited a national media firestorm.major news outlets, including Fr3, Humanity, Libération, and le Monde, picked up the story, forcing a national reckoning. The revelations exposed a systematic operation, complete with written orders and, allegedly, racist directives.Communist deputy Cermolacce challenged the Minister of the Interior, Michel Poniatowski, and even the mayor of Marseille, Gaston Defferre, was compelled to address the issue due to the growing public outcry. Demonstrations erupted, and the case gained critically important momentum.

Personal Repercussions and Enduring Bitterness

Ugolini faced personal and professional repercussions for his involvement. He recounts an incident where he defended Mauritanian workers exploited in slave-like conditions,leading to the removal of his access to public treasury files. Despite these challenges, Ugolini takes pride in having established a group of lawyers specializing in the defense of foreigners’ rights.

I left feathers there.
Sixtus Ugolini

Though, a deep sense of bitterness remains. Mohamed Sherif, Ugolini’s client, disappeared shortly after his initial detention, and his fate remains unknown. Ugolini fears the worst, highlighting the human cost of arbitrary detention.

The Legacy of “Administrative Retention”: A Shift in Policy

Ugolini points out that in 1981, the Socialists effectively normalized the practice of detaining foreigners by creating “administrative retention.” While seemingly legitimizing the process, Ugolini argues that it merely cloaked arbitrariness under the guise of legality. Today, immigration detention remains a contentious issue globally. According to the Global Detention Project,thousands of individuals are detained for immigration-related reasons each year,frequently enough facing indefinite detention and limited access to legal recourse. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and advocacy to ensure the rights of migrants and refugees are protected.