Amnesty International is calling on Switzerland to require better detention facilities for asylum seeker families passing through the country.

The human rights organization raised concerns after a Palestinian family was detained for 49 days at Zurich’s Kloten airport while waiting to travel to Sweden.

The family had been hoping to claim asylum in the Scandinavian country.

Swiss authorities discovered the father had false papers and their application was ultimately refused.

However, Amnesty claims the couple and their three young children were unfairly treated because they were unable to go outside during their seven-week detention.

Under Swiss law, asylum seekers can be held in detention centres for up to 60 days.

But Amnesty campaigners are now questioning the living conditions provided for families.

They raise concerns about the psychological and physical impact of not letting children go outside for prolonged periods.