Immigration detention is not the answer, for anyone.
People are detained without a time limit, for months, sometimes even years.
It is harmful and expensive. It robs people of their dignity, spirit and lives.
This can’t go on.
We are working towards an immigration system that is based on humanity, compassion and fairness.
A 28-day time limit
on immigration detention for all
Automatic judicial oversight
of detention decisions after 72 hours
An end to the detention
of vulnerable people
Community-based alternatives to detention that respect rights can minimise the use of detention, reducing costs and helping people to live with dignity in the community while going through the immigration process.
The UK’s detention regime exported: STHFs on the French coast
Frances Timberlake Advocacy officer, Refugee Rights Europe In recent months, the UK-France border has been flung back into the public view following a sudden increase in media images of people attempting the sea crossing to the UK [...]
Time Limit – Immigration Bill update
Yesterday in the House of Commons the time limit amendment was defeated by 64 votes (328 to 264). We knew that success looked unlikely, but the government majority was reduced, four Conservative MPs voted for the amendment, as [...]
Time Limit – Immigration Bill update
Last week, the House of Lords voted in favour of an amendment to introduce a time limit for immigration detention and to end indefinite detention for EU and Swiss nationals. The Bill returns to the House of Commons on [...]
Time Limit – Immigration Bill update
Katie Close Consultant Parliamentary Officer Detention Action Last night the House of Lords voted for the amendment to introduce a statutory 28 day time limit for immigration detention. Speeches were made by Baroness Hamwee, Baroness Bull and Baroness [...]
Overhaul of asylum? A few reflections
Jonathan Ellis, project director at Detention Forum, offers a few individual reflections With the Home Secretary promising an overhaul of the asylum system in the UK, it is timely to take stock to reflect on why [...]
Time Limit – Immigration Bill update
Katie Close Consultant Parliamentary Officer Detention Action On Monday the House of Lords debated the amendment to introduce a time limit at Committee stage of the Bill. Baroness Hamwee introduced the amendment with her usual eloquence and [...]
#Unlocked
Unlocking Detention is a twitter tour of the Detention Estate
Get in touch
The Detention Forum is hosted by the Refugee Council.
You can contact the Project Director at detentionforum[at]gmail.com, who works several days a week.
/2 With junior ministers trumpeting the same line, hostiility to legal challenge seems to be the Home Office's stock position. How can there be #accountability ?
Did the commitment to reform following the #Windrush lessons review mean anything?
#Shocking but perhaps not #Surprising. The Government's mischaracterisation of lawyers seeking to hold it to the law is deeply troubling. As 800+ former judges and legal professionals say, the Govt's attacks "undermine the #RuleofLaw https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54687081 /1
The #hostileenvironment has been championed by successive home secretaries. So despite claims of reform, as @LeighDay_Law's Waleed Sheikh says, "a culture … of dehumanising asylum seekers, of detaining almost by default and without proper checks" should surprise no one.
"1,256 potential trafficking victims were held in prison-like #detention centres, last year alone, due to their immigration status". 50+ experts have written to the government asking for a ban on detention of potential and confirmed trafficking victims. https://afterexploitation.com/2020/10/17/anti-slavery-day-50-experts-call-for-end-to-harms-facing-survivors/