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.
Use of former army barracks
At our members' meeting last month, we heard from two of our members, Kent Refugee Help and Samphire, about the recent use of army barracks in Kent to accommodate people seeking asylum. Our members are really concerned at [...]
Proposed new detention centre
We were very disappointed, when we were alerted by one of our members recently, about a proposed new detention centre in the North East. The Northern Echo reported that Government plans to scrap a residential development in favour of [...]
New members
Over the last few months we have been having a series of conversations with organisations which are interested in our work and wanted to explore membership of our Forum. And we are delighted that Action Foundation, Ben and [...]
The UK’s detention regime exported: STHFs on the French coast
Frances Timberlake UK 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 [...]
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 [...]
#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.
'Two judges in the immigration court ruled on Wednesday that three of the home secretary’s #detention policies breached human rights rules'.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/14/priti-patels-detention-policies-found-to-breach-human-rights-rules
People who arrive in the UK seeking asylum should be housed in our communities and welcomed, just as resettled refugees are. Many people seeking asylum have no safe way to travel here. Seeking asylum is not against the law. Proposals to isolate them are cruel and discriminatory.
Conditions at military barracks housing asylum seekers 'utterly unacceptable', says the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration. #NapierBarracks https://news.sky.com/story/serious-error-of-judgement-to-use-army-bases-in-kent-and-wales-to-house-asylum-seekers-12277749?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter
People going through the UK's immigration detention estate often have experienced trauma and upheaval in their lives.
On top of this they must deal with being held in detention for indefinite lengths of time. The cycle of harm must stop.
#Time4aTimeLimit #ThereAreAlternatives