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.
APPG inquiry into ‘quasi detention’
We are delighted to see that the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Immigration Detention has launched an inquiry into the UK Government’s use of large-scale institutional sites, such as former military barracks and a temporarily ‘de-designated’ Immigration [...]
Our statement on the Home Office New Plan for Immigration
Asylum and detention We believe that the inhumane practice of detention should have no part in the asylum process (or indeed in a humane and just immigration system). We firmly believe that we should not lock up people [...]
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 [...]
#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.
With no numbers or time-frames to re-settle asylum seekers coming to the UK, the Home Office seeks to remove the tools of accountability that can be applied to it.
The Govt. has a responsibility to protect these people that cannot be avoided.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tory-mps-refugee-home-office-b1883854.html
"In April 2021, polling commissioned by Refugee Council found that two in three UK adults (64%) believe that the UK should protect refugees fleeing war and persecution."
The British public believe in protecting the vulnerable; why do our elected representatives think otherwise?
'The United Nations Refugee Agency has stated that in penalising asylum seekers for entering the UK without authorisation, the new policy runs counter to the 1951 Refugee Convention'.
#NoOneIsIllegal
https://theconversation.com/uk-nationality-and-borders-bill-qanda-how-will-it-affect-migration-across-the-english-channel-164808
"Some of those being deported have lived in the UK for decades and have been forced to leave their families behind".
The UK's immigration system is tearing families apart.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-forced-deportation-citizens-zimbabwe-b1888967.html