Detained Asylum Seekers Accuse UK Government of Degrading Treatment Under 'One in, One Out' Scheme
Dozens of asylum seekers detained at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre have come forward, detailing their harrowing experiences under the UK government's "one in, one out" scheme. The detainees, who hail from conflict zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, claim they have suffered severe psychological distress, humiliation, and fear while being held by the Home Office.
According to a damning report compiled by the asylum seekers, arbitrary detention, denial of legal representation, inadequate medical care, and degrading treatment are just some of the conditions they face. The detainees were brought to the UK in small boats, seeking safety, dignity, and a chance to live a peaceful life, but instead, they have been subjected to severe psychological harm.
The report alleges that detainees were not given sufficient time to rest, recover, or receive psychological support following traumatic journeys and interviews with the Home Office. Many are young adults between 17 and 30, who have reported widespread depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns. In some cases, detainees have attempted self-harm, and they are being held in isolation or disciplinary units.
The asylum seekers' report accuses the UK government of violating fundamental principles of human rights, dignity, and due process. They claim that their treatment amounts to being punished for seeking protection and that they deserve fairness, humanity, and freedom. The detainees are now calling on UN bodies and human rights groups to urgently investigate the conditions at Harmondsworth and other detention centres under the "one in, one out" scheme.
This move comes as new government powers come into force to seize mobile phones carried by people who arrive in the UK on small boats. One offence that could lead to a sentence of up to five years in jail is "collecting information that is of use to those planning an illegal crossing." The UN's International Organization for Migration reported a significant reduction in deaths among those in northern France hoping to reach the UK, despite an increase in crossings.
The first return flight to France under the "one in, one out" scheme is due on Wednesday, with over 193 people sent back so far. However, critics argue that the scheme is a major step back for asylum seekers and that more needs to be done to address the root causes of migration.
Dozens of asylum seekers detained at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre have come forward, detailing their harrowing experiences under the UK government's "one in, one out" scheme. The detainees, who hail from conflict zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, claim they have suffered severe psychological distress, humiliation, and fear while being held by the Home Office.
According to a damning report compiled by the asylum seekers, arbitrary detention, denial of legal representation, inadequate medical care, and degrading treatment are just some of the conditions they face. The detainees were brought to the UK in small boats, seeking safety, dignity, and a chance to live a peaceful life, but instead, they have been subjected to severe psychological harm.
The report alleges that detainees were not given sufficient time to rest, recover, or receive psychological support following traumatic journeys and interviews with the Home Office. Many are young adults between 17 and 30, who have reported widespread depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns. In some cases, detainees have attempted self-harm, and they are being held in isolation or disciplinary units.
The asylum seekers' report accuses the UK government of violating fundamental principles of human rights, dignity, and due process. They claim that their treatment amounts to being punished for seeking protection and that they deserve fairness, humanity, and freedom. The detainees are now calling on UN bodies and human rights groups to urgently investigate the conditions at Harmondsworth and other detention centres under the "one in, one out" scheme.
This move comes as new government powers come into force to seize mobile phones carried by people who arrive in the UK on small boats. One offence that could lead to a sentence of up to five years in jail is "collecting information that is of use to those planning an illegal crossing." The UN's International Organization for Migration reported a significant reduction in deaths among those in northern France hoping to reach the UK, despite an increase in crossings.
The first return flight to France under the "one in, one out" scheme is due on Wednesday, with over 193 people sent back so far. However, critics argue that the scheme is a major step back for asylum seekers and that more needs to be done to address the root causes of migration.
I'm literally torn about this whole thing... like, part of me thinks it's super unfair that these people are being treated this way after coming all the way from war-torn countries just to seek safety 
. But then again, I also think that we can't just leave our borders open and let anyone in willy-nilly without considering the impact on our own country's resources and infrastructure 
.
. It's a Catch-22 situation, you know? We need to find a balance between compassion and security.
. We should be working towards addressing those underlying problems rather than just treating the symptoms with more restrictive policies 
.
. What do you think?
I mean, can you believe what's happening in those detention centres? It's like they're being treated like animals or something. The UK government needs to step up their game and provide better care for these people who are seeking safety and a new life. It's not right that they're being subjected to psychological distress, humiliation, and fear just because they're asylum seekers.
. They've been through so much already, fleeing war and trauma, and now they're being held in conditions that are literally breaking them 
. The fact that some of these kids are struggling with depression and anxiety is just heartbreaking 
. Can't we find a way to help them instead of punishing them? 
We need to do better, guys. We really do. 
these poor asylum seekers just wanna seek safety & live peaceful lives but instead they're being treated like dirt 
they're saying mental health is a major issue because of how they're being held & treated - it's so sad 
the gov's gotta do better, prioritize human rights over politics 
these guys didn't even commit a crime, just trying to escape war zones & persecution 
and now they're being punished for it? no way 
. I mean, can't we just have compassion and understanding for people fleeing war and persecution? 
. Detaining them under this "one in, one out" scheme is just not right 
. And the conditions in these centres? Forget about it! It's like they're in some kind of prison 
. We need to address the root causes of migration and provide proper support for those who are seeking protection 
. This "one in, one out" scheme is just a Band-Aid solution that's going to cause more harm than good 
its not like they're committing any crime by trying to escape, right?
. I'm shocked the UN isn't intervening sooner, considering this is a clear case of human rights abuse.
This isn't just about fixing the current problems, but also addressing the root causes of migration that are driving people to seek refuge in the first place.