Tuesday 14 March there is a debate in parliament about
the issue of detention of asylum seekers.
We are trying to highlight issues around detention to MPs and any help is appreciated. Please contact your local MP to shine a spotlight on how detention is being used.
This weekend has raised several issues.
A member of our group was given a due date of the end of March by the Home
Office to submit a fresh claim for asylum.
On Friday 10 March she went to report at Dallas Court Salford as
requested by the Home Office.
From there she was whisked away without warning to
detention at Pennine House Immigration Removal
Centre at Manchester Airport, she was then transferred to Yarls Wood.
Despite having an appointment made for her by the Home Office to submit her fresh claim at the end of March, she was given removal papers to be deported 14 March 2017.
She asked several times for the staff at the IRC Pennine
House to submit her papers for her (which can be done by fax when one is
detained according to the .gov.uk website) and
they did not.
She asked for a part 35 medical exam, due to
her previous treatment and the experiences of LGBT people in detentions centres
and was told that she could not have one.
The information about what to do when in Pennine House is
confusing. She was given papers which included "statement of additional
grounds under section 120" however in a situation such as our member was
in, reading the small (and it is small) print in a legal form which is written
in legal and confusing language is obstructive.
The Home Office have guidance on the situation in Uganda
for Lesbian women, it is just not safe. The fear of being sent back and, being
held in what can only be described as a warehouse, is inhumane. Holding
individuals who are threatened with this action in an airport terminal, causes
more anxiety.
Our member has committed no crime, she filed her papers
and reported to Dallas court as she was told to do, she followed the rules. The
Home Office appear to be trapping individuals, by only
allowing people to submit papers on a set date which is AFTER the date on which
they would be deported. As our member has tried to submit papers the home
office should have taken this notice of submitting a fresh claim more
seriously.
Detention is not the answer.
It is stressful and frightening time for the individual’s
friends and supporters. For our member and her partner it was horrifying.
Please also see this Asylum Information Database report (PDF), from page 77 which raises additional
more general issues with detention
