EDM 811 – CHILDREN IN IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRES

Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 811

05.02.2010

That this House notes the £100,000 settlement paid by the Home Office to Carmen Quiroga and her children for their false imprisonment in Oakington Detention Centre for 42 days; is concerned about the increasing length of time families are detained for, with some being detained for over 120 days; is further concerned over the psychological damage that may occur in children following any period of detention; notes that Oakington was initially meant to be used as a short-term measure and closed in 2006, yet has been in operation for 10 years; recognises Chief Prison Inspector Anne Owers’ report on detention centres condemning the use of child imprisonment; and urges the Government to extend the provisions of the relevant children’s legislation to include children in detention.

Abbott, Diane
Spink, Bob
Dismore, Andrew
Durkan, Mark
Bottomley, Peter
Caton, Martin
Hopkins, Kelvin
Jones, Lynne
Meale, Alan
Cryer, Ann
Drew, David
Galloway, George
Hancock, Mike
Vis, Rudi
Davies, Dai

Women held after immigration centre protest

Four women have been detained by police after a group of mothers at an immigration removal centre protested at being separated from their children.

Officers were called to the Yarl’s Wood centre in Bedfordshire yesterday, where more than 80 women were said to be on hunger strike in protest against their detention and conditions.

Bedfordshire Police detained four women for offences under the Immigration Act last night following the disturbance, they said today.

They were taken to Greyfriars Police Station in Bedford at about 7.30pm and will be handed over to the UK Border Agency later today.

They have not been arrested or charged with any criminal offences, a spokeswoman said. Continue reading “Women held after immigration centre protest”