Asylum Seekers Deported in Restraints After Protest, UK Report Reveals
A recent inspection report has uncovered that asylum seekers who protested against forced removal to France under the Home Office's contentious "one in, one out" scheme were transported out of the United Kingdom using waist and leg restraints. The report, authored by Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons for England and Wales, scrutinized deportation flights and highlighted incidents where physical force was applied, sparking significant concerns over the treatment of detainees.
Details of the Inspection and Flight Operations
The inspection focused on a flight to France that occurred on January 20-21, 2024, during which no force was used. However, the report also referenced an earlier flight on January 16, where force was employed following a sit-down protest by detainees the previous evening. This protest was quelled after the deployment of "specialist national resources," according to the findings published on Monday.
On the January 20-21 flight, 32 detainees, all small boat arrivals, were forcibly removed to France in exchange for a similar number brought to the UK legally. Many of these asylum seekers have backgrounds involving persecution, including experiences of torture and trafficking, adding complexity to their deportation cases.
Use of Force and Restraint Incidents
Four use-of-force incidents were documented in connection with the January 16 flight. Waist restraint belts were applied three times, with one instance seeing the belt removed shortly after takeoff. In the remaining two cases, detainees remained in waist restraints throughout their removal due to "continuing resistance," as noted in records reviewed by the inspection team.
Additionally, leg restraints were used on two detainees: one when being moved onto the transporting vehicle to the plane, and the other when being carried onto the aircraft. While leg restraints were quickly removed in the first case, they remained on the second detainee for the duration of the travel, raising questions about the proportionality and necessity of such measures.
Detainee Concerns and Professional Conduct
Following the protest on January 15, detainees scheduled for deportation on a January 21 flight expressed fear about potential use of force against them. Despite these anxieties, inspectors observed that escort staff maintained a consistently professional and respectful demeanor in all interactions. Charlie Taylor commented, "We found that any past use of restraints or control techniques had been justified based on assessed risks," in relation to the January 16 flight.
Broader Issues in Immigration Detention
The report also highlighted systemic issues within the detention system, including a lack of interpreters and limited access to solicitors for asylum seekers. Many detainees reported anxiety about being left homeless in France or facing further removal to other countries, exacerbating their distress during the deportation process.
Emma Ginn, director of Medical Justice, a charity supporting individuals in immigration detention, expressed deep concern: "Most people detained for the UK-France scheme who our independent clinicians have assessed show clinical evidence of torture or trafficking. For torture survivors, the use of force can be a terrifying re-enactment of past mistreatment."
Home Office Response and Policy Context
A Home Office spokesperson defended the government's actions, stating, "This government is restoring order and control to our border. We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally since the election. The welfare of people detained is of the utmost importance, and we are committed to ensuring that detention and removals are carried out with dignity."
The findings come amid ongoing debates over immigration policies and the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK, with calls for greater transparency and humane practices in deportation procedures.
