Torture victims in UK immigration centers allege foul play

United Kingdom, 25th May: Victims of torture at several UK immigration detention centers are crying foul over false imprisonment.

They are suing UK Border Agency and already initiated legal action against it.

Legal challenge by torture victims against UKBA--As per the UK rules, torture victims are not allowed to be locked up by the UKBA (UK Border Agency) except in rare circumstances

. However, this ruling is being ignored repeatedly, findings of a latest report allege.

Torture victims have sought a legal challenge against the UKBA for falsely imprisoning them. As per the reports, five applications launched against UKBA for false imprisonment are either for claiming damages or for release from immigration detention.

Detention of torture victims- a routine--Detaining torture victims in the UK immigration detention centers is not an uncommon thing. In fact, they are held in UK immigration detention centers on a routine while the processing of their applications goes on.

And this is a sheer breach of UK government rules, states the study undertaken by Medical Justice.

As per the study, lock up of torture victims should only be in exceptional cases and they must be housed in community including with family/friends or hostels.

The study brings forth an alarmingly high rate of lock up of torture victims in immigration centers. Out of 50 asylum seekers, just one had been released under Rule 35 process, the ruling meant to offer safety to torture victims after coming to the UK.

Medical Justice has sought an immediate and an independent enquire to probe the compliance of UK government rules by the UKBA.

Immediate release must after evidence of torture—As per the Rule 35 guidelines, UKBA officials are required to work towards immediate release as soon as they find independent proof of torture and the only exception to this rule is in very rare circumstances.

Medical practitioners deployed at immigration removal centers are required to immediately report any case of torture victims, terms of Rule 35 say. And only then should the UKBA officers consider whether or not their detention is required.

The report further highlighted the fact that nearly 11 percent of torture victims had to be provided emergency treatment at hospitals while 16 percent allegedly attempted suicide. Nearly 23 percent of torture victims went on hunger strike.