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| End indefinite detention and asylum cruelty | End indefinite detention and asylum cruelty |
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| Could someone please send the Home Office a dictionary? You quote it as saying “the law does not allow indefinite detention” followed by the proportion detained for less than 29 days (Ambulance callouts to detention centres soar, 26 December). The Home Office minister in the Lords has argued the same, despite being repeatedly challenged. One concise dictionary definition is “without fixed or specified limit”. The UK is unusual in that there is no “fixed or specified limit” for detention; the proportion detained for any particular number of days does not change that fact. | Could someone please send the Home Office a dictionary? You quote it as saying “the law does not allow indefinite detention” followed by the proportion detained for less than 29 days (Ambulance callouts to detention centres soar, 26 December). The Home Office minister in the Lords has argued the same, despite being repeatedly challenged. One concise dictionary definition is “without fixed or specified limit”. The UK is unusual in that there is no “fixed or specified limit” for detention; the proportion detained for any particular number of days does not change that fact. |
| Not knowing how long you will be detained has been shown to be bad for psychological health. It is not surprising that detainees, many of whom are extremely vulnerable, often say that detention is worse than prison for that reason. It is high time the Home Office makes good on its false claim and puts an end to indefinite detention.Ruth ListerLabour, House of Lords | Not knowing how long you will be detained has been shown to be bad for psychological health. It is not surprising that detainees, many of whom are extremely vulnerable, often say that detention is worse than prison for that reason. It is high time the Home Office makes good on its false claim and puts an end to indefinite detention.Ruth ListerLabour, House of Lords |
| • While welcoming your article (Hunt steps up effort to stem escalating global persecution of Christian minorities, 26 December) there is much that could be done here in the UK. There are very many people who were in danger because of their faith and have fled their own countries and sought asylum here in the UK. Many have been put into detention, with no time limit, not knowing what is happening, and having done nothing wrong – they have just not been believed by our Home Office. | • While welcoming your article (Hunt steps up effort to stem escalating global persecution of Christian minorities, 26 December) there is much that could be done here in the UK. There are very many people who were in danger because of their faith and have fled their own countries and sought asylum here in the UK. Many have been put into detention, with no time limit, not knowing what is happening, and having done nothing wrong – they have just not been believed by our Home Office. |
| When out of detention, they are not allowed to work, to supplement the meagre amount they have to live on, to use their skills, and to contribute to their new community. They are often in unsuitable accommodation, and not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve by those in authority. | When out of detention, they are not allowed to work, to supplement the meagre amount they have to live on, to use their skills, and to contribute to their new community. They are often in unsuitable accommodation, and not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve by those in authority. |
| Thankfully, they are welcomed by Christian and other faith communities as well as other support groups, but the rules in our country must change to end indefinite detention for immigration purposes, and make detention a last resort. We need to give the right to work. We need housing contracts that can be effectively monitored to be of a decent standard. | Thankfully, they are welcomed by Christian and other faith communities as well as other support groups, but the rules in our country must change to end indefinite detention for immigration purposes, and make detention a last resort. We need to give the right to work. We need housing contracts that can be effectively monitored to be of a decent standard. |
| In general, treating with dignity and respect those seeking sanctuary here can even be done without changing any rules. | In general, treating with dignity and respect those seeking sanctuary here can even be done without changing any rules. |
| Most important, though, is taking away the culture of disbelief in the Home Office, accepting that people have fled for their lives, and granting them leave to remain here in safety.Suzanne FletcherEaglescliffe, County Durham | Most important, though, is taking away the culture of disbelief in the Home Office, accepting that people have fled for their lives, and granting them leave to remain here in safety.Suzanne FletcherEaglescliffe, County Durham |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
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