DUNGAVEL DETENTION CENTRE

Early day motion 1641, tabled 8 September 2003 by Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party). Signed by 6 members.

That this House notes the recent report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education on the treatment of children at the Dungavel detention centre in Scotland, which found that the personal, social and learning experiences of children are damaged by being held there; further notes that the jailing of asylum-seeking families and children at Dungavel for long periods of time, including for over a year in the case of the Ay family, is in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; welcomes the growing campaign in Scotland involving people from different political parties and none, voluntary, church and civic bodies for an end to these inhumane practices; and calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to respect basic human rights, to cease imprisoning asylum seekers at Dungavel, and for the children of asylum seekers to be taught in mainstream schools in the community.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 3, Labour 2, Plaid Cymru 1.