MISTREATMENT OF FAILED ASYLUM-SEEKERS DURING DEPORTATION

Early day motion 2098, tabled 11 October 2007 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 19 members.

That this House is concerned by recent reports of the mistreatment of failed asylum-seekers during the deportation process including alleged physical and sexual assault and racial and psychological abuse at the hands of private escort teams paid by the Government; is particularly concerned that deportations continue to take place even when detainees show clear signs of mental and physical illness; is concerned at the story of Beatrice Guessie, who was so badly injured during deportation to Cameroon that officials at Cameroon airport refused to allow her entrance to the country and so instead she was returned to the UK where she was treated at Hillingdon Hospital for severe genital bleeding and multiple bruising and deemed by a psychiatrist to be in severe shock, only to be returned to Yarl's Wood detention centre; and calls on the Government to follow the recommendations of groups such as the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns and the Medical Justice Network and urgently reassess its policy on, and methods of, deporting failed asylum-seekers.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Independent 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.