HUNGER STRIKE AT YARL'S WOOD IMMIGRATION REMOVAL CENTRE

Early day motion 919, tabled 23 February 2010 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 51 members.

That this House notes that women detained in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre have been on hunger strike since 5 February 2010 in protest against being detained for up to two years; condemns the detention of victims of rape and other torture, of mothers separated from their children and anyone who does not face imminent removal; believes that such detention flouts international conventions and UK immigration rules; requests that HM Inspector of Prisons urgently carries out an independent investigation into reports of violence, mistreatment and racist abuse from guards, being kettled for over five hours in a hallway, denied access to toilets and water and locked out in the freezing cold, which women have made to their lawyers, the media and supporters, including the All African Women's Group and Black Women's Rape Action Project; and calls for a moratorium on all removals and deportations of the women who took part in the hunger strike pending the results of that investigation.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 15, Independent 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, Scottish National Party 1.