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London vigil for those who have died in immigration detention


Citizens UK, together with London Churches Refugee Network, Detention Action and Detention Forum will be holding a candlelight vigil this Friday, to remember those who have died in immigration detention and show solidarity and friendship for the families hurt by this unacceptable practice and to let all detainees know that they are not forgotten.

The event will be held on Friday 31st October, from 6.30pm to 8pm, at St John’s Church in Hoxton, Pitfield St, London, N1 6NP.

Britain is the only country in Europe that holds refugees and migrants in immigration detention with no time limit. No judge or magistrate are asked to approve or oversee their imprisonment. The decision to lock them up is made by civil servants. Alleged criminals can be detained for 72 hours and alleged terrorists for 28 days. Migrants and refugees are neither.

Immigration detention used to be the last resort in administration of removals. In 1993 the number of people in detention was 250. In 2013 nearly 30,000 people were detained, many for months and some for years.

£76 million per year is wasted on the long-term detention of migrants. In 2009/10 The Home Office paid out £12 million in compensation and legal costs arising from unlawful detention. However, the human cost of indefinite detention is immeasurable. The evidence of trauma and suffering is heartbreaking. Families are torn apart and lives are ruined in the name of administrative convenience. Since 2013 nearly 400 suicide attempts were recorded.

Vulnerable people, including women who suffered sexual violence, are not given proper medical or legal attention. Since January 2013, five people have died while in detention.

Citizens UK are asking for refugees and migrants to be treated with dignity while they are here, on their way in and on their way out. They are calling for an end to indefinite detention for immigration purposes.

The campaign is asking all member institutions to pray for people in detention on Sunday 2 November, All Souls' Day, and in particular for those who died last year while in detention, in fear and away from their loved ones. They are: Rubel, Christine, Tahir, Khalid and Alois.

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