The Reopening of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre: A Step Backwards for the UK

The recent announcement by the UK government that they plan to reopen the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre has been met with widespread criticism and concern. The Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees (AVID) is deeply concerned about this decision. We believe it represents a step backwards for the UK's immigration detention system and the promised reform.

Haslar IRC, which was closed in 2015, has a troubled history of abuse and neglect. Numerous reports of mistreatment and inhumane conditions at the centre have led to its closure. The decision to reopen Haslar IRC is a worrying indication that the government is not serious about addressing the problems that have plagued the immigration detention system in the UK.

The government's decision to reopen Haslar IRC indicates that they are not committed to reducing the use of immigration detention in the UK. The UK is one of the few countries in Europe with no time limit on immigration detention, and this decision to reopen Haslar IRC will only serve to prolong the detention of individuals, many of whom may be held for months or even years.

The reopening of Haslar IRC also comes at a time when the government is facing increasing pressure to address the inhumane conditions and abuse that is taking place in immigration detention centres. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for reform in the immigration detention system. Unfortunately, the decision to reopen Haslar IRC indicates that the government is not taking their commitment seriously.

We urge the UK government to rethink its decision to reopen Haslar IRC and instead focus on addressing the problems that have plagued the system for years.

Endless reports, so many first-hand testimonies from people who had experienced detention and their visitors, and many more parliamentary enquiries have unifiyingly saying one thing only - Immigration detention is not fit for purpose and is created inherently to abuse our fellow human beings; this should be erased altogether from history! 

#NoToHaslarIRC #KeepHaslarIRCClosed #EndDetention #MakeDetentionHistory