FFT echoes concerns raised by medics examining children in UK detention

The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture (MF) has echoed the concerns of a new study revealing the damaging physical and psychological impact of detention on children held in UK Immigration Removal centres.

"Torture survivors, and especially children, should never be detained for the purposes of immigration control. It is a fundamental breach of their human rights and goes against the Government's own policy of keeping children safe from harm."

The study, conducted by doctors examining the cases of 24 children detained in Yarl's Wood, found that many children had symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress caused by detention.

Leanne MacMillan, Director of Policy & External Affairs at the MF, said: "The findings of this study provide yet more damning evidence that the Government is continuing to fail in its duty to protect children seeking refuge in this country. The traumatic experiences documented sadly echo what we see on a regular basis in working with children and families who, having already fled ill-treatment in their countries of origin, suffer once again because of institutional failures in the UK's asylum system.

"Torture survivors, and especially children, should never be detained for the purposes of immigration control. It is a fundamental breach of their human rights and goes against the Government's own policy of keeping children safe from harm."

The report, published in Child Abuse & Neglect: the International Journal, raised serious concerns about the UK Border Agency's responsibilities to children and called for urgent reforms.