UK Detention Centres Under Fire Over Treatment of Asylum Seekers
A damning report by asylum seekers held in preparation for deportation under the UK government's "one in, one out" scheme has accused the Home Office of degrading treatment and subjected them to fear, humiliation, and psychological distress.
The detainees, who hail from conflict zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, claim they have been treated unfairly since arriving in the UK on small boats. They allege arbitrary detention, denial of legal representation, inadequate medical care, and severe psychological harm.
According to the report, many detainees experienced depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns after their traumatic journeys and prolonged detention. Some reported being subjected to self-harm attempts, while others were placed in isolation or disciplinary units, creating an environment of constant fear, despair, and uncertainty.
The asylum seekers, who are calling for urgent investigation by the UN and human rights groups, say their treatment violates fundamental principles of human rights, dignity, and due process. They urge to be seen, heard, and treated as human beings, rather than being punished for seeking protection.
The UK Home Office has dismissed the claims, stating that the welfare of people detained in its care is of utmost importance. However, critics argue that the government's "one in, one out" scheme is striking at the heart of the criminal gangs' business model and ignoring the fundamental human rights of asylum seekers.
As the first return flight to France under the scheme is set to take place on Wednesday, concerns are growing about the treatment of asylum seekers held in detention centres. The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, has welcomed ongoing engagement with governments aimed at ensuring that any arrangements uphold international protection standards and contribute to strengthened refugee protection and rights-based management of movements.
The report highlights the need for urgent reform of the UK's asylum seeker detention system, which is increasingly coming under scrutiny due to rising numbers of crossings on small boats. Despite efforts to tackle people-smuggling gangs, 2025 had the second-highest number of crossings on record, with over 41,000 people reaching the UK on small boats.
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of deaths among those in northern France hoping to reach the UK was significantly lower in 2025 compared to 2024. However, more than 36,000 crossings were recorded in 2024 and at least 85 deaths documented, while 36 deaths were reported in 2025.
As the situation continues to unfold, asylum seekers held in detention centres are urging for urgent action to address their treatment and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.
A damning report by asylum seekers held in preparation for deportation under the UK government's "one in, one out" scheme has accused the Home Office of degrading treatment and subjected them to fear, humiliation, and psychological distress.
The detainees, who hail from conflict zones including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, claim they have been treated unfairly since arriving in the UK on small boats. They allege arbitrary detention, denial of legal representation, inadequate medical care, and severe psychological harm.
According to the report, many detainees experienced depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns after their traumatic journeys and prolonged detention. Some reported being subjected to self-harm attempts, while others were placed in isolation or disciplinary units, creating an environment of constant fear, despair, and uncertainty.
The asylum seekers, who are calling for urgent investigation by the UN and human rights groups, say their treatment violates fundamental principles of human rights, dignity, and due process. They urge to be seen, heard, and treated as human beings, rather than being punished for seeking protection.
The UK Home Office has dismissed the claims, stating that the welfare of people detained in its care is of utmost importance. However, critics argue that the government's "one in, one out" scheme is striking at the heart of the criminal gangs' business model and ignoring the fundamental human rights of asylum seekers.
As the first return flight to France under the scheme is set to take place on Wednesday, concerns are growing about the treatment of asylum seekers held in detention centres. The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, has welcomed ongoing engagement with governments aimed at ensuring that any arrangements uphold international protection standards and contribute to strengthened refugee protection and rights-based management of movements.
The report highlights the need for urgent reform of the UK's asylum seeker detention system, which is increasingly coming under scrutiny due to rising numbers of crossings on small boats. Despite efforts to tackle people-smuggling gangs, 2025 had the second-highest number of crossings on record, with over 41,000 people reaching the UK on small boats.
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that the number of deaths among those in northern France hoping to reach the UK was significantly lower in 2025 compared to 2024. However, more than 36,000 crossings were recorded in 2024 and at least 85 deaths documented, while 36 deaths were reported in 2025.
As the situation continues to unfold, asylum seekers held in detention centres are urging for urgent action to address their treatment and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.
! I mean, can you imagine being locked up without any proper food or medical care? It's just heartbreaking. My friend's cousin is actually one of them and he had to deal with depression and anxiety while in detention. It's just not right. They're human beings too, you know? They have families back home who love them and are worried sick about them 
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. Like, that's not a valid excuse for treating people with dignity and respect. The UNHCR should really get involved and put some pressure on the UK government to reform their asylum seeker detention system ASAP 
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. We need to do better as a society, we really should 
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. It sounds like they're going through some super traumatic experiences just trying to seek protection, and it's just not right. The fact that some of them have been self-harming or experiencing depression/anxiety is totally unacceptable 
. We need to make sure our governments are treating people with dignity and respect, not punishing them for trying to escape danger 
. It's not like they're asking for a free ride, just a chance to live in safety 
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. And the UN's refugee agency is right to say that we need to work together to ensure people are protected and treated with human rights 
. We can't just sit back and watch them suffer in silence 
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. We should be supporting them with dignity and respect, not punishing them for seeking protection.
. The UN and human rights groups need to keep a close eye on this situation and push for reforms ASAP 
. We can't just sit back and watch as more people are subjected to this kind of treatment 
. It is imperative that we acknowledge the traumatic experiences these individuals have endured, fleeing conflict zones and displacement. Their stories are a stark reminder of the need for humane treatment and protection under international law 
. It's crucial that we recognize asylum seekers as human beings deserving of dignity, respect, and fundamental rights 
and now the UN's gettin involved too, it's like u shoulda been listenin to these people all along 
. We need to ask ourselves, "What would I want if I were in their shoes?" 
. These people are coming here seeking a safer life, not because they're trying to take advantage of us 
. It's time for some serious reform and a change of heart 
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The "one in, one out" scheme is only making things worse, it's like they're trying to punish people for seeking a safer life 
We need to see some serious reforms ASAP, this can't keep happening to vulnerable people 
. It's not just about numbers, it's about human lives 
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, it's hard to believe that people are being subjected to such trauma and mistreatment just because they're seeking safety 
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, and it starts with treating asylum seekers as human beings, not just statistics or pawns to be used in the government's game of deportation 
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this is getting out of hand! these ppl r goin thru hell & its not acceptable... detention centers shd be a safe haven 4 those seekn protection, not a place of fear & humiliation... uk gov needs 2 take responsibility 4 their policies & treat asylum seekers w/ dignity & respect