Government 'must end its detention of vulnerable LGBT asylum seekers', charities demand

Migrants say they have experienced discrimination, harassment and violence during their time in detention

LGBT groups have accused Home Office staff of being “ill-equipped” to meet the needs of LGBT people (Getty)

Two LGBT charities have called on Home Secretary Amber Rudd to end the detention of lesbian, gay, bi and trans asylum seekers in a damning report on conditions in immigration removal centres.

A joint report by Stonewall and the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) has accused Home Office staff of being “ill-equipped” to meet the needs of LGBT people who are bullied, harassed or even physically attacked by other detainees.

They also accuse the government of holding people who have suffered rape and torture in their country of origin, against Home Office rules, and denying detainees access to medication, including HIV drugs and anti-depressants.

Paul Dillane, Executive Director at UKLGIG, said: “Our research finds that LGBT asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable in immigration detention and face significant disadvantages and dangers.”

“In detention they experience discrimination, harassment and violence from other detainees and from members of staff. The detention environment has serious long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being.”

According to the report, based on 22 in-depth interviews of LGBT asylum seekers, many detainees are given no information about the length of their stay, and because Britain practises indefinite detention this can cause severe stress in detainees.

They are regularly prohibited from working outside of detention and can often only work inside their facility for £1 per hour, an environment which according to the charities makes many detainees feel like they are suspected criminals.

One trans participant in the report claimed they were put in a male detention centre, despite making clear they identified as a woman. The report further criticises the lack of private spaces for detainees to shower and get changed.

The Home Office reportedly makes available the use of Equality or LGBT Officers, usually detention staff taking this on as an additional task to their regular work. However, report participants rarely knew whether these services were available or detention officers were reluctant to provide details on how to access the service.

Many interviewees were detained under a fast track system, rapidly expanded during Theresa May’s time at the Home Office, but ruled unlawful last year. According to the report, LGBT asylum seekers are often returned to their country of origin even where there is a threat they will be persecuted, as long as there are no laws which specifically criminalise their gender or sexuality.