UK Lawmaker Decries Asylum Seekers Kept In 'Shocking' Conditions In Kent Facility
Sumaira FH Published July 30, 2021 | 06:10 PM
LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th July, 2021) UK Labour lawmaker and chief of the Home Affairs parliamentary committee, Yvette Cooper, on Friday called the government's attention to the "shocking conditions" migrants who crossed the English Channel to seek refuge in the United Kingdom are being kept at an intake unit in Kent, southern England.
"I am writing to raise serious concerns about the shocking conditions the Committee observed during its visit to the Kent Intake Unit yesterday," Cooper wrote in a letter addressed to Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The opposition lawmaker said that during her visit she found 56 asylum seeker, including women, babies and young children, "packed" into the small waiting room.
"We heard that the maximum period of time any individual should be held in this room is 24 hours but that in recent weeks some people have been kept in this small holding room for periods up to 36 and 48 hours," Cooper added.
She also raised concerns about the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak as the holding room had no ventilation, no social distancing and no face masks worn.
According to the lawmaker, the conditions she encountered were very similar to those that were deemed unacceptable by the UK Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick during a visit in September, 2020.
"What contingency planning has taken place since September 2020 to ensure there is appropriate safe capacity for fluctuating numbers of arrivals in line with the Inspectorate report?" Cooper asked Patel.
According to unofficial figures, the number of migrants who have made the dangerous journey across the English Channel this year has surpassed the total for all 2020, when 8,417 people reached the UK coasts aboard small boats.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Babar Azam might be rested during T20I series against Kiwis: Pakistan head coach
Vivo V30 5G: The Perfect Blend of Enhanced Photography and Premium Design
Global financial institutions back Pakistan’s economic reforms
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence reaches Islamabad
NAB exonerates Nawaz Sharif in Thoshakhana reference
US lauds Pakistan’s economic reforms amidst challenges
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 17 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 17 April 2024
Venezuela shuts Ecuador diplomatic missions over raid
France and Germany will slow eurozone down: IMF
UN to launch $2.8 bn global appeal for Gaza, West Bank
COAS, Saudi FM discuss bilateral cooperation in various sectors
More Stories From World
-
Israel-Hamas talks on Gaza truce 'stalling': mediator Qatar
6 minutes ago -
No 'nonsense' Dortmund face familiar foes PSG with Wembley on horizon
16 minutes ago -
Apple CEO meets Indonesia leader to talk investments
36 minutes ago -
China says 'lot of work to be done' before Ukraine peace summit takes place
36 minutes ago -
Australia's Great Barrier Reef hit by record bleaching
46 minutes ago -
Pakistan's rice exports set to reach record high in FY23-24 on good crop output
46 minutes ago
-
11 killed in Russian strike on Ukraine city
46 minutes ago -
Zarqa Al Yamama, first Saudi opera to premiere on April 25
1 hour ago -
Ethiopians mourn the destruction of historic Piassa district
1 hour ago -
Sri Lanka plans to attract over 4 billion U.S. dollars in foreign investments in 2024
1 hour ago -
Soybean futures close lower
1 hour ago -
New Zealand, Thailand to build strategic partnership
1 hour ago