July 10th 2024.
When I first came to the UK, I was detained in Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre. It was an experience that still haunts me to this day. I remember the feelings of fear and confusion as I was taken there upon claiming asylum. The conditions were deplorable – overcrowding, staff shortages, rampant drug use and violence. It was a nightmare that seemed to never end.
For me, reading about the recent report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor was deeply triggering. The report described the conditions as the worst ever seen in immigration detention in the country. It was a stark reminder of my own time at Harmondsworth, nearly 20 years ago. My heart aches for the vulnerable refugees who are still enduring similar experiences. It is simply unacceptable.
I was forced to flee my home country in central Africa in 2005 to escape torture. The journey to reach safety was long and dangerous. It took me eight months to reach the UK, crossing through countries controlled by violent rebels and risking my life to cross the English Channel. When I finally arrived, I was alone, confused, and frightened.
Upon claiming asylum, I was immediately detained. However, no one explained to me what was happening or what would happen to me. I was put into a van and driven for what felt like hours until we reached Harmondsworth IRC. It quickly became clear that something was very wrong.
The week I spent at Harmondsworth was like a never-ending nightmare. I was still recovering from physical injuries sustained from torture, which made it difficult for me to sleep, eat, or even cry. It was a challenging and traumatic experience.
I remember looking out of my cell window and seeing the Union Jack flag waving in the wind. It was a beautiful sight, but even after everything I had been through, my mental state continued to decline. I was constantly filled with fear and uncertainty. Would I be deported like the man in the cell next to mine? What would happen to me if I was sent back to the country that had tortured me?
I tried my best not to fall asleep at night, afraid of being dragged out of my cell while I was vulnerable. I was also living among people who had committed serious crimes, which was shocking and intimidating. It was not appropriate to mix vulnerable asylum seekers with dangerous criminals.
What made it worse was that the staff at Harmondsworth seemed to not care. They saw me crying and frightened, but no one ever asked if I was okay. I felt completely alone.
Eventually, I was released when they realized that I was a survivor of torture. But the fact that I was detained in the first place is unjust and unacceptable. It is a common occurrence for people like me to slip through the cracks and be at risk of serious harm.
When my asylum status was finally granted, I cried tears of relief. It was bittersweet – I was grateful to have found safety and security, but I also felt sorry for myself and everything I had been through. However, my journey to rebuild my life was just beginning.
I was fortunate to find Freedom from Torture in the same year. With the help of doctors and therapists, I was able to understand and cope with the trauma of my past experiences. I joined with other survivors to form Survivors Speak OUT, a group dedicated to building solidarity among survivors and advocating for changes in policy and legislation.
We, as experts by experience, have a vital role to play in shaping decisions that affect refugees and asylum seekers. We need to be at the table with decision-makers, using our expertise to improve the system and ensure that people like us receive fair treatment and a chance to rebuild our lives in the UK.
The recent report by Charlie Taylor only adds to the long list of reports that have exposed the barbaric reality of immigration detention in the UK. It is time for this to stop once and for all. We need a more compassionate approach to protect those who have fled unimaginable horrors.
The new Labour government has promised to rebuild a just asylum system that respects human dignity and the rule of law. But this cannot be achieved if people like me and other refugees are still being detained. It is time for the authorities to catch up with public opinion and create a system that is fair, efficient, and compassionate.
Most people in the UK are caring and kind, and I have experienced firsthand the warmth and support of many. They believe in fairness and providing sanctuary for those fleeing war and torture. Now is the time for the authorities to do the same.
Do you have a similar experience to share? Please reach out and share your story. It is important to speak out and raise awareness about the reality of immigration detention. Together, we can create positive change and ensure that no one else has to endure the horrors of Harmondsworth.
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