Press Statement regarding Chinese man who died at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre
19 September 2017
In response to the news that a Chinese man was found dead yesterday in Dungavel, Robina Qureshi, Director of refugee and migrant homelessness charity, Positive Action in Housing, said:
“The fact that we know nothing more than that a Chinese man died is typical media crisis management on the part of the Home Office. We get to know very little about what goes on inside Dungavel or most detention prisons. It is worse than a prison. In a prison, you know what crime you committed and when you are getting out. What worse psychological terror can there be than to be locked up indefinitely despite having committed no crime? If there is a language difference the sense of loneliness, hopelessness’ and isolation is magnified a thousand times. Dungavel has contributed to the suicides of several asylum seekers. In fact, all the suicides that have taken place in detention have been of innocent people claiming refuge in this country. They were never criminals. We have no reason to believe that this situation is any different. And corporate multinationals profit in the millions from people being held there indefinitely. Dungavel and the whole concept of it is a human rights violation. Its about time this human rights violation was shut down. We believe politicians and the media should be seeking a few answers to the following questions:
What is the man’s name? Does he have family in the UK?
Why was he held in detention? Did he have legal representation or any support network helping him?
How long was he held in the UK detention estate, including Dungavel?
What is to happen to his body? Will his body be repatriated to his loved ones in china?”
Notes to editor:
Positive Action in Housing is a refugee and migrant Homelessness charity dedicated to enabling men, women and children from refugee and migrant communities to rebuild their lives. We enable people to overcome a crisis by offering grants, shelter and casework. We enable people to know their rights, find work, and challenge unfair decisions. We lead human rights campaigns. We challenge anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric. We will help until we have a society that treats us all fairly, respects human rights and leaves no one destitute.