East Kilbride’s MSP has invited the Home Secretary to visit Dungavel – after damning new evidence showed the detention of migrant children and pregnant women.
The East Kilbride News told earlier this month how at least 21 young people were being held at Dungavel Immigration Centre near Strathaven, despite the practice being outlawed here by the former immigration minister.
In 2010, Damian Green gave a “commitment to ending the detention of all children for immigration purposes,” yet a Home Office report showed 19 youngsters had been held there since 2014, including at least five below the age of 16.
That led to Linda Fabiani calling the centre “barbaric,” demanding the UK Government urgently stops detaining high numbers of vulnerable people that have been held there since 2016.
The MSP said this week: “This is the harsh reality of the Tories’ ‘hostile environment’ – children and pregnant women held behind barbed wire, in a facility which is entirely unsuitable for vulnerable people.
“The UK government must stop detaining children and pregnant women at Dungavel – and they must do so now.
“Innocent families, women and children shouldn’t be detained like this, especially given it’s a decade since the Home Office promised to end the barbaric practice of detaining children.
“The Tories have an abysmal track record on their mistreatment of asylum seekers.
“These figures are a depressing reminder of the total disregard this Tory government shows towards migrants, and show the need for Scotland to have full control over immigration.”
Figures also showed nearly 40 per cent of people detained there were classed as vulnerable.
Home Office data from December 2018 showing 24 of the 61 people detained in Scotland’s only immigration centre to be ‘at risk’ adults.
Ms Fabiani has campaigned for the closure of Dungavel for many years and has now invited Sajid Javid to visit the facility and hear from human rights groups, local politicians, and detainees.
Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, also asked the minister for a meeting on the issue and questioned the Secretary of State for Scotland.
She said: “I believe it is entirely inappropriate for children to be held in Dungavel.
“I have made this very clear in my correspondence with the Home Office, and have subsequently requested a meeting with the Secretary of State.”
