Equality and Human Rights Commission: Immigration – UK Government assessment
Progress assessment: Regression
There has been a sustained or severe regression in the enjoyment of human rights, or a significant reduction in human rights standards or protections in law or policy
The UK Government’s ‘hostile environment’ policies marked a significant reduction in human rights protections in the UK, and inflicted lasting damage on those affected by them, receiving widespread criticism. Recent changes to reduce the use of immigration detention are welcome, but the UK Government continues to detain a significant number of people and there is still no limit on how long someone can be detained. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted concerns about conditions in immigration removal centres, prompting important new measures, although it is not yet clear whether these will be retained as restrictions ease.
- A total of 24,443 people were detained for immigration purposes in 2019, a similar number to the previous year – before this there had been a downward trend since 2015. Only 37% of those detained were returned to their country of origin or another foreign country, suggesting detention is not consistently used only where there is a realistic prospect of removal.
- Read more: https://humanrightstracker.com/en/progress-assessment/immigration-uk-government-assessment/