Lord Ramsbotham invites you to a discussion on:
“Beyond comprehension and decency” - A report on medical abuse in immigration detention
The Parliamentary Launch of the Medical Justice Network
Thursday 12th July 2007 – 2pm to 3.30pm
Palace of Westminster, Committee Room 4A
"The strength of a liberal democracy is measured not by how it treats the majority but by how it cares for minorities and those at the margins of society. The best tests for humanity and decency are conducted in its dark places: in prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and in institutions for failed asylum-seekers and other migrants"
Stephen Shaw, Prison Ombudsman.
Medical Justice has investigated issues that challenge the basis of the sort of society we think we are. Our findings make uncomfortable reading; medical abuse of vulnerable and otherwise "invisible" detainees, and a contempt for decent values.
Speakers include;
Dr Felicity de Zulueta, consultant psychiatrist, Maudsley Hospital
Jovanka Savic, solicitor, Sutovich & Hartigan Solicitors
Harris Nyatsanza, Zimbabwean teacher, ex- immigration detainee
Dr Jonathan Fluxman, GP
Alistair Burt MP
The HM Inspector of Prisons’ “Inquiry into healthcare at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre” (Oct 2006) reported on the treatment of Sophie Odogo, a Ugandan asylum seeker who was reduced to a state of mental collapse, after a catalogue of alleged abuse, self-harm, and the self-inflicted death of Manuel Bravo at Yarl's Wood. The inquiry was the first of its kind and followed demands by Medical Justice and others for an investigation into medical abuse of detainees at Yarl’s Wood. Sophie, a rape and torture survivor, was detained for 7 months whilst she was "Fast Tracked" at Yarl's Wood, the UK's main detention centre for women and families. She was part of a 38 day mass hunger-strike by detainees, hospitalised a number of times and on release, was discharged to the psychiatric wing of the Maudsley Hospital where she was admitted for over 6 months.
"[The inquiry] was 'appalling' in what it revealed and should be a source of shame to those involved .. I am not totally surprised at the results, though shocked and genuinely appalled at the depth of failures revealed and inadequacies of those with care and responsibility for detainees ... [IND's] repeated attempts to remove sick detainees went beyond comprehension and decency".
Alistair Burt MP Findings of the inquiry include; - The healthcare service was not geared to meet the needs of those with serious health problems or the significant number of detainees held for longer periods for whom prolonged and uncertain detention was itself likely to be detrimental to their well being.
- There are weak clinical governance systems, inadequate staff training, insufficiently detailed policies and protocols, that mental health care provision is insufficient, and that these inadequacies are compounded by the unresponsiveness of the IND to clinical concerns about an alleged history of torture or adverse medical consequences of continued detention.
- Independent medical opinion was not sought or adhered to and in some cases IND caseworkers, with no declared medical qualification, appeared to be making their own clinical judgements.
RSVP:
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or 07904 778365. Places are limited - please confirm your attendance at the earliest opportunity. Further info |
