Detainees reveal hunger strike horror
08/03/2010
Asylum-seeking women hit out at conditions in Yarl’s Wood as they enter fourth week of starvation
By Adam ForrestDoctors fear for the health of a group of asylum-seeking women who have spent more than three weeks on a hunger strike at Yarl’s Wood detention centre.
One woman described the conditions as being like “a prison”, as campaigners continue to call for a full investigation into conditions at the notorious centre, where asylum seekers across Britain are often taken before being removed from the country.
The hunger strike began on February 5 when a group of between 50 and 70 women, angry at being kept locked up for months without access to their kids, refused to eat.
Many are refusing meals but eating food from vending machines, but medical experts said a small group of protesters are not eating at all and are entering a critical period in which permanent damage to their health is now a serious risk.
Ms C, who does not wish to be identified, is from Nigeria and has been part of the hunger strike. She told The Big Issue: “I feel very faint, very ill. The only thing is we can help each other, but some of the women have been sent back to their country. “I don’t know how long we can do this. They treat us very badly. It is horrible. It is like a prison here. I cannot get legal help to make my case in here.”
Theresa Schleicher, referrals manager at Medical Justice, an independent group of doctors, has made visits to Yarl’s Wood and has seen two women who have been eating no food at all.
“We think there’s at least 20 who are still refusing their regular meals,” he said. “I spoke to two women who have definitely been eating nothing at all. Their health is in a worrying state. There are women there who are definitely not well.” Dr Frank Arnold, an adviser to Medical Justice, said: “I think there is probably a variable spread from those who have been totally without food to those who are protesting by refusing meals but occasionally taking snacks.
“Anyone who decides to eat again needs to do so under careful supervision in hospital, otherwise they risk brain damage or other serious complaints.” Cristel Amiss, of Black Women’s Rape Action Project, has been in regular mobile phone contact with most of the detainees refusing food and believes around 35 women are still involved in the protest.
“The processes at Yarl’s Wood are punitive and vicious,” she said. “It’s a detestable place. The initial hunger strike turned nasty on Monday, February 8: women inside Yarl’s Wood said guards locked them in a corridor for eight hours without access to water or toilet facilities.
“The detainees also claim some people fainted, some were punched and kicked by guards, and that four women identified as ring-leaders were taken to prison.”
The Home Office confirmed four women have been taken to prison and are now classified as foreign national prisoners facing “removal as soon possible”.
Home Office officials insist the health of the women is being assessed and deny anyone is attempting to starve themselves completely. Labour MP Meg Hillier, a junior Home Office minister, has written to MPs to deny the allegations of ill treatment.
“There are a small number of detainees refusing formal meals from the canteen, they are buying food from the centre’s shop and vending machines,” she said.
“All these individuals are offered appointments with medical staff, are monitored closely by the healthcare team, and not one has presented any medical concerns as a result of the protest.”
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