Mass detention of refugees will exacerbate the suffering of torture survivors
Freedom from Torture is one of the world's largest torture rehabilitation centres. We work with men, women and children from all over the world who have survived unimaginable cruelty. From our clinical work, we know that detention is profoundly harmful for survivors. Many were tortured in detention, so locking them up again reopens deep psychological scars and can be severely retraumatising. In recent years, systems in this country to identify and secure the release of survivors from immigration detention have degraded.
International cooperation is vital in response to the global movement of refugees, not only to ensure safety for survivors but also to stop repression in the first place. Safe routes to sanctuary must be part of any humane approach. But the focus on protection seems secondary in this scheme. As long as torture and persecution remain tools of oppression wielded by authoritarian states, people will continue to flee across borders in search of safety.Sonya SceatsChief executive, Freedom from Torture
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MP removed from New Zealand parliament in heated debate over Palestinian recognition
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The Guardian
8 minutes ago
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Myanmar army detaining two-year-olds as proxies for parents, witnesses tell UN
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MPs call for free bus travel for under-22s in England
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