100 signatures reached
To: The Home Office.
Rights to internet access for asylum seekers in detention
Reinstate full rights of access to internet & social media - specifically instant messaging & downloading vital documents - for asylum seekers in detention centres.
Why is this important?
The internet access policy should be reviewed with a view to increasing access to sites that enable detainees to pursue and support their immigration claim. Detainees are often unable to download information documents sent in PDF format, for example from the websites of legal practitioners or other support groups such as Freedom From Torture. The Home Office’s blanket ban on the use of social media appears to be counter-productive and unjustified, particularly for those who will subsequently be returned to their home country and who want to make connections in order to prepare for return. Also immigration detainees tend to be particularly isolated from the outside world. Research has shown that approximately 80% of asylum seekers do not receive any personal contact from family and friends. Further isolating them by blocking Skype, Facebook & other social media is inhumane.
