An Eritrean asylum seeker who was scheduled to be forcibly removed to France under the controversial 'one in, one out' scheme has had his deportation ticket cancelled after making a serious attempt on his life, the Guardian has learned.
Incident Details
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was discovered by his cellmate on Tuesday, who immediately raised the alarm. Fellow detainees believe the suicide attempt was driven by his fear of being in danger in France due to his specific circumstances. He is now under round-the-clock suicide watch within the detention facility.
The 'One In, One Out' Scheme
Under the terms of a treaty agreed between the UK and France in August, one asylum seeker who arrives in the UK via small boat from France is returned in exchange for a person who has not attempted to cross the Channel. According to Home Office figures, as of 28 April, 605 individuals had been returned to France under this arrangement, while 581 had been brought to the UK. On 9 May alone, 196 people crossed the Channel in three boats.
Wider Concerns
Incidents of self-harm are not uncommon among immigration detainees, many of whom have a history of trauma. In some cases, individuals with previous self-harm or suicide attempts have been deemed fit to fly after medical assessments. One detainee who witnessed the incident said: 'We think the man had been in detention for 17 or 18 days. When he found out he had been given a ticket for France he said he felt so emotionally tired after everything he had been through. We think that is why he tried to end his life.'
Charity Response
Emma Ginn, director of the charity Medical Justice, which supports immigration detainees, said: 'Of 20 of our clients detained for 'one in, one out' assessed by our independent clinicians, all 20 had clinical evidence of a history of torture, ill treatment and/or trafficking, and all 20 had serious mental health conditions. The news of what is understood to be another serious suicide attempt cannot come as a surprise to the Home Office. We and others have repeatedly warned that safeguards are so dysfunctional that more suicide attempts and even deaths could result.'
Home Office Statement
A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The safety and wellbeing of people in our care is a priority. All incidents of self-harm are treated very seriously, and every step is taken to try and prevent incidents of this nature. Anyone deemed unfit to fly will receive appropriate care until it is safe for removal.'
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
