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Yarl’s Wood detainees called to give evidence before MPs (30 June 2014)

Date: 30/06/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Yarl’s Wood detainees called to give evidence before MPs

The Home Affairs Select Committee is to interview former detainees at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Detention Centre, as part of a further investigation into improper sexual contact between women detained at the centre and male guards who are employed by Serco.

The Guardian reports that last week, the Home Affairs Select Committee accused Serco of “quoting selectively” from reports relating to inspections of the Bedfordshire detention centre.

Women held at the centre are facing deportation from the UK, having lost their asylum appeals. Some allege they were sexually assaulted by staff at Yarl’s Wood while being held there before deportation.

Serco has said that currently there are no instances of improper contact between detainees and guards, after 10 members of Serco staff were sacked. The company has dealt with 31 allegations of improper sexual contact between detainees and staff at Yarl’s Wood.

MPs are also proposing to visit Yarl’s Wood to inspect conditions there – the Home Office denied access to the UN special rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, when she visited the UK earlier this year as part of a United Nations fact finding mission.

Commenting on Serco’s investigations, chair of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz MP, said:

“There remain serious questions over the thoroughness of their investigations. It is vital that we have the full facts – the statements made by Serco must be tested.

“The committee feels strongly that those whose accusations have brought about these investigations should be given an opportunity to voice their concerns. We will look to call further witnesses.”

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