End Deportations Birmingham

ALT In the evening light, candles are arranged into a heart shape on the grass, in front of a memorial placard written for Frank Ospina.

ALT A placard and white flowers sit in front of the entry sign to Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre. The placard reads: 'In memory of Frank Ospina and in solidarity with his family, friends, and loved ones, and everyone in immigration detention. Descanse en paz y poder.'

ALT Protestors are lined up against the tall, metal fence with barbed wire on top, in front of the detention centre. They hold up a large red banner that says 'BORDERS KILL' in large white lettering.

ALT 7 protestors stand in front of the fence, facing the detention centre, with four blue flares letting smoke off into the distance. Others hold up lights and torches.

ALT A person in an orange, high vis bib with the words 'Legal Observer' on the back is being arrested by multiple police officers.

ALT URGENT ACTION ALERT: HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK DETENTION CENTRES. Content warning: violence, suicide attempts. Action Against Detention & Deportations.

ALT HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK On Sunday 25th June, people held inside the centres protested against the unacceptable and dangerous conditions they have been subjected to, demanding urgent access to healthcare and other support. They have described their situation as a "human rights crisis". In retaliation, authorities have punished them for exercising their right to protest by placing a significant number of people in segregation/isolation and threatening them with transfer to prison. Dogs have been used on those detained, and we have heard alarming reports of an increasing number of suicide attempts as the mental health and well-being of people imprisoned is being completely disregarded. At least one of the people being held in Harmondsworth is underage.

ALT HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK Both centres are operated by Mitie PLC Harmondsworth and Colnbrook have a long history of inhumane treatment and unacceptable conditions, including extreme heat, power cuts, lack of running water, and abusive treatment by staff. There has been a major mental health crisis in these detention centres and others around the country, with increasing instances of self-harm and attempts at suicide. Since 2000, at least 56 people detained for immigration reasons have died in detention centres and prisons. The death of Frank Ospina in March 2023 while detained at Colnbrook was followed by multiple suicide attempts. Those detained at these centres have consistently been denied access to healthcare and vital support.