The Second Torture
 In a detailed report of 50 cases,
The Second Torture
released last week by Lord Dubs and Lord Avebury at a public
meeting at the House of Commons, the charity Medical Justice found
systematic failings on the part of doctors working in Immigration
Removal Centres (IRCs) to examine patients properly, document signs
of torture, or call for the release of torture survivors.
Professor Cornelius Katona, recently appointed
as Royal College of Psychiatrists lead on mental health of asylum
seekers said, “Under UKBA policy, survivors of torture should not
be detained in IRCs, except in very exceptional
circumstances. This study shows that torture survivors are
routinely detained, often for prolonged periods which
re-traumatizes them and worsens their mental health.
Of the cases examined, one in 3 had suicidal
ideation (half of whom carried out acts of self harm), and 7 in 8
reported their health suffered while in detention. The
doctors and nurses working in IRCs appear to have offered them
little or no protection”
Rule 34 & 35
Detention Centre Rule 34 states that doctors
must examine the physical and mental health of detainees. Under
Rule 35 they must report concerns about detainees’ health to the
IRC management and immigration officials.
Out of 31 medical assessments, in only 5 was
there a full mental state examination. Four patients were diagnosed
with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by IRC doctors, yet
independent doctors found 32/50 to have PTSD. Only 1/50 was
released as a result of the Rule 35 process, but following the
intervention of lawyers, independent doctors and others, 48 people
were eventually released. This demonstrates an overwhelming
failure of the protection mechanism for torture survivors.
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