Asylum Seekers Detained Under UK’s “One In, One Out” Scheme Report Abuse and Demand UN Investigation
A growing chorus of concern is rising as eighty asylum seekers detained in the United Kingdom under the controversial “one in, one out” scheme are calling for a United Nations investigation into their treatment, alleging widespread psychological distress, humiliation, and fear at the hands of the Home Office. The detainees have compiled a detailed report outlining alleged injustices experienced since arriving in the UK via small boats.
The report, titled “Report on conditions and treatment at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre,” details accusations of arbitrary detention, denial of legal counsel, insufficient medical attention, and degrading conditions within Harmondsworth, one of two detention facilities near Heathrow airport in London. These claims come as the government implements increasingly stringent measures to deter irregular migration.
The asylum seekers, originating from conflict-ridden nations including Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran, assert they sought refuge in the UK “in the pursuit of safety, dignity, and a chance to live a peaceful life.” They are now urgently requesting intervention from the UN and human rights organizations to examine the conditions faced by those facing deportation under the “one in, one out” policy.
The timing of the report’s release coincides with the implementation of new government powers allowing authorities to seize and examine the mobile phones of individuals arriving on small boats, seeking evidence of connections to people smugglers. Under the new legislation, even checking the weather forecast to identify optimal crossing times could result in a prison sentence of up to five years for “collecting information that is of use to those planning an illegal crossing.”
Despite ongoing efforts to disrupt people smuggling networks, 2025 has seen the second-highest number of Channel crossings on record, with over 41,000 individuals reaching the UK by small boat. Data from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that, despite the increased crossings, the number of deaths among those attempting the journey from northern France has decreased compared to 2024. In 2024, over 36,000 crossings were recorded with at least 85 confirmed fatalities, while 2025 has seen 36 documented deaths to date.
The first return flight to France under the “one in, one out” scheme is scheduled for Wednesday. According to the Home Office, 193 individuals have been sent to France in the first three months of the scheme, while 195 have been legally brought to the UK in return – a figure representing less than a quarter of the 803 people who crossed the Channel in a single day on December 20th.
The report paints a grim picture of the immediate aftermath of arrival and detention. Detainees allege they were given insufficient time to recover from their traumatic journeys and prepare for Home Office interviews, with many reporting prolonged periods of separation from their families. Beyond the lack of adequate physical healthcare, the report emphasizes the profound psychological impact of detention.
“Many detainees are young adults between the ages of 17 and 30,” the report states. “Detainees report widespread depression, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional breakdowns. There have been multiple incidents involving individuals experiencing severe mental health crises, including self-harm attempts. Detainees report being placed in isolation or disciplinary units.” This environment, according to the report, fosters “constant fear, despair, and uncertainty, with detainees expressing that they feel dehumanised and invisible.”
The detainees argue that their treatment violates fundamental principles of human rights, dignity, and due process, effectively punishing them for seeking international protection. “The authors of this report ask not for privilege, but for fairness, humanity, and freedom. They ask to be seen, heard, and treated as human beings,” the report concludes.
The Home Office and the UN’s refugee agency have been approached for comment.
