Annual reports

563 clients assisted – we provided practical and emotional support, with many visited in detention by our clinicians.  Our medico-legal reports (MLRs) documented evidence of torture and deterioration of health in detention. 

Targeting Albanians and tragic deaths – through the very high numbers of referrals in 2023, we saw the impact of the Home Office’s targeting of Albanian people and the celebration of deportation flights to Albania featured prominently in the Home Office’s relentless social media. One Albanian man is believed to have taken his own life in quasi detention on a barge, another Albanian man died in detention, and there were many more suicide attempts in detention. Detention is life threatening and we must act with urgency. 

‘Second opinion’ Judicial Review win : around 500 people a year spared languishing in detention for longer – the ‘second opinion’ MLR policy was found unlawful. It allowed the Home Office to disregard an MLR by an independent clinician while it obtained a report from a Home Office contracted doctor, who may lack the needed expertise and who may never actually meet the detained person. Home Office caseworkers, who are not clinically trained to evaluate rival reports, then reached decisions which have led to vulnerability being assessed at a lower level and people deteriorating in detention for longer.  The Home Office intended to do 10 ‘second opinion’ reports a week, so this win means about 500 people each year are spared languishing in detention for longer. The judge also found an unlawful failure to consult with Medical Justice on changes to the Adults at Risk policy, importantly confirming that we must always be consulted on this ‘flagship’ policy. 

Challenging the Illegal Migration Act (IMA) – rushed through parliament, this Act enables a ban on anyone entering the UK irregularly from claiming asylum, gives greater powers to detain them indefinitely and to deport them to a ‘safe third country’. It enables detention to become the default rather than the last resort, and the mass incarceration of men, women and children held in perpetual limbo.  Together with Garden Court Chambers, we organised a planning meeting with peers and over 40 representatives from 27 NGOs to discuss a strategy for amendments to the disastrous Bill.  It was uplifting to be part of a passionate coalition that acted swiftly and with such determination. 

APPG briefing meeting with the Chair of the Brook House Inquiry

Our evidence as a Core Participant to the Brook House Inquiry (BHI) was placed beyond question – We dared to hope for a report from BHI that properly linked the extent of the vile mistreatment of people in detention to the root causes, and to make recommendations that could make a difference. It did just that.  Our evidence was not questioned by the Home Office.  It was uncontested and extensively cited, greatly bolstering our position and that of others relying on our evidence in individual cases, strategic litigation, parliamentary debate, and media work. The BBC featured our headline research statistics about the ongoing abuse in IRCs a week ahead of BHI’s report, and it was followed by extensive media coverage, including the BBC Radio 4 The Today Programme, several interviews with Medical Justice staff and clients with BBC TV News, ITV News, and Channel 4, and coverage in the Guardian, the Independent and the Daily Mirror. As the secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Immigration Detention, we organised a briefing meeting with the BHI Chair, attended by staff from the then Shadow Immigration Minister’s office and the Joint Committee on Human Rights.  

‘“If he dies, he dies”: What has changed since the Brook House Inquiry?’ research report – our comprehensive analysis of clinical evidence from 66 clients detained since BHI ; 84% had evidence of a history of torture and/or trafficking, and 74% had self-harmed, suicidal thoughts and/or attempted suicide in detention. In March 2023 Frank Ospina is believed to have taken his own life in Colnbrook IRC, a death which then triggered a wave of suicide attempts.   

Embedding lived experience : “I can feel the development of Medical Justice since the days I was a client, we have come a long way am particularly proud this year of our achievement to further embed and promote lived experience within the organisation by developing a lived experience Traineeship role.” – Bridget Banda, Medical Justice Vice-Chair 

We can influence government to change – The ongoing harm caused by detention has been well known by the Home Office ; it is not accidental. Knowing this can feel overwhelming. Though we must not let that paralyse us as it underlines why the small but mighty Medical Justice is needed more than ever. We remain convinced that in time, we can persuade perhaps a new government to end immigration detention. But it won’t be possible without the evidence and case law we help build today. 

We are motivated by the courage of our clients. Each and every member of our community deserves thanks and recognition – every staff member, volunteer, donor, supporter and friend makes their vital contribution. Thank you for being resilient and continuing to witness and challenge the shameful impact of detention. Please don’t stop. 

Medical Justice Staff and Volunteers on the London Legal Walk, 2024