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UK Plans to Allow Use of Force in Removal of Immigrant Children

Government proposals would also provide for more detentions of families and minors on their way to deportation.
Image via Reuters

Immigration and private security staff will be allowed to use force on children to remove families who have exhausted all rights to remain in the UK, under new government proposals.

The Home Office has accepted recommendations from the Independent Family Returns Panel (IFRP) for the use of "physical intervention with children" as a "last resort," with the caveats that its position is under review and changes "will be the subject of public consultation."

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Current rules mean that force can only be used when a child behaves in a way that poses an immediate risk to themselves, others or to property.

The panel also suggested that a current 10 percent cap on the proportion of children and families slated for removal who can be held and returned through the G4S-run Cedars immigration detention center should be reviewed. The move would pave the way for detaining more minors in the facility.

The government promised to end the detention of children in 2010, introducing Cedars the following year as a "pre-departure accommodation center." Consisting of nine apartments for families, it has been billed as a softer alternative to other detention centers.

The IFRP offers advice to the Home Office in immigration cases where families have exhausted all options but refuse to leave the country voluntarily.

In its report it states that postponement of deportation as a result of children refusing to leave their home or vehicle happens "very rarely."

However, it says that this "does signpost the need for a policy which can accommodate under 18s" and calls for new powers to enable the use of force on minors during removals.

The report states: "Clearly this is a very emotive subject and any behavior policy which includes the use of physical intervention with children would require an appropriate system of intervention."

In a response published on Thursday, the Home Office said it accepted a policy "which includes as a last resort the use of physical intervention with children underpinned by a thorough training program for officers and stringent guidelines for its use".

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Refugee Council Head of Advocacy Dr. Lisa Doyle told VICE News: "The government knows that imprisoning vulnerable children can cause lasting psychological and emotional damage so it's astounding to hear it's considering detaining more children and using physical force in order to remove them.

"It's wholly unacceptable that children are consistently put at further risk by the authorities who are supposed to be protecting them. Children should be treated as children first, regardless of their immigration status."

A Home Office spokesperson told VICE News: "We are committed to treating everyone in our care with dignity and respect. However, there will be instances where physical intervention is required, usually to prevent harm.

"Incidents of use of restraint on children are incredibly rare, and are usually only sanctioned to prevent harm, either to themselves or others. The position is under review and any changes will be the subject of public consultation."

The report comes as the European Commission says it will impose tough immigration restrictions on countries that join the EU, following a backlash across Europe over a surge in migration from new members.

The commission said it will consider the need for "transitional measures" when a country joins the EU and may create a "safeguard mechanism" that older EU members could use to prevent an influx of migrants from new members.

Follow Ben Bryant on Twitter: @benbryant