'Asylum Seekers and Refugees Experience a range of Distinct Problems and Inequalities due to their Immigration Status'

A review from an equality and human rights perspective

• Posted on Mar 9, 2010

'asylum seekers and refugees experience a range of distinct problems and inequalities due to their immigration status'

A review from an equality and human rights perspective

Equality and Human Rights Commission, have published a report on the health care of people detained in Immigration Removal centres and in the Community.

Download the full report: Refugees and asylum seekers.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/ye8dh2c

Extracts from the report:

Refugees and asylum seekers are a diverse group, with one thing in common: they are subject to forced migration, and are fleeing from persecution in their countries of origin. They have a range of intersectional identities and can experience discrimination on the grounds of any of the seven equality areas, or because of socio-economic factors. It is also important to remember that asylum seekers and refugees experience a range of distinct problems and inequalities due to their immigration status.

The plethora of new laws, policies and operational guidelines introduced in the UK in recent years suggests a continuing uncertainty as to how to address the issue of migration in general and asylum seekers and refugees in particular. The popular conflation of asylum seeking with associations of evasiveness and criminality and the consequent 'culture of mistrust' has done much to undermine the legitimate efforts of those who are genuinely seeking to escape from persecution.

It is clear that uncertainty and lack of clarity among service providers about asylum seekers' eligibility for secondary healthcare has resulted in concerns about the health of these groups,

There are specific concerns around vulnerable groups. For women asylum seekers and refugees there is evidence of poor antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes, and low uptake of preventative healthcare measures concerning breast and cervical cancer. There is little evidence of the commissioning of services for disabled asylum seekers and no clear guidance exists on local authority responsibilities towards asylum seekers with care needs. Mental health problems including post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety are prevalent among asylum seekers and refugees, and the provision of mental health services for survivors of torture and organised violence is widely regarded as inadequate.

The vulnerability and ill health of asylum-seeking and refugee children is an area of particular concern, as are the health needs of older refugees. There are also concerns around the provision of healthcare to asylum seekers in detention with communicable diseases and with HIV/AIDS.

Evidence indicates that refused asylum seekers are the most disadvantaged group and evidence of destitution appears to run counter to Section 11 of Chapter 42 of the Human Rights Act 1988 and Council Directive 2003/9/EC.

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Our job is to promote equality and human rights, and to create a fairer Britain. We do this by providing advice and guidance, working to implement an effective legislative framework and raising awareness of your rights.
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

Source for this Message:
Equality and Human Rights Commission

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