In Parliament

One of the areas where the Detention Forum is working is in Parliament.  We believe that the UK’s current use of detention needs to be questioned by those in Parliament, so that a fundamental change of policy can happen.  Many NGOs who take part in the Detention Forum work together to inform and influence politicians to achieve this through various means. 

The Detention Forum provides secretariat support to Parliamentary meetings on immigration detention twice a year for those politicians who want to regularly discuss issues relating to detention.  These meetings are chaired by Dr Julian Huppert MP.  MPs, Peers, as well as their caseworkers and researchers are very welcome to attend these meetings. 

The Detention Forum also co-ordinates a large Parliamentary meeting on detention once a year with MPs and Peers, in order to increase politicians’ understanding of immigration detention issues.  Such a meeting is also a great opportunity for small NGOs to engage, lobby and establish contact with MPs and Peers. 

In between these meetings, the Detention Forum participants regularly ask MPs and Peers to submit Parliamentary questions on immigration detention issues.  Answers to these questions assist NGOs’ advocacy efforts, as well as keep alive the issue of immigration detention in Parliament.  NGOs which work with the Detention Forum also lobby MPs and Peers individually and together with other NGOs. 

July 2011