DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to review the procedures under which asylum seekers are detained; notes the view of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that 'as a general rule, asylum seekers should not be detained' and that, in so far as such detention occurs, 'it should be proportional to the ends to be achieved and for a minimal period'; is gravely concerned that decisions to detain asylum seekers are not subject to automatic and independent review, with a presumption in favour of liberty as provided for in criminal cases under the Bail Act 1976; believes that asylum seekers who are detained should be informed in writing of the reasons for their detention; further believes that, in so far as detention occurs, asylum seekers should not be held in prisons unless charged with criminal offences; and calls on the Government to ensure that future practice meets these concerns and conforms with the fundamental principles of refugee protection and relevant international standards.