From War Zones to Windowless Rooms: A Fresh Call for Change

We remain deeply troubled by the conditions in which asylum seekers, including age-disputed children, are forced to live when arriving in the UK. In some hotels they are placed in crowded windowless rooms for over a year. Many are left with only a single set of clothing; dehumanising treatment that strips them of their dignity and exacerbates their trauma. In fact, the space allocated to asylum seekers in Home Office hotels can be smaller than that given to prisoners. Yet these conditions were referred to as ‘luxurious’ by the recently exited government. 

Moreover, asylum seekers are prohibited from working, apart in exceptional circumstances after their applications have been pending for over 12 months. This policy leaves them with no means to escape their dire situation, contributing to their despair and dependence on a support structure they come to resent and desperately wish to be released from.

We therefore continue to demand the closure of all asylum hotels. Asylum seekers should be housed in communities, where they can start the process of rebuilding their lives. Allowing them to work within a much shorter time frame is essential for their self-sufficiency and integration into society. Asylum seekers must be allowed to regain the dignity that comes from being part of, and contributing to, society.

It is time for the UK to uphold its values of compassion and justice. Treating asylum seekers with the respect and dignity they deserve is not just a moral obligation; it is a reflection of the society we aspire to be. At Refugee Youth Service, we call on the new UK government to implement immediate reforms to end the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and the barriers that prevent them from building a better future.

Join us in advocating for these changes. Together, we can ensure that those seeking refuge find not just safety, but also hope and a chance to thrive.