The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Immigration Detention held a reception in Parliament on 25 June to officially launch its activities.

The APPG already comprises over 30 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who share concerns about immigration detention in the UK.

The launch was hosted by the group’s chair Alison Thewliss MP. Guests included MPs and Peers from various political parties, as well as people with experience of detention, and representatives from relevant NGOs, law firms, and public bodies.

Over 80 people attended, demonstrating the high level of interest and commitment on the topic both inside and outside Parliament.

The group was also pleased to welcome three exceptional speakers: Janahan Sivanathan, a current law student at Birkbeck University who was detained for over 5 months in 2014 and 2015, Kolbassia Haoussou, co-founder and coordinator of the Survivors Speak OUT network, and Michael Fordham QC of Blackstone Chambers, one of the UK’s foremost legal experts on immigration detention.

All three speakers highlighted the harmful, unjust and unnecessary nature of immigration detention, and the need for parliamentarians to actively challenge it. Alison Thewliss MP called on everyone present to work together to end detention once and for all.

The APPG would like to thank everyone who took part in the event, and in particular those who attended with experience of detention. We recognise the toll that speaking about this issue can take on a person when they have experienced it directly. The group is very grateful to all who gave their time and energy to do so.

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