UK: Protests in Detention Centres
January 21st, 2026
On January 14 / 15, more than 100 asylum seekers held at the Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) of Harmondsworth and Brook House have staged overnight protests against the UK’s controversial “one in, one out” scheme with France.
Then officers with riot shields, digs and teargaz stepped in to quell the protests.
The Guardian reported on this:
Courtesy of Guardian News & Media Ltd
Embedded in the Guardian article, there is a video showing the incident.
The asylum seekers were detained for removal to France in the "One In, One Out" scheme. The first flight of 2026 took off on Thursday morming.
Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) currently has a capacity of 676, which makes it the largest detention centre in Europe. It holds only men and the security in several of the wings is comparable to a Category B (high security) prison. Harmondsworth is run by private security company Mitie, under contract to the Home Office. It is situated near Hearthrow airport.
Brook House IRC is a privately-managed male-only immigration detention centre in the grounds of Gatwick Airport. The centre is managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office. The centre has a history of mistreatment complaints. It is a "money machine" for the security company.
The projectdetained voices has published a testimony of one of the detainees, as well as an Urgent Press & Human Rights appeal from inmates in Harmondsworth, and an Urgent Report about the situation in Harmondsworth and Brook House.
Please find these statements here:
Testimony of a Detainee: Our Night of Pain, Dignity, and Unity, 14–15 January 2026
I am one of the detainees.
This is my story, and it is the story of my friends.
On the night of 14–15 January 2026, around 60 detainees at Harmondsworth Immigration
Removal Centre and another 60 detainees at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre—all asylum seekers who crossed the English Channel by boat—took part in a peaceful protest.
More than 41,000 people crossed the English Channel and are now living in hotels across the UK.
We are not among them.
We are the ones who were randomly chosen by the Home Office to be detained.
Not because we are criminals.
Not because we are dangerous.
But because of bad luck.
Please find the Full Text here.
Urgent Press & Human Rights Appeal
Collective Testimony From Detainees at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, UK
This report is written and submitted collectively by approximately 80 detainees held in G Wing at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre. It is sent with our names and signatures. We request urgent attention, investigation, and protection.
Our Appeal
We urgently call on:
- International and UK media
- Human rights organisations
- Freedom activists
- UN bodies and special rapporteurs
- Independent inspectors and lawyers
Please investigate Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre.
Please listen to us.
Please help protect our lives, health, and dignity.
We are not asking for privilege.
We are asking to be treated as human beings.
This report is written and signed by us collectively so the world may hear our voices.
Please find the Full Text here.
Harmondsworth IRC and Brook House IRC Detention Centres – Urgent Report
We are more than 100 people in G Wing of Harmondsworth IRC, and we urgently call
on human rights organizations, the press, TV, and media to help us and bring
attention to our situation. There are hundreds of other people in detention centres
across the UK facing similar conditions.
In addition, more than 95 asylum seekers in Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, who
are in the same situation as us, support this report. We are more than 80 people in
Harmondsworth.
We came to the UK seeking a new beginning and a safe life. Each person has a unique story and case: fleeing war, persecution, political oppression, personal issues, injustice, slavery, corruption, and other crises. We all share one common goal: to live a safe, normal life, protected from harm, with the right to work, access basic freedoms, and be reunited with our families.
Countries of origin: Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran. You are likely aware of the
situations there; no further explanation is needed. Our request is simple: the basic human rights described above, and the most essential one—freedom.
[...]
Summary
Detainees are subjected to extreme physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. Healthcare is
inadequate, legal representation is denied, families are isolated, and basic human rights are violated. People are mentally deteriorating due to constant fear, harassment, and uncertainty about their fate.
We call on human rights organizations, the media, and governments to investigate Harmondsworth IRC and Brook House IRC, ensure the protection of detainees, provide legal representation, and guarantee access to healthcare and basic human rights.
We are not criminals. We are refugees seeking safety and freedom.
Our lives are at risk. Please help.