Detainee 'beaten' after talking to press

[NorthernSun]

Speaking yesterday, Mr Alijaibo claims one officer asked if he was "the Amos who had spoken to the newspaper". He replied that he was. He was then punched in the neck and head and pinned to the ground by officers who twisted his arms and legs and grabbed his throat. Mr Alijaibo says that he passed out and awoke on his way to Colnbrook removal centre, near Heathrow. He has been told that he will be deported to Nigeria on May 8, where he says his life will be in danger.

Frank Arnold, from the Medical Justice Network, examined Mr Alijaibo on Thursday. He says that his injuries are "entirely consistent" with his claims of assault. He voiced concerns about the management of his patient's condition, calling it, "deeply deplorable". In particular, he questions why no neurological examination is recorded in the medical notes following the inmate's loss of consciousness.

"The combination of this man's history, my examination and the medical notes, written by Colnbrook staff, show that there has been an alarming lack of concern for his medical condition," he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,1764967,00.html

[wtmusic]

1. "Prisoners" are now known as "detainees" the world over

What are "prison guards" now... "detainee security associates"? :silly:

[DBoon]

2. if you are a prisoner, you are guilty of a crime

if you are a detainee, you are being held at someone's whim. You may or may not be guilty of a crime. You may or may not even be a criminal suspect.

"Prison: It's not just for criminals anymore"

[wtmusic]

3. POWs are usually not guilty of any crime

and are covered under Geneva. Using the word "detainee" is an attempt to end-run GC rules.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. The people in question are asylum seekers

It's not clear if they have had a hearing on their claim for asylum, and have been refused but are appealing; or if they've been 'detained' before their first hearing. In 2002 a government report said "The task of Haslar is to hold those detained by the Immigration Service as overstayers, illegal entrants or failed asylum seekers prior to their removal from the country. It also holds a proportion of detainees whose cases have not yet been determined, but who are considered to be at risk of absconding."

[0007]

4. Was this man a terrorist in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the UK?

The article was very sketchy with details.