Detention of asylum seekers: assault on health, human rights, and social development.

The end of World War II ushered in a new era of international commitment to provide humane protection to all people fleeing persecution. This decade, however, has witnessed a steady erosion of that ethos, the most disturbing change being the tendency to confine asylum seekers in detention centres in countries of the West. Many of these people have suffered torture and other abuses, raising particular concerns that the anxiety, fear, and frustration provoked by detention may prolong and exacerbate underlying traumatic stress reactions and thereby create long-term psychosocial disability. Of the five million people seeking asylum in the moredeveloped world during 1980–99, the majority have been allowed to live in the community while awaiting the outcome of their refugee claims. Increasingly, however, industrialised countries are building or extending facilities to detain asylum seekers. In 2000, the USA detained about 5000 asylum seekers at any one time. Australia stands alone in mandating the detention of all individuals entering the country without valid visas irrespective of whether or not they are seeking asylum. About 3500 asylum seekers, including 450 children, were held in detention in that country as of June, 2000. More than 300 were detained for longer Detention of asylum seekers: assault on health, human rights, and social development