LONDON (FN) — Survivors of torture living in the United Kingdom have issued a stark warning to government ministers, describing asylum accommodation as retraumatizing and unsafe. A report released Wednesday by the charity Freedom from Torture calls for an end to housing vulnerable refugees in hotels, military sites, and shared rooms.
Clinicians and trauma specialists cited in the report say such environments intensify psychological distress, particularly for individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The charity urged the government to prioritize community-based housing, arguing that institutional settings undermine recovery and violate basic standards of care.
Mwa Mbuyi Kapinga, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, recounted spending more than seven years in asylum accommodation after fleeing torture. Diagnosed with PTSD, she described persistent insomnia and emotional isolation. “I couldn’t sleep at night. I was struggling to sleep even during the day,” she said.
The report’s release coincides with a separate investigation by the UK Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee, which found that the Home Office has spent billions on hotel contracts without a coherent long-term strategy. The projected cost of asylum accommodation between 2019 and 2029 has surged from 4.5 billion Euro to 15.3 billion Euro, raising concerns over fiscal waste and human impact.
In response, a Home Office spokesperson said the government is “committed to ending the use of hotels for asylum seekers” and is working to “expand alternative accommodation options that meet legal and humanitarian standards.” The spokesperson added that the UK “remains one of the most generous countries in providing protection to those fleeing persecution.”
Freedom from Torture criticized the government’s assurances, arguing that the pace of reform has been slow and that survivors continue to suffer in unsuitable conditions. The charity called for trauma-informed housing policies and direct consultation with affected individuals to ensure dignity and safety.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International UK and the Refugee Council, echoed the report’s findings. In a joint statement, they urged ministers to “recognize the long-term damage caused by institutional housing” and to “restore dignity to those who have already endured unimaginable suffering.”
Local councils and community groups have also raised concerns about the strain placed on public services and housing infrastructure. Some have called for greater transparency in asylum housing contracts and more equitable distribution of accommodation responsibilities across regions.
The report includes testimonies from other survivors who described feeling “trapped,” “dehumanized,” and fearful of retaliation for speaking out. Many expressed frustration at the lack of mental health support and the absence of privacy in shared living spaces.
As the UK continues to debate immigration reform, the treatment of torture survivors is emerging as a key test of its commitment to human rights and international obligations. The report’s recommendations are expected to be raised in upcoming parliamentary discussions, with advocates pushing for immediate policy changes.
