News

Clare’s death at HMP Eastwood Park in 2022 highlights continuing fire safety failings across prison estate.

We at DPG wish to reaffirm our fundamental commitment to those seeking sanctuary in the UK.

We are horrified by the demonising and divisive rhetoric which is increasingly being used in mainstream political discourse, and which has fuelled an increase in racist violence across this and other countries. We reject the spread of dangerous misinformation about those seeking asylum, including unfounded claims that people seeking asylum have a greater propensity to commit criminal offences.

At DPG, we believe strongly in our shared humanity and that people seeking asylum, like all of us, should be treated with dignity and respect. We continue to work towards making that a reality.

In a significant development for survivors of trafficking, the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) has accepted that she operated internal policy which directed its caseworkers to an unlawful “objective evidence” threshold when making Reasonable Grounds decisions and has agreed to amend internal policy.

When two newly granted refugees took on the Home Office, they did so not just for themselves but for thousands of others across the UK. Their successful challenge has reshaped a critical policy affecting newly recognised refugees — ensuring that many will now avoid the devastating reality of street homelessness.

The High Court has today handed down a landmark judgment in the case of R (Ammori) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 292 (Admin) finding that the Home Secretary acted unlawfully by proscribing Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Assistant Coroner for Southwark has issued a lengthy Report to Prevent Future Deaths following the inquest into the murder of Sundeep Ghuman by his racist cell mate at Belmarsh prison in 2020.

For the first time in its history, the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (“JCIO”) will have its interpretation of “judicial misconduct” scrutinised by the High Court, in a case concerning allegations of bullying and inappropriate conduct against Employment Judge Lancaster.

On 15 January 2026, the Manston Inquiry held its first Preliminary Hearing. The Inquiry, chaired by Sophie Cartwright KC, is examining the unlawful detention and inhumane conditions at Manston Short-Term Holding Facility in Autumn 2022, when overcrowding, neglect, and mistreatment became rampant as a result of the then Home Secretary’s decision not to move people to asylum support accommodation within 24 hours.

On 15th Jan 2026, a leading Arab human rights NGO has filed a request for UK sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – a move believed to be the first of its kind directed specifically at a sitting Israeli Prime Minister.

On 16 February 2026, the inquest into the death of Simon Ludlow at HMP The Mount on 25 November 2023 concluded. The Coroner is due to issue a report on the prevention of future deaths. The jury recorded certain issues which contributed to Simon’s death.

Leading human rights organisations have submitted a formal request for UK sanctions against Bahrain’s Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, under the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020.