'Human rights ignored' at asylum seeker camp

Asylum seekers being temporarily housed at an Army training camp in Pembrokeshire say their living conditions are deteriorating.

Men staying on the site in Penally have staged a protest and claimed their human rights were being ignored.

A video purportedly filmed inside the camp showed broken toilets, broken washing machines and communal showers.

The Home Office insists the site is the best option while the claims for asylum are being processed.

The first asylum seekers arrived on the controversial site about two months ago.

Protests have been held over the Home Office's decision to house up to 250 people at the army training centre, which has been described as a target for "hard-right extremist" protestors.

Meanwhile Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed five asylum seekers were arrested on suspicion of assault following reports of a disturbance outside the camp on Tuesday.

'Like a jail'

Two of the men living at the camp, who did not want to be named but are from Syria and Palestine, told BBC Wales it was unsuitable and everyone there was unhappy.

"It's like a jail - there's no privacy in the room. Six people in a room - it's not safe with coronavirus. Life here is very bad," said one.

The other said: "We escape from war - not to come to a prison. We need freedom.

"I'm looking for my future. I cannot study - just eat and sleep. This is not my life."

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The protest was supported by local members of Stand Up to Racism.

Hellana Hetfield says alternative accommodation needs to be found for the men, whom she claims are being victimised daily by far-right protestors.

"People shout at them and tell them to go back home - it's disgusting behaviour and on top of that, it's not safe," she said.

"With Covid 19 they're all stuck here - they can't self-isolate, the conditions are terrible.

"They have to wash their clothes by hand. It's bad and they shouldn't be in there."

About 40 men took part in the protest outside the camp

There were other protesters present too in Penally, calling for the asylum seekers to be removed and claiming the site was not suitable.

One of them, who wanted to be named as "Waco", denied the demonstration was racially motivated.

"It's not about the boys in the camp - it's nothing to do with them," he said.

"It's about the government putting them into an Army barracks - it's just not on - they'll agree themselves.

"They keep calling us racist but we're not doing anything wrong."

Broken system

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The government takes the well-being of asylum seekers and the communities in which they live extremely seriously.

"All accommodation provided is safe, fit for purpose, correctly equipped, and in line with our contractual requirements.

"Our asylum system is broken and we are determined to introduce a new system that is firm and fair. We will seek to stop abuse of the system while ensuring it is compassionate towards those who need our help, welcoming people through safe and legal routes."