ASYLUM-SEEKERS are challenging the Home Office in the High Court on Wednesday over its decision to put them in decrepit ex-army barracks, which they claim was unlawful. 

The court case comes days after 60 asylum-seekers were moved into Napier Barracks in Kent despite concerns from health officials and watchdogs that the site is unsuitable. 

The claim is being brought by six asylum-seekers, who argue that being held at Napier Barracks amounted to unlawful detention. 

A former resident of the barracks told the Morning Star he was hopeful that the judicial review, which is being heard over two days, will result in the closure of the site. 

Ethan, whose name has been changed to preserve his anonymity, stayed at the site for three months. He said the Home Office’s continued use of the cramped and shoddy facility was “really painful” because “I know how it feels to be in Napier Barracks.” 

“People have suffered a lot from the consequences of living in Napier Barracks, and the current residents are going to suffer physically and mentally as well.”

Reports suggest the Home Office is not intending to reduce the number of people in each dormitory, which sleep up to 28 men, despite a mass outbreak of Covid-19 there in January. 

It comes after an inspection of the site in February and another ex-army barracks in Wales, Penally Camp, which has since been closed, found both to be “impoverished, run-down and unsuitable.” 

Charity Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley said it was shocking that new people have now been moved in.

“We’re really disappointed that the government has moved people back into Napier just days before the High Court case,” she said.  

“We already know that the conditions at Napier are squalid and the camp is not fit for housing vulnerable people. Penally has been closed — and Napier should be closed too.”

Ethan added that the Home Office’s continued use of the barracks was a “political decision.” 

“They know that this accommodation is not safe and suitable, but they are pursuing a goal  … to show [that the] UK will not to be hospitable or kind to asylum-seekers.

“The use of Napier Barracks and Penally Camp are the process of testing this idea of putting asylum-seekers in army camps. 

“If we don’t raise awareness about this matter, they are going to continue putting asylum-seekers in unsuitable mass accommodation like Napier Barracks. 

“After a few years no-one will care about asylum-seekers being in army camps because it will be the new normal.”