Asylum seekers are being "sexually assaulted" and "harassed" on a remote British military base island, according to the UN.
UN investigators have called for the group of more than 50 Sri Lanka Tamils to be "urgently relocated" from Diego Garcia - an island in the Indian Ocean.
A draft report by the UN refugee agency revealed that the 61 migrants, who have fled persecution, feel unsafe and forgotten.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said the Tamils "reside in a closed place with no possibility to leave at will, which amounts to detention under international law".
UN investigators have called for the group of more than 50 Sri Lanka Tamils to be 'urgently relocated' from Diego Garcia
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Between 2021 and 2022, the Tamils arrived on Diego Garcia after their boats got into difficulty and they were rescued by British forces.
They were said to be running from persecution by Sri Lankan and Indian authorities.
While some have returned home, the 61 members left are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.
But when the first "external party" visit by the UN took place, investigators found adults and children held in a fenced area and are banned from leaving unless with a security escort.
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The report noted that there were signs of clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
One mother was quoted saying: "Living here is like living in hell," according to the BBC.
"Children go to bed late and in [the] night do not sleep because they do not feel at peace. And that is because the children feel that we as parents are not at peace."
Some asylum seekers have previously harmed themselves and attempted suicide, the report added.
A draft report by the UN refugee agency revealed that the 61 migrants, who have fled persecution, feel unsafe and forgotten
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The Foreign Office responded to the draft UNHCR report by saying: "[British Indian Ocean Territory, or BIOT] is not a suitable location for migrants, which is why we have been working tirelessly to process the migrants’ claims for protection and to find a suitable third country for those whose claims are upheld.
"At all times, the welfare and safety of migrants on BIOT has been our top priority."
There has been no civilian population on Diego Garcia since the 1970s and is now the home to thousands of troops.
