UK Reviews Sending Afghan Refugees to Afghanistan

UK interior minister signals possible review of Afghan asylum returns as humanitarian crisis and refugee concerns intensify.

The UK interior minister Yvette Cooper has not ruled out the possibility of returning rejected Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan under Taliban control, saying the issue is under review.

She said London is closely monitoring discussions between Taliban authorities and the European Union on potential return arrangements, while internal government talks are ongoing.

Any such move would mark a significant shift in current UK policy and is likely to face strong opposition from human rights groups, particularly given worsening conditions in Afghanistan.

The UK currently cannot deport rejected Afghan asylum seekers due to the absence of formal recognition of Taliban authorities, but officials signaled that options remain under consideration.

Afghans were the largest group arriving in the UK via small boats in the year ending June 2025, with more than 6,000 arrivals, while asylum approval rates have dropped sharply in recent years.

Across Europe, several countries are also exploring returns, with reports that more than 20 EU states are considering similar policies despite ongoing legal and humanitarian concerns.

Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with widespread poverty, unemployment, and aid shortages leaving millions dependent on assistance, while women and girls face sweeping restrictions on education, work, and public life.

At the same time, thousands of Afghan refugees remain stranded in transit countries such as Qatar, where uncertainty over resettlement and reports of potential relocation have raised fears about their future safety and legal status.

Recent reports have also highlighted human rights abuses, including detentions, restrictions on media, and reprisals against individuals linked to the former government, intensifying concerns about forced returns.

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