8 August 2025
In response to the UK government detaining people under the UK–France returns deal, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said:
“People are being unjustly punished simply for exercising their right to seek asylum in the UK – through the only route left open to them.”
Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director
“People are being unjustly punished simply for exercising their right to seek asylum in the UK – through the only route left open to them.
“Even if the Government fails to block their claims or send them back to France, they will still endure needless detention and harm to their mental health. The fear, isolation, and uncertainty are especially harrowing for people who have already suffered serious abuse and trauma during their journeys and in the countries they’ve fled. Meanwhile, resources are wasted, resources that should be used to process asylum claims fairly and efficiently.
“Rather than offering protection to those fleeing war and persecution, the UK is shamefully using them as political pawns in a wider deterrence strategy.”
Steve Valdez-Symonds
“Rather than offering protection to those fleeing war and persecution, the UK is shamefully using them as political pawns in a wider deterrence strategy. This reckless policy not only ignores the root causes of migration but risks pushing smugglers toward more dangerous and hidden routes.
“All of this is done under a deeply flawed deal with France – a deal that sacrifices human lives for political convenience.”
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