First forcible return of Afghan refugees

About 20 failed Afghan asylum seekers were forcibly repatriated
this week by the government despite concerns from refugee
organisations that the country remains unsafe.

The group were the first to be forced to return to Afghanistan
since the Home Office stopped deporting asylum seekers back there
in 1995 because of the country’s instability. More than 7,000
people from Afghanistan claimed asylum in 2002.

Refugee Council acting chief executive Margaret Lally said: “It is
far too early for forced returns to Afghanistan when there is very
credible evidence that the country is not safe and there is a
climate of impunity and people’s protection cannot be guaranteed.”