A 26-year-old Kurdish Syrian man, who was returned to France from the United Kingdom under the bilateral 'one in, one out' asylum scheme, now faces the prospect of deportation to Syria. This development, believed to be the first of its kind concerning an individual transferred under the agreement, follows a decision by French authorities that Syria is a safe country for his return.
The individual stated he fled Syria to avoid forced conscription by the YPG militia, explaining that he 'didn't want to kill people'. His transfer back to France was part of the controversial arrangement announced by the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron. This scheme aims to facilitate the return of individuals who have travelled through France to claim asylum in the UK, in exchange for the UK taking a similar number of asylum seekers from France.
The decision by French authorities to consider Syria safe for return raises significant questions about the asylum process and the potential risks faced by individuals transferred under such agreements. Human rights organisations have consistently highlighted the dangers faced by those returned to Syria, citing ongoing conflict and persecution. The UK Government has maintained that its agreements with France are crucial for managing illegal migration and tackling people smuggling.
While specific details regarding the French legal process are not available, the case underscores the differing assessments of country safety between European nations and the potential implications for asylum seekers. The Home Office has not commented on individual cases but has previously stated that all returns under the 'one in, one out' scheme comply with international and domestic law.