Thousands of people including Afghans, Iranians and Eritreans refused protection

Responding to new Government statistics released today (27 February) showing a significant number of people refused asylum, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said:

“Today’s data show the Home Office is now deciding protection claims with over 40,000 decisions made in the last quarter of 2024.                                        

“However, thousands of people, including Afghans, Iranians and Eritreans, are being refused asylum with the risk of creating a new backlog of people wrongly placed in limbo – albeit at the end of a badly functioning system rather than at the start of a system that wasn’t functioning at all.

“As with the Border Security Bill – being considered by MPs this afternoon – this data starkly demonstrates the Government remains committed to an impossible and callous strategy of deterrence and penalty for refugees and victims of modern slavery who seek safety in the UK.

“It is simply not enough to remove some of the last administration’s worst policies while keeping others that also violate international law obligations and show little or no regard to the realities of people made vulnerable to the cruel exploitation of smuggling gangs. The Government must immediately change course and address the needs and rights of people fleeing conflict and persecution.”