A group of nine United Nations experts has issued a stern warning to the UK and France regarding their contentious “one in one out” asylum policy, citing potential severe infringements of international human rights laws. In a detailed letter sent on 8 December 2025, the experts, including seven special rapporteurs, outlined alarming case studies of individuals detained prior to their enforced removal to France. The UN has demanded a response from both governments within 60 days, raising critical concerns about the treatment of vulnerable asylum seekers.
Detention Practices Under Scrutiny
The UN experts’ letter highlights numerous distressing incidents involving asylum seekers from countries such as Sudan, Gaza, Eritrea, Yemen, and Iran. Many of these individuals are reported survivors of torture and trafficking. The letter contends that the detention of such individuals in preparation for removal could constitute “cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.”
For example, one Eritrean man was reportedly denied footwear during his removal, subjected to hooding, and restrained on the ground by guards. A Yemeni woman, who had been enslaved since childhood, was dismissed by the Home Office as lacking credibility when she disclosed her trafficking history. Such accounts underscore the urgency of addressing the potential human rights violations inherent in the policy.
Echoes of Asylum Seekers’ Concerns
The UN’s concerns resonate with the testimonies of asylum seekers themselves. Reports have surfaced of individuals returning to the UK after being sent back to France, fearing retribution from smugglers. Those in detention have voiced their experiences, staging protests against their treatment, which were met with heavy-handed responses from Home Office personnel, including the deployment of riot shields and tear gas.
The UN experts have raised questions about the arbitrary criteria for selecting individuals for detention and forced repatriation, as well as the lack of safeguards against further rights violations once asylum seekers are returned to France. The letter calls for the UK government to terminate its agreement with France, urging that migration policies should uphold human rights standards and avoid exacerbating the vulnerabilities of those seeking refuge.
Calls for Immediate Action
Bella Mosselmans, director of the Global Strategic Litigation Council for refugee rights, has expressed her support for the UN’s request to abolish the current scheme. She stated, “Those directly impacted have bravely shared their stories of fear and harm, and the UN’s alarm reflects those realities.” Mosselmans highlighted the plight of children caught in this system, despite explicit exclusions for minors, further illustrating the policy’s shortcomings.
The letter from the UN experts serves as a clarion call for both governments to reassess their approach to asylum seekers and to prioritise human rights. The ongoing implementation of the scheme, despite documented violations, raises ethical concerns that cannot be ignored.
Why it Matters
The implications of the UN experts’ findings extend beyond discussions of policy; they strike at the very core of human rights protections for asylum seekers. As nations grapple with the complexities of immigration, the treatment of the most vulnerable must be paramount. The urgent call to halt the “one in one out” system not only highlights the deficiencies in current practices but also serves as a reminder that the commitments to international human rights laws must be upheld. Failure to act on these warnings could result in further violations and a deepening crisis for those fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Europe.
