An Iranian man is facing removal from the United Kingdom to France for a second time, despite serious concerns raised about his mental health and claims of being a victim of human trafficking. The individual, currently held in a UK immigration detention centre, is under hourly welfare checks due to his deteriorating psychological state.
The man first arrived in the UK by small boat in early August but was returned to France in September under a bilateral returns agreement. He subsequently made a second crossing in mid-October and immediately claimed asylum. Although indicators of potential trafficking were identified, the Home Office swiftly processed a readmission request to France, which was accepted. A separate referral to the UK’s system for assessing modern slavery claims was later rejected.
In legal submissions, the man’s representatives have warned that his health is declining rapidly and that he requires urgent assessment and sustained support. Requests for a delay in his removal to obtain expert medical evidence regarding scars allegedly from torture and trafficking were denied by the Home Office.
The asylum seeker has described a climate of extreme danger in northern France, alleging he was forced to work, abused, and threatened with death by armed smuggling gangs. “If I thought France was a safe place for me I would never have come to the UK,” he stated, appealing for protection in a third country.
An assessment regarding his vulnerability as a detainee is scheduled for November 6th, which is the day after his planned removal.
A support group working with the man and others returned to France has expressed acute concern for his welfare, stating that the detention and imminent removal are causing him immense distress. The group also raised broader concerns about the safety and instability faced by others who have been returned, noting many lack access to information, support, or a route to secure status.
Home Office documents acknowledge that while mental healthcare is theoretically available to asylum seekers in France, “capacity and language barriers can hinder access in practice.” The documents state that “adequate steps will be taken in the UK to forestall any suicide attempt.”
The latest government figures show small boat arrivals for this year have already slightly surpassed the total for the entirety of last year.