From France's Clutches: Iranian Migrant's Harrowing Return to the UK

A migrant has made headlines by returning to the UK on a small boat just weeks after being removed to France under the controversial “one in, one out” scheme. This individual, who is reportedly an Iranian national, was initially detained in the UK on August 6 and subsequently sent back to France on September 19, only to reclaim his journey to the UK on October 18.

According to reports, this man claims to have been a victim of modern slavery, facing severe abuse at the hands of smuggling gangs during his time in France. He described his chilling experience, stating, “They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun.” His return was fueled by acute fear for his life, stemming from the terror he faced during his ordeal.

Despite the Home Office’s refusal to confirm specific details, they stated that efforts would be made to detain and remove any migrants without legal rights to remain in the country. By now, 42 people have been removed under this scheme, which aims to manage illegal crossings by allowing for some asylum seekers in the UK to be sent back to France in exchange for accepting others who have legitimate claims to protection.

Maddie Harris from the Humans for Rights Network highlighted the dire situation faced by this Iranian man and others like him who have been returned under the scheme, noting that many experience mistreatment and lack of legal support when removed in such a rushed process.

Furthermore, the discussion of the scheme includes the account of another migrant, identified as Jonas, an Eritrean man, who claimed to have been selected for removal without a clear explanation of the criteria. This raises questions about the arbitrary nature of the process and the safety of those sent back to France where risks remain. Despite these challenges, the UK government’s initiative aims to deter dangerous maritime crossings by bolstering removal agreements with France. However, current trends show that small boat crossings continue, with the number of attempts this year already exceeding the previous year’s record, signaling that the situation remains complex and fraught with human rights concerns.