A new report has revealed that the first group of asylum seekers returned to France under the UK-France treaty includes potential victims of modern slavery, people suffering from severe depression, and individuals with close family members living in the UK. The findings, published by the Humans For Rights Network (HFRN), raise serious concerns about the legality and ethics of the government’s “one in, one out” scheme, which came into force in August 2025.
The HFRN interviewed asylum seekers who were deported from the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats in mid-October.
The interviews took place while the individuals were staying in a temporary marquee accommodation beside a railway track in Paris. The report paints a troubling picture of confusion, distress, and lack of support for those affected. Many of the men said they had limited or no contact with their lawyers and were uncertain about whether their cases were properly represented before removal.
The research was released shortly after The Guardian reported that an Iranian asylum seeker sent to France under the same scheme returned to the UK just 29 days later. He is now being held in an immigration detention centre and referred to the national referral mechanism for possible trafficking victim status. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated on Thursday that the government intends to expedite the man’s return to France, despite growing concerns from human rights groups.
“One In, One Out” Treaty Under Scrutiny
The “one in, one out” treaty between the UK and France was signed in early August 2025 as part of efforts to manage irregular Channel crossings. It allows the UK to detain and swiftly remove individuals arriving by small boats, while accepting an equal number of asylum seekers from France through an official legal route, subject to security screening.
According to HFRN’s data, 24 people had been returned to France by mid-October, and the charity was able to interview 12 of them. Among those were at least three individuals with relatives in the UK — including two who had sisters and one who had an aunt. One man told reporters he had reunited with his sister for the first time in more than a decade while in UK detention, only to be deported to France days later.
Victims of Slavery and Mental Health Struggles Among Deportees
The report found that at least four men claimed to be victims of modern slavery. Two had been trafficked in Libya, one in Ethiopia, and another in Yemen. Several others reported serious physical and mental health issues, including blindness in one eye, severe depression, and suicidal thoughts.
“Overwhelmingly, these men were distressed and confused,” the HFRN report stated. “Some had no legal contact, while others did not know if their cases had been properly presented. Many showed significant case facts indicating that their removal should never have taken place.” The organisation also alleged that the Home Office failed to fully investigate claims of torture and trafficking before deporting them to France.
Rising Deportations and Growing Concern
The Home Office continues to enforce removals under the treaty. Last week alone, 42 asylum seekers were returned to France in exchange for 23 accepted through the legal route. Initially, deportations were conducted using Air France flights, but the government has now shifted to private charter planes. Reports suggest that at least 10 additional deportations occurred on Wednesday.
Advocacy groups have condemned the conditions faced by deported asylum seekers in France. The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group said that many deportees were given no guidance on how to claim asylum or access legal aid upon arrival. “People in France have reported that they cannot access medical care, do not understand what is happening in their case, and are frightened of being found by smugglers,” the group said.
One asylum seeker, now relocated from Paris to Marseille, told The Guardian: “We don’t know what is happening to us. I was given an appointment with French authorities but no explanation. Many are scared of being sent to other EU countries because we were fingerprinted there before. Some have already left the accommodation and are sleeping on the streets.”
Mounting Political and Human Rights Pressure
Human rights organisations have called on the UK government to halt the removals and reassess the scheme, warning that it risks breaching the UK’s obligations under international law. Legal experts argue that deporting vulnerable individuals, particularly those who may be victims of trafficking or torture, could violate the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention.
The Home Office said it remains “committed to breaking the business model of criminal gangs” and insisted that removals are carried out lawfully. However, lawyers and charities argue that the scheme prioritises numbers over individual welfare.
The UK government has faced mounting criticism for its asylum policies in recent months, especially following the collapse of the Rwanda deportation plan and the shift toward bilateral arrangements with European partners. With this latest controversy, the “one in, one out” treaty appears to be under growing scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
