Responding to the Government’s announcement today that it will begin talks with other countries on “return hubs” for people whose asylum applications have been refused, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said:

“Talk of ‘return hubs’ is a harmful distraction from the real issue - the Government urgently needs to face its responsibilities and stop trying to push them on to other countries.

“Instead of constantly promoting the false narrative that the UK can outsource its obligations, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary must ensure everyone who seeks asylum here can have their claim dealt with fairly and efficiently.

“Refugees can then move on with their lives while the Home Office manages the safe return of anyone properly found to have no basis to stay.”