An Eritrean individual is scheduled for deportation to France tomorrow under the government’s “one-in, one-out” initiative following an unsuccessful High Court challenge.
During a hearing in London, the man’s legal team sought interim relief before a full legal challenge against his deportation. They argued that the process was unjust as he was not given adequate opportunity to present evidence supporting his claim of being a trafficking victim.
The Home Office opposed the request to halt the deportation temporarily, stating to the High Court that there was no significant issue warranting a trial. Justice Sheldon, in a ruling, denied the application for interim relief, stating there was no substantial issue for trial in this instance.
The man asserted that he fled Eritrea in 2019 due to forced conscription and traveled through Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Libya before reaching France. He described his time in Paris and Dunkirk, where he lived in harsh conditions without seeking asylum in France.
Upon arriving in the UK via a small boat, he was detained by the UK Border Force on August 6 and informed on August 9 that his UK asylum claim was inadmissible.
In a separate case, an Eritrean man successfully secured a temporary deportation block after claims of trafficking were raised. This prompted the Home Office to revise its policy on reconsidering modern slavery decisions, limiting appeals and suggesting legal challenges be pursued from safe countries like France.
The first individual deported to France under the new initiative was an Indian national who arrived via a small boat last month. He was flown back to France on Thursday morning.