Court to decide fate of UK deportation policy amid global backlash 

The UK government is facing legal action over its ongoing deportations of asylum seekers to Bulgaria.

Since Labour took office in July 2024, more than 24,000 individuals have been deported under revised immigration enforcement policies.

Over 200 of those deported were returned to Bulgaria under a bilateral agreement recognizing previous asylum claims in that country.

Legal experts and human rights groups argue that Bulgaria cannot be considered a safe destination for returnees.

They cite violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits inhumane or degrading treatment.

Concerns have grown over the conditions in Bulgaria’s detention centres and the treatment of migrants.

A December 2024 incident intensified scrutiny when three Egyptian teenagers died near Bulgaria’s border under suspicious circumstances.

Reports alleged that Bulgarian authorities ignored emergency calls, contributing to the teens’ deaths in freezing conditions.

While Bulgaria’s interior ministry defended its actions, discrepancies in the timeline and location raised serious questions.

Syrian asylum seekers also reported coercion by Bulgarian officials, including threats and forced signatures on “voluntary return” documents.

Some said they were physically assaulted or detained for extended periods without explanation or access to legal aid.

UK-based law firm Duncan Lewis Solicitors is representing several affected individuals in the High Court.

Caseworker George Sheldon Grun said conditions in Bulgaria contradict its designation as a “safe third country.”

“Bulgaria’s treatment of returnees breaches basic human rights,” he stated. “The UK risks violating its legal obligations.”

A Syrian woman deported from Germany said she faced 18 months’ detention unless she agreed to return to Syria.

A man deported from the UK reported being beaten by Bulgarian police, suffering a broken nose and lasting trauma.

The humanitarian group No Name Kitchen has documented 21 similar cases of abuse and poor conditions.

Seventeen of those individuals were Syrian nationals reporting intimidation, overcrowding, and inadequate facilities.

A March 2025 report by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles supported these findings.

The report cited rodent infestations, food shortages, and unsanitary conditions in several Bulgarian asylum centres.

Ana Carolina Fisher da Cunha, co-author of the report, condemned the deportation practices.

“Bulgaria’s asylum system is broken,” she said. “EU states cannot justify returns based on outdated safety assumptions.”

Despite mounting evidence, the UK Home Office defended the removals.

A spokesperson said deportations will continue for migrants with refugee status in other countries deemed safe.

Lawyers argue that the current approach ignores evolving conditions on the ground in receiving states.

They claim the UK is prioritizing removal numbers over compliance with human rights standards.

The legal outcome could reshape future UK deportation policies to EU member states.

Observers say the case may also influence broader European migration frameworks and burden-sharing agreements.

As the court proceedings advance, human rights groups urge the UK to suspend returns to Bulgaria immediately.

The decision will test the balance between domestic immigration enforcement and international human rights obligations.

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