UK weighs potential returns of refused Afghans amid Taliban talks

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would not rule out a future returns programme to Afghanistan for refused asylum seekers and that the government is monitoring what Kabul and EU partners are discussing. A returns policy would reverse current UK practice since it does not recognise the Taliban, though she declined to comment further. The UN warns Afghanistan remains a grave rights crisis, particularly for women and girls. Meanwhile, the UK is tightening asylum rules for those arriving by small boats, enforcing measures like a France “one-in, one-out” deal and an Afghan student visa ban, while EU countries show growing interest in deportations to Kabul amid broader talks about returns.