§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the conditions in Afghanistan that have led them to the conclusion that it is now safe to return asylum seekers to that country. [HL5303]
§ Lord FilkinThe situation in Afghanistan has been and continues to be kept under constant review. There continues to be a real and sustained improvement in the country situation. After extensive consideration of all the available evidence and official advice, the Government decided that it was appropriate to modify our policy to reflect those improving conditions.
The country of origin information on which this modification of policy was based comes from a wide range of sources, including from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, inter-governmental organisations such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and other United Nations (UN) bodies and non-governmental organisations. A bulletin setting out the latest available country of origin information, which updates the Home Office country assessment on Afghanistan published in April, is available on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk.
We will only enforce the return of unsuccessful asylum seekers who have been found not to be in need of protection and who can safely return to Afghanistan but who do not leave voluntarily.