INTERNATIONAL — April 26, 2026

UK and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Hold Talks on Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers

UK and Afghan officials are holding diplomatic talks regarding the return of rejected asylum seekers, with parallel negotiations underway with the European Union. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the discussions but declined to confirm specific repatriation agreements.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with ToloNews — corroborated by Omid Radio2 min read

UK and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Hold Talks on Return of Rejected Asylum Seekers
Image courtesy ToloNews

Officials from the United Kingdom and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are engaged in ongoing discussions regarding the return of Afghan nationals whose asylum claims have been rejected. The diplomatic engagement includes both telephone consultations and in-person meetings held in Kabul, according to Afghan officials.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly addressed the matter, stating that British authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with international partners. While acknowledging the discussions, she declined to provide specific details regarding any formal repatriation agreements. Afghan authorities have indicated that parallel negotiations are also underway with the European Union, with a delegation expected to travel to Brussels to address similar migration and return protocols.

The focus on repatriation reflects a broader international effort to manage Afghan migration flows. Alongside European initiatives, reports indicate that the United States is separately negotiating arrangements to relocate approximately one thousand one hundred Afghan nationals currently in Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The return of rejected asylum seekers has emerged as a central diplomatic priority for both Kabul and Western host nations. Officials from the Islamic Emirate have emphasized that any repatriation processes will be coordinated through established diplomatic channels, while European and British counterparts continue to evaluate the logistical and legal frameworks required for the transfers. Further details on timelines and implementation procedures are expected to be clarified as the negotiations progress.

Read the original reporting at ToloNews

Reliability assessment

2+ independent sources corroborate the core event (ongoing diplomatic talks between Kabul, London, and Brussels regarding the return of rejected Afghan asylum seekers). Both outlets cite direct, on-record statements from named officials (Interior Ministry spokesperson Mufti Abdul Matin Qane' and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood). While sources differ on meeting formats and supplementary context, the core diplomatic engagement is firmly established and attributable. Differing details do not block a reliable rating.

The source language reads straight.

Across the newsrooms

Where reports agree

  • Diplomatic talks are actively underway between Kabul and London regarding the return of Afghan asylum seekers with rejected applications.
  • UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has publicly addressed the discussions, acknowledging close monitoring while withholding specific details.
  • Parallel negotiations are occurring between Afghanistan and the European Union, with an Afghan delegation anticipated to visit Brussels/Belgium.
  • The return and deportation of Afghan migrants from Western host countries is an active and intensifying diplomatic priority.

Where reports differ

  • Omid Radio specifies that face-to-face meetings have already taken place in Kabul, while ToloNews does not mention the format or location of the talks.
  • ToloNews includes extensive commentary from migrants, activists, and a former diplomat, plus details on US/Qatar/DRC relocation plans, which are entirely absent from Omid Radio's report.
  • Omid Radio characterizes Mahmood's initial stance as 'neither confirm nor deny,' whereas ToloNews quotes her as actively monitoring processes and cooperating with partners without going into details (a minor nuance difference in diplomatic phrasing rather than a direct contradiction).

Filed by 2 outlets

Filed under

InternationalUK-Afghanistan Relations, Migration Policy, Shabana Mahmood, European Union, Deportation Talks

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