Urgent Call to Action as Acceptance Rates for Afghan Refugees Plummet in the UK

Amnesty International and the Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS) have issued a joint report criticizing the sharp decline in the acceptance rates for Afghan refugees in the UK. They are calling for an end to London’s stringent policies towards women and girls from Afghanistan. Recent statistics indicate a plummet in acceptance rates from 96% to just 34% this year…

​The Refugee Crisis and Unprecedented Decline in Asylum Numbers in the UK

On April 16, Amnesty International and GAPS released a new report sharply criticizing the UK government’s immigration policies. According to the findings, the acceptance rate for asylum applications from Afghan nationals, which stood at 96%, has now fallen to an unprecedented 34%. The report reveals that in 2025 alone, hundreds of asylum requests from Afghan women have been denied by UK authorities.

​Contradiction Between Gender Restrictions and Diplomatic Responses

This report arrives at a time when women and girls in Afghanistan are facing some of the most severe gender restrictions in the world. The joint report highlights that the denial of education, prohibitions on work, and extensive travel limitations have put the lives of women in Afghanistan at significant risk. Human rights advocates argue that in such dire circumstances, the UK’s closure of legal pathways to asylum effectively denies vulnerable groups access to safety and justice.

​Criticism of London’s Strict Immigration Policies

Human rights organizations have warned that London’s new and stringent immigration policies directly target those who need international support the most. These agencies assert that, by drastically reducing acceptance rates, the UK has effectively shut its doors to women and girls fleeing serious threats. The statement concludes with a call for London officials to swiftly end this increasing trend that obstructs Afghan women’s right to asylum and to uphold their humanitarian commitments.