Ministers have been accused by a number of charities of condemning failed asylum-seekers who are HIV-positive to death by deporting them to Africa.

In a report, HIV charities – Crusaid and the National Aids Trust – call for a package of action to enable HIV-positive asylum seekers to escape poverty. Lisa Power, head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust HIV charity, told the Independent that ministers seemed more concerned with being tough on immigration than acting humanely in a handful of cases.

Anna Reisenberger, acting Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“No-one should be returned to a situation where their life is in danger. That includes people who are HIV positive being removed to places where they are unable to access treatment.

“Most people with HIV do not know they have the virus until after they arrive in the UK. The government already refuses asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected treatment for HIV/AIDS.

“This approach seems to totally contradict the government’s commitment to tackling HIV at a national and global level.”

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