Five European nations seek deals to send migrants out of the EU
Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands said they are working toward deals with non-EU countries to establish migrant return hubs, despite human rights concerns.
Five European nations - Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands - are exploring deals to send migrants residing without legal permission to countries outside the European Union, according to a meeting hosted by Denmark on Friday. The Group of Five nations has agreed on specific steps towards a deal with a non-EU country on return facilities, aiming to reduce immigration.
They did not disclose which countries they anticipate hosting return centers. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt informed reporters at a press conference in Copenhagen that the group seeks to finalize agreements with third nations this year to establish return hubs. The group plans to meet again in Munich, Germany, at the end of September.
The European Parliament approved a migration policy overhaul in June, focusing on expediting deportations and enabling member states to establish centers abroad, which critics claim could weaken asylum seekers' safeguards. The Council of Europe, a non-EU organization advocating for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, expressed concerns about return hubs' potential human rights risks in July. Several other groups have also criticized the plan.
Danish Refugee Council Secretary General Charlotte Slente argued that implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which emphasizes stricter border screening, swifter asylum and return procedures, and enhanced digital systems for managing asylum claims, would be preferable. Return hubs primarily address a limited number of returns, she stated, and they may not deter individuals from undertaking even more perilous journeys. Additionally, return hubs could potentially breach fundamental human rights.
Denmark expects to be prepared to send migrants to the return hub by the end of 2027, according to Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov. The five nations intend to engage in dialogue with the UN body, the International Organization for Migration, and the UN Refugee Agency regarding their forthcoming actions. A UNHCR spokesperson revealed that the agency has not received any details of the proposed arrangement and cannot comment on the discussions underway.
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