The European Parliament who have not received asylum. This particular reform now enables member states to conclude agreements with third countries for the establishment of “return hubs” outside the territory of the EU.
This legislative shift comes as a response to the pressures to tighten it, as today in the E.U. only 20% of decisions to deport foreigners without legal documents are implemented in practice.
Several countries strongly support the measure, believing that it will facilitate repatriations and act as a deterrent to migration flows.
According to the EPRS, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands are already participating in joint processes to create such structures outside the European Union. Countries that have been mentioned as possible destinations include Rwanda, Uganda and Uzbekistan.
However, the plan is causing strong internal reactions.
Macron and Sanchez turn their backs on the plan
Immediately after the conclusion of the European summit in Brussels, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, made it clear that his country is not going to establish such centers.
“We say yes to an effective policy against irregular immigration that leads to returns, but, as far as France is concerned, we say no to Return Centers in third countries,” he said, adding that he had never seen such a model work in practice and that it was not in line with European authorities.
At the same time, Macron clarified that he will oppose the use of the European budget to finance these structures.
💬 “I’m not sure that this is our Europe”
Emmanuel Macron expresses his disagreement with the creation of “return hubs” outside the borders of the European Union
— BFM (@BFMTV)
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, followed suit, admitting that his country was in the minority by voting against the measure. Sanchez emphasized that these centers will only succeed in wasting valuable financial resources from Europe.
“Brake” also from the UN for the rights of the vulnerable
At the same time, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, with his official announcement, expressed his deep disappointment and put Europe in front of its legal responsibilities.
Forced from home and often struggling to survive—this is the reality for millions of refugees and displaced people.
At a time of shrinking financial support, we cannot look away from those forced to flee. Protecting human rights and standing in solidarity define our humanity.
— Volker Türk (@volker_turk)
Detaining and returning vulnerable people, including children, to third countries is an extremely delicate exercise of state power and carries high risks of human rights violations, he said, making it clear that European countries cannot simply shift their obligations outside their borders.
At the same time, the High Commissioner recalled the fundamental principle of non-refoulement, underlining that no one should be taken to places where they are at risk of serious violations.
Finally, he emphasized that the decisions must be strictly individualized, without being carried out before the appeal procedures are completed, while he called for an approach that also takes into account the positive contribution of immigrants to European societies and economies.
