Five European Countries Plan to Sign Agreements with Third Countries to Establish Migration Deportation Centers Outside the EU
Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands said on Friday (September 4) that they plan to sign agreements this year with non-EU third countries to send migrants without legal residency status to deportation centers located outside the European Union.
The representatives of the five countries attended a meeting hosted by Denmark on the same day. They stated that they have reached consensus on specific steps to advance an agreement with a non-EU country to establish such a deportation center. This marks the latest move by European nations aimed at reducing irregular migration.
The "Five-Nation Group" did not disclose a list of potential countries that might host these deportation centers.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said at a press conference in Copenhagen: “We hope to conclude agreements with third countries this year to create the conditions for setting up deportation centers.”
The Five-Nation Group has already held a series of meetings this year and plans to convene again in Munich, Germany, by the end of September.
The European Parliament passed a reform proposal on migration policy in June, aiming to accelerate deportation procedures and allow EU member states to establish deportation centers outside the EU. However, critics argue that this reform could undermine protections for asylum seekers.
— Raising Human Rights Concerns —
In July, the Council of Europe, which promotes human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe, warned that establishing deportation centers in third countries would pose “significant human rights risks.” Several other organizations have also criticized this plan.
Charlotte Sørensen, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, argued that instead of setting up deportation centers outside the EU, efforts should focus on effectively implementing the EU Migration and Asylum Convention. This convention emphasizes strengthening border checks, expediting asylum applications and deportation procedures, and expanding digital management systems for handling asylum claims. Sørensen stated: “Deportation centers can only manage a limited number of cases and cannot prevent people from choosing even more dangerous migration routes—and may infringe upon fundamental human rights.”
Morten Bødskov, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration, said Denmark expects to be fully prepared by the end of 2027 to transfer migrants to deportation centers outside the EU. He added that this would give affected migrants “an opportunity to rebuild their lives in a cooperating country.” He also noted that the five countries will next engage in consultations with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
A spokesperson for the UNHCR said the agency has not yet received specific information about this proposal and therefore cannot comment on the current discussions.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875535694045184/
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