Austria, Four EU Nations Negotiate Migrant Return Centers in Uganda

Austria and four other European nations are in serious talks with Uganda to establish migrant return centers, potentially housing between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals. These centers are intended for asylum seekers whose applications have been definitively rejected and who are unwilling or unable to return to their home countries. Deportation is often hindered by a lack of agreements with the countries of origin.

The proposed centers would serve as a transit point, aiming to encourage voluntary returns by offering a pathway from outside Europe. The European Union or participating member states would need to establish agreements defining procedures, living conditions, responsibilities, and contingency plans if repatriation fails. Significant details, including costs and the extent of migrant freedom within these centers, remain unclear.

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Many could be persuaded to leave voluntarily based on this prospect.

This push for external return centers is fueled by the EU's new return directive, which removes previous requirements for migrants to have a demonstrable link to the host country. While unaccompanied minors cannot be sent to these centers, families can. Human rights concerns persist, with the Asylkoordination advocacy group questioning how EU member states can guarantee human rights standards in these third countries. However, the UNHCR has stated that such centers are acceptable if human rights are upheld.

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How can an EU country guarantee that human rights standards are implemented in these countries?