The European Union is planning to establish deportation centres outside the bloc by 2027, a significant shift in its migration approach after previously condemning the UK's Rwanda scheme as "extreme".
According to Facts4EU, a coalition named the "Copenhagen Five", involving Denmark, Germany, Austria, Greece and the Netherlands, has proposed using third countries to take migrants whose asylum claims have failed. They reportedly plan to set up deportation centres outside Europe by 2027.
From criticism to adoption
The move comes after EU officials and human rights bodies heavily criticised the UK's Rwanda asylum scheme, labelling it "inhumane" and "unethical". Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov said: "We have agreed on concrete steps towards a deal with a non-European Union country on return facilities. Our expectation is to be ready to send rejected asylum seekers to deportation centres located outside the European Union by the end of 2027."
It is believed that both Rwanda and Uganda are among the countries being considered to process or receive migrants. However, the proposed EU system differs from Britain's former Rwanda policy, which was proposed by Boris Johnson in April 2022 before being pursued by Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, as it is set to comply with fundamental rights and international law.
UK scheme found incompatible
By comparison, the UK's scheme was found by the Supreme Court and international bodies to be incompatible with fundamental rights and international law. It was found that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda would face a risk of refoulement, meaning they could be wrongfully returned to their home countries where they faced persecution or inhumane treatment.
The EU's New Pact on Migration and Asylum came into force on June 12, designed to manage migration and secure external borders. However, the bloc remains divided, with some leaders pursuing a tougher grasp on border enforcement.
EU leaders on border protection
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her State of the Union speech: "Europe's commitment to its values and fundamental rights remains, but there will be no compromise on border protection, as Europeans determine who enters the union and under what conditions, not smugglers and traffickers."
EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner added: "On June 12 we will not be cutting the ribbon. We will be launching the operational system. We are putting our European house in order. This creates the conditions for us to decide who can come to Europe, who can stay, and who must leave."
Meanwhile, Poland and Hungary have opposed the recent plans from the "Copenhagen Five". Countries that refuse to take part in the relocation of migrants face a fine of €20,000 (£17,200) per migrant.
Former UK Secretary of State Lord Redwood added: "The EU is deeply divided on migration, with countries under democratic pressure over weak borders pressing for a Rwanda style solution. They want offshore processing of asylum claims and somewhere to deport illegals. If Brussels continues to block solutions or insist on complex rules that make them impractical, the populists will sweep to power in more countries. If Brussels hides behind their human rights laws, favouring the rights of migrants over the concerns of citizens, they will badly misjudge the mood in Europe. More populist governments will take control of their own borders in the absence of EU control. They will refuse to pay the fines Brussels is imposing if they do not take enough of the migrants the EU lets in. The UK voted for Brexit in part to take control of our borders. When will the government use the freedoms it has to do so?"
