Interior ministers of 27 European Union (EU) member countries are meeting in Luxembourg to speed up the deportation processes of immigrants whose asylum applications are rejected.
At the meeting, which will be held in the shadow of immigration debates that have intensified across the continent with the far-right gaining power in Germany, it is expected that new rules will be approved, giving authorities wider detention powers and allowing the establishment of "return centers" outside the borders of the union.
The regulations on the agenda aim to repatriate people who do not have the right to stay through cooperation with "priority" third countries.
FIVE COUNTRIES AGREED ON THE AFRICA OPTION
The group of five, consisting of Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece, continues to take concrete steps to send refugees to return centers to be established outside the EU.
While it is stated that the group aims to reach an agreement with countries outside the EU this year, it is noted that the Kigali administration stands out as the strongest candidate for these facilities.
According to the news of the AFP agency, Tineke Strik and Anna Strolenberg, members of the European Parliament's Greens and Volt groups, stated that the authorities in Kigali were open to this idea after their inspection visit to Rwanda and Uganda.
Strolenberg stated that negotiations are continuing and that the most likely country to reach an agreement is Rwanda.
Stating that they were shown two facilities, one of which was a hotel, prepared within the scope of England's previously canceled deportation plan, Strik described these plans as "unreal, inhumane and costly".
Greek Minister of Immigration Thanos Plevris also stated that Athens has reached an agreement with an African country, the name of which he cannot yet disclose, and aims to open a center in 2027.
Supporters of return centers claim that these structures will both facilitate returns and deter irregular migration.
Human rights organizations that criticize the plan point out that similar initiatives face legal obstacles. It is warned that the centers will turn into "legal black holes", pushing immigrants into uncontrolled uncertainty.
Last year, Rwanda accepted up to 250 deported people under an agreement with the United States. In contrast, the British Supreme Court stopped a similar plan in 2023, finding it unlawful.
Rwanda demanded a payment of £50 million from London after the agreement was broken.
Uganda and Rwanda, which host large refugee populations in the region, also face restrictions in food and health services due to the USA cutting off foreign aid.
The meeting in Luxembourg is the first face-to-face ministerial meeting held after the migration of migrants to Ceuta, Spain's territory in North Africa, in the summer months, straining border security and causing diplomatic tension between Spain and Italy.
The Madrid administration is expected to provide information about the situation in Ceuta.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that they will propose an emergency tool to deal with mass migration movements.
In addition, expanding the powers of the border protection agency Frontex to include social media monitoring and strengthening early warning systems are being discussed.
