European Union nations are preparing to deport failed asylum seekers to Rwanda and potentially other countries like Uzbekistan and Uganda as early as next year, a move that has drawn criticism towards the United Kingdom's Labour government for abandoning its own Rwanda deportation scheme. EU diplomats have indicated that several member states are keen to initiate expulsions to the African nation as part of a broader effort to manage illegal crossings.
This development follows the EU's recent passage of new legislation empowering member states to create 'return hubs' in non-EU countries. Countries such as Denmark, Austria, Greece, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands are reportedly aiming to commence deportations from 2027. More than half of the EU's 27 member states have expressed support for offshore processing centers and are seeking assistance from Brussels to expedite their establishment.
Critics in the UK, including Conservative MPs Greg Smith and Jack Rankin, have pointed to the EU's initiative as evidence of the effectiveness of offshore processing. Smith argued that Labour's decision to scrap the previous Conservative government's Rwanda partnership was a significant failing, especially as other countries are now adopting similar strategies. Rankin stated that Labour's early move to dismantle the plan has resulted in an increase in small boat crossings, suggesting the party is on the "wrong side of history."
Conservative peer Lord Kempsell echoed these sentiments, asserting that offshore processing remains a crucial component of border control and acts as a deterrent to illegal entry. He suggested that those who previously dismissed such plans are not observing the developments within the European Union, where offshore processing is becoming a mainstream immigration policy.
The surge in Channel crossings has also been highlighted, with nearly 2,000 arrivals reported in the UK in the week prior to the report, including over 700 on a single Monday. While the total for the year is slightly behind 2022's record numbers, the recent increase has raised concerns.
Under the new EU framework, individuals who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain within the bloc would be housed in these return hubs pending deportation. This approach differs from the original UK plan, which was intended for newly arrived migrants. EU diplomats confirmed that while specific host countries are not yet finalized, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, and Uganda are under consideration, partly due to existing EU funding for programs in these nations. The EU's new rules, passed amidst chants of 'send them home' from some MEPs, aim to provide a clear legal structure for these offshore facilities.