The Netherlands will cooperate with other EU countries regarding the deportation centers for asylum seekers.
The Netherlands is partnering with Austria, Germany, Greece, and Denmark to establish “return hubs” outside the European Union for rejected asylum seekers, according to Minister of Asylum and Migration بارت فان دن برينك. The plan was announced during talks with European counterparts in Brussels.
The initiative replaces a previous proposal to create a hub in Uganda, though the Netherlands continues to explore non-EU host countries. Minister Van den Brink emphasized that identifying suitable locations is a “collective task” for the five EU partners and that discussions are ongoing.
Human rights protections are a central condition for the project. The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will be involved in setting up the hubs to ensure that migrants’ rights are safeguarded.
The partnership could eventually expand to include other EU countries, though Van den Brink declined to name potential host nations. Researchers from the Clingendael Institute have warned that finding willing countries may be difficult, as only a limited number are likely to accept such facilities.
According to the Clingendael report, states that do agree to host return hubs could demand substantial compensation, limiting the EU’s ability to impose strict conditions. Despite these challenges, the Netherlands and its EU partners remain committed to advancing the strategy.