Amnesty International has issued a stark warning regarding proposed plans by five European Union governments to establish migrant return hubs in Rwanda and Uganda. These initiatives, Amnesty argues, risk becoming “cruel black holes for human rights,” just as officials prepare to convene and assess the advancement of these plans.
The rights organization highlighted the potential human rights risks and the substandard living conditions that migrants may face within these facilities. Eve Geddie, Director of the European Institutions Office of Amnesty International, criticized the negotiations as part of a broader “migration diplomacy” approach. She emphasized the power imbalances, suggesting an effort by the EU to offload its migration responsibilities onto countries in the Global South, which are already overburdened with refugee intake despite having fewer resources.
The plans are poised to rely on the EU Return Regulation, recently approved by the European Parliament but pending final consent from the Council. This regulation stipulates that arrangements must be executed with third countries that adhere to international human rights standards, including the principle of non-refoulement—a cornerstone of international refugee law under Article 33 of the 1951 Refugee Convention. This principle prohibits the expulsion of individuals to nations where they may face danger or persecution.
The human rights landscape in Rwanda and Uganda raises significant concerns. In a 2023 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom found considerable risk of refoulement for asylum seekers potentially sent to Rwanda, citing the nation’s history of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Uganda’s legal stance further complicates the situation, especially with its Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposes severe penalties for consensual same-sex conduct as reported by JURIST.
Despite these concerns, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo noted in August that discussions are still preliminary, and no agreements have been finalized. Meanwhile, the European Commission has distanced itself, stating it is not involved in the discussions surrounding these hubs. Talks with Uganda are understood to be bilateral engagements between the five EU states and Kampala.
Migration ministers from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands are scheduled to meet in Copenhagen to evaluate the current status of these plans, which include proposals for a center in Uganda with the capacity to house up to 10,000 rejected asylum seekers by 2027. Amnesty International’s March critique of the European Parliament’s position on the Return Regulation echoed similar concerns, characterizing it as punitive.
This complex issue underscores the contentious nature of the EU’s approach to managing migration pressures while highlighting the ethical and legal considerations in outsourcing these responsibilities to third countries with questionable human rights records.