Five European countries reportedly agree Rwanda deal for migrants facing expulsion
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maghreb Emergent
Five European countries (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands) have reportedly concluded an agreement with Rwanda for a centre accommodating migrants subject to an expulsion order. According to Politico, which cites three sources close to the matter, the announcement was due to take place on Monday in Vienna, as part of a European drive to strengthen the return of people whose asylum applications have been rejected.
A group of five European states — Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands — has reportedly concluded an agreement with Rwanda to set up a centre for migrants subject to an expulsion order. According to Politico, which cites three sources close to the matter, the announcement was due to take place on Monday in Vienna.
The arrangement would concern rejected asylum seekers, once all appeal and regularisation options have been exhausted, rather than all people without papers. No nationality is officially targeted for now, so Algerians or other North Africans could therefore enter it if they meet the conditions set out.
Human rights organisations have warned of possible violations of the fundamental rights of people transferred outside the European Union. Their main concerns are the oversight of these facilities, migrants’ living conditions and the legal guarantees they will be offered.
This initiative follows the discussions between Kigali and Europe on the transit of expelled migrants, which were raised on 8 August. It adds to a sum of €40 million that the European Union granted to Rwanda on 4 August.
