The Netherlands is going to work with Uganda on a plan to temporarily collect rejected asylum seekers in the East African country. Outgoing minister David van Weel (asylum) agreed with his Ugandan colleague on Thursday. The conditions of such a return hub still have to be worked out.
For example, it is not yet clear when rejected asylum seekers should be sent there and what Uganda will receive in exchange for the cooperation of the Netherlands.
Van Weel did, on Thursday with his Ugandan colleague Odongo Jeje Abubakhar of Foreign Affairs that the countries want to work out these and other points in the coming period. Ultimately, a “small -scale test” has to be set up with a return hub. A limited number of asylum seekers could then be included there.
With that return hub, the outgoing cabinet hopes that rejected asylum seekers coming from the Uganda region will return to their country of origin faster. They are temporarily sent to Uganda and have to leave from there for their country of origin.
At the moment it is only very successful to return rejected asylum seekers. In some cases these people do not want to return themselves, and in other cases the country of origin does not cooperate.
Idea suggested by former minister Klever
It can still take a long time to the Netherlands actually has a return hub in Uganda. But the idea of doing this is already playing. Last year, then Minister Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Aid) suggested the possibility of closing a deal with Uganda.
Klever already thought he had “a wide conversation” with the East African country, and she would also have put the possibility of a return hub on the table. However, the Ugandan Foreign Minister denied that Return Hubs would have been discussed. Nevertheless, the Netherlands did work out the plan further.
There was already a lot of criticism of the plan from experts and the House of Representatives. For example, the country of origin must still be willing to take that person back. And how do you ensure that the idea is not contrary to international agreements and no human rights are being violated?
Agreements must be ‘in line with right’
Other European countries also have ears for return hubs and will therefore follow the elaboration of the Netherlands and Uganda with interest. According to the European Commission, EU countries had to be given the opportunity to explore the use of return hubs.
The United Kingdom already has a similar return hub in Albania. In the first instance, people were sent there who still had to apply for asylum, but had little chance of staying. However, that plan was called back several times by the judge, on which Italy decided to use the place as a return hub. But aid organizations still have considerable criticism of the circumstances there.
The Netherlands wants the agreements with Uganda “in line with National, European and International Law,” Van Weel emphasizes. “Naturally, the protection of human rights is paramount of people who return to their country of origin via Uganda.” It still has to be worked out how the Netherlands wants to take care of this.
The Netherlands Will Work With Uganda On A Plan to Temporarily accommodate Rejected Asylum Seekers in the East African Country. Outgoing Minister David van Weel (Asylum) agreed this with his ugandan counterpart on Thursday. The Conditions For Such A Return Hub Still Need to Be Worked Out.
For example, it is not yet clear when rejected asylum seekers should be sent there and what uganda will receive from the Netherlands in Return for its cooperation.
Van Weel Did Agree with his Ugandan Colleague Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday that the Countries Want to work out these and other points in the Coming Period. Ultimately, A “Small-Scale Trial” With A Return Hub Should Be Set Up. A Limited Number of Asylum Seekers Could Then be accommodated there.
With This Return Hub, The Outgoing Cabinet Hopes That Rejected Asylum Seekers Who Come From The Uganda Region Will Return to Their Country of Origin More Quickly. They are temporarily sent to uganda and must then leave from there to their country of origin.
At the moment, it is only Possible to send back rejected asylum seekers to a limited extent. In some cases, these people do not want to return themelves, and in other cases, the country of origin does not cooperate.
Idea Propose by Former Minister Klever
It may take a long time before the Netherlands actual has a return hub in Uganda. But the idea of doing this has leg around for a while. Last year, then Minister Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) First Suggested the Possibility of Making a Deal with Uganda.
Klever Herself Believed that She had Already had “A Broad Conversation” with the East African Country, in which she would also have raised the Possibility of a Return Hub. However, The Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Denied That Return Hubs had discussed Been. Neverbertheless, The Netherlands Continued to Develop The Plan.
Much Criticism of the Plan Has Already Been Voiced by Experts and the House of Representatives. After all, the country of origin must still be willing to take the person back. And how do you Ensure that the Idea Does Not Conflict with International Agreements and That Human Rights Are Not Violated?
Agreements must be ‘in line with the law’
Other European Countries are also interested in Return Hubs and Will Therefore Follow the Development of the Netherlands and Uganda With Interest. Accordance to the European Commission, EU Countries Should Be Given the Opportunity to Explore the use of Return Hubs.
The United Kingdom Already Has a Similar Return Hub in Albania. Initially, People who Still had to Apply for Asylum Were Sent There, but had little chance of being allowed to stay. However, that plan was repeatedly rejected by the courts, after which Italy decided to use the site as a return hub. But Aid Organizations Still Have Considerable Criticism of the Circumstances There.
The Netherlands Wants The Agreements with Uganda to Be “in Line With National, European and International Law”, Emphasizes van Weel. “It goes without saying that the protection of human rights is paramount for people who return to their country of origin via uganda.” It still needs to be worked out How the Netherlands Wants to Ensure This.