European Parliament approves external deportation centres, UN warns against shifting obligations

The European Parliament voted to adopt a regulation that permits EU member states to conclude agreements with third‑country partners for the establishment of external detention or "return" centres outside the Union's borders. The measure, part of the Migration and Asylum Pact approved on 10 April 2024, aims to streamline the removal of rejected asylum seekers and includes financial incentives for host nations.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights criticised the legislation, with High‑Commissioner Volker Türk stating that EU countries cannot transfer their human‑rights responsibilities to third states. He emphasised that deportations must respect the principle of non‑refoulement and warned that detaining vulnerable persons, including children, in overseas facilities poses a high risk of rights violations. Türk also noted that only about 20 % of European deportation orders actually result in returns, underscoring doubts about the policy’s effectiveness.