EU Ministers’ decision on return hubs & “safe countries” rejects human rights in migration policy

Today, EU interior ministers in the Justice and Home Affairs Council have signed up to a new, inhumane approach to migration that will among other repressive measures lead to the creation of “return hubs” under the “regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union," Return hubs in third countries would see migrants and rejected asylum seekers sent to facilities where the lack of scrutiny will result in risks of human rights abuses and failure to provide dignified conditions. 

Mélissa Camara MEP, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur for the ‘regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals’, comments: 

“This agreement within the Council of the EU unfortunately reflects the direction taken by the EU institutions and Member States over the last months on migration: A renunciation of our fundamental values and human rights, while making right and far-right populist and racist narratives prevail.

“Ministers have completely ignored the warnings and concerns raised by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and NGOs active on the ground. We are opposed to the reckless and short-sighted outsourcing of Member States’ responsibilities to third countries where human rights compliance cannot be guaranteed, and which will leave the EU ever more vulnerable to the instrumentalisation of migration by such countries. 

“In spite of the huge difficulties we face against a right and far-right united on this issue, we will continue to fight to defend fundamental rights and the most vulnerable people. The battle on return hubs will now continue  in the European Parliament, with negotiations opening between the different political groups.”