Brussels, Belgium – EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, announced the European Union’s support for the establishment of migrant return centers in safe African countries. This is part of a new plan aimed at curbing irregular migration and expediting the return of migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. This comes in the wake of the migration crisis in the Spanish city of Ceuta.
Brunner stated that the EU has approved the legal framework that would allow for the establishment of these centers outside its borders. He also indicated that the plan could be implemented as early as 2027, in cooperation with partner countries. This is part of a stricter EU policy for managing migration.
This move came after a large influx of migrants into Ceuta. Consequently, EU member states intensified consultations on strengthening external border security. It also led to new measures to prevent a recurrence of such crises. These measures focus on dismantling human trafficking networks and curbing irregular migration.
Italy is leading efforts within the European Union to implement a model of migrant return centers outside Europe. In particular, these efforts are focused in several African countries. The aim is to expedite the return of migrants to their countries of origin after the completion of legal procedures.
The European official emphasized that protecting the EU’s external borders is a priority in the coming period. Moreover, he stressed strengthening cooperation with transit and origin countries. He also stressed that the new plan will respect the legal and humanitarian obligations stipulated in international law. This is despite ongoing debate surrounding it from human rights organizations.
