Germany Proposes Rwanda as Asylum Processing Hub for EU Migrants
Germany's migration commissioner suggests using Rwanda for processing asylum claims of migrants entering EU through Belarus. The proposal aims to address irregular migration amid growing political pressure.
In a recent development, Joachim Stamp, Germany's Special Representative for Migration Agreements, has put forward a proposal to process asylum claims of migrants entering the European Union (EU) through Belarus in Rwanda. This suggestion comes as Germany grapples with increasing pressure to address irregular migration issues.
The proposal targets approximately 10,000 individuals annually who cross the EU's eastern borders. Stamp suggests utilizing existing asylum facilities in Rwanda, which were initially intended for a similar plan by the United Kingdom. However, the UK's plan was abandoned in July 2024 by Keir Starmer's new government.
"We currently have no third country that has come forward, with the exception of Rwanda."
This proposal emerges against the backdrop of growing political tension in Germany following a recent incident at a city festival. The event, linked to the Islamic State, has fueled opposition from far-right groups and criticism of Berlin's migration policies.
Stamp, a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), suggests that asylum procedures in Rwanda would be conducted under United Nations supervision. He also proposes removing the "connecting element" in the new Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which currently requires external asylum procedures to be conducted in countries where the asylum seeker has a social connection.
It's worth noting that the European Union agreed on new rules for handling irregular arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants in December 2023. This agreement, hailed as a breakthrough after nearly a decade of disagreements, is expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2025.
The proposal to use Rwanda as an asylum processing hub is not without precedent. The country, with a population of approximately 13 million, has previously expressed willingness to implement such a model. However, similar plans have faced legal challenges and criticism from human rights organizations.
As the EU continues to grapple with migration challenges, this proposal represents one of many attempts to find solutions to a complex issue that has been at the forefront of European politics for over a decade. The outcome of this proposal and its potential implementation remain to be seen, as it will likely face scrutiny from various stakeholders within the EU and international community.
