Netherlands Nears Uganda Deal on Offshore Migrant Return Hub

The Netherlands and Uganda have signed a letter of intent to establish a transit hub in Uganda for rejected asylum seekers from nearby countries who cannot be directly returned to their origins. This small-scale pilot aims to temporarily house these individuals in Uganda before their eventual return, with human rights protections emphasized by Dutch officials. The agreement, signed at the United Nations General Assembly, is part of broader European efforts to manage migration by outsourcing asylum processing, though legal frameworks remain uncertain. The plan follows the example of the UK-Rwanda deal, which was scrapped due to legal challenges, and migration remains a central issue in the upcoming Dutch elections. Dutch authorities are coordinating with the EU, the International Organisation for Migration, and the UN Refugee Agency to ensure compliance with international standards. The facility's timeline and final legalities are still under negotiation, with hopes for completion soon but unlikely implementation before the October elections.