Netherlands Plans Migrant Deportation Hub in Uganda From Next Year

The Netherlands is preparing a plan to deport rejected asylum seekers to a transit hub in Uganda, potentially operational as early as next year. The scheme, announced by Dutch Migration and Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel, aims to manage migrants who cannot be returned directly to their home countries, primarily targeting African migrants from countries near Uganda. The agreement emphasizes compliance with international, European, and national laws and includes human rights safeguards, with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) tasked with managing the centers. Uganda has stipulated conditions such as excluding those with criminal records, unaccompanied minors, and LGBT+ individuals due to discriminatory laws. This Dutch plan resembles a similar arrangement made by former US President Donald Trump with Uganda, but unlike the US deal, the Dutch one involves UN agencies. The initiative reflects broader trends in migration policy among wealthy nations facing political and legal challenges in deporting rejected asylum seekers.