EU passes law allowing offshore deportation centres
The European Parliament has passed a new 'Return Regulation' allowing EU countries to establish offshore deportation centres in non-EU nations through bilateral agreements. This law, considered one of the bloc's toughest anti-migration policies, aims to speed up the return of irregular migrants and those denied asylum, with provisions for increased detention periods and search powers. It mandates that partner countries must uphold human rights and the principle of non-refoulement. The move is driven by rising anti-immigrant sentiment and the growth of far-right parties in Europe, and it complements the broader EU Pact on Migration and Asylum adopted in 2024. Human rights organizations have criticized the law for potentially undermining migrants' rights and international legal standards, drawing parallels with past controversial policies like the UK's Rwanda plan.
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