Five European nations plan migrant return centers outside EU

Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark, and the Netherlands—known as the "Group of Five"—announced they have agreed on concrete steps toward reaching a deal to set up migrant return centers outside Europe, though they did not specify which countries might host these centers.

According to Asharq, the Group of Five did not name any potential host countries for the return centers. The group, which has held a series of meetings this year, plans to meet again in Munich, Germany, at the end of September.

In June, the European Parliament approved a comprehensive migration policy reform aimed at speeding up deportations and allowing member states to establish centers outside the EU—a move critics say could weaken protections for asylum seekers.

The Council of Europe, a non-EU body focused on promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across the continent, warned in July that such return centers pose "significant risks to human rights." Several other organizations have also criticized the plan.

Charlotte Slente, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, said it would be better to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which emphasizes stricter border checks, faster asylum and return procedures, and expanded digital systems for managing asylum applications. She noted that "return centers focus on a limited number of cases, will not prevent people from taking more dangerous routes, and may violate basic human rights."

Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Morten Bødskov said Denmark expects to be ready to send migrants to a return center by the end of 2027. He added that the five countries will consult with the UN’s International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on next steps.

A spokesperson for the UNHCR said the agency has not received any details about the proposal and therefore could not comment on the arrangements under discussion.

Meanwhile, non-governmental organizations have criticized these plans, expressing concerns about their impact on the human rights of affected migrants. The proposals are also likely to face numerous legal challenges.