Netherlands considers sending rejected African ssylum seekers to Uganda

The conservative Dutch government is considering a proposal to send rejected African asylum seekers to Uganda, Prime Minister Dick Schoof revealed on Thursday, though he acknowledged that the plan may face significant challenges.

“This is a serious proposal, but many details still need to be worked out,” he said to reporters in Brussels. However, it remains uncertain whether such a plan would comply with Dutch law or if Uganda would agree to participate.

The idea was first introduced by the Dutch trade and development minister during a visit to Uganda on Wednesday. In response, Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Okello Oryem, expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t think Uganda would agree to that,” and highlighting that Uganda already hosts 1.6 million refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He questioned, “We don’t deport any refugees. Why do European countries deport refugees?”

This Dutch initiative aligns with a broader European trend to establish “return hubs” outside the EU for housing rejected asylum seekers before their return to their home countries. Reducing immigration and asylum applications is a top priority for Dutch voters and Schoof’s government, with around 50,000 individuals seeking asylum in the Netherlands in 2023.

“We need to explore collectively how to limit the flow of asylum seekers and encourage returns,” Schoof added. “It will be a process of trial and error, but it’s essential that we investigate our options.”

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