Netherlands nears deal with Uganda for deportation centers to hold asylum seekers
The caretaker Dutch government is close to a deal with Uganda to open deportation centers in the African country for asylum seekers whose applications were rejected, sources told RTL Nieuws. Asylum Minister David van Weel (VVD) hopes to reach an agreement with his Ugandan counterpart during the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, the sources said.
The Ministry itself confirmed to the broadcaster that the talks were well advanced, but declined to comment on whether an agreement would be reached this week or when the two Ministers would meet. “We are not getting ahead of this, but Minister Van Weel is optimistic,” a Ministry spokesperson said.
The announcement of these plans caused some embarrassment for the now twice-collapsed Schoof I Cabinet. The then-Minister for Foreign Trade Reinette Klever (PVV) announced that the Nehterlands would open return hubs in Uganda during a trade visit to the country. The plans came as a surprise to Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Uganda also didn’t know about them.
In practice, it is often difficult to deport asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal remedies to their country of origin, either because they won’t cooperate or the country won’t take them back. The idea is that the hub in Uganda would serve as a first step towards returning asylum seekers to African countries. The European Union is actively considering this approach, but the Netherlands is the first EU country to attempt concrete agreements.
The Netherlands has to adhere to international treaties, including guaranteeing human rights and ensuring that the shelters meet quality standards. There also needs to be something in return for Uganda. The Netherlands will have to make a financial contribution to the costs of the shelter there at least.
