Austria plans to sign an agreement with Uzbekistan next month designed to facilitate deportations, including transit routes through the Central Asian nation to Afghanistan, according to the interior ministry. This move reflects a broader trend among European Union nations exploring potential partner countries outside the bloc to establish “return hubs” for individuals deemed failed asylum-seekers, aiming to manage migration flows. While EU lawmakers finalize details, several member states, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, announced coordination efforts in March.
Specifically, Austria’s interior and foreign ministers are scheduled to visit Uzbekistan on May 7th to formalize the deportation agreement. A government statement indicated that the accord is considered important for the transit of people facing deportation back to their home countries, with a specific mention of Afghanistan. Since 2021, Austria has undertaken several deportations of Afghans, marking a first for the nation since the Taliban regained control.
The country has also deported Syrian nationals to Syria. These planned deportations have drawn scrutiny. Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, expressed deep concern regarding potential EU talks with Taliban officials on returning Afghans, warning that such returns risk violating the principle of non-refoulement.
This principle stipulates that migrants should not be returned to a country where they face persecution or harm. The EU continues to develop plans to return those without legal right to remain in the bloc to Afghanistan, despite ongoing concerns from human rights organizations and the UN refugee agency.
Topics: #austria #uzbekistan #deportations
Concerns remain about the humanitarian implications of agreements facilitating deportations through third countries.
What specific mechanisms will the agreement establish for deporting individuals through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan?