Two European Parliament lawmakers said Rwandan officials had expressed openness to potentially hosting facilities for migrants transferred from EU countries during their recent visit to Kigali, although discussions are still at an early stage and no agreement has been reached.
Rwanda was among countries being considered by a group of European Union states for planned migrant return hubs, as preliminary discussions on the proposal had already taken place with some member countries.
Strik represents the Greens/EFA group, while Strolenberg is affiliated with Volt.
Rwandan officials had not publicly commented on the reported discussions at the time Reuters published its report.
The proposal is being advanced by Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands, a group of five European countries seeking arrangements with a non-EU state to host facilities for migrants who have no legal right to remain in the bloc.
The five countries have agreed on steps towards establishing the return hubs as part of efforts to increase the return of migrants who are required to leave EU territory.
They have not publicly identified which country could eventually host the facilities, although an EU official told Reuters that Rwanda was among the countries under consideration.
During their visit to Rwanda, Strik and Strolenberg were shown two facilities that had previously been prepared for the abandoned UK-Rwanda migration scheme.
The facilities could potentially be used to accommodate migrants transferred from European countries if an agreement is eventually reached. One of the sites shown to the lawmakers was a hotel.
The five European countries were expected to continue discussions on the proposal on the sidelines of a meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers.
Their plans have drawn criticism from rights organisations and some lawmakers, who have raised concerns about safeguards for migrants and asylum seekers. Supporters of return hubs argue that the model could increase returns and discourage irregular migration.
Strik criticised the proposal, describing the deportation plans by the five countries as “unrealistic, inhumane and costly.”
Strolenberg also raised concerns about placing additional pressure on Rwanda and Uganda, which already host large refugee populations.
Rwanda has previously been involved in migration arrangements with Western governments. It reached an agreement with the United States for the transfer of up to 250 migrants and had earlier entered an asylum partnership with the United Kingdom, which was later abandoned.
The latest discussions with European countries have not yet resulted in an agreement, with Rwanda remaining one of the potential locations being considered for the planned return hubs.
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