EU paves way for return hubs in migration clampdown

The EU on Tuesday opened the way for member states to set up migrant return centres outside the bloc, in a highly contentious move following pressure from governments to facilitate deportations.

With data showing less than 20 percent of people ordered to leave the EU currently do so, the European Commission unveiled a planned reform of the bloc's return system, including making it easier to lock up irregular migrants.

"We are creating the scope for member states to explore new solutions for return," Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for migration, told a press conference in Strasbourg.

A souring of public opinion on migration has fuelled hard-right electoral gains in several EU countries, upping pressure on governments to harden their stance.

Led by hawks including Sweden, Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands, EU leaders called in October for urgent new legislation to increase and speed up returns and for the commission to assess "innovative" ways to counter irregular migration.

Most controversial is the creation of "return hubs" outside the European Union where failed asylum seekers could be sent pending transfer home.

This is not possible at present as under EU rules migrants can be transferred only to their country of origin or a country they transited from, unless they agree otherwise.

The proposed regulation would allow EU countries to strike deals with other nations to set up such centres.

Agreements will be possible only with countries where human rights "are respected", and minors and families with children will be exempt, according to the text.

"We are creating the legal frame, we're not creating the content," Brunner said of the hubs.

Fraught with legal and ethical concerns, some experts say return hubs are an expensive and impractical idea that is unlikely to see large-scale uptake any time soon despite the commission's proposal. AFP