Refugee Centers/ Amnesty International: The Italy-Albania Model Could Become a Dangerous Precedent for the EU

The Italy-Albania agreement on immigration management has returned to the spotlight in the context of the new European debate on the creation of so-called "return hubs", centers outside the EU territory where people facing deportation can be transferred.

Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about this model, warning that such centers could pose a risk of serious human rights violations.

The statement comes on the eve of a September 4 meeting between Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, where progress on plans to create agreements for "return hubs" is expected to be discussed.

According to the organization, negotiations between these countries are particularly advanced with Uganda and Rwanda, while in Uganda it is reported that the creation of a center that could begin operating in 2027 and have a capacity for up to 10,000 people is being considered.

Amnesty International's Director of the European Institutions Office, Eve Geddie, warned that these structures could turn into places where the detention and deportation of migrants is carried out away from public attention and outside full human rights guarantees.

"Return centers" carry, according to her, the risk of arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment, and forced returns to countries of origin.

In its statement, Amnesty International also directly refers to the Italy-Albania agreement, placing it in the same debate over the efforts of European governments to outsource migration policies.

From the organization's point of view, the experience of the Italy-Albania agreement shows the risks that can accompany such a model, especially for people who are transferred outside the country where they have sought protection.

“We already know, from the Italy-Albania agreement and previous attempts by governments to transfer or off-site their migration policies, that ‘return centers’ will disproportionately harm racialized people,” Geddie declared.

Amnesty warns that "return hubs" can involve automatic and unlawful detention, further returns of people to places where their rights may be at risk, as well as restrictions on access to due process and remedies.

Uganda and Rwanda at the center of discussions

The organization's concerns relate particularly to the two countries being considered as possible destinations for these structures.

For Uganda, Amnesty International cites a history of political repression, unlawful detentions, and deportations, while also criticizing harsh legislation against LGBTQ+ people.

Rwanda also raises concerns about its human rights record. Amnesty refers to the role of the Rwandan government and army in dealing with the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been accused of serious abuses.

In 2023, the UK Supreme Court concluded that Rwanda was not a safe third country for the forcible transfer of asylum seekers, considering allegations of repression, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture.

Meanwhile, the EU Return Regulation, which has not yet been finally adopted, provides that agreements for "return hubs" should only be concluded with countries where international human rights standards and principles are respected.

Amnesty International is calling on European governments to reject these plans, arguing that responsibilities for migration and asylum should not be shifted to third countries.