Amnesty International has raised serious human rights concerns over proposed EU migrant return hubs in Uganda and Rwanda.
Amnesty International has voiced strong opposition to plans by five European Union member states to establish migrant "return hubs" in Uganda and Rwanda. The organization warns these arrangements could lead to severe human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, and forced deportations. Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, stated that these centers risk becoming "cruel black holes" where European governments outsource detention and deportation responsibilities.
The criticism stems from concerns that Uganda and Rwanda, cited as potential locations, have poor human rights records amidst regional instability. Amnesty highlighted that such policies reflect unequal power dynamics and an attempt by European nations to shift migration burdens to Global South countries already hosting large refugee populations with fewer resources. The organization also pointed to the Italy-Albania arrangement as an example of disproportionate impacts on racialized migrants.
Amnesty International is particularly worried about a reported plan for a facility in Uganda that could become operational in 2027 and house up to 10,000 individuals. The organization cited Uganda's history of repression, unlawful detention, deportations, and its Anti-Homosexuality Act as reasons for concern. Amnesty intends to continue challenging the legality and human rights implications of transferring migration control responsibilities outside of Europe.
Why it mattersMigrants facing deportation from Europe are at risk of arbitrary detention, torture, and forced returns if EU plans for return hubs in Uganda proceed.
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