In Vienna, interior ministers are discussing Europe's migration policy, and a deal with Rwanda is on the horizon. Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece want to deport rejected asylum seekers of various origins there. Amnesty warns of “black holes” for human rights.

Next Monday the Austrian capital Vienna will be the venue“Vienna Migration Conference”(German: Vienna Migration Conference). High-ranking domestic politicians from numerous European countries meet to plan pan-European migration policy. In practice, the question is: What combination of pressure and violence can be used to keep unwanted migrants out of Europe? Accordingly, specialists in the persecution of migrants have their say. This is the case with the Dutchman, for exampleHans Leijtensthe executive director of the “border protection agency” Frontex represented at a panel discussion. Frontex is known for regularly harassing or even drowning migrants at the EU's external borders. The German Federal Minister of the Interior,Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), will also be present on stage at an event.

“Migration summit” in Munich: Dobrindt plans return hubs and further upgrades of Frontex

Far-reaching decisions could also be announced at the event. According to indications, an alliance of Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece could be oneAgreement with Rwandaannounce the establishment of “Return Hubs”. Rejected asylum seekers are to be accommodated in the centers,whose countries of origin refuse readmission. This does not have to be the country of origin and those affected do not have to have any previous connection to the receiving third country.

The ministers involved emphasize that these are open systems. Denmark's Migration Minister Morten Bødskov said,no one talks about prisons. Amnesty International warns against the centersthreatened to become “black holes” for human rights. Vincent Biruta, Rwandan Interior Minister,will also be in Vienna at the conference, which speaks for a potential agreement with the Central African state.

British model, EU law as a hurdle

The idea of ​​building these deportation prisons in Rwanda is not original. The United Kingdom already concluded a similar agreement with Rwanda in 2022. However, the UK's highest court ruled in November 2023 that Rwanda was not“safe third country”be. The subsequent attempt at improvement also failed in July 2024the project was stopped. Now the five states mentioned want the British “return hubs” that have already been set upuse for yourself.

Great Britain weakens asylum law: Asylum procedures should take place in Rwanda in the future

EU law could possibly place limits on the plan. Accordingly, cooperation may only be agreed with third countries that:Observe human rights and the non-refoulement principle. Dobrindt announced in September thatto reach an agreement with third countries this year.

Rwanda after the genocide

The story of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 still shapes the country today. There are two ethnic groups in the country, the Hutus and the Tutsi. First under German and then Belgian colonial rule, the political division between the two groups was driven forward. After independence was achieved, the conflict remained. In 1990, a civil war broke out between the Tutsi organization Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the Hutu-dominated government in the capital Kigali. The final trigger for the genocide was the shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana's plane on April 6, 1994. He and the President of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, who was also present, died. In response, radical Hutu militias and the military began systematic mass murders of Tutsis and moderate Hutus.An estimated 800,000 peoplewere murdered. The genocide ended with the RPF's victory in the civil war and the formation of a new government.

The RPF has been in power since the end of the civil war; its current leader, Paul Kagame, became President of Rwanda in 2000. The country experienced an economic boom under his government and efforts were made to reconcile Hutus and Tutsis. However, human rights organizations accuse the government of suppressing the opposition. Amnesty International documentedTorture and enforced disappearances. According to the electoral commission, Kagame emerged in the 2024 electionmore than 99 percent. Human Rights Watch sees ita sign of the severely restricted political space. In additionUN experts accuse Rwandato militarily control the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo. Kigali denies this.

The postDeportation center in Rwanda: EU states plan “return hubs”appeared firstperspective.