EU Migration Pact Could Send LGBTQ+ Refugees Back to Danger — 19 Countries Back Controversial Plan
The European Union is pushing forward with a new migration pact that could force LGBTQ+ refugees to return to countries where they face persecution, while 19 member states have signed on to a plan that would send migrants, including families with children, to third countries with poor human rights records [183424][184029].
On June 17, the European Parliament approved a new Return Regulation that allows for longer detention, forced removals, and the use of "return hubs" outside the EU [183424]. Two days later, 19 EU member states signed a letter supporting the idea of sending people to a third country if they cannot be deported directly to their home country [183424]. Five countries—Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands—have shown interest in creating a joint return hub, with possible locations including Rwanda, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mauritania, and Kazakhstan—all countries with serious human rights problems [183424].
Under the proposed rules, a "safe third country" list would be created [184029]. If a person from Russia, for example, passes through one of these listed countries, they could be denied refugee status and sent back [184029]. This process could force LGBTQ+ individuals to return to nations where they face persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity [184029].
Human Rights Watch warns that deporting people to third countries puts them at risk of arbitrary detention, abuse, and "chain refoulement"—being returned to a place where they face danger [183424]. Similar policies by the United States have already caused harm [183424]. Experts say none of the countries under consideration would pass a human rights review [183424].
Meanwhile, the EU is also holding talks with the Taliban about returning failed Afghan asylum-seekers, a move that rights groups have criticized as undermining the EU's human rights obligations [179612][180214]. The 27-nation bloc does not recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's legitimate government, but the European Commission invited officials from Kabul for discussions as the EU pushes to increase deportations [179612].
EU leaders who oppose the plan, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, should demand strong protections before any money is spent, according to Human Rights Watch [183424]. At a minimum, these should include a human rights review, individual assessments before transfers, clear rules on treatment, effective legal remedies, and independent monitoring [183424].