Amnesty International has raised alarm over plans by Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands to deport people to so-called “return hubs” in countries outside Europe, ahead of a 4 September meeting to discuss progress on the initiative, according to a press release by the organization. Eve Geddie, Director of the European Institutions Office of Amnesty International, warned that such facilities carry a risk of grave rights violations. Discussions are reportedly focused on Uganda and Rwanda, two countries with documented human rights records of concern. The centers would likely be funded by EU member states. Amnesty urged responsible governments to reject the plans outright.
Amnesty International has repeatedly warned that “return hubs” cannot be implemented in a human rights-compliant manner. The organization cites severe risks based on past attempts to outsource migration responsibilities. These include the Italy-Albania deal and similar offshoring efforts by other governments. The concerns arise despite ongoing conflict and political instability in the Great Lakes Region. Amnesty notes that such policies disproportionately harm racialized people.
Negotiations between the five EU member states are reported to be particularly advanced with Uganda and Rwanda. Reports indicate a planned center in Uganda that could become operational in 2027 and accommodate up to 10,000 people. The EU Return Regulation, yet to be formally adopted, will provide the legal basis for “return hubs” in EU law. It states that agreements may only be reached with countries where “international human rights standards and principles […] are respected.” Specific details of the arrangements have not yet been disclosed.
“By their very design, and wherever they may be located, ‘return hubs’ carry a risk of grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, and forced onward returns to countries of origin,” Geddie said.
She warned these locations could become “cruel black holes for human rights.” Geddie added that negotiations reflect “deep power asymmetries” and an attempt by the EU to shift migration responsibilities onto Global South countries. She also referenced chants of “send them back” heard in the European Parliament in June. Amnesty pledged to continue exposing the harms and illegalities of these policies.
Amnesty has long documented rights violations in Uganda, including repression, unlawful detention, deportations, and an anti-LGBTQ+ law carrying the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” The Rwandan government and military control and closely support the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has perpetrated abuses that may amount to war crimes. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court found Rwanda was not a safe third country for forcibly transferred asylum seekers. In September 2025, the European Parliament called on the European Commission to review assistance to Rwandan public institutions involved in arbitrary detentions, torture or unfair trials. Amnesty International vowed to resist the policies.