Netherlands to deport failed asylum seekers to Uganda

The Dutch government is pushing ahead with its plan to deport failed asylum seekers to Uganda, despite concerns over European laws and conventions, officials said on Thursday.

The controversial initiative, spearheaded by Foreign Trade and Development Aid Minister Reinette Klever and Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, targets asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal options and cannot remain in the Netherlands, local media reported.

If they refuse or are unable to return to their country of origin, they will be sent to Uganda until their final departure. Both ministers defended the plan as “innovative” and said it would comply with existing regulations, including the European Convention on Human Rights.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry said that the goal is to prevent rejected asylum seekers from disappearing from official oversight. “Without an effective return policy, some of the rejected asylum seekers choose to stay illegally,” it pointed out.

The measure is also intended to deter asylum seekers from safe countries from applying in the Netherlands.

Klever first mentioned the plan during a visit to Uganda in October. However, Uganda’s foreign ministry at the time denied knowledge of such an agreement, stating that discussions had focused on supporting Uganda’s existing asylum programmes.

The Dutch minister has since insisted that discussions with Uganda are ongoing. “In recent months, the special envoy for migration has travelled to Uganda to discuss the idea. These discussions are confidential.”

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