EU approves tougher migration rules, including offshore detention plans

The European Parliament on June 17 approved a major overhaul of migration policy designed to accelerate deportations and allow EU member states to establish detention facilities outside the bloc.

Critics, however, have condemned the plan as harsh and argue it weakens protections for asylum seekers, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

The decision reflects a broader shift toward tougher immigration policies across the European Union over the past decade, a trend that has also contributed to growing public support for far-right political parties.

The legislation still requires final approval from the 27 EU member governments, but it signals a significant tightening of migration rules since the 2015–2016 refugee and migrant influx of more than one million people.

“The Return Regulation will provide the necessary tools to make returns more efficient, with faster and more effective procedures,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a letter on Tuesday addressed to EU leaders ahead of a summit in Brussels.

EU governments argue they continue to face difficulties in ensuring that rejected asylum seekers and individuals who overstay visas leave their territory.

Critics, however, say EU migration policy has become increasingly focused on deterrence and deportation while neglecting underlying drivers of migration such as conflict, poverty, and political repression.

“The dehumanization of migrants and refugees, including in the UK, US, and many EU countries, is appalling, often leading also to the denial of their rights,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking at the UN Human Rights Council on June 15.

“The European Union's new rules on returning migrants risk expanding the use of detention, establishing offshore return hubs, and weakening safeguards against refoulement.”

Meanwhile, the European Commission last month invited Taliban representatives to Brussels for talks on deporting Afghan nationals, despite concerns from rights groups that such engagement could put Afghans at risk and conflict with EU principles.

The Commission and the Swedish government, which is co-hosting the visit, said the talks are technical in nature and do not imply recognition of Taliban rule.

The meeting, scheduled for June 22–23 according to a letter seen by Reuters and addressed to Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qaher Balkhi, is expected to focus on “the return and readmission of Afghan nationals without a right to stay in the European ​Union.”

A spokesperson for Belgium’s foreign ministry said Wednesday that five members of the Taliban delegation have applied for visas, but declined to confirm when the meeting will take place.

He added that security vetting will be conducted and that visa approval is still pending.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, however, has expressed opposition to the invitation, with his spokesperson saying, “He does not approve of the choice to invite representatives of the Taliban regime to Brussels. He would never accept that the Belgian government, in its own name, invite these individuals for discussions in Belgium.”

The Commission said last month that deportations would be limited to individuals “who pose a security risk.”

Neither the Commission nor Sweden’s migration minister has confirmed the exact date of the meeting.

Western countries have refused to recognize the Taliban since the group overthrew the U.S.- and NATO-backed government in Afghanistan in 2021 and returned to power.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov