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Denmark Sets Timetable to Send Rejected Asylum Seekers to Third‑Country Return Centres

Copenhagen’s timetable ushers EU plans into practical steps, testing legal safeguards, drawing human‑rights objections.

Overview

  • Denmark has published a timeline saying it aims to begin moving rejected asylum seekers to centres outside Europe from next year and to be ready to transfer the first migrants to a partner country by the end of 2027.
  • Danish ministers discussed implementation with counterparts from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece in Copenhagen as part of an effort to coordinate returns across several EU states.
  • Governments involved have held exploratory talks with potential African hosts, with meetings reported in Rwanda and Uganda named as a possible partner.
  • An EU return regulation agreed by European Parliament and member-state negotiators in June provides legal and procedural backing that governments say will speed removals.
  • Human-rights organisations warn the plan raises legal, safety and child‑protection concerns and key details on contracts, funding and safeguards remain unresolved, leaving possible legal and diplomatic challenges ahead.