UK to Ask Kosovo to Take Failed Asylum Seekers from "Return Hubs"

Strategic Insights -

The UK is considering a new plan to open "return hubs" in overseas countries for migrants who have exhausted their right to appeal for sanctuary in the UK. Kosovo, along with North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, are among the countries on the UK's shortlist for potential locations for these hubs. The return hubs would house asylum seekers before deporting them back to their home countries. Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, has expressed openness to discussing the proposal, while the prime minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, has stated that his country has not yet been formally approached by the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK is planning to open "return hubs" in overseas countries for migrants who have exhausted their right to appeal for sanctuary in the UK.
  • Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina are among the countries on the UK's shortlist for potential locations for these hubs.
  • The return hubs would house asylum seekers before deporting them back to their home countries.
  • Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, has expressed openness to discussing the proposal.
  • The prime minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, has stated that his country has not yet been formally approached by the UK for the scheme.
  • Almost 22,000 people were recorded using the Western Balkans to travel irregularly into Europe last year, according to the Foreign Office.
  • Foreign secretary David Lammy has described parts of the Western Balkans as a "major transit route for irregular migration and serious organised crime".
  • Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that "return hubs" could be a useful tool in addressing irregular migration, but acknowledges that they are not a "silver bullet" solution.

Statistics:

  • 22,000 people - the number of individuals recorded using the Western Balkans to travel irregularly into Europe last year, according to the Foreign Office.
  • The Western Balkans - a major transit route for irregular migration and serious organised crime, according to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
  • Kosovo - has expressed openness to discussing the proposal to host failed asylum seekers from the UK's "return hubs".
  • North Macedonia - has not yet been formally approached by the UK for the scheme.
  • Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina - also listed as potential locations for the "return hubs" by the UK.

Sources:

  • The Times
  • Foreign Office
  • Government of Kosovo
  • Government of North Macedonia
  • Government of Serbia
  • Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina
  • European Political Community Summit