THE HAGUE — The Dutch government says it has signed a Letter of Intent with Uganda to create a transit centre for certain African migrants slated for deportation, where they would be temporarily housed before returning to their home countries.
According to Thursday’s statement, the plan would apply only to people from neighbouring countries who are unable to return directly or voluntarily within a reasonable time. The Letter of Intent will be refined into a small-scale pilot hub handling a limited number of people; no timeline was announced.
Officials said the Netherlands would ensure human rights safeguards and coordinate with the European Union and international agencies, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Key details such as legal basis, procedures, and oversight—remain unclear. The government acknowledged questions around the plan’s compatibility with Dutch and international law. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the proposal, warning of potential violations of non-refoulement obligations and due-process standards.
Uganda, a long-time host of refugees in East Africa, has not publicly detailed operational arrangements for the site. The Dutch government framed the pilot as part of broader efforts to manage returns when direct repatriation is not feasible.
Next steps include negotiating implementation protocols, defining eligibility criteria, and establishing monitoring mechanisms to track conditions and prevent wrongful removals. The government said further information will follow as the pilot design is finalized.
