The Council of Europe has formally warned Greece and four other EU countries that their plans to build migrant return ce...

The Council of Europe has formally warned Greece and four other EU countries that their plans to build migrant return centers outside the bloc must fully comply with international law and human rights standards. The warning came in letters sent by Human Rights Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty to Greece, Austria, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, according to Reuters. The letters follow last month's European Parliament approval of a migration reform that would allow EU member states to set up detention facilities in non-EU countries to accelerate deportations. Critics of the reform argue it weakens protections for asylum seekers, while governments backing it say the current system is overwhelmed and unsustainable. O'Flaherty outlined four key safeguards he says must be in place before any transfers begin. These include full human rights risk assessments before any migrant is moved, strict monitoring of how the plans are carried out, legally binding agreements with receiving countries, and oversight from parliaments, courts, and the public. The Dutch government has said it is working with Greece, Austria, Germany, and Denmark to create shared return and transit centers in third countries. Migrants who have had their asylum applications rejected, as well as those with no legal right to remain in the EU, would be transferred to these facilities. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten has described the situation as an "asylum crisis" and wants concrete steps in place by the end of the year. Nineteen EU member states signed a joint letter last month urging the bloc to move faster on third-country transfers, and asking the European Commission to provide financial support for the initiative. The Council of Europe, a 46-nation body separate from the EU, says these centers carry significant risks including mistreatment and arbitrary detention. #Greece #Immigration #EuropeanUnion