Now Germany wants to use Britain's abandoned Rwanda facilities to deport THEIR migrants as Labour blasted as 'mad'
Migrants queue in a waiting area at the arrival centre for asylum seekers in Reinickendorf district, Berlin
Reuters
A senior German migration figure has proposed using British-funded facilities in Rwanda to deport migrants who arrive in the EU illegally.
The proposal comes as the German government pushes new measures to restrict illegal migration into the bloc amid the rise of the right-wing AfD party and a string of terrorist attacks by migrants.
Last month a mass stabbing linked to ISIS at a festival in Solingen led to sharp criticism of Berlin’s policies, with ministers rushing to demonstrate new measures to curb arrivals and speed up deportation.
Joachim Stamp, Germany's Special Representative for Migration Agreements, said that Brussels could adopt existing asylum facilities in Rwanda that Britain had set up for its own deportation agreement.
Neil O’Brien, the Tory MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said the Rwanda deportation plan would specifically address refugees crossing the EU's borders with Belarus
UK ParliamentThe British plan, established under the Conservative administration, was scrapped by Sir Keir Starmer’s new government on its first full day in power.
But in a podcast broadcast today, Mr Stamp said that the EU could use Rwanda’s facilities for its own deportation plan.
“We currently have no third country that has come forward, with the exception of Rwanda,” Mr Stamp said in a podcast by Table Media.
A senior Tory MP said that the mooted German plan was “no surprise” and that it was “mad” that the Labour government had abandoned the Rwanda deal.
Neil O’Brien, the Tory MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, said: “All over Europe governments are looking at ways to deal with asylum claims in third countries, with many having already struck deals.
“Without the option of safe third countries, European governments face an impossible choice between letting in all applicants from certain countries or deporting people to dangerous regimes.
“It is no surprise that all across Europe people are looking for partners, and it's mad that the UK has given up its only current option just as other countries race to strike deals of their own.”
Mr Stamp, a former member of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, said the Rwanda deportation plan would specifically address refugees crossing the EU's borders with Belarus.
“My suggestion would be that we concentrate on this group. It’s about 10,000 people a year,” he said, adding that the proposal should not be given to all people arriving in Germany and claiming asylum.
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Mr Stamp, a member of the FDP party which belongs to the ruling coalition, said Rwandan authorities had publicly expressed that they want to continue the arrangement abandoned by the new Labour administration.
The Germany-based analyst added: “Without a deterrent like that, Britain cannot regain control of its borders. We should admit it was a mistake and work with our European partners to create a safe and secure asylum system for all, including through offshore processing.
“Keir Starmer has abandoned a crucial deterrent. Small boat crossings will continue to soar while our European neighbours get tough.”
The Home Office was contacted for comment.