The United Nations on Saturday deeply regretted the European Union's (EU) new legislation on the "return" of rejected migrants, stressing that European countries cannot transfer their obligations to third countries
"EU countries cannot simply pass their human rights obligations on to third countries," said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, in a statement.
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a regulation on the return of rejected asylum seekers, a reform that includes the possibility for member states to conclude agreements to establish detention centers – so-called "return centers" – outside the EU's borders.
"The detention and return to third countries of vulnerable people, including children, is a particularly delicate exercise of state power and carries high risks of human rights violations," Türk added.
The High Commissioner stressed that, within this context, there must be "special attention to the protection of human rights and dignity - in practice and in law".
Today in the European Union, only about 20% of deportation orders for undocumented migrants actually result in their return to their country of origin, a statistic strongly criticized by those who advocate for a stricter immigration policy.
Under pressure to tighten regulations, the European Commission presented a proposal a year ago aimed at increasing the number of deportations, which was criticized by left-wing politicians and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that defend human rights.
"International law on human rights and refugees is very clear: no one should be returned to a place where they risk suffering serious human rights violations," Turk emphasized.
"This is the fundamental principle of non-rejection. It must be fully respected by all countries and territories, in all circumstances," he added.
According to the official, "deportation orders should always be based on individual cases and should not take effect before the conclusion of appeal procedures."
The High Commissioner highlighted the need for an approach to the issue "that takes into account the contribution of migrants to European societies and economies."