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Germany’s migration commissioner proposes Rwanda migrant scheme

By Wycliffe Nyamasege
On 5 September 2024 at 11:55

Germany’s migration commissioner has proposed the transfer of migrants entering the European Union illegally to Rwanda for processing and resettlement, as part of a broader strategy to address the EU’s migration challenges.

Joachim Stamp, Germany’s Special Representative for Migration Agreements, has recommended the use of existing asylum facilities in Rwanda, which were originally intended for a similar migration plan by the United Kingdom. The UK-Rwanda migration scheme was scrapped by Keir Starmer’s new government in July.

Speaking in a podcast aired by Table Media published on Thursday, August 5, 2024, Stamp noted that Rwanda was willing to implement the model as part of its efforts to find solutions to the global migration crisis.

"We currently have no third country that has come forward, with the exception of Rwanda," Stamp said.
According to his proposal, asylum processes in Rwanda would take place under the oversight of the United Nations.

Joachim Stamp is Germany's Special Representative for Migration Agreements

Stamp, a member of the junior coalition FDP party who holds a position within Germany’s Interior Ministry, stated that the proposed model would target refugees crossing the EU’s eastern borders, rather than all refugees, as suggested by the conservative opposition. "My suggestion would be that we concentrate on this group. It’s about 10,000 people a year," he said.

Stamp also proposed eliminating the "connecting element" in the new Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which presently mandates that external asylum processes be carried out in countries where the asylum seeker has existing social ties.

In December last year, the European Union reached an agreement on updated regulations to manage irregular migrant and asylum seeker arrivals, marking a significant breakthrough after nearly a decade of disputes. The full implementation of this pact may not occur until the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, Stamp’s proposal comes in the wake of rising pressure on Germany’s ruling coalition government to restrict irregular migration following a fatal stabbing linked to Islamic State at a city festival last month. The incident fueled far-right opposition and criticism of Berlin’s migration policies.

Seasoned German parliamentarian Alexander Throm also urged his government in July to adopt the Rwanda migration scheme that was terminated by the UK.
The spokesperson for Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU faction said the government should build on the preparatory work done by the UK to advance their own plans for the agreement.

He noted that since Rwanda was willing to collaborate with European countries on migration issues, the end of the UK deal meant more ’capacity’ for Germany.
“We should stick to the plan and make use of the groundwork our British partners laid for it,” the member of the German Parliament for Heilbronn told local media.

In the UK, the migration scheme was meant to deter illegal migrants from arriving using small boats across the English Channel by moving the migrants to Rwanda. However, the Labour Party differed with the Conservatives over the effectiveness and cost of the plan.
Despite the cancellation of the UK-Rwanda plan, the Rwandan government has reiterated its willingness to collaborate with other nations to tackle migration challenges.

“We remain committed to finding solutions to the global migration crisis, including providing safety, dignity, and opportunity to refugees and migrants who come to our country," the Office of the Government Spokesperson said in July.

Germany's migration commissioner has proposed the removal of migrants arriving illegally in the European Union to Rwanda for processing, as part of efforts to address the bloc’s migration challenges.

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