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Jens Spahn wants to take refugees to Rwanda or Ghana as a deterrent - but it's not quite that simple

Jens Spahn wants to take refugees to Rwanda or Ghana as a deterrent - but it's not quite that simple

Jens Spahn wants to take refugees to Rwanda or Ghana as a deterrent - but it's not quite that simple
Jens Spahn wants to take refugees to Rwanda or Ghana as a deterrent - but it's not quite that simple

CDU's Vice-Chairman Jens Spahn suggests shifting irregular EU refugees to safe third countries within 48 hours for asylum processing, akin to the Geneva Convention. Rwanda and Ghana are possible partners, but legal concerns, high costs, and mutual benefits are considerable hurdles.

Wordsmithing Spahn's proposal, Rwanda and Ghana could potentially serve as destinations for transporting irregular EU refugees, backed by the Geneva Convention stance. However, numerous legal concerns, finance-draining expenses, and importance of negotiating mutually advantageous agreements pose severe challenges for successful implementation.

Although Jens Spahn's proposition aligns with the Geneva Convention, the concept of a safe third country lacks explicit clarification in the treaty. The Asylum Procedures Directive and Reception Conditions Directive also need to be considered within the EU’s asylum landscape. As the principle of non-refoulement safeguards against sending individuals to persecutory or dangerous territories, concocting a plan that ensures asylum seekers’ security becomes paramount.

Choosing an appropriate partner country redirects attention to the practical aspects of the project. Countries like Rwanda, Ghana, and Eastern European alternatives (Georgia and Moldova) may be interested. Nonetheless, securing agreements milestones include avoiding legal issues, accounting for high costs, and appealing to the host nation's interests. Instead of a singular winning formula involving "mass monetary incentives," Gerald Knaus, a migration researcher, advocates for a more nuanced compromise.

Recommended Reading: Unpacking the annual German migration policy debates — could asylum procedures reside elsewhere in the EU? Exploring the Rwanda model: purpose, mechanics, and implications.


In the limelight: The upcoming EU summit will decide on Ukraine's accession negotiations — another prolonged plight. Stakeholders like Georgia and Moldova are among Italy's migration centers congested with applicants for years.

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Based on the CDU's migration strategy, Jens Spahn suggests shipping irregular EU refugees to Rwanda for asylum processing within two days. Although Rwanda and Ghana show interest, striking partnerships will be difficult due to legal complications, high expenses, and the need for mutually beneficial agreements, serving as a challenge.

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