Denmark aims to send rejected migrants to ‘return hubs’ by 2027

epa05126733 (FILE) A file photo dated 23 November 2015 showing a general view of the refugee tent camp in Thisted, northern Jutland, Denmark. The camp contains small appartment areas in the gym, bunkbeds and tents. Danish lawmakers were 26 January 2016 set to vote on measures to tighten asylum laws, including a controversial plan to seize assets from asylum seekers to pay for their stay, despite criticism from human rights groups. The bill was expected to pass as the right-leaning Liberals' minority government has secured backing from others, including the main opposition Social Democrats and the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party. The move would allow for asylum seekers' belongings to be searched and for cash or valuables exceeding 10,000 kroner (1,450 dollars) to be seized. The cash and proceeds from the sale of the valuables - such as watches and mobile phones - would be used to pay for the asylum seekers' stay in Denmark. EPA/HENNING BAGGER DENMARK OUT

A file photo shows a refugee tent camp in Thisted, northern Jutland, Denmark. Rejected asylum seekers will soon be sent to return hubs in third countries. (EPA Images pic)

COPENHAGEN: Denmark said Friday it was ready to send rejected asylum seekers to ‘return hubs’ as of 2027, as it hosted talks with four EU countries on the creation of migrant detention centres outside Europe.

“On the Danish side, we expect to be ready to send the first foreigners to a partner country by the end of next year,” Danish Migrations Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement.

He was meeting with his German, Dutch, Austrian and Greek counterparts on Friday in Copenhagen on the creation of deportation centres outside the European Union.

“This is an important step towards a more efficient asylum and migration system,” Bodskov said.

“We do not accept that foreigners staying illegally in Denmark should be rewarded because of our difficulties in returning them.”

In June, the European Parliament approved tougher migration rules granting authorities much broader detention powers, and allowing for the creation of ‘return hubs’.

The idea has been severely criticised by human rights groups.

The partner country or countries have not been disclosed, but Uganda and Rwanda in particular are seen as possibilities.

Britain abandoned a scheme to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda, while Italian-run facilities to process migrants in Albania have faced legal challenges and a slow uptake.