Austria has decided to pursue a new migration policy involving a deal with Uzbekistan aimed at deporting rejected asylum seekers back to Afghanistan through Uzbek territory. The agreement is expected to be finalized on May 7 in Tashkent, with Austria’s foreign and interior ministers scheduled to visit Uzbekistan for the signing process.
The move comes as several European Union member states, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, are considering the establishment of external processing centers for irregular migrants outside the bloc. According to a spokesperson for Austria’s Interior Ministry, the agreement is considered crucial for facilitating the transfer of individuals who are being returned to their countries of origin.
Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Austria has already carried out limited deportations of Afghan nationals, with similar removals of Syrian citizens also reported in recent months.
Concerns raised over forced returns and human rights risks
The plan has triggered concern among international observers. Richard Bennett has warned that the policy could violate the principle of non-refoulement, arguing that the human rights situation in Afghanistan remains highly unstable and dangerous for returnees.
Human rights organizations have also criticized the development, stating that forced deportations could expose Afghan asylum seekers to serious risks upon return. Critics further argue that such an agreement could set a precedent for other countries in the region and beyond to adopt similar externalized migration policies.
