(Update: The last paragraph has been added as an explanation regarding the fate of deported refugees)
The Danish and Rwandan governments announced in a joint statement on Friday that they would move forward with the refugee agreement, during an official visit to Rwanda by Minister for Immigration and Integration Kaar Dybvad Beek and Minister for Development Cooperation Flemming Møller. Although the number of asylum seekers that Rwanda can receive has not yet been agreed upon, the Danish government hopes to be able to send 1,000 asylum seekers to Rwanda, the Central African country, before the end of next year.
Danish Minister Kaar Dybvad Beik stated: “We have not yet clarified the size of the number. But Rwanda has a great capacity to house people in some reasonable facilities, where there is medical care and where they can learn basic skills.”.
Exemption for Ukrainian refugees
The minister added: “We have nearly 1,000 random asylum seekers, excluding Ukrainians, this year, so this is roughly in line with our ambition… I think we can reach an agreement before the new year. I think we can deport people before the election period ends.”.
Denmark hopes to reach a quick agreement that will last
For several years, the Social Democrats (the current ruling party) have expressed their desire to establish a reception center for asylum seekers in a third country, and this was practically reflected in the cooperation agreement concluded in May 2021, in which Rwanda also expressed its desire to accept asylum seekers from Denmark.
Potential problems with the European Union
The European Commission is expected to investigate whether Denmark's implementation of the Dublin Regulation could constitute a breach of the Dublin Agreement, which stipulates that asylum seekers must apply for asylum in the country where their fingerprints were first taken. Minister for Immigration and Integration, Kaar Dybvad Beik, commented on this point, saying: “A thorough legal assessment of the relationship with the Dublin Regulation has been carried out, and it is clear that we are on solid ground. There are a number of issues we are negotiating with Rwanda. Of course, there are questions about respect for human rights and that people are treated properly. The Rwandan government agrees with this.”.
The fate of asylum seekers deported to Rwanda
It is worth noting that under the agreement, asylum seekers whose applications are accepted will be granted the right to reside in Rwanda. This means that if asylum seekers are deported from Denmark to have their applications processed in Rwanda, and if the asylum application is approved, they will not be brought to reside in Denmark, but will be granted residency in Rwanda.
