Migrant centers/ Kosovo government ready to discuss with the United Kingdom

The acting government of Kosovo has expressed its willingness to discuss with the United Kingdom the proposal to establish "return centers" in Kosovo for asylum seekers rejected by the British Isles.

This statement comes after reports that the United Kingdom is considering Kosovo as one of the possible countries for housing migrants who have completed the asylum appeal process in the United Kingdom.

Kosovo Government Spokesperson, Përparim Kryeziu, in a statement to Radio Free Europe, emphasized that "we want to help the United Kingdom, our friend, partner and ally, as well as its Labour government."

"We believe it is fair to say that we can start discussions on this topic, but all our state institutions must be involved and then the decision will depend on their recommendations. Many questions will need to be answered in advance," said Kryeziu.

The proposal to set up return centres is part of a wider UK strategy to address the growing number of migrants arriving on the English island through illegal routes.

According to reports from the British newspaper The Times, these centers would serve to house asylum seekers who have completed the appeal process and are awaiting deportation.

However, the international organization Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that using Balkan countries as host countries for migrants could violate their rights and create new challenges for host countries.

In a recent statement, HRW called on the EU and the UK to stop using the Balkans as a "warehouse for migrants."

Albania already hosts return centers for migrants returning from Italy, while the British government recently unveiled a six billion euro investment package in North Macedonia.

The EU itself took steps in March to allow member states to process migrant claims outside the borders of the 27-nation bloc.

Meanwhile, in a similar agreement that also sparked criticism, in 2022, Kosovo and Denmark agreed to lease 300 prison cells at the Correctional Institution in Gjilan to house foreign prisoners who are expected to be deported from Denmark after completing their sentences.

In return, Kosovo will benefit from over 200 million euros, which will be invested in the Correctional Service and renewable energy projects.

This agreement had sparked reactions from international organizations and civil society, which have expressed concerns about the possibility of human rights violations and the challenges that the management of foreign prisoners in Kosovo could bring.

The Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors (KRRT) has expressed concerns about the impact this agreement may have on the rights of prisoners in Kosovo.

Previously, Kosovo had also sheltered around 1,900 Afghan citizens, who were evacuated from Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

After two years of operation, the “Liya” camp at the US military base Bondsteel in Ferizaj was closed. According to the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs, most of the Afghans had already been transferred to host countries, while a small number still remain in Kosovo.

According to the agreement between Kosovo and the United States, Afghans would remain in Kosovo until they went through the vetting process to relocate to the US, or another Western country./REL