Offshore Asylum Processing in Clash with International and EU Law

Debate around possible offshore asylum processing by European countries has resurfaced recently, in the wake of Denmark's newly passed legislation, allowing for the relocation of asylum seekers to third countries while their applications are being processed. The European Union appears to often look to Australia as a country that has successfully managed to seal its – maritime – borders and control migration, notably through the establishment of offshore asylum processing and detention centres. The recent legislative adoption by Denmark raises concerns and expectations that other countries might follow suit.

In a PRIO Policy Brief just out, Ayse Bala Akal and Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert show why seeking to emulate the Australian model is not a good idea, and how it would breach a number of fundamental human rights principles upon which the EU is built.

The Policy Brief can be read and downloaded here.