The comments came days after European Union member states approved new migration rules that permit the establishment of so-called “return hubs” outside the bloc, where rejected asylum seekers and migrants could be transferred after being denied permission to remain in EU territory.

Turk said the measures must be implemented in full compliance with international human rights and refugee law, stressing that EU governments cannot transfer their legal obligations to third countries.

“EU states cannot simply outsource their human rights obligations to third states in this context,” Turk said in a statement.

The new framework reflects a broader shift across Europe toward stricter migration controls, as governments face sustained political pressure from anti-immigration and far-right parties that have gained support in several countries in recent years.

European policymakers have increasingly focused on improving deportation and repatriation procedures after years of criticism that existing systems were ineffective. According to EU figures cited by officials, fewer than 30 percent of individuals ordered to leave the bloc are ultimately returned to their countries of origin.

Turk cautioned that returning migrants to countries where they could face persecution, abuse or other serious harm would violate the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee and human rights law.

“International human rights law and refugee law are very clear — no-one should be returned to a place where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations or other irreparable harm,” he said.

The UN rights chief expressed particular concern about the detention and transfer of vulnerable groups, including children, describing such actions as highly sensitive exercises of state authority that carry significant risks of rights violations.

Under the new rules, migrants subject to deportation orders must cooperate with authorities and leave EU territory. Those deemed security threats, considered likely to abscond, or who refuse to comply may be detained for up to two years.

Turk called for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure respect for due process, family unity and the best interests of children. He said deportation decisions should be based on individual assessments and should not be executed before legal appeals have been completed.

He also urged European governments to avoid linking migration to security concerns in public debate and called for a more balanced approach that recognizes migrants’ contributions to European economies and societies.

The migration package marks one of the most significant changes to the EU’s return system in recent years and is expected to remain a subject of debate among human rights organizations, national governments and EU institutions as implementation begins.

The comments came days after European Union member states approved new migration rules that permit the establishment of so-called “return hubs” outside the bloc, where rejected asylum seekers and migrants could be transferred after being denied permission to remain in EU territory.

Turk said the measures must be implemented in full compliance with international human rights and refugee law, stressing that EU governments cannot transfer their legal obligations to third countries.

“EU states cannot simply outsource their human rights obligations to third states in this context,” Turk said in a statement.

The new framework reflects a broader shift across Europe toward stricter migration controls, as governments face sustained political pressure from anti-immigration and far-right parties that have gained support in several countries in recent years.

European policymakers have increasingly focused on improving deportation and repatriation procedures after years of criticism that existing systems were ineffective. According to EU figures cited by officials, fewer than 30 percent of individuals ordered to leave the bloc are ultimately returned to their countries of origin.

Turk cautioned that returning migrants to countries where they could face persecution, abuse or other serious harm would violate the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee and human rights law.

“International human rights law and refugee law are very clear — no-one should be returned to a place where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations or other irreparable harm,” he said.

The UN rights chief expressed particular concern about the detention and transfer of vulnerable groups, including children, describing such actions as highly sensitive exercises of state authority that carry significant risks of rights violations.

Under the new rules, migrants subject to deportation orders must cooperate with authorities and leave EU territory. Those deemed security threats, considered likely to abscond, or who refuse to comply may be detained for up to two years.

Turk called for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure respect for due process, family unity and the best interests of children. He said deportation decisions should be based on individual assessments and should not be executed before legal appeals have been completed.

He also urged European governments to avoid linking migration to security concerns in public debate and called for a more balanced approach that recognizes migrants’ contributions to European economies and societies.

The migration package marks one of the most significant changes to the EU’s return system in recent years and is expected to remain a subject of debate among human rights organizations, national governments and EU institutions as implementation begins.

The flight carried around two dozen migrants to Bangui, according to lawyers involved in the cases. The migrants included nationals from Iran, Jordan, Armenia, Türkiye, Georgia and Afghanistan.

The deportations are part of a series of agreements under which the US administration has sent migrants to countries other than their own. Immigration lawyers and rights advocates have criticized the practice, arguing that it can result in asylum seekers being indirectly returned to places where they fear persecution.

Ali Rahnama, interim executive director of the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, said several Iranian migrants had previously received protection from deportation to Iran after judges found they had credible fears of persecution based on political or religious grounds.

Three Iranian women were initially scheduled to be deported to the Central African Republic, but two received temporary court orders preventing their removal while judges reviewed the legality of the government’s actions, according to their lawyers.

“Despite being granted withholding of removal, these individuals are being removed from the United States and abandoned in a country where they have no status, no connection and no support network,” said Emily Trostle, an attorney representing two of the women.

The US Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on specific cases, while US Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries, has faced years of conflict involving government forces and armed groups. The country has also maintained close security ties with Russia, including through the former Wagner mercenary group.

The International Organization for Migration said it would provide humanitarian assistance after arrival at the request of Central African authorities.

The United States earlier awarded $85 million to the IOM for operations in the Central African Republic, including support for migrants and community stabilization efforts.

Speaking in Tenerife, one of the islands that has become a major route for irregular migration to Europe, the pope described integration as a “reciprocal journey” and called on migrants to learn local languages, respect laws, understand customs and participate in community life.

The pope also warned of what he called a “silent shipwreck” after migrants reach their destinations, saying some are left without support, social connections, work or security and become vulnerable to exploitation.

The visit marked the final day of a weeklong trip to Spain focused on migration issues. The leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics called for greater assistance for migrants and stronger action against human trafficking networks.

He urged those involved in trafficking people to “stop and repent,” drawing applause from the audience.

Tenerife and other Canary Islands have become a gateway for thousands of migrants attempting to reach Europe from Africa. The route across the Atlantic has been among the world’s most dangerous migration paths.

Earlier in the visit, Leo condemned indifference toward migrants and honored those who died attempting the journey by casting a wreath into the sea at the port of Arguineguin.

“Human dignity has no passport,” he said while blessing a wooden cross made from material taken from a migrant boat.

The International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 1,200 people died or went missing while traveling from Africa to the Canary Islands last year.

The pope said the deaths should prompt governments in countries of origin and transit to address the conditions that push people to flee poverty and conflict, while also confronting trafficking groups.

Leo is scheduled to travel to Rome after the visit and is expected to speak with reporters during the journey. He is also set to visit Italy’s Lampedusa island on July 4, another major arrival point for migrants entering Europe.

The visits will take the pontiff to two major gateways for African migrants seeking entry into Europe. Although migrant arrivals have fallen this year, particularly in the Canary Islands, immigration and integration remain contentious issues across Europe’s traditionally Catholic societies.

Church leaders and migrant advocates hope the trips will shift attention toward humanitarian concerns and the challenges faced by migrants rather than political disputes.

The pope is expected to meet migrants and pay tribute to those who died attempting dangerous sea crossings. His visit follows the migration-focused legacy of Pope Francis, who made Lampedusa the destination of his first pastoral trip outside Rome in 2013.

Catholic organizations in Spain and Italy continue to provide assistance to migrants arriving through Atlantic and Mediterranean routes, while debates over migration policy increasingly divide political parties and public opinion.

The visits come as European governments balance border control measures with growing calls from religious and humanitarian groups for a more compassionate approach toward migrants and asylum seekers.

The debate over how governments should integrate asylum seekers and refugees often centers on questions of employment, skills and economic contribution.

For one refugee who arrived in Britain before the Second World War, the trajectory from newcomer to wartime intelligence operative offers a striking example of how opportunity and inclusion can produce unexpected results.His son argues that Britain should consider allowing asylum seekers to enter sectors facing acute labour shortages, including construction.

The proposal comes as the government plans to invest £600 million to train up to 60,000 workers in trades such as engineering, bricklaying, electrical work and carpentry.The suggestion is informed by family history. The author’s father arrived in Britain in 1939 and was trained as a builder’s apprentice as a condition of receiving a visa.

He worked on housing construction projects near Cambridge, where at least one house he helped build remains standing today.His construction career, however, was short-lived. The outbreak of war brought much residential building activity to a halt. He subsequently found work as a cleaner in Cambridge colleges before becoming a gardener at a school in the East Midlands.

During the war, British authorities classified many refugees and foreign nationals from enemy countries as “enemy aliens,” despite the fact that many had fled persecution by the Nazi regime. The author’s father was among those caught up in those policies and was later located by police and interned.

His circumstances changed dramatically after his release. He joined the British Army and spent three years serving as a cellist in an army orchestra. While he reportedly did not view musical service as the most effective contribution he could make to the war effort, it marked the beginning of a transition from suspected security risk to trusted serviceman.

That transition eventually led to recruitment into a highly secretive military intelligence operation. Working as part of a specialist unit, he monitored conversations between German prisoners of war who were unaware they were being recorded and observed.

Intelligence gathered from those conversations provided information considered valuable to Britain’s wartime efforts.The contrast was notable. A man who had once been regarded by authorities as a potential threat to national security was later entrusted with responsibilities within a sensitive intelligence programme.

According to historian Helen Fry, who has written extensively about the operation, the programme represented “the biggest bugging operation ever mounted against the enemy in British history.” Information collected by personnel involved in the effort contributed to British military intelligence during the conflict.

For decades, much of the work remained classified. When details of the operation were eventually made public roughly two decades later, surviving participants became the subject of renewed public interest.The author’s father emerged as one of the last surviving members of the group and became a frequent interviewee for newspapers, radio stations and television programmes.

He readily discussed his experiences whenever opportunities arose.His public profile grew steadily as historians, journalists and broadcasters sought first-hand accounts of the secret wartime operation. What had once been hidden from public view became an important part of the historical record of Britain’s intelligence efforts during the Second World War.His final television interview was broadcast the day after his death in 2017 at the age of 98.

News of his passing was reported by the BBC and noted in obituary tributes published by major British newspapers, including The Guardian and The Times.

While his achievements may not have carried the global recognition associated with refugee figures such as Albert Einstein, Sergey Brin, Freddie Mercury, Marc Chagall or Madeleine Albright, his story reflects a broader theme often cited in discussions about migration and asylum policy.

Supporters of expanded employment opportunities for refugees argue that individuals seeking sanctuary frequently possess skills and capabilities that may not be immediately apparent when they arrive. Given access to work, training and long-term stability, they contend, refugees can contribute economically, culturally and, in some cases, nationally.

The author’s father’s experience illustrates that argument. He entered Britain as a refugee, worked in construction, served in the armed forces, participated in a major intelligence operation and later helped preserve an important chapter of wartime history through public testimony.

His story also highlights the unpredictability of individual potential. At different moments, he was viewed as a labourer, a foreign national under suspicion, a soldier, a musician and an intelligence operative. Each role reflected changing circumstances rather than fixed assumptions about what he could contribute.

For advocates of refugee integration, the lesson is straightforward: the long-term value of those seeking refuge may not be visible at the moment they arrive. Policies that provide pathways into employment and training can create opportunities not only for newcomers, but also for the societies that receive them.

The Bamy Hotel on Bioko Island, owned by the family of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has housed at least 32 deportees since late 2025, many of whom had previously received protection orders from U.S. immigration judges, the report said. Most have since been deported to African countries they fled, despite fears of persecution.

Migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Angola and Mauritania described psychological pressure, restricted movement and uncertainty over their fate while being held inside the largely empty hotel. Several detainees told AP they feared imprisonment or death if returned home.

The Trump administration has expanded third-country deportation agreements with developing nations as part of its immigration crackdown. Rights advocates argue the policy circumvents asylum protections by transferring migrants to countries with poor human rights records.

Washington declined to comment on details of the arrangement with Equatorial Guinea, while the State Department said it remained committed to ending “illegal and mass immigration.” Equatorial Guinea’s government did not respond to requests for comment

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The oil-rich Central African nation, ruled by Obiang for more than four decades, has long faced criticism from rights groups and U.S. officials over allegations of corruption, repression and abuses against dissidents.

An Iraqi migrant who travelled through multiple European countries hidden inside a locked compartment in a lorry said he feared he would die during the journey, describing the risks faced by people using smuggling networks to reach Western Europe amid ongoing instability and economic hardship in parts of the Middle East.

The man, said he fled Iraq after receiving threats and later attempted to reach the United Kingdom through irregular migration routes operated by smugglers.

His testimony offers a detailed account of the conditions migrants can face while attempting clandestine crossings between mainland Europe and Britain, a route that has remained under close scrutiny by European authorities.

According to the account, the migrant travelled with minimal belongings, carrying only a small backpack containing spare clothes and a mobile phone. He said the phone was intended as a last resort to contact police if smugglers abandoned him inside the concealed compartment.

The man said he and another migrant were locked inside a box-like space within a lorry for approximately 12 hours while travelling toward the French port city of Calais, one of the principal staging points for irregular crossings to Britain.

He described the conditions as physically severe, saying there was no opportunity to eat, drink or use a toilet during the journey.“After they get your money, smugglers don’t care if you live or die,” he said, describing the experience of relying on trafficking networks to move across borders.

European law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned about the dangers associated with human smuggling operations. Europol and British authorities have documented cases in recent years in which migrants concealed in freight vehicles suffered dehydration, hypothermia and suffocation during cross-border journeys.

The English Channel route has become one of Europe’s most politically sensitive migration corridors, with governments in Britain and France increasing enforcement efforts against organised smuggling groups.The migrant said that by the time the lorry reached Calais and the compartment was opened, he felt close to death and was suffering from severely frozen feet.

He said the experience convinced him never again to attempt travel hidden inside a freight vehicle.After arriving in France, the man said the driver ordered the migrants to leave immediately.

According to his account, the second migrant went to stay with relatives, while he decided to continue travelling because he believed he remained at risk in France due to alleged connections between smugglers and individuals who had threatened him in Iraq.He later travelled by train through France and onward to Italy, where he is currently residing.

The migrant said he chose the region because he had heard it was easier there to obtain documents allowing legal employment.The account reflects broader migration patterns across southern Europe, where many asylum seekers and undocumented migrants seek temporary residence while attempting to secure work permits or asylum protections.

Italy remains one of the main entry and transit countries for migrants arriving in Europe through Mediterranean and overland routes.The migrant said he is still unable to work legally because he has not yet received the necessary documentation.

He described struggling financially and dealing with depression while attempting to establish stability in Europe.Despite the difficulties, he said his long-term objective remains returning legally to Britain, where he hopes to open a barber shop and live permanently through regular employment and tax-paying work.

He said he wants “a safe, legal and normal life.”His account also referenced the deteriorating security situation in his home region. He said his city in Iraq had recently been targeted by drones during regional hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which he said reinforced his belief that returning home would be unsafe.

Iraq has experienced periodic regional spillover from broader Middle East tensions, including drone and missile incidents linked to conflicts involving Iran-backed groups, Israeli military operations and U.S. regional deployments.

Security analysts have noted that renewed instability has contributed to continued outward migration pressures among some Iraqis, particularly younger people facing insecurity, unemployment and political uncertainty.

European governments have continued to tighten migration enforcement policies while simultaneously expanding efforts to dismantle organised smuggling networks operating across the continent. British authorities have increased cooperation with France and other European states to target criminal groups facilitating irregular Channel crossings, while rights organisations have argued that limited legal migration pathways continue to push vulnerable people toward dangerous alternatives.

Humanitarian organisations working with migrants in northern France and southern Europe have repeatedly warned that irregular migrants often face exploitation, violence and unsafe transportation methods while attempting to move between countries.

Aid groups say many migrants continue to undertake such journeys despite the risks because they believe they have limited alternatives.

The migrant’s testimony underscores the personal risks associated with clandestine migration routes that continue to operate across Europe despite intensified policing and border enforcement measures.

An EU spokesperson said the proposed meeting was being organized at the request of several member states seeking cooperation on deportation procedures for Afghan migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected or who are considered security risks under European law.

No date has been finalized for the talks, the spokesperson said, stressing that the meeting would not constitute formal diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government.

Western governments have largely avoided official engagement with the Taliban since the Islamist movement seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces and the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan administration.

Despite the lack of formal recognition, European officials have gradually expanded technical contacts with Taliban authorities on issues including migration, humanitarian assistance and airport operations.

The EU spokesperson said officials from the bloc had already traveled to Kabul in January for preliminary discussions and were now considering a follow-up technical meeting in Brussels with what the EU described as Afghanistan’s “de facto authorities.”

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum across Europe since the Taliban takeover, creating political pressure on European governments facing rising anti-immigration sentiment and strained asylum systems.

European countries have struggled to deport Afghan nationals because diplomatic relations with Kabul remain limited and there are few formal mechanisms for coordinating returns.

The spokesperson said Sweden was assisting in coordinating the planned discussions. Swedish authorities did not immediately comment on the initiative.

The move highlights the increasingly pragmatic approach adopted by some European governments toward the Taliban administration, despite continuing concerns over human rights restrictions, particularly those affecting women and girls in Afghanistan.

Croatian authorities said the group was discovered near the village of Donje Prilisce, about 70 kilometers southwest of the capital Zagreb. Thirteen additional migrants were taken into custody and transferred to a detention facility.

Police said the individuals were allegedly transported by truck and abandoned near the border by a suspected smuggler who fled the scene. The cause of death was not immediately confirmed, and an investigation is ongoing.

Croatia, a member of the European Union, is a key transit point along the Balkan migration route used by people attempting to reach Western Europe.According to the Frontex, more than 12,500 migrants used the route in 2025.

The International Organization for Migration has reported that over 400 people have died or gone missing along this corridor since 2014.Recent incidents highlight the risks faced by migrants on the route.

Earlier this year, a migrant died after a boat capsized while crossing from Bosnia into Croatia, while last month authorities rescued 30 people stranded in a marsh near the same border.