UN High Commissioner expresses concern over new EU migration return legislation

On June 20, 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep regret regarding new European Union legislation on migrant returns. The regulation, approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday, allows member states to establish return centers outside EU borders for individuals who have been denied asylum. Türk argued that European nations cannot transfer their human rights obligations to third countries. He emphasized that detaining and returning vulnerable populations, including children, carries high risks of human rights violations. The legislative reform aims to address the current situation where only about 20% of deportation orders for undocumented migrants result in actual returns. Supporters of stricter migration policies have criticized the existing low return rates. Türk insisted that states must ensure full respect for human dignity and legal protections during the implementation of these processes. The EU introduced this legislative text after facing pressure to increase the frequency of deportations.