EU-ministers van justitie bekijken mogelijkheden opvangkampen voor asielzoekers in Libië (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Home affairs ministers meeting in the Netherlands this week are set to re-examine proposals to place EU immigration camps in North Africa.

Proposals are expected to be put forward by the German interior minister Otto Schily at an informal meeting of EU interior ministers which begins in The Hague Wednesday (29 September).

Mr Schily is expected to circulate proposals which would see asylum applicants held at so-called "transit centres" in North Africa while applications are being processed.

Libya has been touted as a probable site for such a centre.

Similar proposals tabled by the UK government last year received little support. The German plans though, are said to have the backing of Italy and some other member states.

However, it is far from clear if Germany can manage to get sufficient backing for what have proved to be highly controversial proposals.

Human Rights groups today (27 September) said that they would be monitoring developments closely.

Amnesty International officials speaking in Brussels said that they would like to know where the camps would be located, who would administer them and if the applicants would be detained.

They also warned that such a system could create problems, becoming centres of trafficking and putting human rights in danger.

"It is too early to tell", Daphne Bouteillet from Amnesty International told journalists, adding that access to legal advice may also be a concern.

First steps?

The proposal comes as the Libyan authorities signalled they may be willing to sign the Geneva convention which safeguards migrants' rights.

The European Commission today welcomed this move, billed as a first step toward Libya allowing UN administered refugee camps in the country. The move would also be a necessary first step toward hosting an EU centre.

Tripoli was lambasted last month after forcibly returning Eritrean migrants back to their home country.

In a statement Ron Redmond, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said that the events raised questions about Libya's suitability to run such camps.

"[It raises concerns] over the intentions of the Libyan government to ensure minimum standards of treatment for persons who might be in need of international protection", he said.

Statewatch's Tony Bunyan told the EUobserver today that he welcomed any Libyan move to sign the 1951 convention but said it was "ironic" that the EU wanted Libya to sign up to human rights while pushing for asylum camps.

Bilaterial meetings

Also on the agenda of the Hague meeting, which continues through to Friday (1 October), ministers will discuss preparations for an EU Internal Security Committee, police and judicial co-operation.

Ministers will also meet US Attorney General, John Ashcroft, on Thursday and will hold a video link with UN high commissioner for refugees Ruud Lubbers on Friday morning.