Migration and Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber announced on Wednesday that the Dutch government is assessing whether Uzbekistan could assist by accepting these individuals.
Faber noted that discussions are ongoing to determine the feasibility of such an agreement with Uzbekistan. The Netherlands, along with other European countries, has faced challenges in repatriating asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal options, particularly those with criminal backgrounds. Many of these individuals are not welcomed back by their home countries, especially in cases involving Afghans who have lost formal ties to Afghanistan after the Taliban took control in 2021.
Germany has already established a similar arrangement with Uzbekistan, which allows for the return of Afghans via Uzbek territory. In return, Uzbekistan agreed to a deal involving the acceptance of migrant workers from the country.