EU parliament backs law allowing offshore detention centres

This increase in anti-immigrant rhetoric across the EU over the past decade has broadened popular support for far-right parties

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Return Regulation will provide 'necessary tools' to manage immigration. Picture: Virgin Mayo.

The European Parliament approved an overhaul of migration policy on Wednesday aimed at ramping up deportations and allowing member states to set up detention centres abroad.

The decision, described by critics as a cruel system that weakens ‌safeguards for asylum seekers, underlines the rise in anti-immigration sentiment across the European Union (EU).