VIENNA - The European Union (EU) Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said on Thursday that the proposed "return hubs" for rejected asylum seekers must comply with fundamental rights laws and must not become "rights-free zones".

The EU is considering establishing "return hubs" in non-EU countries as temporary facilities for asylum seekers whose applications in the EU were denied and who are awaiting deportation to their home countries.

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Even if located outside the EU, these return facilities must adhere to fundamental rights safeguards under EU law, and member states would remain "accountable for rights violations at the hubs and during any transfers," according to a position paper by the Vienna-based FRA.

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"The planned return hubs cannot become rights-free zones," FRA Director Sirpa Rautio said. "They would only comply with EU law if they include robust and effective fundamental rights safeguards."

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The FRA outlined key safeguards that should be in place before establishing the return hubs, including "compliance with fundamental rights, securing legally binding agreements to protect people's rights, and setting up independent human rights monitoring systems."