Croatia asylum camp 'for UK refugees'

Refugees could be sent to camps outside the EU

An 'offshore' holding camp for asylum seekers applying to live in Britain has been built in Croatia, according to reports.

It is thought that people arriving in the UK would be sent there while their applications were being processed.

The move is part of attempts to reduce the number of immigrants to the UK, according to the Observer newspaper.

It says the Home Office will seek EU approval next week for a trial series of processing centres - which could be set up in countries bordering member states.

Army base

It emerged earlier this year that the UK was proposing the offshore centre.

British ministers have said there is "significant interest" in the idea among EU countries but have kept quiet on where the centre could be based.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to discuss the proposal with fellow European leaders at their summit in Greece next week.

The Croatian camp is said to be in Trstenik, 30 miles from the capital, Zagreb.

Secrecy or deception at this level is completely unacceptable

Simon Hughes

According to the Observer, it is a European Commission funded £1m redevelopment of a former army base, which could house 800 people.

It says similar camps could be built in countries like Russia, Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Albania.

If these are a success a second wave of camps could follow in countries near areas affected by conflict - like Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

'Serious questions'

Concerns about the development of the Croatia camp were raised by Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesman Simon Hughes.

He said: "If this camp has been negotiated, developed and made ready with nobody being told, there are serious questions to be asked.

"Secrecy or deception at this level is completely unacceptable."

Refugee Action spokeswoman Leigh Davies said: "We urgently need every assurance that these centres will be compliant with the European Convention of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention."