Europe wants document for those refused asylum

The European Union wants to issue documents to Africans who are refused asylum to ease their return back to countries they left or traveled through.

The controversial "laissez passer" plan has been criticized by diplomats and non-governmental organizations as being tantamount to Europe telling African countries who they should accept. It will be discussed later Wednesday by European and African leaders at a migration summit in Malta.

In a draft of the summit action plan, obtained by The Associated Press, the leaders pledge to "enhance recognition of the EU laissez passer."

But the African Union's ambassador to the EU, Ajay Bramdeo, has told migration experts the proposed document "is unheard-of in international law." [AP]