The countries of the European Union approved this Monday a tightening of their immigration rules which will allow the creation of “return centers” outside the bloc, in a context of the rise of the right and the far right.
The measures, initially presented by the … The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, is seeking to strengthen control over migrant arrivals and expulsions.
Meeting on Monday in Brussels, the interior ministers of the 27 member states took a first step to approve them, but before they come into force, they must be ratified by the European Parliament.
In addition to opening centers outside EU borders where migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected would be sent, the package includes tougher sanctions against those who refuse to leave European territory.
Added to this is the possibility of sending migrants to countries which are not their country of origin, but which Europe considers “safe”.
The drop in irregular entries into Europe – 20% less than the previous year – has not reduced the pressure on governments to act on a politically explosive issue. Quite the contrary.
“It is really important that we convey to citizens the feeling that we are in control of what is happening,” European Commissioner Magnus Brunner, the architect of this restrictive turn in the Old Continent’s migration policy, underlined this Monday.
– Spain and France skeptical –
These proposals have aroused indignation from the left and organizations defending exiles, who denounce measures contrary to human rights.
“Instead of investing in security, protection and inclusion, the EU is opting for policies that expose more people to danger and legal insecurity,” warned Silvia Carta of PICUM, an NGO that works to defend irregular migrants.
Led by Denmark, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU and has long championed these measures, member states are moving forward with determination.
“We are moving quickly,” said a European diplomat, who spoke like others on condition of anonymity. According to him, there is a “widely shared political will” within the Twenty-Seven.
However, doubts persist in certain countries of the bloc.
Spain does not believe that “return centers” are effective, after several unsuccessful attempts in other countries, while France questions the legality and effectiveness of certain proposals.
This position is, however, increasingly “difficult to maintain”, given the strong pressure exerted by certain countries, declared the Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The measures also have the support of right-wing and far-right MPs, who struck an alliance in the European Parliament last week.
Several MEPs and leaders are calling for final adoption at the start of next year.
– 20,000 euros per asylum seeker –
The Twenty-Seven also reached an agreement on a new system for distributing asylum seekers in Europe.
To ease the burden on countries on major migration routes, such as Greece and Italy, the European Union will soon require other member states to welcome asylum seekers on their territory. Otherwise, they must provide a financial contribution of 20,000 euros (about $23,000) for each candidate to the countries most under pressure.
EU countries negotiated for several weeks the terms of implementation of this system, which will come into force next June.
The debate on this issue has been particularly complex, as few countries are willing to accept asylum seekers from other European partners.
“There are few interior ministers who would be ready to say to the press: ‘Okay, we will welcome 30,000,'” predicted a European official on condition of anonymity.
The exact distribution decided by the Twenty-Seven on Monday is confidential.
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