Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Starting today, Tuesday, a Franco-British agreement on the return of migrants will come into effect, under which France and the United Kingdom will exchange migrants. The agreement specifically stipulates that migrants crossing the English Channel by boat to reach Britain will be returned to France. In return, the United Kingdom will accept a limited number of migrants already in France. Brussels media reported, citing the Belgian news agency, that the agreement, concluded during Emmanuel Macron's official visit in early July, aims to curb lucrative smuggling routes using small boats. According to the British Home Office, the first detentions of migrants returned to France are already scheduled to take place in the coming days.
The agreement, which will initially last until June 2026, targets asylum seekers whose applications are deemed "inadmissible." Meanwhile, the UK will accept migrants who have applied online, prioritizing nationalities often targeted by human traffickers or with ties to the UK. The agreement has sparked criticism in northern France, where local politicians and aid organizations fear an unbalanced arrangement that violates international refugee law.
Asylum seekers who have protection status in another EU country will not be granted shelter in Belgium, according to local media in Brussels. Asylum seekers who have previously been granted protection status in another European country will no longer be entitled to shelter in Belgium starting yesterday. Monday. This comes as a result of a measure introduced by Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) as part of the Easter Agreement.
Last month, the Federal Parliament approved a series of measures aimed at restricting access to the Belgian reception network. Minister Van Bossuyt herself refers to these measures as "crisis measures."
The first measures came into effect yesterday, Monday. For example, people who have previously received protection in other EU countries will not be allowed to join the Belgian reception network. Minister Van Bossuyt said: "Asylum means protection. Therefore, no one who has this protection elsewhere in Europe should be able to access our reception facilities. The search for safe haven must stop.
The General Commission for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) will process applications quickly, along with those from asylum seekers whose applications have previously been rejected in another EU member state. For these categories, applications will be systematically considered inadmissible.
Last year, nearly 15,000 of the 40,000 asylum applications in Belgium came from people who had already received protection or whose applications were being considered in another EU member state, according to the minister.
In addition, starting Monday, asylum seekers who, after an initial rejection, submit a new application without new information through a minor child will also lose their right to reception. Van Bossuyt says she wants to put an end to "the use of children to delay procedures and reception."
Finally, starting Monday, lack of shelter will also no longer be eligible for social assistance.
Minister Van Bossuyt has repeatedly emphasized her desire to implement "the strictest asylum and migration policies ever." She has also announced stricter rules regarding Family reunification, which will take effect from mid-August.