A coalition of 17 European countries is calling for a significant overhaul of migration policy, aiming to expedite the return of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected. The group has emphasized the need for a “paradigm shift” that holds accountable those who fail to leave the continent after being issued return orders.
The countries assert that “people without the right to stay must be held accountable”, proposing that a new legal framework should clearly outline the obligations and responsibilities of individuals facing deportation. They said that “non-cooperation must have consequences and be sanctioned.” The document advocates for empowering governments to carry out deportations while fully respecting fundamental rights.
The initiative is spearheaded by Austria and the Netherlands, with support from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, and Sweden. Additionally, non-EU Schengen Area members Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein have also endorsed the proposal.
The group urges the European Commission to treat the issue with urgency and develop a “state-of-the-art framework” that addresses current challenges and developments in migration policy, building on discussions from a working party meeting held in June.
During that meeting, officials identified several strategies to improve the bloc’s low rate of effective deportations, which remains stubbornly around 30%. Proposed measures included leveraging trade and visa policies to encourage countries of origin to accept the return of their nationals after asylum applications are denied. This lack of cooperation has been identified as a significant barrier to increasing the return rate.
New Paradigm in Migration Policy
The June discussions also suggested implementing a “common European return decision” to address the inconsistency in member states recognizing return orders issued by others. However, these specific proposals were not included in the new non-paper, which primarily serves as a call to action for the European Commission and showcases broad political support from various regions and political spectrums across Europe.
This joint appeal coincides with an upcoming meeting of interior ministers in Luxembourg, marking the first such gathering since Germany reinstated controls at all land borders, Hungary threatened to leverage irregular migrants against Belgium, and the Netherlands sought an opt-out clause from EU asylum regulations. Migration is also expected to be a key topic at the EU leaders’ summit next week.
The rapid developments in migration policy have raised serious concerns about the future viability of the Schengen Area and the effectiveness of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, a legislative overhaul finalized in May. While the New Pact aims to bridge gaps between asylum and return procedures, member states are advocating for separate legislation specifically focused on deportations.
Efforts to reform the 2008 Return Directive have stalled in the European Parliament since 2019, prompting the 17-country coalition to call for a completely new legislative framework. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to introduce a “new common approach on returns,” aimed at streamlining and expediting the deportation process while ensuring that returns are dignified and decisions are mutually recognized across Europe.