©picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir
The European Parliament on Thursday, March 26, passed a new far-reaching migration law that will greatly accelerate the return of migrants without residency status.
The law includes the introduction of so-called 'return hubs': return centers where asylum seekers will be examined, outside EU borders, to determine which ones have a legal right to protection and who can be returned to their country of origin. It involves the establishment of migrant centers outside EU borders to house people whose asylum claims have been rejected. Under the proposals, those who refuse to be moved to the return hubs would face severe sanctions, including detention and entry bans.
Parliamentarians in Brussels voted 389 votes in plenary in favor of the tightened migration law, while 206 voted against the reforms and 32 abstained.
According to the European Commission, the scheme should reduce pressure on EU borders and even prevent abuse of the asylum system.
According to French news agency AFP, the proposals are being driven by a small group of EU countries, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands.
However, others, such as France and Spain, doubt the strategy's effectiveness, while human rights organizations warn asylum seekers would disappear into 'legal loopholes'.
Humanitarian organizations have reacted critically, fearing that the hubs would undermine migrants' rights in practice. They point out that time pressure and relocation to third countries could mean that there will be insufficient individualized approach to each case and insufficient access to legal counsel. "They will be placed outside EU territory, where policymakers cannot guarantee that people's rights will be respected," Marta Welander of the International Rescue Committee told AFP.
European leaders, however, stress that the new law ensures compliance with international law and human rights.
The March 26 vote clears the way for final negotiations between Parliament and the Council (representing member states). Member states will now have to indicate where they want to place return hubs and how those centers will be operationally set up. The scheme is intended to be rolled out gradually over the coming months, with strict monitoring mechanisms.
(©Benjamin Sluis with Selma Keshkire voor The Press Junction / Foto: ©picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir)