Strasbourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEPs debated a new legal framework on migrant returns. The Commission’s proposal would increase the return rate of third-country nationals who have been rejected by the EU.
MEPs debated the proposal during todays’ plenary session with Commissioner Brunner, responsible for Internal Affairs and Migration. The new framework would allow the EU to have a common legal framework to actually implement the rejection of migrants efficiently.
As of now, one in five rejected migrants actually leaves the EU, explained the Commissioner, while most of them just move to a different member state and avoid deportation.
The proposal was accepted by the majority of parliamentarians. The largest group, EPP (European People’s Party), welcomed the initiative as a step forwards on a subject so far not properly addressed by the EU. MEPs from PfF (Patriots for Europe), CRG (Conservatives and Reformists Group) and ESN (Europe of Sovereign Nations) also overall supported it.
Meanwhile, many members from The Left rejected or criticised the initiative. They pointed out that, by sending migrants to third-countries where they have no connection with the land and the people, the EU is not aligned with its own values.
This is a racist approach of the far-right that gives them the legal support they didn’t have before,
said Portuguese MEP João Oliveira.
More on the debate
The majority of MEPs agreed that this is a needed measure. Some took it even further.
Afroditi Latinopoulou, Greek MEP from PfE, presented illegal border crossing as an “attempt to islamize Europe.” Because of that, these migrants should have their phones taken, she suggested, should be sent to an inhabited island and then back to their country of origin.
Begin massive deportation immediately,
Latinopoulou said.
Kick them out before Europe dies.
On a similar note, MEP Milan Mazurek (ESN Group) from Slovakia asked to “deport them just like Trump is doing in America.”
Hilde Vautmas from the Renew Group responded to those “stigmatized speeches of the far-right,” as she called them, by insisting on the fact that many migrants are escaping unsafe countries where their lives would be at great risk.
Portuguese Social Democrat Mendez asked the Commission to keep in mind the rights of unaccompanied minors too, and pointed out that giving member states the freedom to decide where to send the migrants might endanger these people’s lives even more.
The Commission: “a matter of security”
Commissioner Brunner opened the discussion highlighting the importance of pragmatism in EU immigration policies. The current situation on returns is “unacceptable,” he said.
His perspective and goals were condensed into three main points. First, giving EU legislation its credibility back and sending a strong message to those who want to come; second, tackling the illegal activity of smugglers; third, protecting EU citizens from potential security threats.
The Commissioner also highlighted that human rights are kept in mind in this legislative process, and that these people will still have rights to, for instance, information and appeal. People who do not cooperate or represent a risk, instead, would be detained and then sent out of the EU.
“Security is such a fundamental right. To protect security we must be uncompromised. We’ll integrate those with a right to stay, and we will treat those who don’t fairly, but firmly.”
Finally, Brunner pointed out that even though this proposal focuses on the EU, efforts in “migration diplomacy,” addressing the root causes of migration and opening new legal pathways are also going to be necessary steps in the near future.
