The European Parliament, the EU Member States and the European Commission have agreed on the entry into force of the return scheme for rejected asylum seekers. The point of discussion was when exactly the scheme would come into effect. The three EU institutions have now reached a compromise on this.
The return scheme will take effect as soon as it has been notified in the EU’s official gazette. This will happen once a majority of the Member States and the European Parliament have officially agreed to the scheme.
It has also been agreed in Brussels that the Member States will be given an extra year to develop some of the measures. The idea behind this is that the countries need extra time to implement the new rules in existing laws and regulations, adapt IT systems and train staff.
The return scheme is seen as the final part of the asylum and migration pact, which will come into effect on June 12. This pact includes tightened rules for screening and assessing asylum applications. The return scheme is an essential part of the pact.
Part of the return scheme will take effect immediately, such as the previously agreed permission for so-called ‘return hubs’, reception centers outside the EU where rejected asylum seekers must wait for return to their country of origin. Children also have to wait for deportation in these centers, unless they are unaccompanied minors.
EU countries can themselves conclude agreements with countries on return hubs. For example, the Netherlands, together with Denmark, Germany, Greece and Austria, is looking for suitable locations, Minister Bart van den Brink (Asylum and Migration, CDA) reported at the beginning of March.
Human rights organizations such as Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland are very critical about the return hubs. For example, it would be unclear whether host countries outside the EU, for example in Africa or the Balkans, can sufficiently guarantee the human rights of migrants.
It had also previously been agreed that a return decision by an EU country would be accompanied by an entry ban of ten years.
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