Belgium is preparing a plan for the forced return of Afghan migrants, local media reported, citing a statement from the office of the outgoing Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moore, quoted by BTA.
The plan is expected to be presented and discussed at the upcoming EU Council meeting on Justice and Home Affairs this week. It is noted that Belgium stopped the returns of Afghans after the restoration of the Taliban regime in Kabul in 2021.
It is reported that Afghans are the third largest group of asylum seekers in Belgium. According to international organizations, only 35 percent of the applications for protection submitted by Afghans are approved by the Belgian side.
According to the Belgian authorities, Afghans who have committed crimes or other violations of public order must first be returned. The returns are planned to be carried out through Istanbul, and the necessary budget is yet to be specified. The plan is expected to be implemented by the next regular Belgian government, the formation of which is ongoing and could be completed by the end of the month.
The Belgian side specifies that the cooperation of the Taliban will not be necessary for this purpose, and that Afghans are no longer threatened with persecution in their country and their applications for protection will increasingly be rejected. Last year, only 19 Afghans decided to voluntarily return home, according to Belgian government data.