Netherlands falling behind in European asylum policy
image: Kevin Bückert on Unsplash
The Netherlands is falling behind in Europe with strict asylum policy while other countries are tightening their rules. Mark Klaassen, Assistant Professor in Migration Law, comments in Dutch newspaper ‘de Telegraaf’ that these rules might not stand up in court.
Pressure is mounting on asylum minister Marjolein Faber to speed up the introduction of strict asylum laws. Some EU countries like Austria, Poland and the Czech Republic do appear to be taking firm steps already. These include restrictions on family reunification and admission to detention centres, or completely refusing asylum applications along the European external border. These countries are often also concerned with appearance: ‘Showing that you’re among the toughest countries in the EU’, says Klaassen. In addition, Bild newspaper reports show that Germany is secretly working on European cooperation without the Netherlands.
There are clear calls for change, but the legal and political obstacles to achieve this remain significant. Klaassen warns that measures such as halting family reunification could be challenged in the courts. 'A country must then be able to prove that there is a clear threat to national security.' It is possible that courts could then still block the plans of countries like Austria and the Czech Republic. Klaassen: ‘If Member States were able to simply sideline the safeguards contained in EU law, the impact would be very far-reaching.'
More information?
Read the full article in de Telegraaf (€, in Dutch)