The European Parliament has voted on new EU return policies in the field of migration, marking a significant shift in the approach to asylum seekers. Previously, the Parliament had acted as a brake on hardline instincts of EU governments regarding migration, but the recent vote indicates a decisive turn towards stricter measures.
The vote was adopted with 389 votes in favor, 206 against, and 32 abstentions, reflecting a strong majority in support of the new policies. These proposals allow for the detention of individuals without the right to stay in the EU for up to two years, an increase from the current maximum detention period of 18 months.
Among the most controversial aspects of the new law is the establishment of ‘return hubs’ outside the EU for deported individuals. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, and Denmark are collaborating to set up these hubs, which have raised concerns among human rights advocates.
Experts have voiced alarm over the implications of these policies. The International Rescue Committee described the vote as a “historic setback for refugee rights,” while Marta Welander warned that it would strip individuals of rights and protections based solely on their migration status in Europe.
Charlie Weimers, a prominent figure in the discussions, stated, “The era of deportations has begun,” signaling a new phase in EU migration policy. The proposals, influenced by an alliance of mostly centre-right and far-right lawmakers, include harsh penalties for those who refuse to be relocated to the return hubs.
Human rights groups have cautioned that asylum seekers could disappear into “legal black holes” beyond EU borders, where their rights may not be guaranteed. Mélissa Camara criticized the vote as a “vote of shame” that could lead to the detention of children without proper legal grounds.
The next step will involve negotiations between lawmakers and member states on a final legislative text, as the EU grapples with the implications of these new policies. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact nature and location of the proposed return hubs.
