A rising number of people who have received protection in another European country are applying for asylum applications in Belgium. Outgoing State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor (CD&V) wants to put an end to this.
Belgium is seeing a significant increase in applications from people who already received protection in another European country, according to figures from de Moor. In recent months, this reportedly concerns over 450 applications per month. In most cases, the people concerned first received protection in Greece and in some cases Bulgaria.
"It is inexplicable that someone who has been recognised as a refugee in Greece or Bulgaria should apply for asylum again in Belgium," de Moor said. "Our country wants to show solidarity with war refugees, but the system doesn't work if we also have to process files of people who already have protection elsewhere."
She wants to end the practice, which she argues undermines the European asylum system. Belgium has, for more than three years now, failed to provide shelter to people applying for asylum in the country, to which they are legally entitled. The government is therefore trying to reduce the number of people requesting asylum here.
Inadequate treatment
Legally, asylum applications of recognised refugees can already be declared inadmissible. However, the Council for Immigration Disputes (RVV) is putting a stop to this, as it considers the social services in Greece to be inadequate and inaccessible. These concerns have also repeatedly been shared by NGOs on the ground. As a result, two thirds of applications are processed and almost half are recognised.
De Moor has now said she will oppose the RVV's ruling with "all possible legal means". The Belgian State will appeal against decisions of admissibility or recognition in such cases.
"Greece and Bulgaria are safe countries, where you can receive effective protection," de Moor argued. "People fleeing war or persecution are safe there." She added that she consulted with her Greek counterpart on several occasions, and is "ready to support projects in Greece to further improve the situation for recognised refugees on the ground."
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The European Commission confirmed in a letter to de Moor last week that Belgium can start refusing reception to asylum seekers who have already attained refugee status in another country on an accelerated basis.
De Moor also wants to introduce parts of the controversial European Pact on Migration and Asylum earlier (it is expected to enter into force in 2026), so that reception can be denied to people recognised as refugees in another European country.
