The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is not convinced by the European Commission’s strategy to boost the so-called voluntary return of irregular migrants to the EU and is more concerned about the lack of appropriate safeguards and sound reintegration measures in the countries of origin that could lead to violations of their fundamental rights.
The EESC adopted an opinion to this effect on 22 September, it said in a statement on 4 October. While it “welcomes the Commission’s efforts to harmonise measures governing the voluntary return of migrants and their reintegration into their country of origin”, it “doubts the feasibility of some of the proposals put forward” and expresses its “concern that voluntary returns will turn into expulsions of migrants”.
Adopted in April (see EUROPE 12707/11), the strategy calls on Frontex to better train its staff on voluntary returns and on Member States to make better use of tools for better cooperation with third countries on local reintegration.
According to the opinion’s rapporteur, José Antonio Moreno Díaz (Spain), this strategy does not address the structural problems of EU migration and asylum policy. “We need to manage irregularity before it happens. This means that we need to guarantee safe and efficient ways of entering the EU. If we can do this, we will see a reduction in irregular arrivals”, says the rapporteur.
The EESC is also concerned about the “role that Frontex is called upon to play” in these new missions, particularly in the context of the violation of rights referred to by the European Parliament’s board of inquiry of the Committee on Civil Liberties.
As for the current incentives offered to countries of origin, especially financial ones, they “may actually discourage them from trying to reduce the flow of migrants, as these incentives are offered through programmes based on the existence of persons in irregular situations”.
Link to the opinion: https://bit.ly/3FgV8zt (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)