Belgian Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Flemish nationalist N-VA) wants to encourage Syrian refugees to return to their country of origin voluntarily by increasing the reintegration support available to them. Syrians who are still in the asylum process and decide to return voluntarily could receive a support package worth €5,000.
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€5,000 reintegration grant to encourage Syrians to return home, says integration minister Van Bossuyt
Colin Clapson
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Van Bossuyt is attending the informal European Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Cyprus today. The agenda includes the return of Afghans and Syrians to their country of origin. In the run-up to the Council, Van Bossuyt announced that she wants to encourage the voluntary return of Syrians.
Now that the Assad regime has been out of power for over a year, return is once again a possibility, the minister argues.
Partly EU-financed
Van Bossuyt wants to achieve this by granting higher reintegration support to Syrians who return voluntarily. Such support consists of concrete assistance in the country of origin, which is coordinated in advance with partner organisations in that country. It does not involve cash, but rather assistance with housing, education, medical care or, for example, starting an economic activity.
The sooner Syrians sign up for the support, which is partly funded by the EU, the higher the amount. Syrians who have applied for asylum who opt for voluntary return can count on €5,000 in reintegration support. Those who remain in the procedure for longer will see that support gradually decrease. Syrians who are currently in Belgium illegally and wish to return will receive €3,000.
Support is one-off
"We want to encourage asylum seekers who are able to return to rebuild their lives in their country of origin as quickly as possible. This is in the interests of the people themselves, but it also represents a significant saving for our country compared to having to accommodate these asylum seekers in an asylum centre. The support is a one-off and, where possible, linked to an entry ban. This prevents an asylum revolving door, when people abuse the system," says Van Bossuyt.
Van Bossuyt confirms that she also wants to continue to focus on forced return in general for those who do not want to cooperate. She wants to strengthen escort capacity, create extra places in closed centres and conclude more readmission agreements with countries of origin. Priority will be given to those who have been convicted of criminal offences and are in the country illegally.