On 24 May 2024, the Council of the European Union, with Spain and Slovenia abstaining, finally adopted the reform of the Schengen Borders Code. The reform inter alia aims to make the Schengen area more resilient to present and future crises at its external borders. 

In its 2023 annual report, the Federal Institute for Human Rights draws attention, among other things, to the failure of the authorities to enforce the rulings of the Belgian and European courts and tribunals, in particular in the context of the reception crisis. The lack of resources for the judiciary, threats to human rights defenders and weaknesses in the right to information are also underlined.

On 23 May 2024, the Commission and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society discussed the implementation of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. NGOs asked the Commission to encourage EU countries to work with civil society. They also shared concerns on the border procedure and respect of fundamental rights, and underlined the need for resources.

On 22 May 2024, a joint conference hosted by Fedasil and the EUAA highlighted innovative collaboration models designed to strengthen migration systems. The event brought together diverse participants from various EU Member States, including government bodies, international organisations, civil society groups, and private entities. It focused on strategies to improve the reception, information provision, and pre-integration of international protection applicants.

In Palestinian cases, several elements prevent the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) from taking a decision within the initial six-month period after receiving the application for international protection. The CGRS commits to ensuring that Palestinian cases are processed more quickly and that a decision can be taken within 21 months of the submission of the application for protection.

Fifteen European countries plead with the European Commission to go beyond the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. They push for comprehensive, mutually beneficial and durable partnerships with third countries located along the migratory routes. They also want to inter alia explore solutions aimed at rescuing migrants on the high seas and bringing them to a predetermined place of safety in a partner country outside the EU.

On 14 May 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted 10 legislative acts which reform the entire European framework for asylum and migration management. Member States will now have two years to put the laws that were adopted today into practice. The European Commission will soon present a common implementation plan to provide assistance to Member States in this process.

During this conference, representatives from the European Commission, EMN NCPs and universities, shared practices and critical reflections on information campaigns, new tools and innovative approaches as well as benefits and challenges in the current context. Particular attention was paid to evaluating the impact of information campaigns.

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.297 persons obtained Belgian nationality in February 2024. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in February are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.

The Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration announced that applications for international protection from people from safe countries of origin have been processed in 12 working days and those from people originating from countries for which a low rate of protection is granted in 39 days, since 1 February 2024. This aims to free up places in the reception network for those who actually need protection. 

Eurostat published 2023 figures regarding immigration law enforcement in the EU, with a particular focus on people refused entry in the EU, people found to be illegally present in the EU, people ordered to leave an EU country and people returned following an order to leave. 

On Friday 3 May 2024, the Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree appointing Pieter Spinnewijn as Director General of the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil). His mandate will begin on 1 July 2024 for a period of six years.

On 2 May 2024, President von der Leyen was with Cypriot President Christodoulides in Beirut to announce a financial package of EUR 1 billion for Lebanon to contribute to the country's socio-economic stability and to migration management. The deal has already received criticism from various quarters.

On 2 May 2024, the Chamber of Representatives adopted in plenary session the draft law relating to the competencies of the members of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency on the national territory. The law inter alia defines how Frontex members will support the Federal Police in the field of border controls and forced return of foreigners.  

On 2 May 2024, the Chamber of Representatives adopted in plenary session the draft law for a proactive return policy. This law inter alia introduces the obligation for the foreigner to cooperate in the return process and it expands the pool of return escorts. The law also enshrines the principle according to which minor children aren't retained in closed centres.

The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council organised a Ministerial Conference to work towards a common understanding of the main stages of the implementation of the Pact. Particular attention was paid to the development of common and national implementation plans, the role of EU agencies and key stakeholders, as well as good practices from EU countries.

Op 26 april 2024 keurde de ministerraad, op voorstel van Staatssecretaris voor Asiel en Migratie Nicole de Moor en Staatssecretaris belast met de Regie der Gebouwen Mathieu Michel, de openbare aanbesteding goed voor twee nieuwe gesloten centra in Jabbeke en Jumet.

Op 24 april 2024 organiseerde EMN Nederland, in samenwerking met EMN België, een conferentie over gezinshereniging met begunstigden van internationale bescherming. Tijdens de conferentie werd de EMN Inform 'Gezinshereniging voor begunstigden van internationale bescherming' voorgesteld ter gelegenheid van de 20e verjaardag van de Gezinsherenigingsrichtlijn.

On 23 April 2024, the European Parliament voted in favor of an amended Directive concerning trafficking in human beings. The new text broadens the EU’s actions against human trafficking beyond labour and sexual exploitation, and also criminalises new forms of exploitation like forced marriage, illicit adoption, and the exploitation of surrogacy at the EU level.

On the proposal of Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib and Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor, the Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree establishing the list of safe countries of origin, now including Moldova.

In het kader van het Belgisch Voorzitterschap van de Raad van de Europese Unie organiseert EMN België, samen met zijn partners, een high-level conferentie op 25 en 26 juni 2024 om de operationalisering en implementatie van het Nieuw Pact inzake Migratie en Asiel te bespreken. Als u erbij wilt zijn in Brussel of online, schrijf u dan nu in!

Tijdens zijn jaarlijkse "policy event" nodigde het Europees Migratienetwerk (EMN) België experten op het gebied van asiel en migratie in België uit om na te denken over de ontwikkelingen in 2023 en de vooruitzichten voor 2024. Opgedeeld in subgroepen gingen de participanten dieper in op maatregelen als antwoord op de opvangcrisis, het nieuwe verblijfsrecht voor staatlozen, informatiecampagnes in derde landen, one-stop desk modellen voor informatieverstrekking, lopende uitdagingen en projecten in het CGVS, Belgische projecten rond mobiliteit van talent, en opkomende trends op het vlak van arbeidsmigratie.

On 16 April 2024, the Commission published its 2024 State of Schengen report. The report elaborates on major legislative and policy developments in the area of Schengen from the past year, including the Pact on Migration and Asylum. It also reflects on challenges and sheds light on future priorities for the EU in the field of Schengen.

A large delegation from the federal government, accompanied by senior police officers and senior administration officials, is leading a mission to Morocco. The fight against illegal immigration and the return policy are among the priority issues discussed with the Moroccan authorities.

At the request of the European Ombudsman, an inquiry was launched into the European Commission's approach to ensuring respect for human rights in the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “on a strategic and global partnership”. This inquiry follows concerns about the absence of a prior human rights impact assessment in the context of the Memorandum.