Majority of Schengen states want to speed up returns
Published: Thursday, Oct 10th 2024, 17:00
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The screw is to be tightened on the return of rejected asylum seekers. According to Federal Councillor Beat Jans, a majority of member states of the Schengen area demanded this on Thursday. Switzerland also supported this demand.
There is a consensus among the member states that the partner countries and countries of origin must be held more accountable, said Jans on Thursday in Luxembourg on the fringes of the Schengen Council in an interview with Swiss media representatives. If the countries did not cooperate, there would have to be consequences. However, no concrete texts had been discussed at this stage.
In a position paper, also known as a non-paper, 17 countries called on the European Commission to amend the Return Directive with the aim of making deportations more efficient.
Consequences of non-cooperation
The paper, which is available to the Keystone-SDA news agency, was initiated by Austria and the Netherlands and is also supported by Switzerland. Specifically, it demands, among other things, obligations for people without the right of residence. Those who do not have the right to stay must be held accountable. Non-cooperation must have consequences and be sanctioned, according to the paper.
Furthermore, procedures should be simplified, among other things. In general, returns should be carried out in compliance with fundamental rights.
©Keystone/SDA
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