Closed centres are the final part of a correct repatriation policy

Closed residential units for families form the final part of a correct repatriation policy. The proposal of the PS for a ban on accommodating minors in closed centres would torpedo the repatriation policy of families with children. “Such a ban would mean the de facto regularisation of thousands of people who are residing here illegally,” says the N-VA. Furthermore the closed centres are the decision of a government with the PS and neither the Convention on the Rights of the Child nor the Repatriation Directive oppose children staying in these centres. One condition is however of course that the so-called detention must take place in a suitable environment and for as short a period as possible. It is these justified conditions that our government takes into account.

Repatriation the best option

The federal government with Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken is fully behind voluntary repatriation. Mandatory repatriation following accommodation in a family unit in a closed centre is the final part of the repatriation policy. “Let’s just be honest and realistic. If you have children, you score easily, too easily. But the truth is that a constitutional state has to be able to impose its decisions. Children are used all too often as a way for people to get their hands on that authorisation to reside here legally after all. Furthermore, an illegal existence is disastrous for the upbringing of the child. And we haven’t even mentioned the often appalling conditions in which an illegal migrant who has exhausted all legal procedures lives. So repatriation is the best option, not just for the parents but for the child too,” the party concludes.