Twenty EU countries back Belgian call: joint action needed on return of illegal and criminal Afghan nationals

Belgium’s call for a coordinated European approach to the return of illegal and criminal Afghan nationals is gaining serious traction. Twenty EU member states have now thrown their support behind the initiative launched by Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt.

“We’re all hitting the same wall”

According to Minister Van Bossuyt, European countries are facing a shared challenge: “We’re unable to deport illegal or criminal Afghan nationals—even after a conviction. That undermines public trust in asylum policies and puts our safety at risk. It’s time we push forward—together.”

The twenty member states have co-signed a letter addressed to European Commissioner for Asylum and Migration Magnus Brunner, calling for concrete measures to enable both voluntary and forced returns to Afghanistan—particularly for individuals posing a threat to public order.

The countries backing the initiative include Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.

A clear signal

In her proposal, Minister Van Bossuyt laid out several concrete measures:

• A stronger role for Frontex in coordinating voluntary returns and reintegration efforts—ensuring better alignment of resources and more efficient use of national budgets.
• A thorough investigation into the legal and operational possibilities for forced returns, with priority given to individuals who threaten public order or national security.
• Closer cooperation at EU level between the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), and willing member states to take joint action—including the possibility of a coordinated administrative mission to Afghanistan.

“Without effective returns, asylum and migration policy cannot succeed. The EU must send a clear message: those who have no right to protection or residence in Europe—and who also pose a threat to our society—must be returned,” said Minister Van Bossuyt.

She aims to achieve concrete progress by the end of this year within the European High-Level Network on Return and other EU platforms, to finally move the needle on Europe’s return policy.

Alarming numbers

The urgency is clear. Half of all Afghan asylum applications are rejected, and 2,815 Afghan nationals are still staying in Belgian reception centres. There are also security concerns regarding a segment of this population within the federal reception network.

“In 2024, Afghan nationals were the second-largest group involved in serious incidents in our reception centres,” said Minister Van Bossuyt. “We can’t keep looking the other way.”

She also pointed to incidents outside the centres, such as recent knife attacks in Antwerp and Roeselare.

A European moment of opportunity

With the backing of 20 countries, Belgium now hopes to take the lead in driving the issue forward.

“This is the moment,” said Van Bossuyt. “We’ve sent a strong, unified message to the European Commission: we can’t afford more delays. It’s time for a firm and collective approach so that Europe regains control over migration and public safety.”