News

Further strengthening of tax shift for low-income households

17 March 2017
Further strengthening of tax shift for low-income households

“This government prioritises on making working worthwhile again,” Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt states. In this connection it has now also approved a new measure enabling the minister to further decrease the tax burden on low-income families with children without resulting in additional …

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European Parliament procrastinating on Turkey debate

16 March 2017

Sander Loones is calling on his colleagues at the European Parliament to finally start taking the Turkey issue seriously: “To my surprise, Turkey was not on the European Parliament agenda this week. In addition, my request to add a debate about Turkey to the agenda was rejected. The new president …

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Brussels newcomers won’t benefit from ‘extra light’ civic integration

15 March 2017

“The Brussels government is putting the future of newcomers in Brussels and the chances of success of a diverse Brussels society at jeopardy,” Brussels Parliament Member Liesbet Dhaene states. After all, the government is not opting for a fully-fledged civic integration path of rights and duties, …

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No visa for foreign imams at unregistered mosques

15 March 2017
No visa for foreign imams at unregistered mosques

State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken will no longer issue visas to foreign imams that wish to preach at unregistered mosques. For that reason, twelve imams have already been refused access to and residence in Belgium. Ten of those have appealed to the Council for Alien Law …

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EU asylum system unworkable without maximum limit on asylum seekers

8 March 2017
Geneva Convention open to reinterpretation

In the European Parliament, a draft report has been presented concerning the reform of the European asylum system. However, there is still no trace to be found in it of a maximum limit on the number of asylum seekers that Europe can accommodate. “And yet that is a crucial element in any workable …

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European Court of Justice: “Humanitarian visa obligation not enforceable”

7 March 2017
European Court of Justice: “Humanitarian visa obligation not enforceable”

The European Court of Justice has ruled that State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken is correct across the board in his position regarding the legal procedure that came about after a Syrian family wished to travel to Belgium with a humanitarian visa in order to request asylum here. A …

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