Belgium to get transit migrants to apply for asylum here?
The Belgian asylum secretary Theo Francken is expected to put a new proposal on the cabinet table this Friday intended to free up yet more space in removal centres for transit migrants. Mr Francken wants to get migrants who are on their way through Belgium to the UK to apply for asylum here.
Belgium already has a nine point programme drawn up by Mr Francken and interior minister Jambon. It includes more police checks, police action in and around the Maximilian Park in Brussels where migrants tend to gather, greater action against people-traffickers, improved security at motorway carparks and the port of Zeebrugge, improved co-operation with the UK, extra capacity in removal centres and deterring potential victims of people traffickers plus a brand new administrative centre in Steenokkerzeel.
Extra capacity may be created in a former floating prison or former army barracks.
It is understood that Mr Francken is now considering introducing an "implicit" asylum request to free up space in removal centres. This would apply to migrants unwilling to apply for asylum, but who say that they are scared of torture or abuse in their home country. Such cases would be processed by the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and the Stateless.