"Lawyers shouldn't start pointless procedures"

The Belgian asylum and migration secretary Theo Francken has called on lawyers, ngo officials and the children’s rights commission to stop initiating pointless procedures to “help” families of failed asylum seekers.  Mr Francken made his remarks in a parliamentary select committee on Wednesday.

Mr Francken believes it should be clear that families who have exhausted all legal means of obtaining asylum or staying in Belgium cannot remain here.  During the past month 31 new procedures were initiated that he believes are all pointless.

Mr Francken rounded on lawyers, ngo’s and the children's rights commissioner: "They have a responsibility towards the families to make it clear to them that everything has been tried and there is no solution here."

Mr Francken stresses that ahead of forced repatriations families have repeatedly been asked to return home voluntarily.  

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