The Block: System of humanitarian visas Theo Francken is derailed and was doomed to lead to problems

The collective granting of humanitarian visas through intermediaries, such as under secretary of state for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken (N-VA) has happened, is a system that "is bound to lead to problems". That concludes minister for Asylum and Migration Maggie De Block (Open Vld) from the administrative investigation that she has asked after the outbreak of the case surrounding the Belgian N-VA-councillor Melican Kucam. “It is clear that the system is derailed, and that the abuses which come to light in them an inevitable consequence”, was the minister strictly for its predecessor.

The Block explained the results of the research today in the parliamentary Committee of Internal Affairs. The services in question went all the lists after that agents on the cabinet, Francken made with a view to the issuing of humanitarian visas. the

According to The Block shows that there is a "new migration system" is set up, where humanitarian visa, not on an individual but on a collective basis were granted. "The system of humanitarian visas during the last years has grown exponentially. It is almost a new and separate migratiekanaal become. That was not and is not intended, it should be me, exceptional."

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For the first operations in 2015 and 2016 - was the use of this exceptional procedure is still appropriate. "There were probably few or no alternatives to people from Aleppo, to help," says De Block. "But it is clear that the system further is used and even increased, while in the meantime, we know that when the alternatives were, such as the involvement of the UN.” the

"There is a lot of confusion about the criteria used and the way in which the persons were selected. Therefore, the procedure is vulnerable, and increased the risk of abuse," says De Block. There is also too little attention has gone to the further follow-up of the people involved. It is not clear whether all parties are in a vulnerable situation and were eligible for asylum.

It is clear to me that the system gradually is derailed

Maggie De Block

1.500 requests

1.502 people have to go through the special kabinetsprocedure a humanitarian visa applied for. Have there 1.150 persons asylum asked. The majority have also received their file is in research. 121 persons received their visa, but one of them is not known where they are. They have no other process will start. The people who are Kucam a visa were less than half of international protection.

According to the minister, there are indications that one person is never a visa was allowed to get, if he pre-screened. "In one case only, there are indications emerged of the reasons for exclusion. That can then go on reasons of national security or involvement in the conflict. In a correct procedure with screening in advance who would be there, as words are filtered. Or that even now one can, is to wait and see," said The Block.

“It is clear to me that the system gradually is derailed, and that the abuses which come to light in them an inevitable consequence," says De Block.

If you know that such a visa in certain countries is worth more than the lotto, the system is according to me also doomed to lead to problems

Maggie De Block

“Not worth repeating”

For the minister is the use of this procedure "not worth repeating". "Intermediaries that do not screening undergo, which lists authorised to issue on the government from whom they get a visa, without a prior examination done by the services, that is asking for trouble," says De Block. “If you know that such a visa in certain countries is worth more than the lotto win, the system is according to me also doomed to lead to problems.” the

Green-Member of parliament Wouter De Vriendt would like the Committee ex-secretary of state Francken re hear to face him with the results of the research. cdH-Mp Georges Dallemagne says that Francken by the report, perhaps resignation would have had to take, if he is still secretary of state.

“Sloppy and negligent policy”

According to Member of parliament Hendrik Vuye was secretary of state Francken succeeded in creating an image of his policy of hanging “that is not in accordance with the facts”. “’Strict but fair’ is actually ‘careless and negligent’”, he said. The parliament and the media have according to Vuye failed, because they image not have punctured.

“There has never doubted the importance and proper use of humanitarian visas. It is lost where the playground of mr. Francken began. He has his administration sidelined,” said CD&V Member of parliament, Nahima Lanjri. According to Barbara, the Only (Flemish Interest) has Francken jurisdiction over the humanitarian visa is not “discretionary”, but “arbitrary” is used. Humanitarian visas have again an exceptional measure, says Pas.

No objective criteria

Koenraad Degroote (N-VA) insisted that the Committee not a commission of inquiry is not on the site of the judicial inquiry may come. Degroote also said that Francken during the hearing itself has identified that there are improvements possible, and that he made recommendations.

For the introduction of objective criteria for humanitarian visa showed but little enthusiasm, not to minister to The Block. The assignment is a favor, and with objective criteria threatens that an enforceable right to be. The Block did have to make the system more transparent. The Immigration Service would annually to the parliament report.