Francken under fire over humanitarian visa: Your policy was lax, amateurish and full of nepotism

Former secretary of state for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken (N-VA) gives today an explanation about the case of the humanitarian visa in the federal parliament. The opposition explains Francken on the roster over what he knew and did not know about the fraud of which are partijgenoot and Mechels councillor Melikan Kucam suspected. The N-VA there maintains that the practices of agents would be valuable. “I'm still proud of it.” The opposition parties, but also former coalition partner CD&V, reacted critically.

Francken began his defense this morning with a general statement on the system of humanitarian visas. In total, 1.501 people through his cabinet a humanitarian visa, says Francken. To the Assyrian community in Mechelen were the intermediary Melikan Kucam 219 visa delivered. The former secretary of state says trust to have made in the agents. “Trust in Mechelen, shameless manner is abused if the allegations are correct. Political aangehorigheid was at no time a criterion. Nobody ever got a priority to contact.”

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Francken also went in on the vulnerability of the Syrians. “It was my policy specifically for christian Syrians on humanitarian visas. (...) It was clear that christians in Syria even more vulnerable due to their faith. There was no vip treatment, all of these people were brittle .” the

“I made a mistake or am I gullible? With those questions I struggle. It seems that my trust violated. But I will me as a politician, always continue to fight against persecution of christians and other religious minorities.” However, Francken also things that can better. So there may be better a screening of contacts . “That gives political cover. Even if it is a ex-vice-chancellor or a former ambassador. It took us not much wiser, but it had me more political cover.”