French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to develop a robust plan to thwart the illegal migration of Afghan nationals after the Taliban captured Afghanistan over the weekend.
In a television address on Monday, Macron warned about the irregular migratory flow from Afghanistan due to destabilising conditions. Macron said, “We must anticipate and protect ourselves against major irregular migratory flows that would endanger those who use them and feed trafficking of all kinds.” Macron added, “Europe alone cannot bear the consequences of the current situation.”
Additionally, Macron said, “Paris, Berlin and other European nations will push for an initiative to build a robust, coordinated and united response without delay, which will involve the fight against irregular flows, solidarity in the effort, the harmonisation of protection criteria, and the establishment of cooperation with transit an host countries such as Pakistan, Turkey and Iran.”
However, Macron’s statements have been called “inhumane.” Claudia Webbe, a Member of Parliament from Leicester, United Kingdom, tweeted, “On the same day that Afghans died clinging to planes, Macron says we must anticipate and protect ourselves against significant irregular migratory flows. What kind of leader vows to set up a system to keep Afghan refugees out of the EU completely.”
Macron’s remarks come as thousands of Afghans flee Afghanistan and take refuge in neighbouring countries. Several European nations, including Spain, France, and Belgium, are scrambling their assets in the region to evacuate their citizens and Afghan workers who helped their militaries in the past 20 years.
Meanwhile, Austria has suggested setting up deportation centres in neighbouring countries. Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, said, “If deportations are no longer possible because of the restrictions imposed on us by the European Convention on Human Rights, alternatives must be considered.”
Moreover, on Tuesday, the European Union (EU) foreign ministers held a virtual meeting to discuss the influx of refugees as Europe fears another migration crisis with the fall of Kabul. Earlier, EU member states expressed concerns over the security situation in Afghanistan, saying it could lead to the arrival of over one million asylum seekers in the coming months.
After the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc must prevent a migration crisis at home and focus on supporting Afghanistan’s neighbours to take in those fleeing the Taliban control. Borrell added, “We have to ensure the new political situation created in Afghanistan by the return of the Taliban does not lead to a large-scale migratory movement toward Europe. We need to coordinate between EU member states and transit countries. We have to support transit and the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.”
French President Macron Calls for Robust EU Policy to Tackle Illegal Afghan Migration
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for a robust policy to tackle illegal Afghan migration as thousands of Afghans are fleeing the country after the Taliban took control.
August 18, 2021
SOURCE: RFI