Brussels - Saba:
Belgium is set to significantly tighten asylum rules for refugees starting Monday. These measures will be the first step in one of the most difficult immigration reforms in the kingdom's history, previously announced by the Belgian government. Starting Monday, refugees who have already been granted protection status or asylum in another EU country will no longer be able to apply for asylum in the Kingdom.
Last month, the Federal Parliament approved a series of measures aimed at restricting access to the Belgian reception system.
Refugees Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt described them as "crisis measures."
On the eve of the law's entry into force, the Belgian minister said: "Asylum is protection. Those who have obtained it in other European countries should not be able to access our refuges. The era of protection trafficking must end."
In addition, authorities are expected to speed up the processing of protection and asylum applications, and people whose applications were rejected in another EU country will also be denied the right to seek asylum in Belgium.
Under the law, starting this August, it will also become impossible for a parent or minor to apply for an extension of refugee status without other valid reasons.
Belgium is expected to significantly tighten rules for foreign family reunification in the Kingdom in mid-August. Belgian authorities are currently implementing some of the most unpopular social reforms, including raising the retirement age, reducing unemployment benefits, and limiting the duration of these payments to two years for able-bodied citizens.
In addition, the new authorities plan to significantly reduce administrative costs and tighten immigration policy.