Annelien Van Bossuyt, Belgium’s Minister of Asylum and Migration, officially stated that Afghan nationals convicted of serious crimes who lack legal residence documents must be immediately deported to Afghanistan upon completing their prison sentences.
Kabul 24: Highlighting the presence of approximately 60 undocumented Afghan convicts currently serving prison sentences in Belgium, the minister emphasized that these individuals should not be permitted to move freely within Belgian territory following their release. She revealed that the majority of these convicts were sentenced for severe offenses, including murder and sexual assault.
Minister Van Bossuyt further clarified that establishing technical contacts with Afghan authorities to coordinate these deportations does not signify political recognition or support for the Islamic Emirate, but rather serves as a necessary measure to safeguard public safety and uphold the rule of law in Belgium.
The minister’s remarks have elicited varied perspectives from migration experts and political analysts. Abdul Raziq Adil, an advocate for refugee rights, noted that compliance with host nation laws and total abstention from criminal behavior constitute both an international legal obligation and a vital moral necessity for migrant communities.
Conversely, political analyst Gul Mohammaduddin Mohammadi argued that deportations for lesser offenses could contradict European nations’ proclaimed commitments to international human rights principles.
This policy discussion unfolds alongside emerging technical dialogues between European officials and Afghan authorities. Earlier in June, a technical meeting hosted by Belgium saw an Islamic Emirate delegation led by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi hold discussions with European officials regarding bilateral issues.
