Netherlands to Extend Border Controls Amid Ongoing Asylum Pressure
THE HAGUE – The Dutch cabinet intends to prolong heightened border controls with Belgium and Germany, hoping for a “preventive effect” despite findings that such measures haven’t significantly curbed migration, officials announced today. The decision comes as the Netherlands grapples with a strained asylum reception system and concerns about public order.
According to national coordinator for security and counterterrorism, Jan van Weel, continued pressure on asylum chains ”could lead to an increased threat to public order” due to shortages of places in reception facilities. While the number of asylum seekers entering the country in the past eight months has fallen considerably compared to last year, Van Weel emphasized that “the absolute pressure still high,” with over 100,000 people involved.
Earlier this month,the Dutch Court of Audit concluded that increased border controls are unlikely to reduce pressure on asylum reception,as the military police are not authorized to deny asylum seekers entry at the border. The controls are intended to reduce the number of people attempting to cross the border illegally. Van Weel stated the government will continue monitoring the borders until the implementation of the European Migration Pact, hoping for ”more effective procedures at the external border, which shoudl make border controls a thing of the past.”
