Germany Proposes European Rapid Response Force to Manage Migration Crises
Bareen Media – Germany has proposed creating a rapid response force within the framework of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex, that could assist countries within 24 hours if there is a sudden increase in migration at the European Union’s external borders.
According to the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Germany’s interior minister said Europe needs a new mechanism to support countries facing sudden migration pressure at their borders.
The European Union’s commissioner for migration also said Frontex’s powers will be expanded in the near future so that the agency can respond more quickly and flexibly before a situation develops into a crisis.
At the same time, Germany has called for a broader role for Frontex in returning migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. The proposal has sparked debate among organisations defending migrants’ rights.
Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece are also working on plans to establish return centres outside the European Union, where rejected asylum seekers could be transferred before being returned to other countries.
The International Rescue Committee has criticised the proposal, saying that establishing such centres could harm migrants’ human dignity and fundamental rights.
