Belgium experienced a significant increase in asylum applications in 2024, reaching levels reminiscent of the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. According to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Belgium received 4,400 asylum applications in October 2024, marking a record number over several years. The Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) reported that in October 2024, the Immigration Office registered 4,323 applicants for international protection, with an additional 60 individuals registered through resettlement programs, totaling 4,383 applicants.
The primary countries of origin for these applicants were Syria, Palestine, and Afghanistan. In response to the increasing number of asylum applications, Belgium implemented an accelerated procedure in February 2024 for applicants from nationalities with a low likelihood of obtaining international protection. By October 2024, applications from 859 individuals had been processed under this fast-track system, resulting in a 96% rejection rate.
Outgoing State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, emphasized the need to prevent individuals who do not require protection from applying for asylum in Belgium. Additionally, in December 2024, Belgium temporarily halted the processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals. The CGRS stated that the situation in Syria remained too unstable to assess the safety of return for Syrians who had fled abroad.
State Secretary Nicole de Moor noted that refugee status is not permanent and indicated that if the situation in Syria improves permanently, Belgian authorities would reassess protection decisions issued to Syrian nationals over the past five years. The surge in asylum applications has placed considerable pressure on Belgium’s reception facilities. Reports indicate that the influx has led to challenges in accommodating the growing number of asylum seekers, prompting discussions on the need for expanded infrastructure and resources to manage the situation effectively.
In late December 2024, the Council of State, Belgium’s highest administrative court, suspended a decision by State Secretary Nicole de Moor that denied reception to male asylum seekers who had already been granted protection in another European country. The court ruled that the measure was illegal, as it had been “carelessly drafted” and not properly submitted for consultation. This decision underscored the legal complexities surrounding asylum policies and the importance of adhering to established procedures. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges Belgium faces in managing asylum applications and reception capacities, necessitating continuous evaluation and adaptation of policies to address the evolving migration landscape. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.