Czechia among EU states pushing for return of Afghan migrants without legal status

Nineteen EU member states, including the Czech Republic, are urging the European Commission to allow the voluntary or forced return of Afghan migrants who lack legal residency or face criminal charges. The appeal, reported by Euractiv, was made in a letter to EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner.

The signatories call on Brussels to enable the return of Afghans considered a threat to public order and to strengthen coordination between the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and willing EU countries.

The letter also proposes establishing an EU mission in Afghanistan and calls for Frontex, the EU border agency, to play a bigger role in organizing returns through the Union’s reintegration programs. The signatories warn that the EU “can no longer afford inaction.”