The Taliban are in Brussels for technical consultations on the forced repatriation of Afghan citizens. These discussions took place with representatives from the European Commission, Belgium, and fourteen other EU member states, as reported by De Tijd. The presence of the Taliban in the European capital underscores the complexity of international migration issues, especially concerning countries with unstable political situations.
Context of forced repatriations
The Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, has stated her position clearly on the matter: "For me, it is clear: whoever is illegal and a criminal must return as soon as possible to their country of origin, even if that is Afghanistan." This quote from De Tijd highlights the Belgian stance on this issue and the pressure exerted to facilitate the return of illegal and criminal individuals, despite the controversial nature of direct negotiations with the Taliban.