Publicaties

This article critically examines the evolution of Belgium’s Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme within the framework of its recent ‘assertive return policy’. Drawing on a directed qualitative analysis of policy documents, it argues that AVR has become central to the broader expansion of state power in migration governance. The establishment of assertive return counselling, the creation of return offices and the introduction of a legal duty ...

The recent Belgian legislative reform, introducing an ‘assertive return policy’ (aanklampend terugkeerbeleid), brings notable changes to the Belgian return policy. This policy change aims to shorten detention periods and introduce ‘alternatives to detention’ such as assertive coaching (aanklampende begeleiding) and mandatory cooperation for migrants. This article critically analyzes these changes, revealing that the policy does not effectively ...

Scholars have highlighted the crucial role that immigration officials play as “street-level bureaucrats” in the implementation of restrictive immigration policies. This study describes the working and decision-making practices of immigration officials in return procedures in Belgium, based on observations, expert interviews, and an analysis of case law. We demonstrate that their work primarily involves desk work and writing justifications in ...

Van 2 tot 9 november 2021 bracht het Europees Comité ter preventie van foltering en onmenselijke of vernederende behandeling of bestraffing (CPT) een ad hoc bezoek aan
België. Het doel van het bezoek was om na te gaan of de situatie in de Belgische gevangenissen verbeterd was na het laatste periodieke bezoek van maart-april
2017. Tijdens het ad hoc bezoek in 2021 werden de gevangenissen van Antwerpen, Lantin, Sint-Gillis en Ieper ...