Green Party: Dialogue Should Encourage Migrants to Return

Recently, the EU Parliament voted in favor of a new law aimed at making it easier to deport migrants who do not have the right to remain in Europe. The vote was a major setback for Green Party member Alice Bah Kuhnke, who at the same time admits that stricter measures in migration policy are necessary.

For years, deportation decisions have too rarely been enforced. The new law means that migrants with a deportation order will be required to cooperate with authorities to facilitate their return. Those who refuse to cooperate risk being detained for up to two years.

“New, stricter rules for returning migrants are the Sweden Democrats’ greatest negotiating victory ever in the EU. Soon, it will be possible to send home those who should not be in Europe, and return hubs outside the EU will be enabled,” commented EU parliamentarian Charlie Weimers (SD).

“It was a tough day when this decision passed in the European Parliament,” says Alice Bah Kuhnke in the SVT program 30 minuter.

She does not agree that tightening the rules to increase returns is necessary.

“I am mostly saddened and distressed by the narrative that has developed – that people fleeing are evil, have malicious intentions, and must be removed at any cost. And that this narrative is being reflected in several different pieces of legislation.”

Information and Dialogue

At the same time, she agrees that migrants who are denied asylum must also leave Europe – today, only one in five who are denied permission to stay actually return. She believes this should be achieved in other ways, claiming that “The Sweden Democrats want an ICE-style police force to enter people’s homes and drag them out.”

“I think it’s very much about providing information and starting a dialogue early on, explaining to people that there are others with stronger grounds for protection.”

According to Bah Kuhnke, in some cases conversations have been enough, but she believes the method must be improved.

“Dialogue, information, and then also ensuring that the people – the children – who have received a deportation decision are treated in a dignified manner.”