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MIGRATION:
Border Controls |
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EU Policy The Schengen Agreement is a collection of legal provisions between 22 members of the Eurpoean Union (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) and 2 other states (Iceland and Norway) resulting in the abolition of physical borders and comon policy on the temporary entry of persons. Ireland and the United Kingdom remain outside the Schengen Convention of 1990. In the member states internal border control is often virtually unnoticeable, and often only performed by means of random car or train searches in the hinterland, while controls at borders with non-agreement states may be rather strict. In 2008, the Commission proposed setting up a European border patrol system and a requirement for travellers to submit their fingerprints before entering the EU. Under the proposals, all non-Europeans will have to submit biometric data to enter the EU even if they come from countries such as the United States and Canada, from which visa-free travel is currently permitted. The far-reaching package, designed to combat terrorism, illegal migration and organised crime, would also involve setting up a comprehensive electronic register of travellers' biometric data. Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said travellers from outside the EU could face a biometric test as part of obtaining their visa while those not needing a permit would be checked on arrival. Moreover, a surveillance system (Eurosur) would be set up which would use state-of-the-art technology, including high resolution satellites and unmanned aircraft, to monitor remote areas for movements of migrants. There would also be further operations involving the EU's border agency, Frontex. "We cannot have mafia, or traffickers, or terrorists, using better technology than our police," said Frattini. A central aim of the measures is tackling the large number of illegal immigrants who in fact first entered the EU legally: "The factor number one is over-stayers in Europe," Mr. Frattini said. The Commission believes that more than half of all illegal immigrants enter the EU with valid paperwork but overstay their permitted time. Under the proposed entry and exit register, an alert would be sent to all member states when a visa expired and no exit from the Schengen zone had been recorded. The Commissioner said the EU had to use "the most advanced technology to reach the highest level of security" to stop visitors overstaying their welcome in Europe and to prevent terrorists from entering. The plans would also allow for a Registered Traveller Programme to enable EU citizens to pass through customs with only random checks. That could be extended to include non-EU citizens on multiple visas. Mr Frattini said he hoped the reforms - if approved by all the EU member states - would be introduced between 2010-2015 Stories Members of the Open Horizon group visited an NGO in Romania working on the issue of trafficking including education for prevention, the provision of support and repatriation assistance for victims. In discussion we learnt that the government shelters provided for returned victims are empty – this is not because there is no need (though the state can use this as an argument, however there are good relations between state officials and NGOs working in this field) but because the women are reluctant to use them. Firstly the addresses are public – and so the traffickers know where to find them again. Secondly in order to be able to stay, the women are required to give evidence against their traffickers and many are too intimidated to do so. Thirdly there is no social support provided to help the women recover from their horrendous ordeal and begin to find skills or employment to ensure they are not vulnerable again and to be independent as many are not accepted back into the families after having been involved (despite it being forcibly) in the sex industry. NGOs are working together to provide support and state officials assist if women need a change of identity for safety. The opening of their borders on admission to the EU has increased the problem of labour migration as well as trafficking – and Romania is now a destination country for the latter as women are brought in from China, Indonesia and Moldovia to service tourists (mostly from Italy, England, Belgium and USA) in exclusive clubs and private apartments. Links Various EU items on migration and mobility on an independent website. Information on obtaining Schengen visas for travel within the EU by non-EU nationals.
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