Information
The Netherlands has initiated temporary border checks at its crossings with Germany and Belgium to curb irregular migration and cross-border crime, according to Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber. These measures will include random vehicle and traveller inspections at 840 crossings and international trains over the next six months. The decision is based on Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code, which permits such actions in cases of significant public order or national security threats. Despite criticism, Faber, a member of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), defended the move, asserting that it grants border police the authority to operate more effectively. However, with only 50 officers assigned, the checks are limited in scope and will rely on risk analysis, including vehicle origin and camera footage, rather than fixed checkpoints.
The initiative has sparked protests from nearly 50 border municipalities concerned about potential disruptions to cross-border travel. While general traffic restrictions are not expected, critics question the feasibility and impact of the controls. Despite these tensions, Faber dismissed claims of inefficacy, emphasizing that the plan is a pragmatic response to migration challenges. The backdrop to these measures includes stable annual asylum seeker numbers of around 40,000 in the Netherlands, which underscores the government’s goal of addressing migration more assertively without undermining Schengen principles of open borders.
Source: dpa, EFE
So what
While it is reasonable to protest against the restrictions, the Dutch people made a clear choice in the last election to take action against illegal migration. However, as highlighted in this article, random checks are unlikely to significantly impact the flow of migrants. That said, these “random” checks could serve as a useful guide for targeted operations against known smugglers. This approach would allow the police to protect their sources while still accomplishing their objectives.
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