THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The European Commission unveiled a draft law on 11 March aimed at expediting deportations of undocumented migrants across Europe — a legislation that critics say undermines human rights and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including many Africans. The proposal, rushed through amid political pressure, has been sharply condemned by migrant advocacy groups for its lack of consultation and comprehensive impact assessments.
Under the new regulation, immigration detention periods would be extended from 18 to 24 months — even for children — and stringent measures such as entry bans of up to 10 years (previously capped at five) would be imposed on the deportees. Moreover, the draft permits member states to establish deportation centres outside the European Union, a provision that critics warn could lead to arbitrary detention and further human rights abuses.
Migrant advocacy organization PICUM, a prominent voice in the debate, denounced the proposal. “This new law represents a dystopian approach to migration control, where punitive measures are prioritized over human rights,” a PICUM spokesperson declared. “Together, we will continue to fight this proposal as it goes through negotiations in the EU Council and the European Parliament.”
The regulation has drawn international attention, with four EU-funded projects on irregular migration issuing a joint statement refuting the claim that the proposal was “informed” by their research. These researchers, whose findings were notably absent from the consultation process, argue that many of the new measures contradict established evidence on effective migration management.
Recent coverage by major international media outlets, including AP, Politico, Deutsche Welle and Forbes, has highlighted the potential ramifications of these measures. Critics warn that if the proposal is enacted, it could set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of all undocumented migrants.
The debate over the new return regulation underscores a growing tension between stricter migration control and the need to uphold international human rights. As negotiations continue within EU institutions, advocacy groups are urging policymakers to consider the broader humanitarian impacts of such drastic measures.
Adira Kallo
