People moving to Belgium from outside the EU would be required to sign a statement vowing to integrate or else see their residency claim rejected, under a proposed law approved by Belgium’s government Wednesday.
The “newcomers statement,” which must still be voted on by parliament, would be translated into a language signees understand and be mandatory for anyone from outside the EU wanting to come to Belgium for more than three months. Asylum-seekers and students are exempt.
People would have to sign a form certifying that they will make “sufficient efforts” to learn the official language of the region where they live and “to familiarize themselves with the society.” The requirement would also apply to those having their visa renewed. If authorities judge someone is not doing enough to integrate, their residency rights could be terminated.
The measure was first discussed by ministers in October last year and takes into account new arrivals’ work situation, their efforts to learn a language, as well as participation in community activities such as local clubs, a spokeswoman for Theo Francken, state secretary for asylum policy and migration, told POLITICO. In Flanders, there is already an obligatory integration course.
The proposed text also explains that anyone aware of a planned terrorist act must do everything to stop the attack and notify police.
“I’ve always wanted to make the link between a residency permit and the obligation to integrate,” Francken, from the New Flemish Alliance party (N-VA), told Sudpresse papers.
“It’s not just a simple piece of paper,” he said. “It will allow signees to be evaluated for years ... and that will influence the extension of their residency permit. We have here a magnificent tool for stimulating integration and sanctioning a lack of it, if appropriate. This is not a moralizing law, nor stigmatizing, but it is clear and fair.”
“Newcomers, such as you, often come from countries with a different cultural context,” the text, tweeted by Francken, reads. “They wish to build their lives in our country. However, residents of our country adhere to certain rights, responsibilities, freedoms and values. In order to live together in peace and security, it’s important that you show you recognize these [freedoms] ... and that you are willing to respect them.”
Signees must “understand and accept” that Belgian citizens should provide for themselves and that “following the integration pathway foreseen by the federal authorities offers good chances to achieve this.”
The Belgian Council of State now has 30 days to consider the proposal before the Council of Ministers reads the law a second time ahead of a plenary vote in parliament. Francken’s office is aiming for this final, plenary vote to take place before parliament’s summer recess.