LFR slams draft asylum bill

The Luxembourg Refugee Collective, a network of organisations including Passerell and ASTI, has raised concerns about a draft law tightening rules for asylum seekers. The proposal by the Interior Ministry implements a recent European Union directive under the European Asylum and Migration Pact.

The reform introduces a mandatory screening for everyone entering the country without permission. During this stage, authorities verify identity and fingerprints, check security information, carry out health examinations and assess possible vulnerabilities. People would be held in screening centres. From there they would either proceed to the asylum application office or be transferred directly to deportation facilities if their claims appear unlikely to succeed.

The Luxembourg Refugee Collective has criticised the screening mechanism since its introduction at the European Union level. However, the group now focuses on how Luxembourg plans to apply the rules. Passerell director Marion Dubois says the proposal raises concerns about detention and the treatment of minors.

Under the draft law, young people aged sixteen and older could be placed in screening centres managed by the authority that currently runs Luxembourg’s immigration detention facility. The collective says stronger safeguards are needed to detect vulnerabilities and avoid arbitrary decisions during searches, asylum assessments or detention.

Dubois also highlights shorter deadlines for appeals. European Union legislation allows up to thirty days to challenge decisions. Luxembourg’s proposal sets the limit at twenty days.

Other institutions have expressed similar concerns in their opinions on the bill. The Administrative Tribunal and the Administrative Court warn that accelerated procedures and shorter deadlines could make it difficult for judges to fully examine asylum cases. They say the changes may weaken the right to an effective remedy.

The public prosecutor’s office also raises institutional questions. Prosecutors criticise provisions that would give them responsibility for decisions concerning unaccompanied minors, arguing such matters should remain with family courts. In addition, they call for clearer safeguards regarding the collection and use of biometric data during the screening process.

For the Luxembourg Refugee Collective, the proposal reflects a broader shift in asylum policy. Sergio Ferreira, representing ASTI within the network, describes it as a change of paradigm in the treatment of refugees. He also criticises that the ministry took so long to submit the law leaving little room

Asked about the criticism, the Interior Ministry refers to Luxembourg’s obligation to implement the European Union migration and asylum pact. The government must adopt the legislation before June, when the European framework enters into force.

Despite the approaching deadline, the Luxembourg Refugee Collective urges the government and parliament to reject the current draft and reopen the discussion to introduce stronger protections for asylum seekers.