Activities of Charlie WEIMERS related to 2020/0278(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing a screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817
Amendments (56)
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Schengen area was created to achieve the Union’s objective of establishing an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of persons is ensured, as set out in Article 3(2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The goodis ensured. Public trust and the functioning of thise Schengen area relies on mutual trust between the Member States and a secure and efficiently management of thed external border.
Amendment 159 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The rules governing border control of persons crossing the external borders of the Member States of the Union are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Schengen Borders Code)21 as adopted under Article 77(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). To further develop the Union’s policy with a view to carrying out checks on persons and efficiently monitoring the crossing of external borders referred to in the first paragraph of Article 77 TFEU, additional measures should address situations where third-country nationals manage to avoid, whether purposely or not, border checks at the external borders, or where third-country nationals are disembarked following search and rescue operations as well as where third-country nationals request international protection at a border crossing point without fulfilling entry conditions. The present regulation complements and specifies Regulation (EU) 2016/399 with regard to those three sets of situations. _________________ 21 Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), OJ L 77, 23.3.2016, p.1.
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) It is essential to ensure that in those three sets of situations, the third country nationals are screened, in order to facilitate a proper identification and to allow for them being referred efficiently to the relevant procedures which, depending on the circumstances, can be procedures for international protection or procedures respecting Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (the “Return Directive”)22 Member State procedures enabling returns. The screening should seamlessly complement the checks carried out at the external border or compensate for the fact that those checks have been circumvented by the third country nationals when crossing the external border. _________________ 22 Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals, OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 98.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Border control is in the interest not only of the Member States at whose external borders it is carried out but of all Member States which have abolished internal border control. Border control should help to combat illegal migration, andmplify communication campaigns deterring migrants from illegally entering the EU and counteract the trafficking of human beings and to prevent any threat to the Member States’ internal security, public policy, public health and international relations. As such, measures taken at the external borders are important elements of a comprehensive approach to migrmigration mitigation, allowing to address the challenge of mixed flows of migrants and persons seeking international protectionposed by mass migratory flows to European culture, society and way of life.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Border control is in the interest not only of the Member States at whose external borders it is carried out but of all Member States which have abolished internal border control. Border control should help toprimarily combat illegal migration and trafficking of human beings and to prevent any threat to the Member States’ internal security, public policy, public health and international relations. As such, measures taken at the external borders are important elements of a comprehensive approach to migration, allowing to address the challenge of mixed flows of migrants and persons seeking international protectionensuring safety of the Member States.
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, border control consists of border checks carried out at the border crossing points and border surveillance, which is carried out between the border crossing points, in order to prevent third-country nationals from circumventing border checks. In accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 a person who has crossed a border in an unauthorised manner and who has no right to stay on the territory of the Member State concerned shall be apprehended and made subject to procedures respecting Directive 2008/115/EC. In accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, border control should be carried out without prejudice to the rights of refugees and persons requesting international protection, in particular as regards non- refoulementA person who has crossed a border in an unauthorised manner shall not be allowed to request international protection and shall instead be returned to his or her port of origin, last safe transit country or country of origin.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, border control consists of border checks carried out at the border crossing points and border surveillance, which is carried out between the border crossing points, in order to prevent third-country nationals from illegally circumventing border checks. In accordance with Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 a person who has crossed a border in an unauthorised manner and who has no right to stay on the territory of the Member State concerned shall be apprehended and made subject to procedures respecting Directive 2008/115/EC. In accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, border control should be carried out without prejudice to the rights of refugees and persons requesting international protection, in particular as regards non- refoulement.
Amendment 182 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Border guards are often confronted with third-country nationals who are requesting international protection without travel documents, both following apprehension during border surveillance and during checks at the border crossing points. Moreover, at some border sections the border guards are confronted with large numbers of arrivals at the same time. In such circumstances, it is particularly difficult to ensure that all relevant databases are consulted and to immediately determine the appropriate asylum or return proceduto determine the return procedure or procedure for processing their request for international protection in a third country partner state reception centre.
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Border guards are often confronted with third-country nationals who are requesting international protection without travel documents or any other documents supporting their claims, both following apprehension during border surveillance and during checks at the border crossing points. Moreover, at some border sections the border guards are confronted with large numbers of arrivals at the same time. In such circumstances, it is particularly difficult to ensure that all relevant databases are consulted and to immediately determine the appropriate asylum or return procedure.
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to ensure a swift handlingreturn of third-country nationals who entered illegally or try to avoid border checks or who request international protection at a border crossing point without fulfilling the entry conditions or who are disembarkednot returned by the vessel to the port of origin following a search and rescue operation, it is necessary to provide a stronger framework for cooperation between the different national authorities responsible for border control, the protection of public health, the and public safety enabling quick and efficient examination of the need for international protection and the application of return proceduresin a third country partner state reception centre where international protection would be provided if the application is approved and if rejected ensuring swift returns to ports of origin, the last safe transit country or countries of origin.
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In particular, the sScreening should help to ensure that the third-country nationals concerned are referred to the appropriate procedures at the earliest stage possible and that the procedures are continued without interruption and delay. At the same timeIn particular, the screening should help to counter the practice whereby some applicants for international protection abscond after having been authorised to enter the territory of a Member State based on their request for international protection, in order to pursue such requests in another Member State or not at all.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) With regard to those persons who apply for international protection, the screening should be followed by an examination of the need for international protection in a third country partner state reception centre. It should allow to collect and share with the authorities competent for that examination any information that is relevant for the latter to identify the appropriate procedure for the examination of the application, thus speeding up that examination. The screening should also ensure that persons with special needs are identified at an early stage, so that any special reception and procedural needs are fully taken into account in the determination of and the pursuit of the applicable procedube it in a Member State or a third country partner state reception centre, thus speeding up that examination, and for the swift relocation of persons awaiting returns to their last safe transit country, port of origin, their country of origin or transfer to a third country partner state reception centre.
Amendment 201 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The obligations stemming from this Regulation should be without prejudice to the provisions concerning responsibility for examining an application for international protection regulated in Regulation (EU) No XX/XXX [Asylum and Migration Management Regulation] if it is not hampering the security of the external borders.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Wherever it becomes clear beyond any doubt during the screening that a third- country national subject to it fulfils the conditions of Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, the screening should end and the third-country national concerned should be authorised to enter the territory, without prejudice to the application of penalties as referred to in Article 5(3) of that regulation.
Amendment 233 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
Amendment 240 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) In accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, the fulfilment of entry conditions and the authorisation of entry are expressed in an entry stamp in a travel document. The absence of such entry stamp or the absence of a travel document mayshould therefore be considered as an indication that the holder does not fulfil the entry conditions. With the start of the operation of the Entry/Exit System leading to substitution of the stamps with an entry in the electronic system, that presumption will become even more reliable. Member States should therefore apply the screening to third-country nationals who are already within the territory and who are unable to prove that they fulfilled the conditions of entry into the territory of the Member States. The screening of such third-country nationals is clearly necessary in order to compensate for the fact that they presumably managed to evade entry checks upon arrival in the Schengen area and therefore could have not been either refused entry or referred to the appropriate procedure following screening. Applying the screening could also help in ascertaining, through the consultation of the databases referred to in this Regulation, that the persons concerned do not pose a threat to internal security. By the end of the screening within the territory, the third- country nationals concerned should be subject to a return procedure or, where they apply for international protection, to the appropriate asylum procedure. Submitting the same third-country national to repeated screenings should be avoided to the utmost extent possible.
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The screening should be completed as soon as possible, and should not exceed 5 days where it is conducted at the external border and 3 days where it is conducted within the territory of a Member State. Any extension of the 5 days’ time limit should be reserved forIn exceptional situations at, the external borders, where the capacities of the Member State to handle screenings are exceeded for reasons beyond its control such as crisis situations referred to in Article 1 of Regulation XXX/XXX [crisis proposal]limit can be extended if it is necessary for the proper conducting of the screening procedure.
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Member States should determine appropriate locations for the screening at or in close proximity to the external border taking into account geography and existing infrastructures, ensuring that apprehended third-country nationals as well as those who present themselves at a border crossing point can be swiftly submitted to the screening. In any case, the persons under the screening procedure shall not be deemed to be on the territory of a Member State. The tasks related to the screening may be carried out in hotspot areas as referred to in point (23) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council23 . _________________ 23 Regulation (EU) 2019/1896 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 November 2019 on the European Border and Coast Guard, OJ L 295, 14.11.2019, p. 1.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
Amendment 255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to achieve the objectives of the screening, close cooperation should be ensured between the competent national authorities referred to in Article 16 of Regulation 2016/399, those referred to in Article 5 of the [Asylum Procedures Regulation] as well as those responsible for carrying out return procedures respecting Directive 2008/115. Child protection authorities shouldmay also be closely involved in the screening wherever necessary to ensure that the best interests of the child are duly taken into account throughout the screening. Member States should be allowed to avail themselves of the support of the relevant agencies, in particular the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the [European Union Agency for Asylum], within the limits of their mandates. Member States should involve the national Rapporteurs for Anti- trafficking wherever the screening reveals facts relevant for trafficking in line with Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council24 . _________________ 24 Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, OJ L 101, 15.4.2011, p. 1.
Amendment 258 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) When conducting the screening, the competent authorities should comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and ensure the respect for human dignity and should not discriminate against persons on grounds of sex, racial, colour, ethnic or sociare expected to comply with national law and any relevant provision in bilateral, multilateral, origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinions, membership of a national minority, disability, age or sexual orientation. Particular attention should be paid to the best interests of the child EU-agreements with third country partner states hosting reception centres, as well as to ensure the procedure respects human dignity.
Amendment 265 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to ensure compliance with EU and international law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights, during the screening, each Member State should establish a monitoring mechanism and put in place adequate safeguards for the independence thereof. The monitoring mechanism should cover in particular the respect for fundamental rights in relation to the screening, as well as the respect for the applicable national rules regarding detention and compliance with the principle of non-refoulement as referred to in Article 3(b) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399. The Fundamental Rights Agency should establish general guidance as to the establishment and the independent functioning of such monitoring mechanism. Member States should furthermore be allowed to request the support of the Fundamental Rights Agency for developing their national monitoring mechanism. Member States should also be allowed to seek advice from the Fundamental Rights Agency with regard to establishing the methodology for this monitoring mechanism and with regard to appropriate training measures. Member States should also be allowed to invite relevant and competent national, international and non-governmental organisations and bodies to participate in the monitoring. The independent monitoring mechanism should be without prejudice to the monitoring of fundamental rights provided by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s fundamental rights monitors provided for in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896. The Member States should investigate allegations of the breach of the fundamental rights during the screening, including by ensuring that complaints are dealt with expeditiously and in an appropriate way.
Amendment 266 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to ensure compliance with EU and international law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights, during the screening, each Member State should establish a monitoring mechanism and put in place adequate safeguards for the independence thereof. The monitoring mechanism should cover in particular the respect for fundamental rights in relation to the screening, as well as the respect for the applicable national rules regarding detention and compliance with the principle of non-refoulement as referred to in Article 3(b) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399. The Fundamental Rights Agency should establish general guidance as to the establishment and the independent functioning of such monitoring mechanism. Member States should furthermore be allowed to request the support of the Fundamental Rights Agency for developing their national monitoring mechanism. Member States should also be allowed to seek advice from the Fundamental Rights Agency with regard to establishing the methodology for this monitoring mechanism and with regard to appropriate training measures. Member States should also be allowed to invite relevant and competent national, international and non-governmental organisations and bodies to participate national law and agreements with third country partner states, during the screening, each Member State should put in place a mechanism monitoring the efficiency of returns and transfers to third country partner state reception centres and adequate safeguards for the independence thereof. The monitoring mechanism should cover in particular the efficiency of checks, transfers to third country partner state reception centres and returns to the last safe transit country, countries of origin or ports of origin following sea-rescue, as well as the respect for the applicable national rules and agreements with third country partner states. The Fundamental Rights Agency shall never act in a manner that interferes with national authorities during the monitoring. The independent monitoring mechanism should be without prejudice to the monitoring of fundamental rights provided by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s fundamental rights monitors provided for in Regulation (EU) 2019/1896. The Member States should investigate allegations of the breach of the fundamental rights during the screening, including by ensuring that complaints are dealt with expeditiously and in an appropriate wayprocess of screening, transfers to third country partner states or the escorting of vessels carrying migrants, instead of to Europe, to the port of origin for disembarkation.
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) Since third-country nationals subject to the screening may not carry or disclose the necessary identity and travel documents required for the legal crossing of the external border, an identification procedure should be provided for as part of the screening.
Amendment 313 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Given that many persons submitted to the screening may not carry or disclose any travel documents, the authorities conducting the screening should have access to any other relevant documents held by the persons concerned in cases where the biometric data of such persons are not usable or yield no result in the CIR. The authorities should also be allowed to use data from those documents, other than biometric data, to carry out checks against the relevant databases.
Amendment 315 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) The identification of persons during border checks at the border crossing point and any consultation of the databases in the context of border surveillance or police checks in the external border area by the authorities who referred the person concerned to the screening should be considered as part of the screening and should not be repeated, unless there are special circumstances justifying such repetition.
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) The screening should alsoprimarily assess whether the entry of the third- country nationals into the Union could pose a threat to internal security or to public policy.
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) The screening shouldall also assess whether the entry of the third-country nationals into the Union could pose a threat to internal security or to public policy.
Amendment 336 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Where justified for the purpose of the security check, the screening could also include verification of objects in the possession of third-country nationals, in accordance with national law. Any measures applied in this context should be proportionate and should respect the human dignity of the persons subject to the screening. The authorities involved should ensure that the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned are respected, including the right to protection of personal data and freedom of expression.
Amendment 359 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes the screening at the external borders of the Member States of all third-country nationals who have crossed the external border illegally in an unauthorised manner, of those who have applied for international protection during border checks without fulfilling entry conditions, as well as those disembarked after a search and rescue operation, before they are referred to the appropriate procedure.
Amendment 371 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
The object of the screening shall be the identification of all third-country nationals subject to it and the verification against relevant databases that the persons subject to it do not pose a threat to internal security. The screening shall also entailinclude health checks, to identify persons posing a threat to public health, and where appropriate, to identify persons vulnerable and in the need of health care as well the ones posing a threat to public health. Those checks shall contribute to referring such persons to the appropriate procedure.
Amendment 404 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) are apprehended in connection with an unauthorised crossing of the external border of a Member State by land, sea or air, except third country nationals for whom the Member State is not required to take the biometric data pursuant to Article 14(1) and (3) of Regulation (EU) 603/2013 for reasons other than their age, or
Amendment 409 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) areshould be returned to the port of origin but are instead disembarked in the territory of a Member State following a search and rescue operation.
Amendment 450 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. In the cases referred to in Article 3, the screening shall be conducted at locations situated at or in proximity to the external borders. However, in any case the persons under the screening procedure shall not be deemed to be on the territory of a Member State.
Amendment 471 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shallmay notify the Commission without delay about the exceptional circumstances referred to in paragraph 3. They shall also inform the Commission as soon as the reasons for extending the screening period have ceased to exist.
Amendment 484 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 6 – point c
(c) registration of biometric and DNA data in the appropriate databases as referred to in Article 14(6), to the extent it has not occurred yet;
Amendment 502 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2
The competent authorities may be assisted or supported in the performance of the screening by experts or liaison officers and teams deployed upon request by the Member State concerned by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and the [European Union Agency for Asylum] within the limits of their mandates.
Amendment 510 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shallcan adopt relevant provisions to investigate allegations of non-respect for fundamental rights in relation to the screening.
Amendment 512 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Amendment 522 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
Amendment 528 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 2
Amendment 538 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
Amendment 556 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 608 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the applicable rules on the conditions of entry for third-country nationals in accordance with Regulation (No) 2016/399 [Schengen Border Code], as well as on other conditions of entry, stay and residence of the Member State concerned, to the extent this information has not been given already;
Amendment 611 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e
Amendment 618 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. The information provided during the screening shall be given in a language which the third-country national understands or is reasonably supposed to understand. The information shall be given in writing and, in exceptional circumstances,or where necessary, orally using interpretation services. It shall be provided in an appropriate manner taking into account the age and the gender of the person.
Amendment 628 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4
Article 8 – paragraph 4
4. Member States may authorise relevant and competent national, international and non-governmental organisations and and international bodies to provide third country nationals with information under this article during the screening according to the provisions established by national law.
Amendment 638 #
2. Where relevant, it shall be checked whether persons referred to in paragraph 1 are in a vulnerable situation, victims of torture or have special reception or procedural needs within the meaning of Article 20 of the [recast] Reception Conditions Directive.
Amendment 644 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Where there are indications of vulnerabilities or special reception or procedural needs, the third-country national concerned shallmay receive timely and adequate support in view of their physical and mental health. In the case of minors, support shall be given by personnel trained and qualified to deal with minors, and in cooperation with child protection authorities.
Amendment 665 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) biometric and DNA data;
Amendment 676 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Third country nationals submitted to the screening pursuant to Article 3 or Article 5 shall undergo a security check to verify that they do not constitute a threat to internal security or social cohesion. The security check may cover both the third- country nationals and the objects in their possession, objects in their possession, electronic devices which must be unlocked upon request by authorities, including providing access to any messaging applications, online presence as well as any publication, media or recordings. The law of the Member State concerned shall apply to any searches carried out.
Amendment 759 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
In cases not related to search and rescue operations, entry maycan be refused in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation 2016/399.
Amendment 801 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
[Three years aAfter entry into force, the Commission shall report on the implementation of the measures set out in this Regulation annually.]