As large numbers of displaced people arrived in 2015, some Schengen countries reintroduced border checks. Six are extending controls.
That's illegal, EU observers say, and it undermines the idea of freedom of movement: 🧵 p.dw.com/p/3S8Ad
That's illegal, EU observers say, and it undermines the idea of freedom of movement: 🧵 p.dw.com/p/3S8Ad
People and goods can move rather freely across the internal borders of the 26-nation Schengen Area.
The idea is that the agreement (between 22 EU countries + 🇮🇸, 🇱🇮, 🇳🇴 & 🇨🇭) will boost domestic economies and facilitate human mobility in a way that few parts of the world permit.
The idea is that the agreement (between 22 EU countries + 🇮🇸, 🇱🇮, 🇳🇴 & 🇨🇭) will boost domestic economies and facilitate human mobility in a way that few parts of the world permit.
Clear rules regulate when and how a Schengen country can temporarily reintroduce checks at its borders.
Until recently, these reintroductions were few and far between, usually invoked for foreseeable events, such as major sports competitions or political meetings:
Until recently, these reintroductions were few and far between, usually invoked for foreseeable events, such as major sports competitions or political meetings:
Portugal conducted border checks for the 2010 @NATO summit in Lisbon, for example, and Denmark did it during the 2009 @UN #ClimateChange Conference in Copenhagen.
One announcement by Iceland lists "Participation of MC Hells Angels at the inauguration of the Icelandic Motorcycle club in Reykjavik" as the reason for two days of checks in Iceland in 2007.
These kinds of controls last only a few days and are planned far ahead of time.
These kinds of controls last only a few days and are planned far ahead of time.
But since September 2015, "some countries have started using every legal possibility in the Schengen code to extend border controls," said @YPascouau, a senior adviser at the Brussels-based think tank the European Policy Centre (EPC).
"This is unprecedented."
"This is unprecedented."
When increasing numbers of refugees started arriving in the EU in 2015, Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Hungary quickly reintroduced controls, citing a "continuous big influx of persons seeking international protection."
This was the first time that migration had been mentioned as a reason for reintroducing border controls.
Soon after, six Schengen members reintroduced controls for extended periods. Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway cited migration as a reason.
Soon after, six Schengen members reintroduced controls for extended periods. Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway cited migration as a reason.
France, as the sixth country, first introduced border checks after the November 2015 attacks in Paris, citing terrorist threats.
Now, four years later, all six countries still have controls in place. On November 12, they are scheduled to extend them for another six months.
Now, four years later, all six countries still have controls in place. On November 12, they are scheduled to extend them for another six months.
"From 2015 to 2017, there was a legal ground for these controls," @YPascouau said, "but since then they have been unfounded."
Read more: p.dw.com/p/3S8Ad
Read more: p.dw.com/p/3S8Ad
