On 29 April, Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, issued a press release in which it stated that the measures included in the "Easter Agreement," a package of crisis measures adopted by the Council of Ministers on 11 April, violate the right of foreigners to live as a family. The press release highlights that "For Myria, the announced measures violate the right of foreigners to live as a family and risk being counterproductive in terms of integration. For families who want to reunite but cannot, separation causes intense stress, social isolation, and economic hardship, which prevents them from living normally".

Family reunification remains one of the most important migration channels to Belgium, and is subject to numerous conditions, depending on the situation. These conditions are now becoming stricter. Myria denounces in particular:

• The increase in the resource requirement: one of the most important conditions is that the person already residing in Belgium has "sufficient, stable, and regular means of subsistence," regardless of any benefits. This amount will be raised to 110% of the guaranteed minimum monthly income and will increase by 10% for each additional person. This equates to €2,745 net for a worker wishing to be joined by their partner and two children. Myria believes this condition is unrealistic, particularly for beneficiaries of international protection.

• The shortening of the submission deadline for applications from beneficiaries of international protection: the government has announced its intention to reduce the time limit for family members of beneficiaries of international protection to submit their family reunification applications from twelve to six months, without having to demonstrate that they meet the material conditions. "Myria fears that such a deadline will be very difficult to meet."

• The introduction of a waiting period for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection: they will now have to wait two years before being able to apply for family reunification, with an exception for unaccompanied minors. In addition, they must immediately meet new income requirements.

In a letter to the Minister, the institution warns that the government's Easter agreement without additional measures for refugees could constitute a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Read Myria's press release, as well as the articles from RTBF and De Standaard.