A recent report by the Belgian solidarity network has uncovered alarming practices of illegal forced returns, indicating that tens of thousands of asylum seekers are being pushed out of Europe. The report emphasizes that despite European Union legislation and international refugee law guaranteeing the right to apply for asylum, many individuals are experiencing mass returns without any individual evaluation of their circumstances. Such practices raise serious concerns about compliance with international human rights standards and the treatment of vulnerable populations seeking refuge.

The report documents daily abusive actions against hundreds of men, women, and children, including beatings, stripping of clothing, and theft before they are forcibly pushed back across rivers and seas. Notably, the network recorded at least 80,865 cases of forced returns in 2025 alone, amounting to an alarming daily average of 221 incidents. These figures, however, are believed to represent only a fraction of the actual occurrences, indicating a widespread failure to adhere to established asylum protocols and human rights protections.

The implications of these findings are profound, as they not only highlight the urgent need for reform in the handling of asylum seekers at EU borders but also call for a reassessment of policies that prioritize border enforcement over the protection of vulnerable individuals. The systematic violence reported raises ethical questions about the means employed by states to manage migration and protect their borders, indicating a troubling trend that could further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis at Europe's borders.