Return of Gambians who are obliged to leave

Question for written answer  E-001104/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Lars Patrick Berg (ID)

The government of the Gambia is failing to comply with its obligations under international law to take its own nationals back into the country. The majority of asylum applications by Gambian citizens which have been turned down did not result in deportation, because of a lack of travel documents. Talks between the Commission and Gambian President Adama Barrow failed to solve the problem. Yet according to a reliable list compiled by the German police force, there are currently 6 569 Gambians in Germany who are obliged to leave the country.

• 1.How will the Commission support Germany in returning migrants to the Gambia?
• 2.Will the Commission restrict or suspend the provision of tourist and work visas for Gambians in the future?
• 3.What other action will the Commission take to convince the Gambian government to take back its nationals?