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To get a better grip on the influx of migrants, the EU wants to tighten up asylum procedures. The majority of the interior ministers decided on Thursday. Tightening means: migrants with no prospect of asylum will be detained and returned, and countries that do not accept migrants will be asked to pay. A failure could mean the end of the Schengen area, or the open borders within Europe. Blick explains the new regulation.
Why is there a new rule?
At least since the refugee crisis and uncontrolled immigration in 2015/2016, it has become clear that new rules are needed. Greece in particular was overwhelmed by the massive influx. Hundreds of thousands of people were able to travel to other countries without registration. Under the current Dublin Agreement, asylum seekers must be registered in the country they first enter.
What are the stricter rules?
In the future, people from countries considered safe and countries with a recognition rate of less than 20 percent will end up in tightly controlled reception facilities after crossing the border under conditions similar to detention. There, it is normally examined within twelve weeks whether the asylum seeker has a chance of being granted asylum. If not, it must be returned immediately.
Are families locked up too?
The German government had campaigned to exempt families with children from so-called border procedures. However, in order for the breakthrough to happen, she eventually had to accept that it could be possible. She does want to continue working with Portugal, Ireland and Luxembourg for exceptions. It is also conceivable that the EU Parliament will push through changes.
What changes in the distribution?
In addition to the tightened asylum procedures, the plans provide more solidarity with the heavily burdened member states at the external borders of the EU. In the future, it should no longer be voluntary, but mandatory. Countries that do not want to take in refugees should pay compensation. An amount of 22,000 euros per denied entry circulated in the media.
What happens to rejections?
According to the responsible Swedish Commissioner Ylva Johansson (59), rejected asylum seekers could in principle also be deported to non-EU countries in the future – for example in exchange for compensation to that country. The only requirement should be that they have some connection to this country. What this should look like is at the discretion of the EU Member States responsible for the respective asylum procedure.
Who voted against the reform?
Poland, Hungary, Malta, Slovakia and Bulgaria did not support the reform. After the agreement, the Czech Republic has made it clear that it does not want to participate in the solidarity mechanism. Polish Minister of Europe Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, 40, tweeted, referring to the admission of 1.6 million war refugees from Ukraine: “We do not accept that absurd ideas are forced upon us.”
Does the regulation also apply to Switzerland?
SP federal councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) said on Thursday that Switzerland also wanted to join the scheme. She described the solution as a “historic step”. Thanks to the compromise, the Dublin system has been strengthened.
How many migrants travel to Europe?
The number of asylum applications increased sharply after Corona. In 2022, 881,200 first applications were submitted in the 27 EU countries. That is an increase of 64 percent compared to last year. Not even every second request is accepted. A total of 24,511 applications were submitted in Switzerland in 2022.
Where do the migrants currently come from?
Italy is particularly affected at the moment. According to the UN refugee agency, more than 50,000 migrants have already been registered there this year. Most came from Tunisia, Egypt and Bangladesh.
What about refugees from Ukraine?
The special arrangement means that Ukrainians enjoy special protection in the EU without having to apply for asylum. The scheme has no meaning for them at the moment.
When will the new regulation take effect?
The ongoing negotiations with the EU Parliament should ideally be concluded before the end of the year. Then the laws could be passed before the European elections in June 2024. If that does not work, the changed political balance of power may necessitate renegotiation.
What are the critics saying?
There was massive criticism from members of the Greens. “The EU member states have lost their moral compass,” complained the spokesman for the German Greens in the European Parliament, Rasmus Andresen (37). However, the Greens are divided: their vice-chancellor Robert Habeck (53) and their foreign minister Annalena Baerbock (42) agreed to the settlement because of the need for an agreement.
What do migration experts say?
The “Council for Migration”, which brings together some 190 German researchers, says: “Better no reform than this one.” They criticize that the measures cannot be implemented in accordance with human rights. They fear that refugee prisons will now be built on Europe’s borders and that foreign countries will continue to send migrants to northern states.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
