Brussels, 09/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - Member states of the EU which are prepared to receive refugees from third countries should receive up to €6,000 per resettled person out of the European Refugee Fund, the committee on civil liberties (Libe) of the European Parliament has suggested. The MEPs stated their position, on Thursday 8 April, in a guideline vote designed to send out a political signal prior to negotiations with the Council of Ministers, on the basis of a legislative report drafted by Rui Tavares (GUE/NGL, Portugal). The orientation was approved by 39 votes in favour and four against. The second draft report adopted by the MEPs and also drafted by Rui Tavares, which contains a political declaration on the principles which should underpin the EU's resettlement programme, was also adopted by 39 votes in favour and four against.
The countries of the EU make far less of a contribution to resettlement than other developed countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada, the MEPs state. In September 2009, the Commission presented a communication on creating a common European resettlement programme for refugees from third countries, on a voluntary basis, and a connected proposal modifying existing rules governing the European Refugee Fund for the period 2008-2013 (EUROPE 9968). It is anticipated that the countries of the EU could receive a fixed sum of €4,000 for each person resettled, depending on a number of priorities: women and children exposed to violence or exploitation, unaccompanied minors, people with major medical requirements, people who have experienced violence and torture, people threatened with forcible return and the victims of natural disasters. In 2008, the EU contributed just 6.7% to resettling refugees throughout the world, with 4,378 people resettled. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR) has estimated that 747,000 people are awaiting resettlement. So far, only 10 member states have taken part in a resettlement programme.
In order to encourage more member states to get involved in resettlement, funding should be increased to €6,000 per person in the first year for member states applying it for the first time, €5,000 the second year and €4,000 subsequently, the MEPs believe. The additional sum received by new participant member states should be invested in developing a sustainable resettlement programme. The MEPs went on to state that the new long-term EU budget (2013-2017) should include specific funding for resettlement and provide financial support in favour of a more ambitious resettlement programme.
The MEPs also repeated their call for internal solidarity on the part of the EU towards member states faced with particular pressure. Taking the view that they need to show solidarity with third countries receiving a large number of refugees also involves solidarity within the EU, the MEPs stressed that in May 2009 the Parliament pleaded in favour of a resettlement regime for the EU, in order to help member states under particular pressure. They believe that such programmes must be implemented in the future. Additionally, the member states and the local authorities should be informed of the advantages of resettling refugees and private funding mechanisms. More broadly, public-private initiatives should be encouraged. The future European Asylum Support Office will be responsible for the coordination needed between all resettlement activities underway in the member states. It will also lay down criteria for quality resettlement, working together with the HCR, NGOs and the local authorities. The list of nationalities and categories of refugees who should take priority in the resettlement process should be regularly updated. Members of the European Parliament should be involved in the process. (B.C./transl.fl)