Brussels, 30/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - The establishment of a real common asylum policy would be beneficial with regard to respecting fundamental rights and also with regard to member states' finances, although member states are reluctant to commit themselves along this road, MEPs said on Wednesday 28 April during a debate with Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR). Guterres was at the Parliament to take stock of the refugee situation in Europe and in the world, at a time when the Union is working towards reform of its asylum policy. During his visit to Brussels, Guterres also held discussions with Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Kristalina Georgieva, and Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmström (EUROPE 10128).
A truly European asylum system. “We are faced with two kinds of situations - that linked to the crisis hemisphere extending from southern Asia to Africa, and that relating to local and regional crises, such as that in the Great Lakes region”, Guterres explained. In this context, he said, the European asylum system is increasingly important but, in an area such as the EU where people can move about freely, the likelihood of obtaining asylum varies greatly from one country to the next, he said with regret. “This is a great problem not only for the protection of individuals but also for the Union itself, as this generates secondary movements” which can be to the profit of organised crime and people smuggling. Furthermore, the high commissioner expressed regret about the confusion that reigns between immigration and asylum in political and media debate. “Current xenophobia trends are of great concern to us”, he added. The HCR published a report in March on application of key principles of asylum law, setting out a number of recommendations. “Your report shows what the EU's failings are”, said Carlos Coelho (EPP, Portugal), pointing a finger of blame at “certain governments of the larger countries who show reluctance” to take forward the proposal for a European refugee resettlement system. Several proposals of the asylum package voted by Parliament in 2009 are thus blocked in Council, as no consensus has been reached. Some member states place considerable emphasis on the question of the cost that could be involved in a European asylum system, said Sylvie Guillaume (S&D, France), who also wondered whether the impact of not having such a system might not in fact prove more costly than having an asylum system. Guterres agreed with this point of view.
Italy/Libya agreement and Frontex. Alluding to the recent incident in Italy when 75 persons were sent back to Libya on the basis of what she called an odious agreement, Sonia Alfana (ALDE, Italy) denounced the fact that EU member states sign readmission agreements with countries that have not signed the Geneva Convention. “It would seem these subjects are taboo. Is it not a serious matter to sign agreements with countries that do not respect fundamental rights?” she asked. “Libya provides no guarantees for the protection of refugees in respect of the Geneva Convention”, confirmed Antonio Guterres, adding: “It is clear that we have no official information on the context of these agreements”. Roberta Angelilli (EPP, Italy), however, declared: “There is often criticism of the agreement signed between my country and Libya (…). It is easy to criticise, but one needs data, statistics and denunciations”. MEPs asked about relations between the HCR and the Frontex agency, the latter having been the target of criticism from the NGO regarding respect of migrants' fundamental rights. “Were you able to inquire into what happened?” asked Franziska Keller (Greens/EFA, Germany). “We have not had direct access to operations conducted by Frontex”, Antonio Guterres replied. “A balance must be struck between freedom and security. The return policy does not take into account the situation of the different countries”, asserted Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL, Germany). “In asylum matters, freedom and security converge”, Guterres replied, adding: “It is in the interest of the states to apply the conventions properly, otherwise the system will operate in an unlawful manner”. Also, he said: “Some third countries officially considered as safe are not so”. (B.C./transl.jl)