The European Parliament's civil liberties committee on Wednesday 10 October asked the European Commission to present a legislative initiative aimed to harmonise the rules for issuing humanitarian visas at European level.
Noting that 90% of migrants granted refugee status have entered the European Union through illegal migration channels, MEPs believe that member states should be able to issue humanitarian visas in their embassies and consulates outside the EU so that the persons concerned can apply for asylum in the territory of the issuing country.
For the purpose of issuing the European humanitarian visa, beneficiaries would not be subject to an in-depth examination from the outset. However, they should prove that their action is justified, in particular the risk of persecution in their country of origin, and that they do not represent a risk to the security of the host country.
"We must do more for people in need of protection, as there are not enough secure legal channels to allow those who wish to seek asylum to travel to the EU", said Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, Spain), whose draft report will be put to the European Parliament plenary vote in November. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)