The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued, on Thursday 1 July, recommendations to the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council on how to better protect migrants and refugees.
According to the UNHCR, Slovenia has “an important opportunity to lead and seize the moment to better protect refugees both in Europe and globally”. Building on the progress made under the previous Portuguese Presidency, the UNHCR “is hopeful that the incoming Slovenian EU Presidency will continue to build bridges and explore avenues to broker agreement on the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum”.
The UNHCR calls for a truly common and sustainable system, “a humane one that swiftly provides protection to refugees – people fleeing horrific war, violence and persecution. And a fair one that also works for all countries across the EU equally as they share responsibility for refugees, in the spirit of the EU and its values”.
“It is clear on the need to uphold the right to seek and access asylum in the EU”, the UNHCR said as well.
The IOM, for its part, believes that “the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling must include the protection of migrants and the strengthening of the capacities of border authorities and law enforcement agencies in partner countries”.
It recommends that the Slovenian Presidency promote balanced and comprehensive responses according to the routes taken, which ensure strong commitment and partnerships between all countries and actors involved.
Pushbacks
For his part, the Slovenian Minister of the Interior, Aleš Hojs, outlined his work programme to a few journalists in Ljubljana on 2 July. After the progress made by Portugal, especially on the European Asylum Support Office, the minister said he was “optimistic” about the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Presidency’s priority will be “comprehensive migration management”.
“Those who have no right to come must stay out, abuse of the asylum system must be prevented”, he also said, citing continued irregular arrivals in his country despite the pandemic. The minister believes that progress on the Eurodac regulation will soon be possible. It will also be necessary to work on the framework for rescue and relief at sea, but “compulsory relocation is something that Slovenia cannot support”, except in very exceptional situations and for people who are truly eligible for protection.
Asked about the accusations of so-called pushbacks concerning Frontex, the minister also said that his Presidency should not react to every accusation “nor respond” to every article. “This is not about pushbacks, but about protecting our external borders”, he added. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with Camille Cerise Gessant)