The UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, called on 10 January for the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Czech Republic, which will take over the Presidency in July, to prioritise “better protection of refugees in Europe and globally”.
“Violent pushbacks at the EU’s borders continued (in 2021). These practices endanger lives and undermine fundamental human rights, including the right to seek asylum”, the agency said.
It raises the “increasing xenophobic political narratives, physical and legislative barriers to accessing territory for the purpose of seeking asylum in the EU”.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum provides “an opportunity to move from an ad hoc crisis-driven approach to a common one that is more comprehensive, well-managed and predictable”. “Progress on ending pushbacks, the establishment of Independent National Monitoring Mechanisms to investigate them, and measures to enhance search and rescue and ensure predictable disembarkation of those rescued at sea is urgently needed”.
UNHCR also urges the Presidencies to make progress on key issues such as “intra EU solidarity, adequate reception conditions as well as fair and fast asylum procedures”. The Agency also believes it is necessary to ensure “dignified returns”.
Link to the proposals: https://bit.ly/3ne9itO (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)