Brussels, 07/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 7 May, the European Parliament adopted four proposals aimed at improving the way the European asylum system works and the rights of asylum seekers. The “asylum package” put forward by the Commission last December is made up of a proposal aimed at improving the conditions for hosting refugees in the Union, and another on improving the Dublin system, allowing the member states responsible for processing asylum requests to be determined. A third proposal is for review of the regulation on Eurodac, the EU database for comparing fingerprints of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants (EUROPE 9795 and 9796). Furthermore, in February, the Commission suggested the creation of a European support office tasked with assisting member states in the management of asylum requests (EUROPE 9842).
Strengthening rights of asylum seekers. The report by Antonio Masip Hidalgo (PES, Spain), which was adopted by 431 votes to 69 and 43 abstentions, aims to strengthen the minimum standards for taking in asylum seekers. MEPs amended the text, specifying that asylum seekers placed in detention should be informed of the situation in a language that they understand and receive legal assistance and free representation, if they so wish. They should be able to benefit from medical care and appropriate psychological follow-up. MEPs consider that the administrative procedures relating to asylum requests must be carried out rapidly. They take the view that delays not due to any fault on the part of the asylum seeker should not justify extended detention. In their view, access to employment must be guaranteed within a maximum of six months after submitting a request for international protection. Minors must have access to education within three months at most. Member states are under an obligation to verify, as soon as the request for international protection has been made, whether the asylum seeker has any specific needs. Vulnerable persons must receive adequate attention, MEPs say. Member states must also foster family reunification, and tutors must be appointed to advise and protect unaccompanied minors.
Reallocation of asylum seekers. The report by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE, Netherlands), adopted by 398 votes to 56 and 65 abstentions, supports the Commission proposal aimed at improving the 2003 Dublin regulation. MEPs decided to promote solidarity between member states by introducing compulsory instruments, such as the formation of teams of national experts to assist member states confronted with a large number of asylum applications, and the creation of a reallocation programme to enable beneficiaries of international protection to be received by a member state other than the one which granted them this protection. Members say such mechanisms shall come into force before 2012.
Office to help member states. Parliament adopted by 467 votes to 42 and 18 abstentions a report by Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK) approving the creation of a European Asylum Support Office. This body will provide expert assistance to help implement EU asylum policy and will boost cooperation between member states and help those subject to particular pressures. MEPs want this office to develop, in conjunction with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and relevant NGOs, training programmes on asylum for members of national civil services. The office must also put in place an early warning system to enable member states and the Commission to anticipate large-scale influxes of applicants for international protection. It should also implement the future system of mandatory solidarity for reallocating beneficiaries of international protection, when national systems are overburdened. MEPs also adopted the report by Barbara Dührkop Dührkop (PES, Spain) by 482 votes to 40 and 19 abstentions, on funding for the support office.
Improving Eurodac fingerprint database. The report by Nicolae Vlad Popa (EPP-ED, Romania), adopted by 445 votes to 76 and 8 abstentions, supports with a number of technical precisions, the improvements proposed in the way the Eurodac fingerprint database works.
Difficult negotiations ahead. By rapidly supporting these four proposals, each time with an overwhelming majority, Parliament shows it is determined to make asylum one of its priorities. It is also a strong message sent to the attention of the Council with whom the Parliament is in codecision on this dossier. However, given the difficulties encountered by member states to reach compromise texts, the “asylum package” has little chance of being concluded in the near future, except perhaps the Eurodac review. This is all the truer as, unlike Parliament, European capitals consider the standards of protection proposed by the Commission (“hosting” directive and Dublin) are too high and could attract people into Europe. There are therefore difficult negotiations ahead between the two institutions. (B.C./transl.jl)