EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum

After years of discussion, the European Union (EU) has reached an agreement on reforms aimed at sharing the cost of hosting migrants and refugees and limiting the number of people entering the bloc. The deal, part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, includes provisions for speedier vetting, the creation of border detention centers, accelerated deportations, and a solidarity mechanism to ease pressure on southern countries facing significant migrant inflows. However, dozens of refugee rights groups criticize the deal, claiming it will create a “cruel system” and lead to prison-like conditions at the EU’s borders.

Key Elements of the Reform Agreement

1. Core Political Elements: The EU’s Spanish presidency announced that envoys from member countries, the EU parliament, and the European Commission reached a deal on the core political elements of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
2. Faster Vetting and Accelerated Deportations: The reform includes provisions for quicker vetting of irregular arrivals and accelerated deportation for rejected asylum applicants.
3. Solidarity Mechanism: A solidarity mechanism aims to alleviate pressure on southern EU countries experiencing significant migrant inflows.
4. Creation of Border Detention Centers: The agreement proposes the establishment of border detention centers to manage irregular arrivals.

Criticisms and Concerns

1. Charities’ Open Letter: Amnesty International, Oxfam, Caritas, Save the Children, and other charities have criticized the pact in an open letter. They argue that the reforms will “mirror the failed approaches of the past” and worsen consequences, normalizing the arbitrary use of immigration detention, increasing racial profiling, and enabling pushbacks.
2. Concerns About Arbitrary Detention: The NGOs express concerns about the arbitrary use of immigration detention, including for children and families, as well as the return of individuals to “safe third countries” where they may face risks of violence, torture, and arbitrary imprisonment.
3. Externalization of Border Control: Critics argue that the agreement reinforces the EU’s dependence on states outside its borders to manage migration, furthering the externalization of border control and evading the EU’s refugee protection responsibilities.

Approval Process

The accord still needs formal approval from the European Council (representing the 27 member nations) and the European Parliament before becoming part of the bloc’s lawbooks, likely in 2024. The agreement is seen as a response to the common challenge of managing migration in the EU.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2023

Category: International / World Current Affairs