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It is not yet clear if the plans have any chance of being implemented. With new proposals for an efficient deportation of rejected asylum seekers, the EU Commission wants to set things in motion in asylum reform negotiations that have been blocked for years.
A proposal now presented in Brussels provides for relief to member states such as Greece and Italy, especially with strong support for the repatriation of people without the right to stay. Countries like Hungary and Poland should only be obliged to accept migrants in absolutely exceptional cases. Furthermore, the EU Commission demands that all EU states contribute to the common migration policy in times of crisis.
The concept of the EU Commission offers three scenarios, among others:
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However, if a country is under pressure, it can activate the so-called mandatory solidarity mechanism. EU countries would have to welcome immigrants or help in some other way, for example by deporting them.
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If a crisis like the one in 2015 occurs, a crisis mechanism comes into play. The choice of assistance options is then reduced: either the migrants are welcomed or the deportation of a certain number of rejected asylum seekers is assumed. This deportation must take place within eight months. If that is not successful, the country has to take them on its own.
The president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on EU states to use the concept as the basis for a new attempt at an agreement. “It is time to meet the challenge of shaping migration together, with the right balance of solidarity and responsibility,” she said. It is also about restoring the trust of citizens.
The procedure at the border
Before a migrant enters the country, according to the EU Commission, the affected state must carry out a preliminary control at the border, which is much more extensive than previous controls: the migrant is registered, fingerprints are taken, they are carried out health and safety controls. If the asylum seeker comes from a country with a lower recognition rate, such as Tunisia or Morocco, for example, a border procedure must be completed within twelve weeks.
This is aimed at deterring both traffickers and the people themselves from heading to Europe. If the procedure is unsuccessful within 12 weeks, a normal asylum procedure must be carried out. “I want us to make quick decisions and quick returns,” said EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson. At the same time, the right to asylum must be defended.
Dublin Rules
The EU Commission is basically sticking to the Dublin rules currently in force. According to this, that EU state is usually responsible for an asylum application on whose soil the person seeking protection entered European soil for the first time. However, some people should distribute themselves to other EU countries in advance, for example if they have siblings there or have studied or worked there in the past. The same applies if the asylum seeker has previously legally traveled to an EU country on a visa. So the state that issued the visa should be liable. This is to avoid the so-called secondary migration, that is, to move from one EU country to another. Greece and other southern states had repeatedly called for the Dublin system to be abandoned. There will be disappointments in all EU countries, Johansson said. “There is no perfect solution. It is about finding a balanced solution.”
Faster deportations and greater protection at the external borders
On the one hand, according to the EU Commission, there should be so-called deportation sponsorships. If a country does not want to host immigrants from another EU country in a crisis situation, it can take over the deportation of a certain number of people who are not entitled to protection. The EU Commission also wants to accelerate returns in a different way. The EU visa policy should also be used as a lever. In addition, an “EU coordinator for returns” will be appointed who will work with experts from EU countries. Protection of external borders should also be improved. The EU Commission envisions a bigger role for the border protection agency Frontex.
Rescue at sea is a must
The EU Commission believes that the rescue of migrants in distress at sea is an obligation. The EU Commission now wants the “Mandatory Solidarity Mechanism” to apply here as well. Either EU countries host rescued people or help in other ways, for example with deportation.
Cooperation with third countries
According to the EU Commission, the EU should work on agreements with other countries that help both parties. This is supposed to be to fight human trafficking, for example, but legal channels to the EU should also be created. To find suitable workers, talent partnerships must be started with non-EU countries. The agency is also planning an integration and inclusion plan.
Following the fire in the Greek refugee camp of Moria on the island of Lesbos, the EU will participate in the management of a new camp. The EU Commission will initiate “a joint pilot project with the Greek government on Lesbos,” von der Leyen said. Moria is a “strong reminder” that everyone in the EU should do more on migration. The goal is to improve people’s living conditions.
Greece’s largest refugee camp on the island of Lesbos was completely destroyed by several fires two weeks ago. Thousands of people lost their homes.
