The EU Proposes New Migration Pact
The EU recently introduced a new migration pact that would require all 27 EU countries to either agree to take in asylum seekers or arrange for their returns. The pact is being led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in an effort to fix the European migrant crisis that has persisted since 2015.
Since 2015, many European countries have struggled with a sudden influx of migrants and asylum seekers. Countries in the Mediterranean, most notably Italy and Greece, have taken the brunt of the issue. Consequently, both countries have blamed wealthier countries of not doing enough to help with the crisis.
Part of the migrant issue comes from a lack of solidarity between EU countries on how to deal with the crisis. The new migrant pact aims to replace the previously instituted Dublin rule, which stated that the EU country where the asylum seeker entered must be the one to take care of the case. The pact also comes as a response to the recent fires at the overcrowded Moria refugee camp in Greece. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission Head, said the fires were “a stark reminder we need to find sustainable solutions.”
The new migrant pact proposes “fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity between member states while providing certainty for individual applicants. It includes the addition of compulsory screenings before entering (including health, identity, and security checks), faster decision processes of approximately 12 weeks, and quicker returns for denied asylum-seekers. The pact also provides a new list of ways countries assist including taking in new migrants/asylum seekers, assisting with return processes and providing operational support. Under the pact, all countries would be required to contribute based on their GDP and population size. Even though several countries are likely to oppose the pact, Alberto Horst Neidhart, an analyst for the European Policy Centre’s European diversity and migration program, stated, “The proposal seeks to find a new, less controversial balance between solidarity and responsibility, trying to please hardline member states with greater flexibility whilst also considering the needs of frontline countries.”
While the pact has strong support from Germany and other EU countries, many human rights groups have voiced their opposition, citing concerns that the pact would add difficulties for migrants and asylum seekers. The Save the Children organization noted that the pact would likely be the same as previous EU actions. Amnesty International stated that the pact was “designed to heighten walls and strengthen fences,” rather than assisting migrants and asylum seekers.
Some human rights groups have pointed out flaws specifically targeting the added proposals for return processes. They have voiced that countries who refuse to take in migrants or asylum seekers may use that clause as an excuse to get rid of people in need of help.
Judith Sunderland, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division, said, “It’s like asking the school bully to walk a kid home.” Similarly, Philippe Dam of the Human Rights Watch tweeted, “By proposing ‘return sponsorship’ as an alternative to genuine relocation, the EU Commission makes an insult to the principle of solidarity, by actually deputising returns to countries that reject solidarity.”
Despite disagreement between EU countries and human rights groups on the pact, both can agree that there must be a new, EU-wide system to better accommodate migrants and refugees. This pact serves as one step towards that system. The EU will likely continue the discussion and proposing legislation regarding the issue, perhaps working with statements made by human rights organizations. Until then, they will have to see how the pact will turn out.