UN refugee agency encourages EU to reinforce refugees’ rights
The UN refugee agency UNHCR welcomes the adoption of the Stockholm programme defining the priorities of the European Union (EU) on asylum and other Justice and Home Affairs issues from 2010 to 2014. At the same time, UNHCR calls on the EU to ensure that migration management objectives do not overshadow refugee protection principles.
UNHCR welcomes the reaffirmation of the EU that the Common European Asylum System should be based on the full and inclusive application of the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention and other relevant treaties. In a further sign of its commitment to reinforce refugees’ rights in EU law, the Stockholm Programme also expresses the EU’s intention to accede to the 1951 Refugee Geneva Convention, following a study in 2010 by the European Commission.
“The measures proposed in the Stockholm Programme should help put an end to disparities in asylum practices between the EU Member States”, says Judith Kumin, UNHCR Director for Europe. “The priorities confirmed today should bring the Common European Asylum System closer to its goal of ensuring fair and efficient asylum outcomes across the Union”.
On practical cooperation, UNHCR encourages the EU Member States to support fully the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) in its work to improve consistency and quality in asylum decision-making. UNHCR looks forward to working with and providing expertise to the work of the EASO, including as part of the Office’s Management Board.
Among other concrete steps in the Programme, the EU will consider creating a “transfer of protection” framework within the EU. UNHCR hopes that such an arrangement will enable refugees and other people with international protection to enjoy more free movement rights within the EU, in the same way as all other legally present non-EU nationals. This would be an important step needed to ensure fair treatment of people who are granted protection.
UNHCR supports the call by the EU for more responsibility-sharing and solidarity among Member States and is ready to contribute to these efforts, but appeals to States to keep the focus on high standards of protection. Some Member States face more pressures on their asylum systems than others, owing to large arrival numbers. Responses to this situation should include amendments to the Dublin Regulation, now under discussion in the Council.
In addition to the many ongoing challenges for refugee protection in the EU, the Stockholm Programme reiterates the desire of the Union to cooperate with third countries, including those hosting large refugee populations. UNHCR welcomes the European intention to continue promoting accession to the Geneva Refugee Convention and its Protocol. UNHCR can provide advice on the EU’s strategies and actions outside its borders, including on resettlement of refugees to Member States under a proposed Joint EU Resettlement Programme.
Regarding possible ‘new approaches’ concerning access to asylum in main transit countries, potentially those along the Southern and Eastern borders of the EU, UNHCR urges attention to the reality that conditions in some transit countries are currently inadequate to ensure respect for the basic rights of asylum-seekers and refugees. More work is needed to provide durable solutions for refugees and others in need of protection in the EU’s neighbouring countries.
For further information please contact:
Gilles Van Moortel, UNHCR Brussels, +32-2-627.17.39 / +32-473-17.23.58 (mobile)
Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, in Stockholm on tel: +46 8 457 48 86, mobile: +46 708 990 169 or e-mail mathisen@unhcr.org
Swedish EU-Presidency 2009
This website is no longer updated. It was a UNHCR Stockholm initiative meant to facilitate the monitoring of refugee and asylum issues during Sweden's European Union Presidency 1 July – 31 December 2009.
