The refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has exposed the need for reform of the Common European Asylum System, in general, and of the Dublin rules, in particular.

The Commission's proposal of 4 May 2016 to reform the Dublin system does not change the existing criteria for determining which Member State is responsible for examining an asylum application. 
Instead of a fundamental overhaul of the Dublin regime, as suggested by the Parliament, the Commission proposes to streamline and supplement the current rules with a corrective allocation mechanism. This mechanism would be triggered automatically were a Member State to be faced with disproportionate numbers of asylum-seekers. If a Member State decided not to accept the allocation of asylum-seekers from a Member State under pressure, a 'solidarity contribution'of €250 000 per applicant would have to be made instead.

Asylum - 8th parliamentary term

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

The refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has exposed the need for reform of the Common European Asylum System, in general, and of the Dublin rules, in particular.

The right to asylum is a fundamental right and recognising the refugee status where the criteria are fulfilled is an international obligation.

In the EU, an area of open borders and freedom of movement, Member States need to have a joint approach to guarantee high standards to persons in need of international protection through establishment of a Common European Asylum System based on fundamental rights.

The European Parliament always strongly promoted a Common European Asylum System in accordance with the Union’s legal commitments. The Parliament worked as well as for the reduction of illegal migration as well as for the protection of vulnerable groups.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/asylum-8th-parliamentary-term_3202_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Asylum (2019-2020)

The refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has exposed the need for reform of the Common European Asylum System, in general, and of the Dublin rules, in particular.

Parliament’s lead MEP on the reform of the Dublin system, Swedish liberal Cecilia Wikström, presented her draft report to the Civil Liberties Committee in October 2017. The draft report, approved by the Plenary of the Parliament in November 2017, is a first response to the Commission’s proposal, presented in May 2016, for reform of the Dublin regulation. This regulation, which determines which member state is responsible for processing an asylum application, constitutes the cornerstone of the EU asylum system, which is currently undergoing a major revamp.

The European Parliament is therefore ready to start talks on revamping the Dublin system to ensure that asylum seekers are fairly shared among EU member states.

#EUelections2019 - Common asylum policy - Dublin reform

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package

Press conference on Migration Pact files

Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Asylum Contact Group

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package

EP Plenary session - The 10-year commemoration since the tragedy in Lampedusa

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Externalising asylum applications and making funding to third countries conditional on the implementation of return agreements

EP Plenary session - The need for a European solidarity in saving lives in the Mediterranean, in particular in Italy

Press conference on the new asylum and migration rules

Immigration and asylum - Brussels.

EP Plenary session - Key debate - The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue

EP Plenary session - Violations of right to seek asylum and non-refoulement in the EU Member States

Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation in Greece, November 2-4, 2021

LIBE mission to Greece - Briefing meeting with European Commission, Frontex, EASO, FRA, Europol in the EP office in Athens, Greece, November 2, 2021

EP Plenary session - European Union Agency for Asylum

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Asylum and Migration

LIBE committee meeting. - Vote on Working Group monitoring the situation of rule of law and fight against corruption within the EU in particular Malta and Slovakia (ROLMG)- Vote on Establishing the Asylum and Migration Fund

EP plenary session - Reform of the EU asylum and migration policy

EU Commissioner Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS in plenary session in Strasbourg - Council and Commission statements - Reform of the EU asylum and migration policy in light of the continued humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and Africa

Seminar for journalists : A Fair Share in Europe - Creating a Common Asylum System

5th topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. Leaders debate on the implementation of common Migration and Asylum policies during the next mandate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 5: Migration and Borders

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR), Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE), Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI), and Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteurs

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: Closing statements by Rapporteurs and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Second part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 2)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 1)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Opening statements by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR), Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE), Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI), Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteurs, and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: Opening statements by Rapporteurs

This news item shows extracts from the debate on the adoption of the Asylum and Migration package. The Parliament discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as current challenges in Member States. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum.

Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: extracts from the debate

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, VP of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of of State for the EU

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 3)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 3)

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 2)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 2)

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 1)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 1)

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. Opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and by Margaritis SCHINAS, VP of the EC in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

MEPs present their demands and expectations ahead of the EU summit on 29-30 June. At their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government are set to focus in particular on the steps on the Migration Pact recently reached within the Council of the EU, and EU relations with third countries. Extracts from the debate.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular in the light of recent steps towards concluding the Migration Pact: extracts from the debate

This infoclip shows the activities at the centre for asylum seekers and refugees of Casa Suraya (Milan, Italy). The centre currently hosts 99 people from African and Asian Countries who sought refuge in Europe in the 2023. The footage includes: accommodation, food, distribution of clothing and personal hygiene products, health care, legal and psychological assistance, language classes, educational and recreational activities for kids.

Infoclip: Immigration and asylum – Milan (Italy)

The LIBE (Civil Liberties) Committee adopts its position on key asylum and migration files. After the vote, the rapporteurs brief journalists on the outcome of the vote. The following legislative proposals have been voted: Screening regulation, rapporteur Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, Germany), Asylum and migration management regulation, rapporteur Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, Sweden), Crisis and force majeure regulation, rapporteur Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, Spain),Asylum procedure regulation - update of an existing mandate, rapporteur Fabienne KELLER (Renew, France). The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Press conference by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Chair of the LIBE committee, and by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE) Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs on the new asylum and migration rules

This infoclip shows the situation of about 150 refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Syria, and African countries that are currently living in tents on the street in front of the so-called Petit Chateau, headquarter of the Belgian federal agency for refugees Fedasil. This extraordinary situation is a result of the incapacity of the Brussels region's authorities to providing a shelter for people who have already been registered as asylum seekers in the country.

Infoclip: Immigration and asylum – Brussels (Belgium)

After Brussels, a Civil Liberties Committee delegation go to Calais (France) to look into irregular crossings to the UK and the implications for reception facilities. MEPs meet with municipal representatives in Calais as well as judicial and police authorities in charge of security aspects related to the migratory situation and borders, with a focus on the fight against smuggling. The delegation visits a reception centre and meets with local associations involved in humanitarian support to migrants. The visit also include the joint UK-France Coordination and Information Centre.

Asylum and Migration: Visit of a Delegation of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to Calais (France) - (part 2)

Plenary quiz the Czech Presidency and the Commission about guaranteeing solidarity and burden sharing in the management of migration flows into Europe. Extracts from the debate.

The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue: extracts from the debate

Plenary quiz the Czech Presidency and the Commission about guaranteeing solidarity and burden sharing in the management of migration flows into Europe. Closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs.

Key debate - The need for a European solution on asylum and migration including search and rescue: closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Mikuláš BEK, Czech Minister for European Affairs

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