A new European Union Migration Pact has sparked alarm among humanitarian organizations and advocates, who argue that it poses a grave threat to the fundamental right to seek asylum and will exacerbate the suffering of asylum-seekers and migrants.
Subhead: Understanding the EU Migration Pact
Initiated in response to the European Migration Crisis of 2015, the EU Migration Pact represents a culmination of three years of negotiations aimed at forging a unified migration and asylum policy among EU Member states. However, critics contend that the pact, set to be adopted in the first half of 2024, falls short of its intended objectives and instead introduces concerning measures.
Among the key provisions of the pact are heightened use of substandard accelerated asylum procedures at border camps, potential opt-outs from EU asylum rules during times of crisis, and expanded biometrics and surveillance practices, including fingerprinting children as young as six years old.
Impact on Refugees: Escalating Risks and Challenges
For refugees fleeing war, persecution, or natural disasters, the implications of the EU Migration Pact are dire. The policy aims to deter refugees from reaching EU borders and, once within the EU, introduces hurdles to obtaining asylum.
Refugees are likely to encounter harsh asylum processing systems that could lead to deportation to unsafe conditions, increased risks of fatalities at sea due to border countries’ reluctance to aid distressed boats, and forced resettlement to precarious “safe third countries,” where reports of abuse and torture abound.
Response and Repercussions
In response to the pact, the Swedish government has launched an investigation into aligning its asylum policy with the EU’s minimum requirements. However, concerns persist that such measures will result in increased suffering and fatalities among asylum seekers.
Advocates emphasize that the right to seek and receive asylum is a fundamental human right, and any policy undermining this protection will have devastating consequences for vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution and conflict.
