It is clear that the European Union’s migration and asylum policy was adopted with grand plans and targeted measures to address the glaring flaws in its common asylum system that became apparent during the crises of 2015 and 2016. However, new challenges in the implementation of this policy have surfaced, which could undermine the pact and pose a threat to upholding the human rights of refugees.
As we approach 2025, it is essential to examine how this ambitious pact— the product of nearly 10 years of difficult negotiations—can move closer to achieving its goals of protecting refugees’ rights while overcoming the current challenges.
The European Parliament adopted the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum on April 10, 2024, after long negotiations and unexpected challenges from some NGOs (such as the International Rescue Team). This pact seeks to create a system that addresses not only security concerns but also the humanitarian needs of refugees within a common and coordinated framework.
The pact includes a complex package of 10 legislative files that could provide a comprehensive European solution to migration challenges. However, while these new laws aim to create fairer conditions for refugees, concerns remain about countries’ infrastructure and capacity to implement these changes.
One of the key points of the pact is the equal distribution of responsibilities across the European Union, ensuring that refugees are fairly distributed and protected throughout Europe.
Since the new regulations of the pact came into force in June 2024, some countries have continued to adopt stricter national policies, raising concerns about increased human rights violations at borders.
Politicians and lobbyists have criticized the pact for the costs and changes required in national laws. Among these criticisms are the expansion of refugee detention and the reduction of asylum seekers’ rights, which directly conflict with human rights principles.
Significantly, countries like France and Germany have supported this pact, recently taking steps to further control their borders. However, strict migration policies, such as those announced in the Netherlands, increase the risk of undermining refugee rights.
In contrast, countries like the UK and Ireland have shown that they will continue cooperating with the EU on specific matters, but it must be noted that any weakening of this cooperation could worsen the vulnerable situation of refugees.
It seems that in practice, this pact creates numerous challenges to the fundamental rights of refugees, contradicting the democratic values that Europe is known for.
