EU News: Asylum and Migration: A New Deal for Solidarity and Responsibility Sharing## Asylum and Migration: A New Deal for Solidarity and Responsibility Sharing

EU News: Asylum and Migration: A New Deal for Solidarity and Responsibility Sharing## Asylum and Migration: A New Deal for Solidarity and Responsibility Sharing

Blog Article

On December 20, 2023, Member States reached a long-awaited agreement to revamp the EU's asylum and migration legislation, addressing the crisis situations and instrumentalization of migrants and asylum applicants, and improving the management of migration flows[1]. The new regulations establish a robust legislative framework that aims to be fair, humane, and firm with those who are not eligible[1].

### Key Changes in the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation

The new asylum and migration management regulation introduces mandatory solidarity for EU countries under migratory pressure, allowing other member states to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory or making financial contributions[1]. The rules also determine new criteria according to which a member state is responsible for examining international protection applications (ex-Dublin rules)[1].

### Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation

The crisis and force majeure regulation establishes a mechanism to ensure solidarity and measures to support member states facing an exceptional influx of third-country nationals leading to the collapse of the national asylum system[1]. The rules also cover the instrumentalization of migrants and foresee a possible temporary derogation from the standard asylum procedures[1].

### Screening Regulation

Under the new screening regulation, people who do not fulfill the conditions to enter the EU will be subject to a pre-entry screening procedure, including identification, collecting biometric data, health and security checks, for up to seven days[1]. The specific needs of children will be taken into account, and each member state will have an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure respect of fundamental rights[1].

### Asylum Procedures Regulation

The asylum procedures regulation establishes a common procedure across the EU to grant and withdraw international protection, replacing several national procedures[1]. Processing asylum claims should be faster, with a limit of six months for a first decision, shorter limits for manifestly unfounded or inadmissible claims, and at EU borders[1].

### Reform of Eurodac

The reform of Eurodac aims to identify those arriving at EU territory more effectively, adding facial images to fingerprints, including for children from six years old[1]. Authorities will be able to record if someone could present a security threat, if the person is violent or unlawfully armed[1].

The provisional agreement needs to be formally adopted by the Parliament and Council before it can become law[1]. The co-legislators committed to adopt the reform of EU migration and asylum rules before the 2024 European elections[1].

### Criticism and Concerns

Amnesty International criticized the agreement, stating that it "will lead to a surge in suffering for asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants on every step of their journeys"[3]. The organization expressed concerns about the weakening of the rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants in the EU, worsening existing legislation, and failing to address urgent issues in European asylum and [ here ] reception systems[9].

Despite the criticisms, the new regulations aim to create a more efficient and fair asylum and migration system in the EU, ensuring solidarity and responsibility sharing among member states[1].

Citations:
[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20231214IPR15929/asylum-and-migration-deal-for-more-solidarity-and-responsibility-sharing
[2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/20/the-council-and-the-european-parliament-reach-breakthrough-in-reform-of-eu-asylum-and-migration-system/
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/20/world/eu-migrant-asylum-deal-intl/index.html
[4] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/historic-agreement-reached-today-european-parliament-and-council-pact-migration-and-asylum-2023-12-20_en
[5] https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/12/20/eu-strikes-major-deal-to-reform-migration-policy-after-three-years-of-bitter-debates
[6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/20/european-union-reaches-agreement-on-reforming-migration-rules
[7] https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-12-20/migration-and-asylum-pact-deal-delivers-a-common-and-sustainable-european-migration-policy
[8] https://www.rescue.org/eu/article/what-eu-pact-migration-and-asylum
[9] https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/20/eu-reaches-deal-on-migration-and-asylum-pact-live