Brussels
Prison-like camps and faster procedures: EU Parliament votes on asylum reform
According to the asylum reform plans, the distribution of those seeking protection among the EU states will be reorganized using a “solidarity mechanism”.
© Europa Press / DPA
The EU asylum reform has been in the works for almost a decade – now it is to be decided by the EU Parliament.
The European Parliament will vote this Wednesday (from 5 p.m.) on the controversial EUAsylum reform. Accordingly, states at the EU’s external borders should be obliged to use uniform border procedures. In the future, people arriving from countries that are considered safe will be able to come to strictly controlled reception facilities under prison-like conditions after crossing the border. Normally, it would then be checked there within twelve weeks whether the applicant has a chance of being granted asylum. If not, it should be sent back immediately.
Asylum reform with a new “solidarity mechanism”
Intensive work has been underway on the reform since the refugee crisis of 2015/2016. At that time, countries like Greece were overwhelmed by the immense number of people from countries like Syria and hundreds of thousands were able to move on to other EU countries without being registered.
Migration 2023
Most people from these countries apply for asylum in Germany
People who come from a country with a recognition rate of less than 20 percent, as well as people who are considered a threat to public safety, would have to undergo such a procedure in the future. According to the plans, the distribution of those seeking protection among the EU states will also be reorganized using a “solidarity mechanism”: If the countries do not want to accept refugees, they must provide support, for example in the form of monetary payments.
By approving the reform, MPs would confirm a compromise already negotiated by negotiators from Parliament and the EU states.