Editorial
Towards a common European asylum system
The news that Malta was selected to host the new European Commission European Asylum Support Office, which, as stated by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, had been a priority for the government because it offers logistical support and functional assistance to countries facing the brunt of illegal immigration, is a welcome achievement indeed.
The office is being set up in terms of a European Commission decision taken last February following the signing of the Immigration and Asylum Pact.
The EU began setting up common rules on asylum seekers as far back as 2004 and made considerable progress on the road to harmonisation of asylum regimes. Nonetheless, substantial disparities on protection grants and criteria persist among member states. Officials complain that, sometimes, there are big differences between member states in the way the laws are applied. For example, according to Commission figures, Iraqis seeking asylum in Europe can face anything from a two per cent chance of acceptance to a 71 per cent chance, depending on the country in which they apply.
The pact stresses the need for changes to asylum policies leading to the creation of a common European asylum system.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the European Council on Refugees and Exiles have already welcomed the creation of a European Asylum Support Office. They consider that such an office could help the European Commission gather information on member states' practices and assist them to fulfil their European and international obligations in the field of asylum. At the same time, the UNHCR and the ECRE say that this is only possible if the office is well resourced and strongly founded on principles of democratic accountability and transparency.
While the general objective of the asylum support office is to further develop cooperation among member states in view of the creation of a Common European Asylum System, the office will be focusing on three main tasks:
One, support practical cooperation among member states on asylum by facilitating exchange of information on countries of origin, providing member states with support for translation and interpretation, training of asylum officials and assisting in the relocation of recognised refugees.
Two, support member states that receive large numbers of asylum claims - so-called "particular pressures" - including through the establishment of an early warning system, organising teams of experts to make initial assessment of asylum requests and assisting member states in rapidly putting in place appropriate reception facilities.
Third, contribute to the implementation of the Common European Asylum System by gathering and exchanging information on best practices, drafting an annual report on the asylum situation in the EU and monitoring the implementation of EU legislation in the field of asylum.
The office will also eventually coordinate exchanges of information and other action taken on the resettlement of refugees from third countries within the EU.
From the local point of view, there is also the advantage that, in Dr Mifsud Bonnici's words, "EAS''s strategic location in Malta will help in decreasing the pressures that illegal immigration is exerting on our country because it will bring more logic and humanity in separating those who deserve international protection from the persons who don't qualify for such assistance".
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louise vella
Dec 2nd 2009, 15:08
The annual reports of Malta's refugee commissioner repeatedly state that one of his problems is the large number of asylum applications based on fabricated stories and false documents. The asylum system is abused on a large scale; often it is impossible to state when applicants are saying the truth or lying. NGOs are known to 'coach' asylum applicants and to help them fill in their applications in a way most likely to get a positive result. The asylum system was intended to deal with individual cases, or small numbers of applicants. It will obviously break down if millions of people seek asylum, many of them on dubious grounds. It will also fail if UNHCR and others deliberately 'mix' the issue of refugees with that of illegal immigrants by speaking of so-called 'mixed flows' of refugees and illegal immigrants. The refugee system must be based on maximum good faith by all those involved.
MSciberras
Dec 2nd 2009, 11:52
A common asylum policy, as negotiated by the EU will likely see Malta having to abandon its 18 month detention period for newly arrived illegal immigrants. Of course, such a policy has about as much chance of being ever agreed to as, well, Gonzi has of being re-elected. Which is possible but still too much of a gamble for me. When it comes to immigration, Malta is seen as a hardline state in the EU. Hosting this agency is nothing but short term politics at its worst. Think for instance about the tuna pen controversy of two years ago (and several other incidents since) when Malta (and Italy) preferred to leave a few Africans stranded on a tuna pen on the open seas for days while arguing about whose responsibility they were. Think of the additional bad press we’d have received if at the time we were also hosting the EU’s asylum agency. The press and euro-public will note that the asylum agency is located in Malta and expect Malta to lead by example. Pressure on Malta to act against its own interests will be stronger. And this is good for us????
MSciberras
Dec 2nd 2009, 11:05
Quote from minister: "EAS''s strategic location in Malta will help in decreasing the pressures that illegal immigration is exerting on our country because it will bring more logic and humanity in separating those who deserve international protection from the persons who don't qualify for such assistance".
Oh really? Does Brussels know about this interpretation of the pros and cons of hosting an EU agency? Who will apply the 'increased logic and humanity? Why should this logic and humanity vary according to the geographical location of the administrative office that (!) dispenses such logic and humanity?? How exactly is a new quango (a pan European one this time...) going to decrease the pressures on Malta by virtue of it being located here? Perhaps because its staff will see the actual boats with their human cargo on the horizon from their offices?
There is absolutely no influence exerted on EU agencies by the govts of the countries that host them.
EU agencies have a very multinational staff and their location has no bearing on where and how they recruit staff. Some Maltese who are salivating at the possibility of earning EU salaries in a Valletta office should bear this in mind..........