The European Commission agreed today to amend the Dublin II regulations so as to allow frontier states to transfer migrants to other countries in certain circumstances.

The changes establish a mechanism of suspension of Dublin II requirements in limited circumstances in order to prevent member states experiencing particular pressure on their asylum systems from being further overburdened.

The Commission explained that the changes ensure that asylum-seekers are not sent to member states which cannot offer them an adequate standard of protection in particular in terms of reception conditions and access to the asylum procedure.

The changes clarify the circumstances and procedures for applying certain rules, such as those allowing member states to take responsibility for an asylum seeker for humanitarian and compassionate reasons.

According to the present regulations, asylum applications have to be dealt with by the member state where the asylum seekers arrive first . Malta has long been insisting for changes to these rules.

The commission's proposals also provide that detention of asylum seekers should only be used in exceptional cases and should not be arbitrary. In contrast, Malta has over the years strongly defended its detention policy, over which there is bipartisan support.

The new proposals have to be approved by all member states before they come into force.

See also:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081203/local/transfer-of-migrants-on-eu-agenda