The EU’s common asylum policy is characterised by an obsession with security and a lack of solidarity, according to the European Council on Refugees and Exiles.
The organisation was reacting in the wake of last week’s European Council meeting that failed to produce agreement on a mandatory relocation system for 40,000 migrants.
European leaders postponed agreement on the details of such a mechanism to the end of July and settled for a consensus approach, which means relocation will be on a voluntary basis.
ECRE, a pan-European alliance of 87 NGOs advancing the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons, said the failure of EU leaders to politically back the proposal for a mandatory mechanism was symbolic of the state of the EU’s common asylum policy today.
A security-driven agenda risked undermining respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law
“This is currently characterised by a breakdown of trust between member states, an obsession with security and so-called ‘abuse of the asylum system’ and the lack of a shared vision on protection that is based on solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility,” the organisation said.
It said a security-driven agenda risked undermining respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law.
The organisation expressed concern with the hotspot concept that would see Frontex, the EU border agency, sending in teams to help frontline states quickly identify and process asylum seekers.
This would create reception facilities in these states but the refugee organisation said it was not specified whether the centres would be closed or open facilities as it warned against a policy that was security driven.