The European Parliament approved this Wednesday (10) a series of reforms to the European Union's (EU) migration and asylum policy.
The reform was approved with the aim of strengthening the solidarity mechanism between the member states of the European bloc. It also aims to respond effectively to migratory pressures on the continent.
Ten legislative texts on migration that promise to transform the current crisis scenario were debated and approved this Wednesday.
The new migration pact brings measures to help EU countries that are currently facing a large flow of immigrants, proposing the relocation of asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection to other territories.
It also addresses financial contributions and operational and technical support for countries facing the crisis. Additionally, the Dublin rules, which determine the member state responsible for examining applications for international protection, will be updated.
According to a statement from Parliament, one of the innovations of the reform is the crisis and force majeure regulation, which establishes a mechanism to deal with sudden increases in the arrival of immigrants. This regulation will guarantee greater support to member states in exceptional situations.
The reform also addresses the instrumentalization of migrants by third countries or hostile non-state actors who aim to destabilize the EU.
According to the reform, new procedures will be applied to immigrants who do not meet the initial conditions for entry into the EU. They include identification, biometric data collection and health and safety checks, for a period of up to seven days. Independent monitoring mechanisms will be implemented to ensure respect for fundamental rights.
With the reform, the EU will establish a common procedure for granting and withdrawing international protection. Furthermore, the processing of asylum applications at EU borders should be faster, with shorter deadlines for “unfounded or inadmissible” claims.
Data from those arriving irregularly in the EU, including fingerprints and facial images from the age of six, will be stored in the database Eurodac, which is being restructured.
Uniform standards for the recognition of refugee status and the rights granted to those eligible for political protection have also been approved by the European Parliament. Member states must assess the applicant's situation in their country of origin based on information from the EU Asylum Agency, and the refugee status that is granted will be reviewed regularly.
From now on, applicants for protection must remain in the territory of the member state responsible for their request or where protection was granted. Equivalent standards of reception for asylum seekers will be guaranteed, including housing, schooling and healthcare. Registered asylum seekers will be able to start working no later than six months after applying.
Conditions of detention and restrictions on freedom of movement will be regulated to discourage applicants from moving around the EU.
The reform now goes to the EU Council for formal approval. After that, the laws will come into force with their publication in the Official Gazette.
The new regulations will begin to apply in two years, and member states will have two years to introduce such changes into their national laws.
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