Migration to Europe from various parts of the world has been on the rise over the past few years, with the figures climbing to over five million as of 2022. Immigrants enter into EU countries via various routes, with one of the most common ways being as an asylum or refugee. Therefore, the EU parliament is taking active steps to reform the asylum system, improve the legal labor system, and facilitate the integration of refugees.
Efforts to Reform the European Asylum and Refugee System
The European Commission moved to reform the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) in 2016 by presenting a proposal following the rocky refugee crisis in 2015. The moves include proposals to replace the Dublin system that set rules to determine how asylums will be allocated among EU member states. This system is faulted for putting a huge burden on only a few member states of the EU with external borders because they are the first point of entry for refugees.
However, this issue was addressed when the European Commission drafted a new Asylum and Migration Management Regulation Pact to replace the Dublin System in 2020. The new proposal comes with more flexibility when it comes to supporting frontline countries.
Other EU countries without external borders will come together to figure out how to help fellow EU countries by accepting refugees from the country of first entry. The help can also be in the form of technical support or financial contribution, depending on what is needed.
What is the Aim of the Reforms on Asylum Rules
The reform of the asylum rules will help to;
- Ease the burden on frontline EU countries with external borders where most migrants arrive
- Limit the occurrence of a second movement
- Offer a more effective and timelier framework for requesting and processing asylum requests
- Ensure orderliness in the management of arrivals
- Create uniform and efficient asylum procedures across EU countries
- Explore a new EU resettlement framework
Fostering Refugees’ Integration Across Europe
As part of the EU’s approach to managing the refugee crisis, the Reception Conditions Directive has also taken a new shape to foster the seamless integration of refugees into various European societies. The revision ensures that there is an equivalent reception condition standard across all EU member states. The uniform standard includes social access to healthcare and other material conditions.
The Reception Condition Directive will also include regulations, including limiting the movement of refugees across different EU countries. Applicants might be allowed to work not later than nine months after the registration and approval date to ease the process of integration and boost their chances of living independently.
Refugees will have the opportunity to learn about the languages of their host countries. Also, they can take suitable vocational trainings and take various civic education courses. Consequently, the EU parliament gave their final approval to the revised refugee laws in April 2024.
Conclusion
The EU is taking a proactive approach to managing the refugee crisis while also creating a seamless integration of refugees into European society. The revised policies are a turn in the right direction towards a more efficient and equitable system while providing support for frontline EU countries where the migrants first arrive.
