Thursday, November 04, 2004
Asylum is again high on the European agenda. Although the number of asylum seekers arriving in Europe is at its lowest in years, the issue remains explosive, erupting periodically at key EU meetings such as the European Council summit which has just started in Brussels.
A problem is the efficiency of asylum procedures. It would be a sound investment to front-load national asylum systems, so that a proper decision is reached in the first instance, instead of at the second or third appeal. Everyone pays lip-service to the notion that genuine refugees deserve protection. The reality is that Europe's asylum systems do not always afford refugees even the chance to state their claim.There is also much debate about the need for refugees and migrants to be better integrated in their new European homes. I agree. Yet last year's harmonised EU legislation deprives a significant proportion of refugees - mainly those fleeing war or violence - of real integration chances, by allowing individual governments to deny them the right to work.
If European governments can iron out some of these difficulties and harmonise not only their laws but also their practice, they will truly have started to manage rather than simply react to the asylum challenge.
Make asylum fair, not fast.
Just my two cents' worth.

You were my strength when I was weak
You gave me wings and made me fly
You left
Faded like the stars I am

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|Weilin*| 11/04/2004 09:59:00 PM|

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