UNHCR’s seven key calls to the next European Parliament
Conflict, violence and persecution are forcing more and more people to flee their homes. Most of them stay in their own country or flee to neighbouring countries, not to the European Union (EU). Tragically, too many are still dying along the routes and at sea in search of protection. Pushbacks and human rights violations at borders also continue and many people seeking safety are unable to enter Europe.
Becoming a refugee is not a choice, but how we act and respond is. The EU can play a leading role in protecting refugees and give hope to those away from home. With a common response, EU countries can securely and humanely manage arrivals of people in a way that works for both refugees and the communities that host them. By supporting countries outside of Europe, the EU can also reduce dangerous journeys and help find long-term opportunities and solutions for refugees.What can Members of the next European Parliament do to better protect refugees?
Here are seven actions:
1. Protect people’s right to safety and asylum
Seeking safety from war, conflict and persecution is a fundamental human right. People must be allowed to seek asylum and it should never cost anyone their life or their dignity. Pushbacks and human rights violations at Europe’s borders must end. EU-led search and rescue capacity and agreements on where people rescued at sea can disembark are urgently needed.
2. Ensure humane asylum procedures
Border procedures must be carried out in line with legal safeguards and not lead to de facto detention. Children should never be detained. Everyone has the right to adequate reception conditions and dignified accommodation. Human rights apply to everyone and must be respected at all times. Those not entitled to international protection should be returned to their countries of origin, following due process and in line with their human rights.
3. Show solidarity to countries hosting large numbers of refugees
Responsibility for receiving and hosting people seeking asylum can be shared in a fair way by moving people from countries that receive large numbers to other EU states. Global solidarity and support to large-refugee hosting countries outside the EU is also key.
4. Support refugees along migratory routes
Refugees face numerous challenges along migratory routes, including physical dangers, exploitation, violence and the lack of basic necessities. To reduce human suffering on dangerous journeys, the EU can support interventions along those routes to assist people on the move in finding protection, solutions and legal pathways at the earliest possible stage.
5. Offer legal options for refugees to reach safety in Europe
With a steady commitment from EU countries to increase resettlement and other safe and legal pathways, fewer people will undertake dangerous journeys to seek safety in Europe. Flexible and fair procedures are needed to ensure refugee families can reunite.
6. Help refugees thrive wherever they are
The EU’s support to countries across the world will help refugees rebuild their lives wherever they are. Additional and flexible EU humanitarian and development funding is crucial to provide life-saving assistance to refugees and support to refugee-hosting countries.
7. End statelessness
Millions of people around the world are stateless. Hundreds of thousands live in the EU. The EU can play a leading role in ending statelessness by putting in place laws and procedures to identify and protect stateless people and ensure they can enjoy their rights.
