The European Parliament has finally passed a comprehensive reform of the EU’s asylum and migration system.
This is the culmination of discussions that began in 2015. The EU Asylum and Migration Pact aims to streamline the asylum process, expedite the return of irregular migrants, and establish a system of shared responsibility among member states. This reform comes at a critical juncture as the number of people entering the EU illegally has reached its highest level since 2016. The pact strives to balance unity with flexibility. EU countries will be required to either accept asylum seekers from nations disproportionately impacted by migration inflows such as Greece and Italy or contribute additional financial resources or support.
The agreement also seeks to establish stricter timeframes. Asylum applications will be processed within a maximum of 12 weeks, with rejections triggering a mandatory return within the same period. Additionally, a more rigorous pre-entry screening process including identification, health, and security checks will be implemented within seven days of arrival. The pact has garnered support from the two major political blocs, the European People’s Party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats who view it as a crucial step forward in the face of upcoming elections.
Leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have praised the agreement’s necessity, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasizes its ability to foster both solidarity and responsibility. However, the pact is not without its critics. While some MEPs acknowledge the agreement’s imperfections, they ultimately voted in favour, viewing it as a workable compromise. Conversely, left-wing and far-right groups, along with NGOs like Amnesty International, have voiced strong opposition.
Amnesty International specifically warns that the pact would exacerbate the suffering of asylum seekers. Protests even erupted during the vote, with demonstrators chanting slogans and disrupting proceedings. Despite these criticisms, proponents believe that the EU Asylum and Migration Pact represents a significant step towards a more unified and efficient approach to migration within the European Union. The coming years will determine the pact’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges of irregular migration and ensuring a fair and humane asylum process.
