RESHAPING THE EXTERNAL DIMENSION OF EU ASYLUM POLICY: THE DIFFICULT QUEST FOR A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
by Roberto Cortinovis. Paper, January 2017
The increasingly protracted character of many displacement situations worldwide has led the international community to introduce innovative approaches to durable solutions for refugees and Internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Specifically, international initiatives have focused on two main areas of action: a) strengthening the nexus between humanitarian and development interventions in the context of forced displacement situations; b) introducing legal pathways to protection for refugees through resettlement and other humanitarian and non-humanitarian channels. The emerging of the above-mentioned international agenda has triggered a parallel revision of the European Union (EU) external action in the field of asylum and refugee protection, a process that has gained further momentum as a consequence of increasing migration and asylum flows experienced by Europe since 2014.
This Working paper explores the ways in which different approaches to durable solutions have been framed at the EU level and analyses the main strategic orientations and initiatives adopted by the EU in this policy domain.
THE SEVENTH REPORT ON RELOCATION AND RESETTLEMENT
The Seventh Report on Relocation and Resettlement highlights the efforts made and the steps to be taken for guaranteeing that the reception systems meet the asylum seekers’ needs by respecting the human rights. A specific attention is devoted to vulnerable subjects such as unaccompanied minors and pregnant women.
The EU Communication underlines it is important for all the subjects involved in the process to play their roles in supporting the implementation of relocation and resettlement measures.
Italy is required to keep making its best effort to increase the national reception system capacity also by providing other Member States with the needed information.
The European Commission, on the other hand, will guarantee the monitoring and dissemination activities in order to support Member States in carrying out their duties.
NEW STRATEGIES SUPPORTING ASYLUM SEEKERS’ RECEPTION AND INCLUSION IN ITALY
A recent Italian law (the Law Decree n. 142 of 18 August 2015) added some important innovations, especially regarding reception of asylum seekers. Particularly, some emergency centres have been introduced; the range of motives that require asylum seekers to be kept in identification and expulsion centres have been broadened, as the period of time they can be withheld.
In addition, another change that could potentially impact on the reception system has been included. It is related to the possibility of working after a 2-month period (as opposed to the 6-month period of the previous legislation). This is an important reform, much awaited, which will enable the creation of integration processes which are truly based on giving value to personal agency.
READ ALSO
- The Health of Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Minors. What Needs and What Protection?, by Veronica Merotta. November 2015
- The External Dimension of EU Asylum Policy: Gaining Momentum or Fading Away?, by Roberto Cortinovis. May 2015
- The European Commission proposal to reform the Common European Asylum System