Ylva Johansson eudebates the New Pact on Asylum and Migration with LIBE MEPs in Brussels

This New Pact is expected to set out the asylum and migration policy of the Von der Leyen Commission and to end the deadlock in the Council on the reform of the Common European Asylum System pending since 2016. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/spec... #SOTEU #SOTEU20 #eudebates #Migration #Migrants #Asylum #refugees #Asylum #integration #Relocation

In the LIBE meeting of 24 September Members hold a debate with Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life and Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs following their presentation of the New Pact on Asylum and Migration.

The new Migration Pact is insufficient for the majority of EP groups. Some demand compulsory relocation of refugees; others want a firmer stance on irregular arrivals.

https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/spec... #SOTEU #SOTEU20 #eudebates #Migration #Migrants #Asylum #refugees #Asylum #integration #Relocation

The Civil Liberties Committee held a first debate about the Commission’s proposals with Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner Ylva Johansson on Thursday. Some MEPs considered the initiative to be “a step in the right direction”, to help front-line countries, and others admitted it might be the only way forward, given the position of several EU member states. All requested more information about how the pact would be applied on the ground.

Many speakers referred to the situation on Lesvos, following the fire in Moria refugee camp, and asked whether the new rules will prevent that humanitarian disaster from being repeated. They raised questions about whether fundamental rights will be respected in the new screening and border procedures and the detention of asylum-seekers. Several regretted that the Commission has not removed the contentious principle of the current Dublin Regulation, that the country of first-entry must deal with an asylum-claim.

EU countries that do not want to transfer refugees to their territory would be given the option to sponsor returns of those without a right to stay instead; MEPs wondered what will happen if most member states opt for the latter. There were also questions raised about the enforcement mechanisms to ensure the new rules are effectively applied.

Some MEPs complained that cooperation with third countries does not include the establishment of hotspots to process asylum requests outside European territory and insisted the EU must be tougher on smugglers.

Members of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) hold a debate with Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life and Ylva JOHANSSON, Commissioner for Home Affairs following their presentation of the New Pact on Asylum and Migration. This New Pact is expected to set out the asylum and migration policy of the VON DER LEYEN Commission and to end the deadlock in the Council on the reform of the Common European Asylum System pending since 2016. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process.

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