European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EU’s refugee crisis
Recent migration flows to the EU
This infographic aims to present the latest available data on migrant flows to the EU in the years 2016 and 2017. It covers the detection of illegal crossings on the EU’s external borders, numbers of deaths of migrants on those crossings, the number of asylum applications in EU Member States and their decisions on those applications. Continue reading
International Migrants Day – 18 December
Each year, 18 December is observed as International Migrants Day. Nominated by the United Nations General Assembly on 4 December 2000 in response to increasing migration in the world, the day aims to draw attention to the human rights of migrants, and highlight their contribution to our societies. Continue reading
Growing impact of EU migration policy on development cooperation
The sudden substantial increase in the number of migrants in recent years has had a profound effect on the external relations dimension of European Union migration and asylum policy. Continue reading
The reintegration of returning migrants [Policy Podcast]
Returning more and more migrants with irregular status to their countries of origin has become a key European Union aim in efforts to reduce illegal migration. Continue reading
Smart borders: EU Entry/Exit System [Plenary Podcast]
The Commission has envisaged integrated border management for several years, in response to increased traveller flows and the new security context. Continue reading
Secondary movements of asylum-seekers in the EU asylum system
Secondary movements occur when refugees or asylum-seekers move from the country in which they first arrived to seek protection or for permanent resettlement elsewhere. Continue reading
Reception of asylum-seekers – recast Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
States must treat asylum-seekers and refugees according to the appropriate standards laid down in human rights and refugee law. The current migration crisis revealed wide divergences in the level of reception conditions provided by Member States. Continue reading
Migration into the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, At the European Council meeting of 23 June 2017, European Union Heads of State or Government agreed to strengthen efforts to reduce irregular migration flows on the central Mediterranean route, notably by speeding up training, equipping the Libyan coast guard and improving cooperation with countries of migration origin. However, the European … Continue reading
World Refugee Day: making child-sensitive asylum and refugee policy
Written by Joanna Apap and Anita Orav. An unprecedented mass movement to the EU of asylum-seekers and migrants of all ages began in 2014, reached a peak in 2015, and subsequently continued into 2016 and 2017. On 5 April 2017, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of EU external … Continue reading
Smart Borders: EU Entry/Exit System [EU Legislation in Progress]
In anticipation of increased traveller flows and in response to security concerns regarding the control of EU external borders, on 6 April 2016, the Commission presented revised proposals for establishing an Entry/Exit System for recording the border-crossings of all non-EU nationals. Continue reading
Resettlement of refugees: EU framework [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 13 July 2016, as part of the reform of the Common European Asylum System and the long-term policy on better migration management, the Commission presented a proposal which aims to provide for a permanent framework with standard common procedures for resettlement across the EU, and will complement current national and multilateral resettlement initiatives. Continue reading
Common procedure for asylum [EU Legislation in progress]
As one of five key acts of the common European asylum system (CEAS), the Asylum Procedures Directive sets out common procedures for Member States for granting and withdrawing international protection in accordance with the Qualification Directive. Continue reading
Use of the Schengen Information System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale information database that supports external border control and law enforcement cooperation in the Schengen states. Continue reading
Revision of the Schengen Information System for border checks [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale information database that supports external border control and law enforcement cooperation in the Schengen states. Continue reading
Revision of the Schengen Information System for law enforcement [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a large-scale information database that supports external border control and law enforcement cooperation in the Schengen states. Continue reading
The EU and migration [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, At their meeting in Malta on 3 February, 2017, EU heads of states and government endorsed further objectives to ease the migratory challenge, with a view to stemming irregular migration flows through the central Mediterranean route. The plan foresees ‘immediate operational measures’ focused on training and supporting the Libyan coastguard in … Continue reading
EU rural development policy and the integration of migrants [Policy Podcast]
Written by Ana Martinez, Over the last few years, Europe has seen a significant increase in the number of migrants arriving at its borders. The European Commission’s 2016 action plan on the integration of third-country nationals has highlighted the resources that are available from the European structural and investment funds to support the integration process, … Continue reading
European Union Agency for Asylum [EU Legislation in Progress]
Written by Costica Dumbrava (2nd edition), The European Asylum Support Office provides Members States with support in fulfilling their obligations under the Common European Asylum System. Since its establishment in 2010, the support office’s role has been progressively expanded in order to reflect changes in the EU’s legal framework on asylum and to respond to … Continue reading
Reform of the Dublin system [EU Legislation in Progress]
The refugee and migrant crisis in Europe has exposed the need for reform of the Common European Asylum System, in general, and of the Dublin rules, in particular. The Commission’s proposal of 4 May 2016 to reform the Dublin system does not change the existing criteria for determining which Member State is responsible for examining an asylum application. Continue reading
Integration of refugees and migrants: Participation in cultural activities
Written by Magdalena Pasikowska-Schnass, Over the past two years, the European Union has received people fleeing conflict zones outside of Europe on a scale unprecedented for Europe since World War II. In the multi-faceted challenge of integrating new arrivals, cultural aspects are also part of the solution. Refugees and migrants – challenges and benefits of … Continue reading
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