The Common European Asylum Policy: Towards a Balanced, Flexible and Comprehensive System

The EU competences on asylum policy in Europe delineated at Tampere in 1999, and reconfirmed in the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum from 2008, contains four important legislative frameworks which play an important role in its structure: The Qualification Directive stating who will qualify for asylum or subsidiary protection status, the Asylum Procedure Directive stating the minimum standards in the number of procedural guarantees and rights of asylum seekers, the Reception Conditions Directive pointing at minimum standards for asylum-seekers and the Dublin Regulation clarifying the responsibilities of member states for assessing asylum applications.

Once the creation of a Common Asylum Policy in Europe became a top priority, this goal was reaffirmed in the Hague Programme from 2004. However, numerous challenges in the field highlighted that the adoption of minimum standards in the directives was not sufficient on their own, and subsequently, a series of amendments were put in place. These aimed to clarify legal concepts, eliminate differences between the rights of refugees, enhance the effective access to those rights, simplify procedural notions, improve the quality of asylum decisions and facilitate access to examination procedures. All these initiatives revealed the need to increase the practical cooperation between member states and create an integrated and balanced approach to facing the asylum policy challenges in Europe. Both targets can be achieved through the creation of the European Asylum Support Office, the European Refugee Fund but also through intensified exchange of good practices and procedural lessons from different member states. Good cooperation between major international organizations active in the field is also imperative.

These policy issues were reassessed again in the Pact in 2008, with the Commission driving forward new measures to streamline the allocation of beneficiaries of international protection through voluntary and coordinated reallocation, achieve better protection of people outside the EU and improve the training of EU staff working at its external borders to provide better information to asylum seekers about their rights and obligations in the EU.

As we approach the EU’s 2010 implementation target for the common asylum policy, this special international symposium provides a timely opportunity for stakeholders to examine the challenges which Europe is facing to increase the practical cooperation between different member states and to develop further a balanced and flexible strategy towards better burden sharing between member states.

The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme

09:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Introduction
Mr. Willy Bruggeman PhD, Professor at the Benelux University Centre; Chair of the Belgian Federal Police Board (confirmed)
10:05 Delegates Presentation
10:20 Session One: IOM Experience in Reintegration and Immigration of Asylum Seekers
  • Lessons Learned from the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programmes
  • Existing Educational Toolkit on Migration and Asylum
  • Increasing Knowledge of Asylum Seekers in Europe – Capacity Building and Communication Strategies for the Future
Mr. Pascal Reyntjens, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Brussels Office, Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Head of Unit (AVRR) (confirmed)
10:45 Discussion
11:25 Morning Coffee Break
11:45 Session Two: Rethinking Minimum Standards for Asylum Seekers – Towards a Balanced and Flexible Approach
  • Good Practices and Capitalisation of Valuable Experience from ECRE’ s Recent Activities
  • Are the Minimum Standards for Asylum Seekers Appropriate Tool for Meeting the Needs of Asylum Seekers – Lessons Learned so far; Current and Future Challenges
  • Towards a System which Respects the Rights of Asylum Seekers
Martin Watson, Director of Advocacy & Communications, European Council on Refugees and Exiles (confirmed)
12:10 Discussion
12:40 Lunch
13:40 Session Three: Main Challenges in the Area of Asylum in Europe CEAS
  • Achievements so far – Best Practices
  • Existing Gaps and Identifying Future Needs and Actions
  • UNHCR's perspective.
Mrs. Emilie Wiinblad, UNHCR Brussels Bureau (confirmed)
14:05 Discussion
14:35 Short Coffee Break
14:45 Session Four: The Asylum-Seekers’ Perspective – Access to Information and Effective Remedies
  • Comparative Knowledge on the Implementation of the Asylum Procedure Directive – Current Research Project by FRA
  • Focus Group Discussions with Asylum Seekers in all 27 European Union Countries – Mind Mapping for Future Strategies and Actions
Adriano Silvestri, EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Vienna (confirmed)
15:10 Discussion
15:40 Chair's Summary and Closing Remarks
16:45 Networking Reception and Refreshments

Who Should Attend?

  • Public Health Authorities
  • Border Agencies and Control Services
  • Ministries of Health
  • Social Services
  • Migration Authorities
  • Asylum Team Managers
  • Sheltered Housing Scheme Managers
  • Local, Regional & National Health Services
  • Social Care Professionals
  • Academics and Research Institutes
  • International Associations
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Hospitals
  • HR Professionals
  • Training Managers
  • Recruitment Advisers
  • Organisational Development Professionals
  • Equal Opportunities Officers
  • Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Practitioners
  • Immigration Advisers
  • Employee Relations Advisers
  • Police & Fire Service
  • Private Sectors Employers
  • Public Sector Employers
  • Small Business Owners
  • Central Government Departments & Bodies
  • Regulatory Bodies
  • Citizen’s Advice & Third Sector Practitioners
  • Trade Union Representatives
  • Academics
  • Religious & Faith Groups
  • Homelessness Assessment & Prevention Officers
  • Housing Associations
  • Tenants & Residents' Associations
  • Local Strategic Partnerships
  • Neighbourhood Renewal Teams
  • Social Exclusion Officers
  • Health & Safety Executives
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29th April 2010
The Renaissance Hotel, Brussels

Register your place

“The Commission puts in place the final building blocks of the Common European Asylum System. Significant progress has been accomplished in recent years as a result of the implementation of common standards, but considerable disparities remain between Member States. Our proposals represent a major step forward towards achieving higher standards of protection, a more equal level playing field as well as higher efficiency and coherence for the system”
Vice-President Jacques Barrot, EU Commissioner responsible for Freedom, Security and Justice, October 2009
“The implementation of the Community legislation of the first stage of the Common European Asylum System. This should include actions to improve the quality of asylum decision-making and the continuing development of the capacity of stakeholders, including Member State authorities, UNHCR and non-governmental actors, in the asylum field.”
European Refugee Fund 2008-2013
“Asylum seekers should have the same chance of being accepted and rejected in all EU countries ...”
Jacques Barrot, European Commission Vice-President responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security