Headlines like "refugee crisis" or "migration crisis" seem to dominate the news currently. In the context of asylum and migration, legislation of the European Union like the Dublin Regulation, is often mentioned, but seldom explained. As events are overturning, there's hardly enough space or time in the daily news for long explanations.
The EU Commission has published a factsheet that defines the most important terms. Since 1999, the EU developed several legal provisions in the framework of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS):
- Asylum Procedure Directive
- Reception Conditions Directive
- Qualification Directive
- Dublin Regulation
- Eurodac Regulation
Those are presented in the factsheet as well as the whole process which every person fleeing to Europe has to complete in order to get asylum in Europe. The brochure gives an easy to understand overview that helps to orientate oneself in the current debate.
Discussion at EU level
Europe seems to be overwhelmed by the current situation. A reform of the legislation is discussed on EU level. The President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, requests a new organisation of the reception of refugees by Member States in order to make it fairer and to relieve states like Greece or Italy (find more information in this article among others). In a statement, he further demands solidarity and speaks out against rejection and resentment against asylum seekers.
Please keep in mind: This is an information article. The European Consumer Centre Austria (ECC) does not handle asylum cases. It solely supports consumers who face a cross-border problem with a trader in another EU Member State.
