Latest European and International developments on migration and asylum

Date Published: 12-12-2013

Latest European and International developments on migration and asylum

Notable conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the EU include the following:-
- the Council noted the European Commission communication on the free movement of EU citizens and their families and stated that work will continue in cooperation with the member states on the basis of the five actions outlined in the communication;
- the Council also discussed the European Commission communication on the work of the Task Force Mediterranean;
- the Council adopted conclusions on combating hate crime, on the EU Citizenship Report 2013 and on the evaluation of European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA); and
- the Council discussed the future development of the Justice and Home Affairs area, post Stockholm Programme.

The European Commission proposed actions to better address migration flows and prevent loss of life in the Mediterranean.
The EU and the Republic of Azerbaijan signed a Mobility Partnership which establishes a set of political objectives and identifies a number of areas in which further dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Republic of Azerbaijan will continue in order to ensure that the movement of persons is managed as effectively as possible.
The European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan also signed an agreement to facilitate the procedures for issuing short-stay visas.
The European Commission adopted a report on the joint review of the US Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement and the Terrorist Financing Tracking programme (TFTP) .
The European Commission published new progress reports on the implementation by the Republic of Moldova, by Ukraine and by Georgia of their respective Action Plans on Visa Liberalisation.
The European Commission reported on the border situation in La Línea (Spain) and Gibraltar (UK) .
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) hosted the third EASO Consultative Forum plenary meeting in Malta.
DG Home Affairs Public Consultation: Debate on the future of Home Affairs policies: An open and safe Europe – what next?
The European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) came into operational on 2 December 2013.
The European Commission published its 4^th bi-annual overview of the functioning of the state of the Schengen area.

Reports

New European Migration Network (EMN) published on Attracting Highly Qualified and Qualified Third-Country Nationals: EMN Synthesis Report.
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) released a comparative analysis of trends, push-pull factors and responses to the flow of asylum-seekers from Western Balkan countries to EU Member States and Associated Countries.
The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) published a new publication entitled, Discrimination and hate crime against Jews in EU Member States: experiences and perceptions of antisemitism.
The Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants issued PICUM Quarterly July to September 2013

Newsletters

European Migration Network bulletin (No. 5) June to October 2013
FRA newsletter December 2013
PICUM bulletin December 2013
IOM newsletter November 2013
EASO newsletter October 2013

Forthcoming Events

17 – 18 December 2013, Brussels: 8th European Forum on the rights of the child. Towards integrated child protection systems through the implementation of the EU Agenda for the rights of the child.

Conference Conclusions

EMN Conference 2013: The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters
EMN Ireland Conference: Challenges and Responses to Identifying Victims of Trafficking

18 October 2013

18October 2013 marks the 7^th EU Anti-Trafficking Day. To mark the day the Lithuanian Presidency and the European Commission are hosting a conference on Exploring the Links between the Internet and Trafficking in Human Beings: Cyberspace for Prevention, not Recruitment.
A clearer definition of regarding rules for calculating ‘short stays’ of non-EU citizens in the Schengen area (90 days in any 180 days period) is applicable from 18 October 2013.
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and Bulgaria signed an Operating Plan which provides for EASO support to Bulgaria, until September 2014.
Representatives from the EU and China met for their first High Level Dialogue on Mobility and Migration since 2006.
The Council of the European adopted the Schengen Governance legislative package which includes a Regulation on the establishment of an evaluation and monitoring mechanism to verify the application of the Schengen acquis (10597/13) and an amendment to the Schengen Borders Code as regards the rules for the temporary reintroduction of border controls at internal borders in exceptional circumstances (PE-COS 30/13).
Director General for Home Affairs, Stefano Manservisi, met with high officials from Morocco in Rabat. Discussions focused on the implementation of a new migration and asylum policy by Morocco and on support from the EU through the EU-Morocco Mobility Partnership.
Commissioner Cecilia Malmström’s statement on the boat capsized in the channel of Sicily and on intervention on Lampedusa.

Reports

Frontex released Risk Analysis Network (FRAN) Report Q2 2013.
A fact finding analysis on the impact on the Member States' social security systems of the entitlements of non-active intra-EU migrants to special non-contributory cash benefits and healthcare granted on the basis of residence was produced by ICF GHK in association with Milieu Ltd, for DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion via DG Justice Framework Contract.
First GRETA report was published on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Ireland.
Fundamental Rights Agency launched a toolkit Joining up fundamental rights - an online collection of tools on how to implement fundamental rights across all levels and sectors of government. It offers advice to help integrate fundamental rights into policy making, service delivery, and administrative practices.
ICMC released the third edition of ‘Welcome to Europe’, a comprehensive guide to resettlement which provides information on global resettlement needs and the evolution of Member States’ resettlement activities, from legislation to practical implementation, highlighting the areas for improvement in the current resettlement phase.
Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) issued a new working paper on Analysis of FRA Roma survey results by gender.

Newsletters

FRA newsletter October 2013
PICUM bulletin October 2013
IOM newsletter Issue 44
EASO newsletter September 2013

Events

5 – 6 November 2013: European Migration Network Conference entitled The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, Vilnius, Lithuania. The Conference, The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, will address the topic of labour migration and discuss the achievements and challenges of EU labour migration policy and the role of migration in the EU Agenda for Growth.
12 – 13 November 2013: Fundamental Rights Conference 2013 on Combating Hate Crime in the EU, Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2013 Fundamental Rights Conference invites decision makers and practitioners to explore effective strategies to combat crimes motivated by hatred and prejudice at the national and EU levels.
13 November 2013: Public Policy Exchange hold the 4th Annual International Symposium on Preventing Human Trafficking: Working Towards a Victim-Centred Response.
29 November 2013: Advance notice of EMN Ireland Conference on Challenges and Responses to Identifying Victims of Trafficking. More details will be available on www.emn.ie/emn/nationalnetwork shortly. To register your interest in this event please email: emn.ireland@esri.ie.

17 September 2013

Commissioner Malmström’s speech on Progress in EU migration policy since 1999 given at the 2013 International Metropolis Conference.
UN global migration statistics reveal 232 million international migrants living abroad worldwide.
European Parliament adopts amendments to the EU visa rules (Regulation 539/2001), including a new visa waiver suspension mechanism to ensure that visa free travel does not lead to irregularities or abuse.
European Parliament adopts a resolution proposing strategic guidelines in the form of common minimum standards for the protection of unaccompanied children arriving on EU territory until durable solutions have been found for them.
The Fundamental Rights Agency and the Council of Europe celebrate 60 years of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Reports

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launch the World Migration Report 2013: Migrant Well-Being and Development, which presents a global picture of the well-being of migrants.
New report by IOM Migration and the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda gathers recent research findings outlining the links between migration and development and proposes how migration can best be factored into the future development framework.
ECRE launch the first AIDA (Asylum Information Database) Annual Report (2012-2013): Not There Yet: An NGO perspective on Challenges to a Fair and Effective Common European Asylum System. See AIDA website at www.asylumineurope.org
A new Migration Policy Institute and Bertelsmann Stiftung report, Attracting and Selecting from the Global Talent Pool - Policy Challenges, examines the steps Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and countries in Europe and elsewhere are taking to make the most of highly-skilled immigration.

Newsletters

Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Newsletter September 2013.
IOM Newsletter August 2013.

Call for proposals

European Commission DG Home Affairs publish a call for proposals (2013 PPVOT), Pilot project funding for Victims of Torture.

Events

5 – 6 November 2013: European Migration Network Conference entitled The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, Vilnius, Lithuania. The Conference, The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, will address the topic of labour migration and discuss the achievements and challenges of EU labour migration policy and the role of migration in the EU Agenda for Growth.
12 – 13 November 2013: Fundamental Rights Conference 2013 on Combating Hate Crime in the EU, Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2013 Fundamental Rights Conference invites decision makers and practitioners to explore effective strategies to combat crimes motivated by hatred and prejudice at the national and EU levels.

26 August 2013

Reports

New report published on Using indicators to monitor immigrant integration and evaluate policies in the EU, prepared at the request of the European Commission by the European Services Network (ESN) and the Migration Policy Group (MPG).
Fundamental Rights Agency report on EU solidarity and Frontex: fundamental rights challenges, reviews the solidarity measures the EU has established to support those countries most affected by irregular arrivals by sea.
New EuroFound report on Mobility and migration of healthcare workers in central and eastern Europe. An executive summary is also available.
Frontex release Risk Analysis Network FRAN Q1 2013.
IOM Focus on Migration: Voluntary Return and Reintegration (Number 3 18th Edition - December 2012).

Newsletters

EASO Newsletter July/August 2013.
PICUM Newsletter, August 2013.

Events

9 – 13 September 2013: International Metropolis Conference, Tampere, Finland. The 2013 International Metropolis Conference contextualises international migration within a framework that looks at simultaneously managing economic and population growth, security, and social justice.
5 – 6 November 2013: European Migration Network Conference entitled The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, Vilnius, Lithuania. The Conference, The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, will address the topic of labour migration and discuss the achievements and challenges of EU labour migration policy and the role of migration in the EU Agenda for Growth.
12 – 13 November 2013: Fundamental Rights Conference 2013 on Combating hate crime in the EU, Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2013 Fundamental Rights Conference invites decision makers and practitioners to explore effective strategies to combat crimes motivated by hatred and prejudice at the national as well as EU level.

23 July 2013

Informal meeting of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs, under the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, discusses issues relating to migration, security of refugees from Syria, as well as perspectives of the development of Justice and Home affairs area.
The EU agrees new visa facilitation measures with the Ukraine and Moldova which includes new, more transparent rules regarding the issuing of multiple-entry visas, facilitating travel for amongst others, business people, representatives of the civil society, NGOs and journalists.

Reports

The Fundamental Rights Agency Annual Report on Fundamental rights: challenges and achievements in 2012 highlights challenges and achievements in the area of fundamental rights from across the EU. It also considers the impact of the current crisis on the rule of law, as well as Member State activities to ensure trust in their justice systems.
OECD release the 2013 International Migration Outlook . The report notes that migration into OECD countries rose by 2% in 2011 from the previous year, to reach almost 4 million. Recent data also suggest a similar increase in 2012.
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) publishes its second Annual Report on the Situation of Asylum in the European Union, 2012 which provides an overview of asylum applicants in the EU by analysing application and decision data.
The European Commission Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum reports on 2012 and early 2013 developments in the area of EU migration and asylum.

Newsletters

Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Newsletter, July 2013.
PICUM Newsletter, July 2013.

Events

9 – 13 September 2013: International Metropolis Conference, Tampere, Finland. The 2013 International Metropolis Conference contextualises international migration within a framework that looks at simultaneously managing economic and population growth, security, and social justice.
5 – 6 November 2013: European Migration Network Conference entitled The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, Vilnius, Lithuania. The Conference, The Agenda for Growth in the EU: Why Migration Matters, will address the topic of labour migration and discuss the achievements and challenges of EU labour migration policy and the role of migration in the EU Agenda for Growth.
12 – 13 November 2013: Fundamental Rights Conference 2013 on Combating hate crime in the EU, Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2013 Fundamental Rights Conference invites decision makers and practitioners to explore effective strategies to combat crimes motivated by hatred and prejudice at the national as well as EU level.

11 June 2013

European Court of Human Rights and Fundamental Rights Agency launch Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration.
The EU and Morocco sign a new partnership to better manage mobility and migration.
New EU Civil Society Platform against Trafficking in Human Beings launched. Civil society organisations from each EU country participating in the Platform.
European Commission present view on how migration and mobility can contribute to inclusive and economic social development.
EU sign Readmission Agreements with Cape Verde and Armenia. The agreements set out clear obligations and procedures for the authorities of EU Member States and of Cape Verde and Armenia as to how and when to take people back who are illegally residing in each other’s territories. The agreements apply to nationals of the participating states and to third country nationals.
The European Court of Human Rights launches a newly-designed website: www.echr.coe.int.

Reports

European Commission publishes the third biannual report on EU free movement, covering the period 1 November 2012 – 30 April 2013.
IOM publishes a new report entitled Children on the Move.
European Parliament present report on Gender related asylum claims on Europe .
New PICUM report on Children First and Foremost: A guide to realising the rights of children and families in an irregular migration situation.

Newsletters

Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) Newsletter, June 2013.
European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Newsletter, May 2013.
Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) Bulletin, May 2013.
NORFACE Newsletter, May 2013.

Summer Schools

26 - 28 June 2013: International Human Rights Summer School, UCD, Dublin.
1 - 19 July 2013: University of Oxford, Refugee Studies Centre International Summer School on Forced Migration 1 to 19 July 2013. For further details and how to apply go to: http://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/study/international-summer-school.
1 - 12 July 2013: Summer School on European Union Law and Policy on Immigration and Asylum at University Libre de Bruxelles, 1 to 12 July 2013. For further information http://www.ulb.ac.be/assoc/odysseus/Summer2013UK.html.
8 - 12 July 2013: Irish Centre for Human Rights will hold its inaugural Summer School on Human Rights, Migration and Globalization from 8 to 12 July 2013, Galway, Ireland.

3 May 2013

The European Commission propose measures to ensure the better application of EU law on people's right to work in another Member State and so make it easier for people to exercise their rights in practice.
The European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs endorse the Asylum Procedures Directive and EURODAC Regulation.
A European Commission proposal to allow the use of EU air passenger name record (PNR) data in investigating serious crime and terrorist offences was rejected by Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Draft report on Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Turkey on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation (PE 504.240v01-00) by Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
The EU and IOM meet to discuss strategic cooperation on global migration issues.

Newsletters

PICUM Bulletin April 2013.
Fundamental Rights Agency Newsletter April 2013.
EASO Newsletter April 2013.

3 April 2013

European Commission harmonises issuing of short stay visas for applicants residing in Jordan, Kosovo and the United States of America (Atlanta, Bedford, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan, Tampa, Washington).
Developments towards completing the final two legislative measures forming part of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS): the Asylum Procedures Directive and the EURODAC regulation.
European Commission publish a proposal on ‘Making the EU more attractive for foreign students and researchers’.
The European Union and the Russian Federation publish the ‘Common steps towards visa free, short-term travel of Russian and EU citizens’.
European Commission propose a 'Smart Border package' to speed-up, facilitate and reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.

Call for participants

EU Civil Society Platform on Trafficking in Human Beings - call for participants.

Newsletters/Reports

A new report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presents the results of in-depth research in four EU Member States with southern EU sea borders (Spain, Italy, Greece and Malta).
PICUM Bulletin March 2013.
Fundamental Rights Agency Newsletter March 2013.
EASO Newsletter March 2013.

Course

Irish Centre for Human Rights will hold its inaugural Summer School on Human Rights, Migration and Globalization from 8 to 12 July 2013, Galway, Ireland.

19 February 2013

European Commission present the first report on the progress by Kosovo towards visa liberalisation.
New European Migration Network page on DG Home Affairs Europa website.
A delegation of MEPs travelled to Jordan to assess the extent of the Syrian refugee crisis
European Commission launch Europe-wide multimedia competition ‘Migrants in Europe'. Schools of art, graphics and communication from all 27 Member States and Croatia are invited to reflect on the contribution migrants make to societies in Europe.

Statistics

New Eurostat release on Migration and Migrant Population (2010).

Newsletters /Reports

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) publishes fourth report on Ireland.
Frontex release Risk Analysis Network Issue 3 Q3 2012.
PICUM Bulletin February 2013.
Fundamental Rights Agency Newsletter February 2013.

Events

26 February 2013: Webinar on ‘Agencies for a safer and securer Europe’. All EU agencies related to the fields Security, Justice and Migration, including EASO, will make a presentation and provide information about the mission, the structure, the contribution and the role of the agency for a safer and securer Europe through available tools, as well as with the development of balanced and comprehensive EU Policies in the area of internal security and migration.
6 March 2012: EU Side Event on ‘Trafficking of women and girls as a form of violence against women: the EU response’ on the occasion of the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
25 April 2013: 6th Fundamental Rights Platform meeting. The meeting brings together participants of the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) – the agency’s network for cooperation with over 300 civil society organisations working on a variety of fundamental rights issues across the European Union.

23 January 2013

Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

An Informal Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meeting took place in Dublin on 17 – 18 January 2013.
The Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, presented the Irish Presidency priorities in the Justice and Home Affairs area to European Parliament Committees on Legal Affairs and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
Programme of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Reports

DG Employment review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2012 explores issues on migration in respect to income and poverty, unemployment and skills mismatch.
DG Enterprise Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan aims to provide decisive actions to unleash Europe's entrepreneurial potential, including of migrant entrepreneurs.

Case Law

ECJ Judgment Case C-23/12 (Mohamad Zakaria) on Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 – Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code) – Alleged violation of the right to respect for human dignity – Effective judicial protection – Right of access to a court.

Statistics

Eurostat release on asylum applicants and first instance decisions on asylum applications for third quarter 2012 shows asylum applicants in EU-27 increased by nearly 12,000 in the Q3 2012 compared to the same quarter in 2011.

Call for Partners

The European Union and Turkey Civil Society Dialogue III search for partners in the areas of Political Criteria and Media.

8 January 2013

Informal Meeting of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs takes place in Dublin, at the beginning of the Irish Presidency of the European Council on 17 – 18 January 2013.
Outcomes of Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 6-7 December 2012 reflects discussions on the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), in particular Asylum Procedures Directive, Eurodac and Dublin Regulations. A mid-term review of the Stockholm Programme was presented as well as developments relating to Schengen, SIS II and the 2^nd bi-annual report on Schengen area.
Statement from Commissioner Malmström on occasion of International Migrants' Day on 18 December 2012.
European Parliament favours police access to asylum seekers' fingerprints in Eurodac, subject to safeguards.
European Parliament makes annual Resolution on Fundamental Rights.
Launch of EU Skills Panorama providing access to national, European and International research findings on skills and jobs.

Statistics

Eurostat release on EU 27 Workers’ Remittances in 2011 shows that nearly 40 billion euro was transferred by migrants to their country of origin in 2011.

Case law

ECJ Judgment in Case C-430/11 (Md Sagor) finds that the Directive on the Return of Illegal Immigrants does not preclude a Member State from punishing an irregular stay with a fine which may, under certain conditions, be replaced by an expulsion order.

Calls

European Integration Fund publish call for proposals. The general objective of this call for proposals is to provide financial support for actions promoting integration of third country nationals in EU Member States.

Reports / Newsletters

European Commission release Task Force on Greece Q4 2012 Quarterly Report. Section 11 of the report looks at the main developments in the area of migration and asylum.
Migration Policy Institute list Top 10 Migration Issues of 2012.
Fundamental Rights Agency issue December 2012 newsletter.
December issue of PICUM Bulletin provides an update on the issue of undocumented migrants in Europe and the rest world.
Migration Policy Institute December 2012 newsletter reviews developments in 2012.

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