DossierThe New EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

After years of erratic and uncoordinated actions, the European Commission has revealed the long-awaited New Pact on Migration and Asylum to “propose a fresh start” on this highly politicised policy priority. Will the "New Pact" become the coherent strategy on migration the EU needs? How can the EU strike the right balance between responsibility and solidarity, on the one hand, and opposed national interests and priorities, on the other hand?

Our dossier illustrates different perspectives on the European Commission’s proposal, with contributions from our foreign offices and partners in the EU and beyond.

Migration and asylum policy à la carte: a free hand for the obstructionists

Commentary

In mid-September 2020, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke out strongly in favour of a human and humane approach to the common EU Asylum Policy. Her lofty promises did not, however, survive very long.

By Eva van de Rakt, Anna Schwarz and Zora Siebert

Erik Marquardt MEP: “Migration management has become a euphemism for repelling refugees”

Interview

On 23 September, the European Commission tabled the “New Pact on Migration and Asylum”. An interview with MEP and migration policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group at the European Parliament, Erik Marquardt, on the future of European asylum and migration.

By Eva van de Rakt

Paper doesn’t blush: The Commission presents a plan that does nothing to address the realities at the EU borders

Legal analysis

With the New Pact on Migration and Asylum the European Commission intends to square the circle – but does not succeed. An analysis from a legal perspective.

By Prof. Dr. Nora Markard

You can’t build on that: Externalisation as the cornerstone of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

Commentary

Since 2015, the EU and its Member States have been moving away from an externalisation of migration control to an externalisation of their obligations to afford protection. The New Pact does not change this.

By Kirsten Maas-Albert

Commentaries from our foreign offices and partners

Czechia

Is Czechia finally ready to show some solidarity?

Commentary

In Czechia, debates about the EU's New Pact focus only on border protection, return and detention, rather than discussing more relevant proposals on legal migration, integration and inclusion.

By Magda Faltová

Greece

Aegean chronicles: A reporter’s confrontation with Europe’s failures and moral imperative

Background

A 6-year-old boy from Afghanistan drowned in November 2020 off the coast of Samos. Ηe was with his father and other asylum seekers onboard a dinghy that was shipwrecked. The tragic loss of a child’s life hardly made an impression on the international media or public discourse in Greece.

By Giorgos Christides

No Sound Basis for Solidarity but an Opportunity to Rethink Asylum

Commentary

Unless conditions in poor countries improve drastically, their citizens will continue to seek a better future elsewhere, even under the pretext of requiring international protection.

By Athanasios Koronis

Italy

Dublin Forever - Nothing New for the South

Commentary

In contrast to many declarations that Italy should not be left to face the challenges of mass boat arrivals from North Africa alone, the New Pact's proposals if anything renew the obsolete “Dublin system”.

By Christopher Hein

Morocco

Nothing New in the North: The EU’s New Pact will not change much for Morocco

Commentary

The Moroccan government can live happily with the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. But many activists are disappointed by the contents of the Brussels Pact.

By Bauke Baumann

Poland

Poland wants no refugees – NGO’s critical look at the New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Commentary

Despite its tough public rhetoric, the Polish government might turn out to be more flexible behind closed doors regarding the New Pact, to prevent embarrassing defeats on issues that are far more important from a domestic policy point of view, such as the rule of law.

By Joanna Maria Stolarek and Gert Röhrborn

Senegal

Migration in Senegal: Societal visions instead of criminalisation and the rhetoric of deterrence

Analysis

In the last few months, more than 500 migrants have lost their lives trying to leave West Africa for the Canary Islands and thus Europe, in a terrible repeat of the situation of 2005/2006. In 2006 alone, more than 32,000 migrants set off on the perilous journey from the coast of West Africa hoping to reach the Canary Islands across the sea.

By Usha Ziegelmayer

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, yet another obstacle for Senegalese?

Commentary

Neither the Senegalese government nor the media have reacted to the publication of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. However, the close cooperation with FRONTEX remains a cause for concern.

By Dr. Mamadou Dimé, Dr. Selly Bâ and Usha Ziegelmayer

Serbia

Insights from Serbia - a buffer zone for the EU’s illegal pushback policy?

Commentary

Is Serbia a transit country or slowly becoming a buffer zone for the EU’s illegal pushback policy and overall goal to reduce migration to its territory?

By Simon Ilse

Tunisia

Nothing new in the West!

Commentary

In Tunisia, the EU Migration Pact is received with diplomatic silence from politicians, apathy from the Tunisian authorities and powerless indignation from the civil society. This sobering pact only confirms once again for many Tunisians that the EU migration policy is a one-way affair.

By Dr. Mohamed Limem

Turkey

Border Patrol Seen Against the Turkish Coast, Chios, 4 June2016

Ongoing Political Incentives but no Responsibility-Sharing for Turkey in the EU’s New Pact

Commentary

The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum intends to sustain EU-Turkey partnership with same old political incentives rather than new responsibility-sharing mechanisms. The Pact will thus promote securitisation in the Mediterranean without generating meaningful change.

By Birce Demiryontar

Migrants and Refugees in a Time of Pandemic: Access to Healthcare Services in Turkey

Article

The Covid-19 pandemic affects different groups of people differently. It is, however, possible to argue that asylum seekers, migrants and refugees scattered across the globe are among the most vulnerable groups to the outbreak. Yet, what are the key challenges facing migrants and refugees in Turkey, particularly challenges in accessing healthcare services during the pandemic?

Related publications

"Get Lost!": European Return Policies in Practice

Study

Current EU migration policies' increased focus on returns raises concerns on the adequacy of such measures with EU standards and fundamental rights. This publication highlights the problems and difficulties returnees face in Afghanistan, Syria, Tunisia, Senegal and Kosovo.

pdf

A Local Turn for European Refugee Politics

E-Paper

In this policy paper “A Local Turn for European Refugee Politics” the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung puts forward proposals for a more active role of the municipalities in refugee and asylum policy.

Download

Places of Safety in the Mediterranean: The EU’s Policy of Outsourcing Responsibility

Publication

It is of vital importance that rescuees are brought to a “Place of Safety”. The study analysis to which extend third countries can be considered "safe" and NGO rescue vessels can be obliged to disembark rescued migrants and refugees in places which are unsafe.

pdf

Climate Justice and Migration

Study

With climate change looming, anxiety over immigration from the Global South is increasingly fuelled by apocalyptic fears of ecological breakdown. How should policymakers respond to the reality and future prospect of vast populations being displaced and relocated in an era of global heating?

pdf

Recent related events

Closed Ports, Dubious Partners: The EU’s Policy of Outsourcing Responsibility in the Mediterranean, 2 June 2020

"Get Lost!" European Return Policies in Practice, 1 October 2020

DossierThe New EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

Migration and asylum policy à la carte: a free hand for the obstructionists

Erik Marquardt MEP: “Migration management has become a euphemism for repelling refugees”

Paper doesn’t blush: The Commission presents a plan that does nothing to address the realities at the EU borders

You can’t build on that: Externalisation as the cornerstone of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

Commentaries from our foreign offices and partners

Czechia

Is Czechia finally ready to show some solidarity?

Greece

Aegean chronicles: A reporter’s confrontation with Europe’s failures and moral imperative

No Sound Basis for Solidarity but an Opportunity to Rethink Asylum

Italy

Dublin Forever - Nothing New for the South

Morocco

Nothing New in the North: The EU’s New Pact will not change much for Morocco

Poland

Poland wants no refugees – NGO’s critical look at the New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Senegal

Migration in Senegal: Societal visions instead of criminalisation and the rhetoric of deterrence

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, yet another obstacle for Senegalese?

Serbia

Insights from Serbia - a buffer zone for the EU’s illegal pushback policy?

Tunisia

Nothing new in the West!

Turkey

Ongoing Political Incentives but no Responsibility-Sharing for Turkey in the EU’s New Pact

Related articles

The EU Migration Policy: More Solidarity Is Needed!

Leave no One Behind

How coronavirus has worsened the plight of refugees in Tunisia

Migrants and Refugees in a Time of Pandemic: Access to Healthcare Services in Turkey

Related publications

"Get Lost!": European Return Policies in Practice

A Local Turn for European Refugee Politics

Places of Safety in the Mediterranean: The EU’s Policy of Outsourcing Responsibility

Climate Justice and Migration

Recent related events