ECRE Policy Papers

ECRE presents its recommendations on the future Stockholm Programme in the field of asylum. The Stockholm Programme is an important opportunity for the EU to show that it wants to build a Common European Asylum System that effectively protects those fleeing persecution and violence and that sets the example for the rest of the world. The EU has the means and the capacity to construct a model system of protection but currently lacks the political will to go much beyond rhetoric. Therefore, it is crucial for the Stockholm Programme to secure a renewed political commitment by endorsing a number of key principles and objectives for the CEAS.

ECRE recommendations for the Stockholm Programme (146.97 KB)

ECRE is publishing a limited update of its 2004 survey on complementary and subsidiary protection. This update covers nine EU Member States plus Switzerland. The objective of the survey was to analyse systems of complementary protection operating in these countries.

Although beneficiaries of complementary protection still enjoy lower standards of social rights than Convention refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, the research identified a "European minimum core of protection" for them. However, there is still significant variance in the lengths of residence permits available to these persons, ranging from three months to immediate permanent residence.

ECRE Survey on Complementary Protection (618.28 KB)

These comments outline ECRE's views on the European Commission proposal to recast the Dublin Regulation.

The Dublin Regulation has shown significant flaws relating both to the efficiency of the system and the treatment afforded to people in need of international protection. ECRE welcomes the proposal of the European Commission as it introduces significant humanitarian reforms. However, ECRE is of the opinion that the guarantees in the proposal can be further strengthened.

Comments on the Proposal to Recast Dublin Regulation (240.15 KB)

These comments outline ECRE's views on the European Commission proposal to establish a European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

The establishment of the EASO has the potential to fundamentally shape the development of the Common European Asylum System. Above all, it is imperative that the Office operates in a transparent manner, with sufficient involvement of the European Parliament and the full engagement of NGOs and other independent asylum experts. ECRE's recommendations aim to ensure that the EASO is able to accomplish its goals as well as ensure respect for human rights of those in need of international protection.

Response to Proposal establishing European Asylum Support Office (182.94 KB)

These comments outline ECRE's views on the European Commission proposal to recast the Reception Conditions Directive.

Many of the amendments proposed would contribute to the further approximation of national reception conditions on the basis of higher standards, in particular by closing outstanding legal gaps which have allowed Member States to interpret the Directive in a restrictive manner. ECRE urges the European Parliament to maintain the positive elements of the Commission proposal, while at the same time introducing further clarifications where necessary.

Comments on Reception Conditions Directive recast (218.66 KB)

This research paper focuses on the European Union funding priorities in four Eastern European countries neighbouring the EU (Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) for refugee protection, migration management and border reinforcement, which has been completed by the Eastern Europe project funded by the EU's Aeneas programme. The research was undertaken from Autumn 2007 to Spring 2008, with a final update in November 2008. The focus of the research is on EU's funding programmes in 2004-2007.

EU Funding Priorities in Eastern Europe (337.76 KB)

This Information Note on the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council (2008/115/EC) on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third country nationals outlines ECRE's view on the Directive and provides detailed analysis of some of its key provisions.

In particular, ECRE emphasises its serious concerns about the provision of an extremely short period for a person to prepare to return, ranging between 7 and 30 days; the obligation to include entry bans as long as 5 years in certain return decisions; and the possibility to detain third country nationals, including families, unaccompanied children as well as other vulnerable persons, for up to 18 months for reasons beyond their control. ECRE urges Member States to abide to their commitment to refrain from using the Directive as a pretext to justify the adoption of harsher return measures.

ECRE Information Note on the Returns Directive (232.43 KB)

ECRE Resettlement Core Group joint recommendations and guidelines for the shape and functions of a European Resettlement Programme. This document gives an overview on resettlement, Europe's activities and more importantly calls on the EU to step up its commitments on this issue.

ECRE Recommendations for a EU Resettlement Programme (370.65 KB)

This paper highlights ECRE's comments on EU plans for the establishment of a European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to ensure objectives of improving asylum practices in the EU are reached.

ECRE would welcome the establishment of EASO, if it were well-resourced and founded strongly on principles of democratic accountability and transparency. To this end, it is important that UNHCR and other independent experts, including NGOs working in the refugee field, are regularly consulted and afforded extensive input into its work. ECRE also recommends a support office that is subject to democratic oversight by the European Parliament.

ECRE Comments on the plans to establish European Asylum Support Office (146.37 KB)

On the occasion of the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Integration organised by the French Presidency on 3/4 November in Vichy, ECRE calls for including refugees and their families in mainstream EU integration policies.

EU asylum policy-making has been focusing on deterring asylum seekers, while paying little attention to the barriers these policies create for the integration of those who eventually become new European citizens. Once recognised as refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary forms of protection, they are excluded from mainstream EU integration policies for other third country nationals such as the European Integration Fund, the Long Term Residence Directive and the forthcoming European Integration Forum.

ECRE Recommendations to the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Integration (91.82 KB)