"Asylum legislation must be improved to ensure fair reception conditions" - Moraes - 2012-09-19

Labour MEPs today supported a raft of EU co-operation measures to support asylum seekers.

The agreement includes limiting the grounds for detention, better protection for the most vulnerable, free legal assistance and representation, and the right to apply for a job nine months after their demand for asylum.

The European Parliament's civil liberties committee, where Labour's Claude Moraes on this for all the centre left S&D Group, today voted to support  the proposals.

"Lots of people from all over the world are desperate for asylum, and these proposals will guarantee common minimum reception standards in the EU, given that asylum regimes currently vary hugely across member states," said Claude Moraes

In 2011, EU member states registered 302,000 applications for international protection, an increase of 16.2% compared to 2010. Member states granted protection to 82,100 people in 2011 compared to 75,800 in 2010. Most of those requesting international protection came fromAfghanistan,IraqandSomalia.

"Legislation must be improved to ensure that we have an effective system which allows fair and just reception conditions," Claude Moraes continued.

"Over the years, the system established by the Dublin Convention proved to be inefficient and dysfunctional," he said.

The new European rules are part of the EU's 'asylum package'.

ENDS

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