kathimerini.gr
EU Proposes New Regulation for Migrant Returns to Third Countries
The European Commission presented a new regulation allowing EU member states to transfer rejected asylum seekers to third countries, addressing the low (20%) return rate of rejected asylum seekers in 2023 by enabling agreements with third countries to host them.
- What is the primary goal and immediate impact of the European Commission's new regulation on migrant returns?
- The European Commission proposed a new regulation allowing EU member states to transfer rejected asylum seekers to third countries. Only those with exhausted legal options and final return decisions will be transferred, aiming to address the low return rate of approximately 20% in 2023.
- How does this new regulation address the long-standing issue of low return rates for rejected asylum seekers within the EU?
- This regulation responds to member states' requests for innovative solutions to manage irregular migration, reflecting a shift in EU migration policy. The Commission won't create a pan-European return center program but facilitates member states' agreements with third countries to host rejected asylum seekers.
- What potential long-term challenges or unintended consequences could arise from the implementation of this regulation regarding migrant returns?
- The new regulation, while offering a framework for cooperation with third countries, may face challenges in implementation and securing agreements. The success hinges on member states' ability to negotiate effective return agreements and manage the costs associated with these arrangements, while ensuring compliance with EU law and human rights standards.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the new regulation as a necessary response to the low rate of migrant returns and the demands of EU member states. The headline and introduction emphasize the Commission's action and the need for 'innovative solutions,' potentially shaping the reader's perception of the regulation as a positive development without fully exploring its potential negative impacts or challenges. The use of words like 'innovative' and 'new solution' presents a positive spin, potentially influencing reader interpretation.
Language Bias
The article uses relatively neutral language, but terms like 'paratypous metanastes' (irregular migrants), which may carry a negative connotation, could be replaced with more neutral terms such as 'individuals with rejected asylum applications'. The frequent use of quotes from EU officials, while providing their perspective, might unintentionally give more weight to their viewpoint than alternative perspectives.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Commission's new regulation and the perspectives of EU officials. It lacks perspectives from migrant groups, human rights organizations, or representatives of the countries that might receive migrants under this new system. The omission of these viewpoints limits the reader's ability to assess the potential human rights implications and the ethical considerations of the proposed policy. While acknowledging space constraints, this omission represents a significant gap in understanding the full implications of the proposed policy.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified dichotomy between the need to address irregular migration and the potential human rights concerns. While acknowledging that the EU aims to balance both, it doesn't delve into the potential conflicts or complexities of implementing such a system, and how such balance will be achieved in practice. The focus on the Commission's 'innovative solution' without detailed exploration of potential downsides creates a limited view of the issue.
Sustainable Development Goals
The new regulation aims to improve the efficiency of returning rejected asylum seekers, contributing to better management of migration flows and potentially reducing pressure on national security and public order. This aligns with SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, strong institutions, and access to justice for all.