The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued a compelling call to action, urging Hungary and Belgium to finalise the Migration Asylum Pact swiftly. This call is driven by the imperative need to ensure the comprehensive implementation of norms to safeguard the fundamental human rights of asylum seekers within European Union (EU) member states.

The significance of this plea from the UNHCR is further underscored by the fact that both Hungary and Belgium are slated to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union during the current year. Belgium will hold the presidency for the initial half of the year, spanning from January through June, followed by Hungary's leadership in the latter half, from July to December, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com.

Strengthening Asylum Rights

In an official press release, the UNHCR emphasises the importance of rigorously enforcing the necessary reforms to bolster the rights and protection afforded to asylum seekers within the EU. The organisation harbours optimistic expectations that the Migration Asylum Pact represents a pivotal stride in achieving this goal.

The UNHCR, in its capacity as a staunch advocate for refugee rights, issues a resounding call to action to the EU Presidencies, imploring them to galvanise the requisite political will. This appeal is particularly pertinent as the Pact advances into its conclusive and momentous phase. Furthermore, the UNHCR calls upon all Member States to exhibit courage and dedication in the interest of refugees.

Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, the UNHCR representative for EU Affairs, underscores the complexity of the migration issue. In September 2020, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen propounded a visionary EU Pact to establish unequivocal rules. These rules are envisioned to ensure that all EU member countries equitably share the responsibility for migration, thereby facilitating more effective management of migration dynamics.

A Breakthrough Agreement

After three years of arduous negotiations, a significant breakthrough was achieved on December 20, 2023, when the European Parliament and Council reached a political consensus regarding the Pact on Migration and Asylum. This pivotal agreement comprises five principal components:

• Screening Regulation
• Eurodac Regulation
• Asylum Procedures Regulation
• Asylum Migration Management Regulation
• Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation

President Ursula von der Leyen hailed this accord as a testament to Europe's resilience and 

collective capacity to address substantial challenges.

Implementation and Solidification

Upon formal ratification by the European Parliament and Council, these fundamental tenets will be solidified, paving the way for the adoption of comprehensive legislation. The European Commission will play an instrumental role in aiding Member States in assimilating these new regulations into their national legal frameworks.

The UNHCR regards the Migration and Asylum Pact as a potential linchpin for developing a well-coordinated global approach to asylum and migration within the EU bloc. Nonetheless, the agency underscores the imperative need to implement the Pact with robust safeguards, thereby ensuring its efficacy, as elucidated in a report from InfoMigrants.

Condemnation of Perilous Practices

In its unwavering stance, the UNHCR condemns dangerous practices such as denying territorial access and rejecting individuals, emphasising the urgency of addressing these issues.

Grave concerns regarding the surge in irregular border crossings into the EU in 2023 have been substantiated by figures released by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex. Alarmingly, this data reveals that the number of such crossings reached its highest point since 2016.

Frontex's comprehensive statistics for the first 11 months of the preceding year indicate 355,300 irregular border crossings detected along the EU's primary migratory routes, surpassing the cumulative figure for 2022.

Notably, the Central Mediterranean route emerged as the most frequently utilised pathway for migration, with national authorities recording over 152,200 detections during the first 11 months of the year. It represents the highest tally for this route during this period since 2016.

FAQs

What is the significance of finalising the Migration Asylum Pact?

The finalisation of the Migration Asylum Pact is crucial for ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights for asylum seekers within the EU.

Why is the UNHCR calling on Hungary and Belgium to take action?

The UNHCR is urging action from Hungary and Belgium as they hold the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024, presenting a unique opportunity to advance asylum rights.

What are the critical components of the Migration Asylum Pact?

The Pact comprises five principal components: Screening Regulation, Eurodac Regulation, Asylum Procedures Regulation, Migration Management Regulation, and Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation.