Tony Bunyan of Statewatch says: “We are entering the end-game: from 1991 onwards the E.U. told people fleeing from poverty that their applications for asylum would automatically be considered 'manifestly unfounded'.
“Now those seeking sanctuary from persecution, torture and inhuman treatment are to be given only temporary status as a matter of policy. This will be under constant review so that they can be repatriated at the earliest opportunity - potentially even through forced return - if E.U. governments decide it is
'safe' for them.”
Steve Peers, professor of law at Essex University, says the E.U. plans would have a “devastating impact” on refugees. “From now on, member states will constantly be checking to see if the coast is clear to terminate their status and remove them as soon as possible”, he says.
Peers adds that the plan to “cut off refugee status from people who have even remote links to alleged violence in their countries of origin would mean that many refugees who commit even petty crimes may be barred from access to employment, housing and benefits that the Geneva Convention guarantees for refugees .”
“Now those seeking sanctuary from persecution, torture and inhuman treatment are to be given only temporary status as a matter of policy. This will be under constant review so that they can be repatriated at the earliest opportunity - potentially even through forced return - if E.U. governments decide it is
'safe' for them.”
Steve Peers, professor of law at Essex University, says the E.U. plans would have a “devastating impact” on refugees. “From now on, member states will constantly be checking to see if the coast is clear to terminate their status and remove them as soon as possible”, he says.
Peers adds that the plan to “cut off refugee status from people who have even remote links to alleged violence in their countries of origin would mean that many refugees who commit even petty crimes may be barred from access to employment, housing and benefits that the Geneva Convention guarantees for refugees .”