3260th Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting on 7 and 8 October 2013
On 7 and 8 October, the JHA Council held its 3260th meeting, discussing several topics, including the recent case of Lampedusa, the protection of Syrian refugees and freedom of movement.
Concerning the recent atrocity in Lampedusa and the influx of Syrian refugees, the Council observed several opinions. Overall, the Council concluded that the European Union and the Member States should make use of all tools and rules available to prevent and address future likewise cases. Therefore, the EU wishes to enhance cooperation between Member States, with African countries and other transit countries, to strengthen the fight against criminal organisations and trafficking in human beings and to enforce FRONTEX’s action power, including by providing more financial means.
Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs, also observed that all Member States should take their responsibility and support affected Member States handling refugees applications, considering that only 6 or 7 of the 28 Member States treat all incoming asylum applications. Southern EU Member States proposed to review the Dublin II-Regulation, as to redistribute applications made. Northern EU Member States, as Germany and Sweden, opposed this idea, argumenting that they already host two thirds of incoming refugees in the EU.
Another important issue debated had to do with how to treat people that are caught, illegally entering the European Union by landfall. Under a 2009 law, illegal migrants who are not asylum seekers can face penalties for entering Italy. On the other hand, if the conditions are met, they can be assumed victims of human smuggling, and therefore be free from penalties.
A Joint Task-force will be assigned to prepare an action plan, to assess what tools and rules exist within the European Union to cope with these issues.
Not only external border issues were on the agenda, also freedom of movement within the European Union was subject to discussion. Some Northern EU Member States wish to limit this freedom, in order to tackle social fraude and abuse. Viviane Reding, Vice-president of the Commission and responsible for Justice, strongly stressed the importance of this fundamental freedom, but confirmed the existence of such problems and the need to address them with appropriate action. Therefore she proposed a five point action plan on free movement.
Agenda of the Council Meeting
More information on the Council Meeting can be found on the website.