More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers – UN refugee agency
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 13 September 2016 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers – UN refugee agency, 13 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57d8ffb740c.html [accessed 5 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
13 September 2016 - Highlighting that the number of pledges to relocate asylum-seekers continues to be woefully low and its implementation slow and challenging, the United Nations refugee agency today called on European countries to do more to deliver significantly on the commitments they have made.
"Effective relocation is key to increasing solidarity and responsibility sharing in Europe, and ensuring the better management of movements," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), William Spindler, told a news briefing at the UN Office at Geneva today.
"This is particularly vital given the humanitarian situation in Greece, and the increasing number of people staying in Italy and applying for asylum," he added.
According to UNHCR, the number of people seeking refugee status in Europe has soared over recent years. This is due in large part to war in Syria and Iraq, as well as conflict and instability in countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea and elsewhere.
In their search for sanctuary, increasing numbers of refugees and migrants are crossing the Mediterranean, a perilous journey which has cost thousands their lives, according to UNHCR, which is pressing for concerted European action to prevent the loss of lives at sea, and works to ensure dignified reception standards, protection-sensitive asylum systems and durable solutions.
Last year, the European Union (EU) and UN Member States agreed on a two-year plan to relocate 160,000 asylum-seekers, mainly from Greece and Italy, to other European countries. However, until now only 4,776 asylum-seekers have been relocated from the two countries - less than three per cent of the original target, according to the UNCHR spokesperson.
Mr. Spindler pointed that first-time asylum applicants in Italy have increased by 53 per cent, to 72,470, this year compared to the same period in 2015, during which the total stood at
47,428, impacting the country's reception and asylum system capacity.
