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EU quota system for refugees ‘would treat people like cattle’ (26th August 2009)

August 26, 2009 at 1:23 pm Leave a comment

Controversial proposals on immigration reform including a possible cap on the number of refugees allowed per member state are to be considered by EU foreign ministers over the next two months. Sweden, which currently holds the EU presidency, says it intends to organise an initial meeting on the subject by the end of October.
Irish Socialist MEP Joe Higgins has dismissed the notion of imposing quotas, a term he says should be restricted to debates on agricultural policy. ‘These people are not cattle. The fundamental issue is for the EU to take responsibility for resolving the awful poverty and conflict in other countries which drives people to seek refuge here.’
Another measure up for debate is a relocation policy which would involve the redistribution of asylum seekers more evenly between the 27 member states. Mediterranean countries including Italy, Malta, Greece and Spain have been calling for such a system to ease the burden of immigration flows into their countries.
Mr Higgins says all EU countries should share responsibility equally in addressing the issue of asylum seekers. ‘Depending on the size and economic situation of each country, each member state bears responsibility,’ he said.
Statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shows that over 67,000 people crossed the Mediterranean in 2008 trying to gain illegal entry into Europe, hundreds of whom died at sea.

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