European Union leaders and officials have reached a breakthrough in talks on new migration rules, aimed at addressing challenges posed by migrant arrivals over the past decade, Associated Press reports.
The agreement, known as the Pact of Asylum and Migration, involves protocols for screening unauthorized migrants, assigning responsibility for asylum applications among EU countries, and establishing support mechanisms for countries facing migrant influxes.
Critics argue that the reforms may weaken asylum-seekers’ rights and lead to morally questionable deals with countries migrants leave to reach Europe. Rights groups express concerns that the agreement could lead to more detention, substandard asylum procedures, and the outsourcing of responsibilities to non-EU countries, potentially violating human rights.
The deal is not final, requiring a final agreement on all 10 parts by February and transcription into law before the June elections.
