Improved refugee protection, fairer asylum systems and improved integration are among the measures called for by organisations across Europe in a new report, published today (Wednesday 26th April).

Criticising the ‘failure of Europe’s asylum and migration policies,’ The Way Forward is published by ECRE (The European Council on Refugees and Exiles) and calls on the EU and all European countries to:

• Take a fairer share of the global responsibility for protecting refugees
• Put human rights standards at the forefront of improving protection
• Offer a long-term future to refugees through resettlement
• Invest in better decisions early in the asylum procedure
• Celebrate cultural diversity
• Ensure returns are safe, dignified and sustainable

Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, says she supports the report:

“We support this cry from across Europe for a fairer and more efficient asylum system. Today this appeal has come from ECRE, following a similar appeal last week from the UN. When will our governments start listening?

“This report offers viable and sensible solutions for how the countries of the EU could do more to provide protection for people who need it. Over the last few years too much of the debate on asylum has been characterised by hysteria and misinformation. We’ve all got an interest in developing an asylum system that works, both for governments and the people seeking their help, and this report offers a way forward to achieving that aim.”

ENDS

For further information and interviews contact press office: Chris Pitt 0207 346 1213 (Switchboard: 0207 346 6700). For urgent or out of hours inquiries ring 0870 0555500 & ask for pager 865169.

Notes to Editors
1. ECRE unites the 80 main refugee-assisting organisations in 30 European countries.
2. Europe’s role in the global refugee protection system. The Way Forward: An agenda for change is available from on 26 April from www.ecre.org
3. The report will be launched in the European Parliament at 1800 on Wednesday 26 April 2006.