European countries have a long tradition of offering refuge of the persecuted. Protection of fundamental rights constitute the core of European identity. In 1999, EU Member States have committed to create a Common European Asylum System to cope with problems of asylum increasingly higher in Europe.
In the coming years the European Union has adopted a number of important legislative measures in order to harmonize Member States' asylum different. Dublin Regulation determines which Member State is responsible for examining an asylum application individually. Reception Conditions Directive lays down minimum conditions for the reception of asylum seekers, including accommodation, education and their health. Asylum Procedures Directive lays down minimum standards for asylum procedures, thereby making an important contribution to international law, since this issue was not initially governed by the 1951 Convention Qualification Directive introduces the concept of subsidiary protection, which complements the Refugee Convention of 1951, form of protection to be granted to persons who face risk of serious injury.
The European Union also created a European Refugee Fund to provide financial support to Member States to allow their asylum systems to work efficiently. Eurodac is a computerized database that was launched to compare fingerprints and to determine whether an asylum seeker has already applied for asylum in another Member State.
The European Union has an important role on the issues of asylum and resettlement inside and outside the Union. EU legislation and practices significantly influence the development of refugee protection mechanisms in many other countries. Union institutions such as the European Council, European Commission, European Parliament and European Court of Justice, have legislative powers, executive and judicial areas directly relevant to the mandate of UNHCR.
Despite Directives and Regulations aimed at harmonizing the European Union, there are still significant differences between Member States in their approaches to protection, opportunities and rates of recognition of refugee status and reception conditions, such as medical care available to men, women and children seeking asylum. For example, in some Member States, access to basic material support is so limited that many asylum seekers end up sleeping on the streets.
Therefore, UNHCR closely follows EU legislation and policies on asylum and provides recommendations and advice to EU institutions and the 27 Member States on a range of issues related to refugee protection, resettlement and integration. Refugee Agency periodically issue reports, proposals and comments on asylum and EU policy.
