European Union must ensure rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, says UN

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is calling on the European Union (EU) to safeguard the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, as senior officials from the 27-member bloc debate a proposed pact on immigration issues. UNHCR is closely following discussions concerning the draft European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, presented yesterday by the French EU Presidency at an informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Cannes, France. Spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis said the agency hoped the document, which focuses mainly on managing legal migration and controlling irregular migration, will support the creation of a ‘Europe of Asylum’ – one of the pact’s stated aims. “We consider there is a need to develop practical and reliable ways to safeguard the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees in the... [read full story]