White Paper Working Draft

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Revamping the European Union’s Common European Asylum System

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Abstract:
Increases in the number of protection seekers entering the European Union (EU)
has drawn international attention to the necessity of policy reform. United Nations and EU
policies were assessed, and resolving main issues was used to guide while assessing potential
solutions. Solutions were selected on grounds of political feasibility and assessed on their ability
offer economic benefit to protection seekers as well as EU Member States while ensuring the
protection of human rights. After considering Amending the Dublin Regulation, Writing a New
Common European Asylum System, Joint Processing Programs, as well as Increased Connection
and Responsibility given to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania a final recommended course of
action was constructed; Collaborating with states of Eastern Europe in Tandem with a List of
Safe Countries of Origin. The final recommendation provided potential for political and
economic development within the EU and surrounding regions while tangentially addressing the
interests of protection seekers.
Overview and History: European Union Policy and Refugees
The European Union (EU), founded on unifying economic need, consists of a
conglomerate of 28 Member States located within the European subcontinent. Since its creation
in 1993, the EU has grown in political jurisdiction. Founded on the principle of a common
European culture and value system that unites all Member States,1 the EU’s common culture lead
to the development of non-economic policies; including the Common European Asylum System
(CEAS). As it was originally written, CEAS created migration management, security, risk
analysis, personal data processing, inter-agency info sharing, maritime security, cooperative
1 Lavenex, S. "'Passing the Buck': European Union Refugee Policies towards Central and Eastern Europe." .Journal
of Refugee Studies 11.2 (1998): 126-45. Hein Online: University of Idaho Law Library. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.

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border and coast guard agencies, as well as an external relations program that facilitated and
encouraged cooperation between Member States and third countries.2
CEAS works cooperatively with an agreement known as the Dublin Regulation (DR).
The DR is meant to “contribute to the harmonization of asylum policies, guarantee protection in
line with international obligations and humanitarian tradition, promote free movement, ensure
efficiency, prevent ‘multiple applications for asylum submitted … by the same person…’ and
preserve family unity...”3 Together, the CEAS and DR are meant to establish a clear, workable
mechanism for determining state responsibility through primary stages of asylum applications.
While the DR sets concrete expectations of Member States, the lack of EU accountability
measures has led to haphazard and inefficient implementation of the costly program an issue that
has led to questionable human rights practices and economic turmoil.4 Minimum standards and
procedures for the treatment of both asylum seekers and those granted refugee status,5 known as
protection seekers,6 is clearly defined in the CEAS and DR. However, many Member States have
not implemented these standards in the ongoing ‘Syrian refugee crisis.’7 This lack of adherence
to CEAS has exacerbated issues with the Schengen Agreement; an alliance amongst 26 of the 28
2 Council of the European Union. Secretary-General of the European Commission. Proposal for a REGULATION
OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Border and Coast Guard and
Repealing Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004, Regulation (EC) No 863/2007 and Council Decision 2005/267/EC. 0310
ed. Vol. 2015. Print. COD.
3 "Sharing Responsibility for Refugee Protection in Europe: Dublin Reconsidered." European Council on Refugees
and Exiles. ECRE, Mar. 2008. Web.3 Apr. 2016.
4 Ibid.
5 Council of the European Union. European Economic and Social Committee. Proposal for a Regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a Crisis Relocation Mechanism and Amending Regulation
(EU) No 604/2013. 0208 ed. Vol. 2015. Print. COD.
6 The term protection seekers includes groups of persons categorized as refugees, asylum seekers and internally
displaced persons.
7 The Syrian refugee crisis in Europe, while not the most alarming migration of refugees in the international system,
has put definitive pressure on systems in place. This crisis will not be implicitly referred to often throughout this
paper, however, this analysis and following recommendations will be made within the context of the current
political climate.

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EU Member States allowing for an international open border visa policy. 8 This agreement is
integral to further economic development as it allows for importation and exportation of goods as
well as the movement of people, without border inspections or customs within the EU.
Inconsistencies in the enforcement of CEAS and DR as well as complications within
internal EU states, have led to failures of national systems. In response, the EU has revised the
European Agenda on Migration (EAM) in an attempt to improve the host situations of protection
seekers in European countries. The European Commission (EC) has launched inquiries into
Member States who have violated regulations and is aspiring to immediately address the issue at
hand through policy adjustments.9 However, Member States continue to resist these adaptations
and thus strain the relations of the Schengen Agreement further.10 Some EU Member States are
seeking individualized solutions in response to criticism. However, it has become evident to the
international community that CEAS and DR must be analyzed, and that reformed policy would
ensure improved processing and increased efforts to maintain family structures of protection
seekers, as well as serve the interests of EU states with lower policy implementation costs.11
Approach One: Amending the Dublin Regulation
Amendments to the CEAS and DR as a reactive measure have been smiled upon by
human rights advocacy groups as well as Member States of the EU.12 Suggested amendments
would be applied to safeguard protection standards and fundamental rights of protection seekers,
respect family unity and interests of children and other vulnerable groups, ensure processing
8 See Appendix 1.
9"EU Charter of Fundamental Rights." European Commission. 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
"EU: Leaders Duck Responsibilities on Refugees." Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch, 24 Sept. 2015.
Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
10 Magyar. "The EU Has a Solidarity Crisis. Not a Refugee Crisis." Open Society Foundations.Open Society
Initiative for Europe, Oct. 2015. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
11 Ibid.
12 Peers, Steve. "Steve Peers: The Refugee Crisis: What Should the EU Do Next?" MIGRANTS AT SEA. Migrants
at Sea, 10 Sept. 2015. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.

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clarity and efficiency, and improving solidarity and sharing resources. These amendments in
tandem with a “Common List of Safe Countries of Origin” as proposed by the European
Economic and Social Committee (EESC) are a short term solution to allow the EU to deal with
its current refugee crisis until a more permanent solution can be addressed in a time of less
urgency.13
Amendments proposed by NGOs with human rights focuses include the creation of
appeal measures to challenge transfer orders, full and fair hearings in response to applicants sent
back to their home countries, in-depth background searches, and attempts to avoid refoulment.
Further main amendments emphasize the need to maintain family structures, protect children,
and avoid detainment of protection seekers, as well as provide state officials with guidance and
advanced training on the inner-workings of the DR. These amendments are proposed along with
the creation of a “Common List of Safe Countries of Origin” which would diminish the vetting
process of key populations of protection seekers. This solution is viable as a short term response
but there is a resounding need for a more permeant solution.
Approach Two: Writing a New ‘European Union Common Asylum System’
Due to major issues within the DR and CEAS, there has also been a push for the drafting
of a completely new policy. A new system would need to set an absolute requirement of respect
for protection seekers rights, true responsibility sharing amongst EU member states, as well as
focus on integration and solidarity. Shared financial costs and collaboration in carrying out
asylum responsibilities have also been emphasized. Main differences between current policy and
proposed policy focus on connecting individuals with Member States based on linguistic,
cultural and community ties known as common connection criteria.14
13 Ibid; See Appendix 2.
14 Ibid.

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Proposed systems should also take into consideration amendments with measures to
create a smooth integration process and take the opportunity to utilize professional and
educational qualifications of protection seekers when determining placement. 15 Focusing on
common connection criteria would allow for dispersion of protection seekers rather than having
focused populations within external EU Member States. New ideas to facilitate transfers and
prevent the abuse of the system include implementing a laissez-passer or a temporary travel
document. The laissez-passer system would allow protection seekers the right to travel to their
future Member-State and avoid repeat applications while enabling effective screening of moving
populations. Sharing financial and administrative responsibility amongst Member States would
allow for distribution of any economic and resource burdens throughout the EU.16
Approach Three: Joint Processing Programs
In 2003 the United Kingdom (UK) proposed a joint processing plan; “New Vision for
Refugees.” This plan includes moving protection seekers to centers outside the EU for claim
assessment. Similarly, the UNHCR proposed the “EU’s Prong” plan that placed emphasis on
protection seeker’s rights with similarly centralized processing centers located within the EU.17
The UK’s proposed plan moves the processing of protection seekers within their region
of origin. It encourages placing processing centers along transit routes, or strategically closer to
home states outside the EU, to allow for more manageable dispersion of protection seekers
within the EU.18
15 Tamas, Kristof, and Alessandra Venturini. "Moving Beyond Demographics: Perspectives for a Common
European Migration Policy." Moving Beyond Demographics: Perspectives for a Common European Migration
Policy. Swedish Ministry of Justice and Global Utmaning, Nov. 2011. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
See Appendix 3.
16 Kaunert, Christian. "Liberty versus Security? EU AsylumPolicy and the European Commission." Journal of
Contemporary European Research 5.2 (2009): Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
17 Ibid.
18 "AsylumSeekers and Refugees Will Be Subjected to Ineffective Protection in Processing Centers: Human Rights
Watch Commentary on the U.K.'s "New Vision" Proposal for the Establishment of Refugee Processing Centers

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The UNHCR’s “EU’s Prong” plan outlines Europe progressing towards a common
asylum system defined by its emphasis on mechanisms ensuring that states with fledgling asylum
systems are not overwhelmed by too vast a number of claimants.19 The three pronged program
would focus on new approaches within regions of origin, joint-initiatives within the EU,
(including pooling of processing and reception), as well as the effective functioning of Member
State’s individual national asylum systems.20 While the joint processing approach addresses
issues of overwhelming population influx, there is widespread concern that these proposals will
undermine existing, effective protection policies and lack the implicit enforcement of human
rights needed in new policy.
Approach Four: Increased Connection and Responsibility given to Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Albania
Many current resettlement issues have amplified struggles with cultural integration.21
However, there are proposals to avoid integration concerns by involving new nations with the
EU. Bosnia-Herzegovina (Bosnia) and Albania, two nations being considered for EU
membership,22 are mostly Muslim and have shared histories with much of the Middle East.23
Abroad (June, 2003)." Asylum Seekers and Refugees Will Be Subjected to Ineffective Protection in Processing
Centers: Human Rights Watch Commentary on the U.K.'s "New Vision" Proposal for the Establishment of Refugee
Processing Centers Abroad (June, 2003). Human Rights Watch,17 June 2003. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
19 "Bullet Point Summary of the Strategic Presentation on UNHCR’s Operations in Europe." Bullet Point Summary
of the Strategic Presentation on UNHCR’s Operations in Europe (2004): United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees. United Nations, 11 Mar. 2004. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
20 "Lubbers Proposes New Approaches on Asylum-migration Issues in EU."UNHCR News. United Nations, 28 Mar.
2003. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
21 Holmes, Seth M., and Heide Castañeda. "Representing the “European Refugee Crisis” in Germany and Beyond:
Deservingness and Difference, Life and Death." American Ethnologist 43.1 (2016): 12-24. Web.
22 See Appendix 4.
23 It is important to note the recent influx of Syrian refugees as making up a large percentage of a recent surge in
Muslim protection seekers with in the European Union. While Syrians are not the only protection seekers within the
EU, the overwhelming nature of their migration patterns are shaping short term considerations in regards to policy
and political action. While this crisis is not the focus of this paper, consideration in regards to recommended policy
must be acknowledged. See Appendix5.

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Bosnia is a candidate for NATO24 and is about to be given official candidacy for the EU. Albania
is already a NATO member and an official EU candidate as of 2014. Further, both Bosnia and
Albania have high human development indicators giving them the ability to meet human rights
standards.
Unfortunately, Albania and Bosnia’s weak economies have impeded their ability to offer
asylum to protection seekers, or to even appear appealing to protection seekers.25 However, if the
EU were to offer economic incentives similar to those currently being offered to Turkey then
economic concerns could be appeased to an extent. A proposed collaboration between Albania,
Bosnia and the EU in serving protection seekers would benefit the EU by diminishing issues of
islamophobia, economic stress, and population control while simultaneously helping Bosnia and
Albania in promoting their states to be accepted as EU Member States.26 While there are some
concerns, it is reasonable to assume common connection criteria would diminish the challenge of
accepting protection seekers within Albania and Bosnia as opposed to the current struggles of
Member States.
24 See Appendix 6.
25Moghul, Haroon. "It’s Time for Bosnia and Albania to Step Forward and Host Syrian Refugees." Quartz. Quartz,
15 Mar. 2016. Web. 04 Apr. 2016. See Appendix 7.
26 Ibid.

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Recommended Course of Action: Collaboration with states of Eastern Europe27 in Tandem
with List of Safe Countries of Origin
The recommended course of action to the EU in revamping the CEAS and DR is opening
communications and economic cooperation with countries of the states of Eastern Europe such
as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo. In cooperation with
expansion, the EU should continue in creating a “Common List of Safe Countries of Origin.”
The main problems the EU currently faces in regards to the influx of persons seeking
protection is citizen opposition towards mandatory EU and United Nations (UN) agreements.
These oppositions appear to be founded on widespread security and economic concerns.
Subliminal demarcation of protection seekers separates the seemingly “deserving” from the
“undeserving” protection seeker which is fueled in large part by fear of cultural, religious, and
ethnic differences. Studies show that placing protection seekers in nations where anthropological
commonalities exist increases the odds of enculturation of protection seekers and willingness to
assist from protection-providing states.28
The issues of cultural, religious and language barriers to integrating protection seekers
into the EU, particularly those of Muslim majority nations, would be effectively solved by
opening collaboration with the states of Eastern Europe. The primary differences for marking
protection seekers as risks in all current EU member states would become uniting features,
encouraging assimilation and healthy relations between protection providing states and
protection seekers in Eastern Europe.29 Further, the economic struggles facing many of the
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Definition of terms “Eastern European States” and “states of Eastern Europe” and “Eastern Europe” for the
purpose of this paper includes the states of; Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro,and Kosovo. See
Appendix 8.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.

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Eastern European states could be alleviated by deals similar to that offered to Turkey by the EU
or by increasing current funding mechanisms between the EU and states of Eastern Europe.30
In coordination with the opening of relations, the EU should continue forward with the
“Common List of Safe Countries of Origin” proposed by the EESC. The Common EU List
“seeks to offset some of the current differences between Member State’s national lists of ‘safe’
countries of origin.”31 The compilation of such a list must follow recommendations that it
include specific, practical and precise indicators and criteria to make determinants of safe
countries of origin. Partnerships with The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), the
Council of Europe (CoE) and other human rights organizations would further ensure the integrity
of The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.32 The currently proposed
preliminary list includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey; encompassing all countries proposed for
cooperation within the states of Eastern Europe. Not only would this eliminate differences in
Member States asylum systems in tandem with collaboration with the states of Eastern Europe,
this list would assure Member States of the preservation of their own interests through safety
measures being adhered to in processing protection seekers arriving in the EU.
30 See Appendix 9; See Appendix 10.
31 Ibid.
32 Ibid; Council of the European Union. European Economic and Social Committee. EESC. Proposal for a
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing an EU Common List of Safe Countries of
Origin for the Purposes of Directive 2013/32/EU. 0211 ed. Vol. 2015. Print. COD.

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Appendix 1: The European Union’s Schengen Agreement
“The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed by the EU to its citizens. It
entitles every EU citizen to travel, work and live in any EU country without special formalities.
Schengen cooperation enhances this freedom by enabling citizens to cross internal borders
without being subjected to border checks. The border-free Schengen Area guarantees free
movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, as well as to many non-EU nationals,
businessmen, tourists or other persons legally present on the EU territory.”
"Schengen Area." Migration and Home Affairs. The European Commission, 29 Jan. 2016. Web.
24 Apr. 2016.

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Appendix 2: Influx of Refugees into Europe, July-September 2015
"The Crisis of the Common Asylum Policy in the European Union." European Union: European
Issues and Interviews. Robert Schuman Foundation, 10 Dec. 2015. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
Appendix 3: Education levels of Syrian Refugees
“Syrian Refugee Arrivals in Greece: Preliminary Questionnaire Findings." United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. United Nations, 2015. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.

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Appendix 4: United Nations Country Candidacy
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1 244 and the ICJ Opinion on the
Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
"European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement." European Commission. 27 Jan. 2016. Web.
03 Apr. 2016.
Appendix 5: Perceived Problems with Muslim Individuals in the European Union
Hackett, Conrad. "5 Facts about the Muslim Population in Europe." Pew Research Center RSS.
Pew Research, 17 Nov. 2015. Web. 11 May 2016.
"Solidarity, for Now." The Economist Newspaper. The Economist. The Economist Newspaper,
17 Jan. 2015. Web. 11 May 2016.

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Appendix 6: NATO Country Candidacy and Negotiations
"NATO Enlargement & Open Door." North Atlantic Treaty Organization Fact Sheet (2016):
NATO. Jan. 2016. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
Appendix 7: Refugee Asylum Decision Factors

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Appendix 8: Eastern European States
Definition of terms “Eastern European States”* and “states of Eastern Europe”* and “Eastern
Europe”* for the purpose of this paper includes the states of; Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Serbia, Monten8egro, and Kosovo.
European Union Member States
*Potential Candidate States; Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia
Candidate Countries; Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey
Map independently built, original information derived from; "Schengen Visa Countries List -
Schengen Area." Schengen VISA Information RSS. Schengen VISA Info, 2016. Web. 12 May
2016.

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Appendix 9: Standing Voluntary Monetary Contributions to Eastern European States
"South Eastern Europe." UNHCR Global Report (2009): United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees. United Nations, 2009. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
Appendix 10: Dispersion of Funding Currently Offered to Turkey, Basedoff Population

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Information independently calculated, original information derived from; "EU-Turkey
Agreement: Questions and Answers." European Commission. 19 Mar. 2016. Web. 12 May 2016.

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Additional Works Consulted
"The Crisis of the Common Asylum Policy in the European Union." European Union: European
Issues and Interviews. Robert Schuman Foundation, 10 Dec. 2015. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
"Europe : Bosnia and Herzegovina." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency,
17 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
"European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement." European Commission. 27 Jan. 2016. Web.
03 Apr. 2016.
Juss, Satvinder S. "The Decline and Decay of European Refugee Policy." Oxford Journal of Law
Studies 25.4 (2005): 749-92. Oxford Journals [Oxford UP]. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
"NATO Enlargement & Open Door." North Atlantic Treaty Organization Fact Sheet (2016):
NATO. Jan. 2016. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
"South Eastern Europe." UNHCR Global Report (2009): United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees. United Nations, 2009. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
Thielemann, Eiko R. "Towards a Common EU Immigration and Asylum Policy." West African
Mobility and Migration Policies of OECD Countries West African Studies (2008): 63-87.
University of Texas. Department of Government & European Institute London School of
Economics and Political Science & Center for Comparative Immigration Studies
University of California, San Diego, Mar. 2006. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.
"UNHCR Says Most of Syrians Arriving in Greece Are Students." UNHCR News. United
Nations, 8 Dec. 2015. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.
"Why Is EU Struggling with Migrants and Asylum? - BBC News." BBC News. British
Broadcasting Company, 3 Mar. 2016. Web. 04 Apr. 2016.

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