Seminar on the common asylum system
On 7 May 2009, the Ministry of Justice arranged a seminar on the common asylum system and its continued development during the Stockholm Programme. The seminar aimed at gaining insight into the view of non-governmental organisations on the work now being carried out in the EU.
Tobias Billström gave the opening address. (Photo: Johan Göransson)
Tobias Billström gave the opening address and spoke about the conditions for the Swedish Presidency and the ideological premises that apply. In Mr Billström's view, the EU concept of free movement is logical with common rules for entry and it is important to get away from an asylum lottery where the recipient country is more important than the grounds for asylum. Mr Billström emphasised that it is now important to implement current legislation in EU Member States and that a common resettlement programme is implemented. In conclusion, Mr Billström explained about the important task of non-governmental organisations acting to keep those in power on their toes, not least when it comes to counteracting protectionism.
Part of the panel. From the left: Moderator Thomas Gür, Liv Feijen, UNHCR and Bjarte Vandvik, European Council of Refugees and Exiles (ECRE). (Photo: Johan Göransson)
After Mr Billström's opening remarks, representatives of the non-governmental organisations spoke about how they viewed the work with the EU common asylum system. One common opinion was that having different rules within the EU is not sustainable and also that there were great expectations that Sweden, as holder of the Presidency, will be able to move the negotiations forward. Michael Williams from the Swedish Network of Asylum and Refugee Support Groups (FARR) considered that the dialogue in the EU on these issues was now much more open than was previously the case, but at the same time expressed concern for compliance with the right of asylum and the possibilities for seeking asylum. Bjarte Vandevik from ECRE emphasised that there cannot be different rules within Europe and praised Sweden for its work on resettlement. Liv Feijen from UNHCR expressed concern over how the economic crisis could have an impact on proposals that cost money, for example protection for unaccompanied children, while also stating that implementation of current legislation is important. Following the non-governmental organisations, Carin Bratt from the Ministry of Justice, Division for Migration and Asylum Policy, reported on the legal acts that are scheduled to be negotiated during the the Swedish Presidency and the role Sweden will have as holder of the Presidency.
After the panel debate, a discussion began that focused on matters such as resettlement, what actions Sweden is to take as holder of the Presidency and the contents of the Stockholm Programme in relation to the Hague Programme.
Part of the panel. From the left: Carin Bratt, Ministry of Justice, Michael Williams, Swedish Forum of Asylum and Refugee Support Groups (FARR) and moderator Thomas Gür. (Photo: Johan Göransson)
Tobias Billström is interviewed by Anders Selnes from EUROPA, the portal site of the European Union. (Photo: Johan Göransson)
