MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

4.4.2006

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the situation of refugees in Malta

B6‑0270/2006

European Parliament resolution on the situation of refugees in Malta

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Article 63(2)(b) of the Treaty on European Union,

–  having regard to the Dublin II Regulation 2003/343 on the determination of the Member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged by a third country national in an EU Member State,

–  having regard to the ongoing discussions on the financial perspectives, including the European Refugee Fund and the European Return Fund,

–  having regard to the visit by a delegation from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) to detention centres in Malta on 24 March 2006,

–  having regard to an ECRE study of 16 March on the impact of the Dublin II Regulation,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas LIBE delegation visits to detention centres in the EU, most recently to Malta, have shown that asylum seekers are detained in conditions which fall far below internationally recognized standards, with particular concerns including physical conditions, as well as inadequate or non-existent access to basic services, such as medical care and social and legal assistance,

B.  whereas the Common European Asylum System is based on a set of rules from which no participating Member State should have derogations,

C.  whereas the Dublin II Regulation is the centrepiece of the Common European Asylum System, along with the Reception Conditions Directive, the Asylum Procedures Directive and the Qualification Directive,

D.  whereas it is imperative to provide sufficient funding under the financial perspectives for the European Refugee Fund and the European Return Fund, in order to ensure fair sharing of responsibilities and financial burdens among Member States,

1.  Strongly believes that Malta and other EU Member States must respect their obligations under international law as regards the detention of asylum seekers, including the requirements that detention must be subject to procedural safeguards and limited to the minimum time required to meet its lawful purpose;

2.  Recognises the considerable difficulties that Malta is experiencing in dealing with the large number of asylum seekers and urges that the Union make available to Malta technical assistance and the resources provided for in the ARGO programme and under the European Refugee Fund;

3.  Recognises that future revisions of the Dublin II Regulation should contribute to fairer, more efficient and genuine sharing of responsibilities among Member States;

4.  Believes that sharing of responsibilities and financial burdens among Member States must be an integral part of the European Common Asylum System;

5.  Insists that Member States apply access to the asylum procedure as well as the provisions of the Reception Directive in a coherent and consistent manner, and that asylum claims be processed speedily and efficiently;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.