Now it will be difficult to seek asylum in Europe, European Parliament approves tightening of political asylum law

The European Parliament has approved reforms to immigration and political asylum laws. Negotiations on an EU asylum and migration agreement have been ongoing since 2015. This agreement will take 2 years to be implemented. The agreement aims to process asylum applications in a maximum of 12 weeks and immediately return rejected migrants to their home countries.

Under the agreement, the countries included in the European Union will jointly bear the responsibility of refugees. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have criticized the package for undermining human rights. The European Parliament has approved a historic change to the EU's asylum and migration rules.

The main political groups in parliament overcame opposition from far-right and far-left parties to pass the new migration and asylum deal, and a comprehensive reform was carried out in almost a decade.

It is noteworthy that in the year 2022, 380 thousand migrants crossed the EU border illegally. In a series of 10 votes on Wednesday, European lawmakers supported those rules and policies. These reforms address the question of who should take responsibility for migrants and asylum seekers when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help.

“History was made,” Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola posted on Twitter after the migration and asylum treaty was passed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the new rules as a "historic, inevitable step" for the EU.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said the bloc would be able to "better protect our external borders, vulnerable people and refugees, faster return those who are not eligible to stay" and "essential solidarity" between member states. "Will set an example.

Outside the Brussels Parliament building, dozens of protesters protested against the vote, criticizing more than 160 migrant charities and NGOs. In a sign of furious protest, the start of voting was disrupted by protesters in the public gallery shouting, "This kills the deal – no vote!" Until the chamber was put in order.

If an EU country does not want to accept people applying for asylum, that member state must provide alternative support, such as a financial contribution to an aid fund. Furthermore, EU Member States experiencing a significant increase in applications for asylum may ask for applicants to be distributed to other EU countries.

The most controversial part of the package involves setting up border facilities in the EU to host asylum seekers and to screen and immediately deport applicants found ineligible. Swedish MP Malin Björk said the agreement "does not answer any of the questions it set out to resolve."

He said the reform package "undermines the individual right to seek asylum" in Europe because it would build on plans some EU countries already have to process migrants abroad. Italy has made a similar deal with Albania. Björk's left-wing group voted against the agreement.

Far-right lawmakers complained that the overhaul does not do enough to block access to irregular migrants. Rights groups have condemned the agreement. Human rights groups have mostly criticized the reform package.

In a joint statement, 22 charity groups including the International Rescue Committee and Oxfam said the agreement would "advance Europe's approach to asylum and migration

Leaves deeply troubling cracks, and fails to deliver lasting solutions for people seeking protection at Europe's borders.

The groups said the move, part of reforms governing the resettlement of migrants to Europe from outside the bloc, is a ray of hope for many refugees around the world.

Amnesty International's Eve Geddie described it as "a failure to show global leadership". “For people fleeing conflict, persecution or economic insecurity, these reforms will mean a lot,” he said.

Less protection and greater risk of facing human rights violations across Europe – including illegal and violent detentions, arbitrary detentions and discriminatory policing. The 27 EU member states will now have to support the reform package, possibly in a vote in late April, before it can take effect.