EU's New Migration Pact Faces Criticism Over Humaneness and Effectiveness

The European Union's (EU) recently approved New Migration and Asylum Pact has sparked debate over its potential to reform the current migration system. Despite its endorsement by the European Parliament in April and subsequent approval by member-states in mid-May, the Pact is viewed by many as an inadequate solution to the EU's longstanding migration challenges.

Why this matters: The European Union's approach to migration has significant implications for global politics, economies, and human rights. If the New Migration and Asylum Pact fails to address the root causes of migration, it could lead to further humanitarian crises, social unrest, and political instability.

The 2015-16 migration crisis, which saw over 1.6 million irregular arrivals into the EU, primarily from Syria, left a significant impact on European politics. The crisis fueled anti-immigration populist forces and created deep divisions among EU member-states, making the need for a reformed migration system more urgent.

However, the New Migration and Asylum Pact, which emerged after almost a decade of failed reform efforts, is unlikely to make the system more humane and effective. The Pact is seen as a compromise between conflicting interests within the EU, but it may not provide a sustainable solution to the migration crisis.

One of the major criticisms of the Pact is its implementation difficulties. The EU's approach to cooperation with third countries, such as Turkey and Libya, has been controversial and often criticized for its lack of humanity. These agreements were pivotal in ending the 2015-16 crisis by closing off key migration routes, but they raised ethical concerns.

The pressure to finalize the Pact before the European elections in June added urgency to the negotiations. Yet, this haste may have contributed to the Pact's shortcomings. It remains uncertain whether the new rules will make migration less of a controversial issue within the EU or address the root causes of migration effectively.

In the first four months of 2024, the EU experienced a 23% decrease in illegal crossings compared to the same period in 2023, according to Frontex, the EU's border agency. While the Central Mediterranean and Western Balkans routes saw the largest declines, new routes have emerged. Notably, the Western African route to the Canary Islands saw a record high of over 16,200 irregular migrants, attributed to criminal groups in Mauritania.

Despite the overall decrease in illegal crossings, the journeys remain perilous. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 568 people have disappeared in the Mediterranean Sea this year, with most incidents occurring on the Central Mediterranean route. This highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe.

The EU's New Migration and Asylum Pact aims to address these challenges, but its effectiveness and humanity are still in question. As the EU continues to grapple with migration issues, it is clear that a more comprehensive and humane approach is needed to address the root causes of migration and ensure the safety and dignity of migrants.

Key Takeaways

• EU's New Migration and Asylum Pact sparks debate over its effectiveness.
• Pact's implementation difficulties and humanitarian concerns raise questions.
• 2015-16 migration crisis fueled anti-immigration sentiment and EU divisions.
• Illegal crossings decreased by 23% in 2024, but new routes and dangers emerge.
• A more comprehensive and humane approach is needed to address migration's root causes.