Why the jury is out on the Commission’s latest proposal for a ‘distribution key’ to help solve the refugee crisis

The European Commission is expected to announce new proposals in the spring of 2016 which will aim to reform the so called ‘Dublin regulation’ that assigns responsibility over asylum applications to EU member states. According to a 14 January 2016 statement by the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, the new proposal will be based on a ‘distribution key’ system, which will semi-automatically assign applications to individual states. Nando Sigona argues that given the slow implementation of previous agreements, notably the relocation scheme for asylum seekers agreed in September 2015, there are reasons to doubt whether such a proposal would have the capacity to help solve the current crisis.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: MEPs debate relocation, hotspots, Schengen and Dublin rules with Avramopoulos http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-meps-debate-relocation-hotspots-schengen-and-dublin-rules-with-avramopoulos/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

EurActiv, 20.01.16: Tusk: EU has two months to control the migrant crisis, or go bust http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/tusk-eu-has-two-months-control-migrant-crisis-or-go-bust-321137

Blog: Open Europe, 20.01.16: Scrapping the ‘first country of entry’ rule for asylum seekers: How big of a deal would it be? http://openeurope.org.uk/blog/scrapping-the-first-country-of-entry-rule-for-asylum-seekers-how-big-of-a-deal-would-it-be/

BBC News, 20.01.16: Cameron faces refugee 'burden' battle as EU draws up new scheme http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35360890

Refugee Council: News, 20.01.16: New system for sharing asylum seekers around Europe rumoured http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/4527_new_system_for_sharing_asylum_seekers_around_europe_rumoured

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