Press Release: Asylum : Commission proposes a common definition of refugee and a common standard of refugee rights

The European Commission approved a proposal on 12 September 2001 aimed at a common definition of refugee and at a common definition of rights to be enjoyed by refugees. This proposal, coming 50 years after the Geneva Convention, should create a much-needed level playing field on asylum, ending so-called 'asylum shopping'. Together with the Commission's other proposals on asylum, the latest proposals should guarantee a minimum level of protection in all Member States for those who are genuinely in need of international protection, whilst preventing abuses of asylum applications which undermine the credibility of the system. With this proposal the Commission has fulfilled the commitment made at the Tampere summit to work towards the establishment of a common asylum system in Europe. In view of their opt-outs, this proposal does not apply to Denmark and will apply to the UK and Ireland only if these two Member States decide to opt in.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/justice_home/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/justice_home/index_en.htm

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