United Nations Radio

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has called on Sweden to use its upcoming presidency of the European Union to promote policies that protect asylum seekers.

Asylum seekers

UNHCR notes that during the second half of this year, the EU will adopt a new programme in the area of Justice and Home Affairs will determine the course of EU law and policy on asylum from 2010 to 2014.

The refugee agency has published recommendations to Sweden which will be taking up the presidency of the European Union from July to December this year.

UNHCR spokesman William Spindler says the agency would like to see Sweden use its presidency of the European Union to reassert the importance of a rights-based approach to border management and migration control.

"Recent events, including Italy's push-backs of boat people and elections in which anti-immigrant parties scored big gains in a number of EU countries, give rise to concern about Europe's commitment to ensuring access to protection. UNHCR supports strengthened solidarity among EU Member States, to assist those facing particular pressures resulting from the arrival of irregular migrants and asylum seekers."

The United Nations refugee agency suggests a variety of options to deal with this situation including the relocation of recognized refugees from one Member State to another.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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