“The co-legislators will undoubtedly come out in the next few days with the narrative that a historic deal has been made to efficiently ‘manage migration’ in Europe and ensure solidarity between Member States. This will be a lie. Negotiations have been rushed for political reasons, the cruel system envisaged will fall at the first hurdle of implementation, and the worst consequences will be felt by those seeking safety. The deal is a shameful farce, and we have to call it out as such” – Hope Barker, Senior Policy Analyst, BVMN

Ahead of the initial 7th December ‘jumbo trilogue’ on the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, nineteen human rights organisations came together with aid workers and survivors of human rights abuses to condemn the system envisioned for people on the move. No real steps were taken on the negotiations that day, instead discussions continued over the 18th and 19th December. This time, over 50 civil society organisations signed an open letter to the co-legislators urging them to reconsider the deal. However, as negotiations have now come to a close it is evident that, in the face of overwhelming pressure from the Council and Commission, the Parliament conceded on all key points. It was clear that Member States were unwilling to move on their position, and so the outcome is the 2020 Commission proposal, worsened by Council amendments. This is a devastating blow to the right to seek asylum in the EU.