The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) has called on the Government to ensure that the EU reaches agreement on proposals on asylum-seekers at a meeting of the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) later this week in Dublin.
The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) has called on the Government to ensure that the EU reaches agreement on proposals on asylum-seekers at a meeting of the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) later this week in Dublin.
The IRC wants agreements covering the upgrade of conditions required from the refugees original countries (third countries) that regard them as safe countries of origin.
"The definition of a safe third country implies that asylum applications from nationals from the countries are considered as unfounded and therefore could be returned without a proper examination of their individual cases as stipulated in the Geneva Convention," said IRC Policy officer, Mr Itayi Viriri.
The IRC is seeking assurances that Member States provide asylum applicants with access to a "fair and efficient asylum determination procedure"
"The onus is on the Irish presidency to ensure that the rights of the asylum applicant are upheld and that until a final decision is reached, the applicant should be entitled to remain in the Member State concerned," said Mr Viriri.
A compromise on the issue of legal aid to asylum seekers processing their claim's particularly at appeal level is also be discussed.
IRC CEO Mr Peter O'Mahony said refugees are mostly successful in their applications at an appeal stage and rarely the first time they apply, "we must ensure that legal aid is provided to applicants on their second chance".