Humanitarian visas one step closer

Brussels, 31 March 2016 – On 16 March, the Members of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee voted in favour of introducing European humanitarian visas within the EU Visa Code. This means that member states will be able to issue such visas for asylum seekers, while allowing them to reach European territory in safe and legal manner. Once they arrive in Europe, they will be able to launch their asylum application.

S&D MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar, author of the report on the EU Visa code, said after the vote:

"Humanitarian visas are essential. We are not going to solve this crisis by simply building walls. Reducing illicit migration will not be possible unless we offer legal, safe routes into Europe. The approach of the last few months has clearly failed. Watching men, women and children making long, dangerous journeys across Europe to reach the country they wish to apply for asylum in makes no sense. We need to look at new approaches.”

JRS Europe welcomes the results of the vote. “It is a positive step in the right direction,” says Olga Siebert, JRS Europe advocacy officer. “Humanitarian visas will allow a number of asylum seekers to reach Europe in safe conditions. They will not have to risk their lives on unseaworthy vessels and during irregular border crossings.”

Before being implemented, European humanitarian visas within the EU Visa Code need to be approved in the plenary vote of the European Parliament and by the European Council.

JRS Europe calls upon the heads of government to support this initiative.  The humanitarian visa is, however, only one of many tools which can be used to protect and to help those who flee violence and persecution. These tools are described in our recommendations from November 2014.

 “We cannot forget that the toolbox measures, are complimentary to the functioning of the Common European Asylum System, which must respect human rights and the dignity of all forcibly displaced persons,” adds Siebert.

Humanitarian visas are essential. We are not going to solve this crisis by simply building walls. Reducing illicit migration will not be possible unless we offer legal, safe routes into Europe. The approach of the last few months has clearly failed. Watching men, women and children making long, dangerous journeys across Europe to reach the country they wish to apply for asylum in makes no sense. We need to look at new approaches.