Vol. 491 No. 5
104 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the concerns raised by Amnesty International (details supplied) regarding the EU action plan on the influx of Kurdish migrants from Iraq and neighbouring countries; and if he will address these concerns. [12548/98]
The EU action plan adopted by the General Affairs Council on 26 January 1998 was designed to deal with the situation arising from an influx of illegal immigrants from Iraq and neighbouring countries experienced by several member states beginning in late 1997.
The action plan is designed to address the various concerns arising in this situation comprehensively, including humanitarian concerns. It contains the following main elements: development of an action-orientated dialogue with the Government of Turkey and with the UNHCR; ensuring that humanitarian aid makes an effective contribution, including by ensuring improved NGO access to northern Iraq; improved analysis of the underlying causes and origins of the influx; effective application of asylum procedures to ensure that the humanitarian aspects of this influx are not overlooked; preventing abuse of asylum procedures; enhanced police co-operation in tackling organised crime; implementation of a number of steps to combat illegal immigration in these areas:
better exchange of information between member states about migration and asylum,
improved visa issuing procedures and consular co-operation in the issue of visas,
posting of liaison officers and exchange of officials,
effective and consistent border controls,
immediate expulsion of persons illegally present on the territories of the member states in so far as no right to remain exists.
At its meeting on 19 March, the Justice and Home Affairs Council reviewed progress in the implementation of the action plan on the basis of a report by the Presidency. The Council concluded that further co-operation with Turkey could be useful in such areas as the examination of ways of ensuring the proper screening of asylum seekers, the improvement of conditions for detaining illegal immigrants prior to removal, the exchange of practical experience of effecting returns to third countries, assistance in developing new Turkish immigration laws, and technical assistance in improving the detection of false documents at the border. The Council also concluded that the EU is prepared to assist Turkey financially in implementing these measures, subject to the normal conditions.
A further report on progress in implementing relevant action points will be considered by the Council at its meeting today and tomorrow.
The enclosure with the letter to which the Deputy refers calls on member states to implement the action plan with due consideration of the concerns and recommendations of the authors of the letter and, in so doing, to respect their international obligations regarding the protection of refugees.
Ireland supports the action plan as a balanced response to a problem which has not, in practice, affected us but is of serious concern to many of our EU partners. The plan does not affect the international obligations of member states regarding the protection of refugees.
