EU JHA Meeting Thursday 22 January 2004: Amnesty International warns proposals could lead to "refugees in orbit"

With EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers expected to revisit the issue of sending asylum seekers to “safe third countries” (JHA Council Dublin 22-23 January 2004), Amnesty International has released an alaysis paper expressing its concerns that common EU standards may be agreed which breach international refugee and human rights law, and which shift responsibility to countries outside the EU without proper safeguards.

1. “Amnesty International Open Letter to the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform”
2. “Aide-Memore: Amnesty International Comments on Articles 28 and 28A of the Commission’s Amended Proposal for a Council Directive on Minimum Standards for Granting and Withdrawing Refugee Status“