2.2. Key issues in European asylum discourse and practices

2.2. Key issues in European asylum discourse and practices
 

 Throughout 2024, issues related to migration and asylum continued to feature prominently in the European policy agenda. The EU Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029, which sets the priorities and orientation for the current institutional cycle, highlighted the pursuit of a comprehensive approach to migration and border management as a priority area.18 The agenda places emphasis on:
 

• the protection of external borders;
• the proper functioning of the Schengen system;
• cooperation with countries of origin and transit to address long-term challenges of irregular migration; and
• the need to calibrate the EU against instrumentalised migration, which is framed as a security threat.

Equally reflecting the importance accorded to migration and asylum, both the Belgian and the Hungarian Presidencies of the European Council in 2024 prioritised increasing the resilience of the Schengen zone, curtailing irregular migration and human smuggling, and enhancing cooperation with third countries.19 The Belgian Presidency had a special focus on the reform of the migration and asylum system in Europe. In its recommendations in January 2024, UNHCR advised the two Presidencies to consider seven priority elements for migration and asylum, including:

• the provision of protection for migrants arriving spontaneously and addressing rights violations at the EU’s external borders;
• safeguarding fundamental rights in reformed asylum procedures;
• ensuring functioning solidarity measures that also work for displaced persons;
• promoting a route-based approach as a more effective way to address mixed migration and reduce human suffering on dangerous journeys;
• enhancing resettlement and complementary pathways;
• addressing statelessness; and
• making EU funding for developments and humanitarian aid abroad adequate, more agile and responsive.20

Amidst the developments related to the adoption and implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, themes that merit highlighting include the efforts to effectively control the EU’s external land and sea borders; initiatives to further address trafficking in human beings; and acknowledging collaboration with civil society in discussing, designing and providing protection solutions. 

CJEU jurisprudence in 2024

In its role to ensure a harmonised interpretation and application of EU law, in 2024 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued approximately 20 judgments and orders interpreting various provisions of CEAS, covering topics related to:

• Admissibility of applications for international protection
• Dublin procedure
• Detention measures
• Safe country concepts
• Examination of subsequent applications
• Assessment of protection provided by UNRWA
• Gender-based persecution of women
• Secondary movements of beneficiaries of international protection
• The effects of refugee protection in extradition proceedings
• Family reunification
• Temporary protection
• Return following a negative asylum decision.

For more information, read Jurisprudence related to asylum pronounced by the Court of Justice of the EU in 2024, Fact Sheet No 32.

2.2.1. Case load management and prioritisation policies

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2.2.2.  Intensifying efforts to address trafficking

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2.2.3. Eliciting the expertise of civil society

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