In a European parliament debate on migration, asylum and the role of the EU external borders agency Frontex, in the context of many people dying on flimsy boats in the Mediterranean, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and MEP for London Sarah Ludford has refuted ill-informed British press comment that European plans could see the UK forced to take more asylum-seekers.
"Ten years ago EU leaders promised coordinated high-quality asylum, migration and border policies, and they have not properly delivered. But the plan is for common rules and standards, not quotas, so that no country is overwhelmed."
"It is absurd to suggest that an EU Fundamental Rights Commissioner - of which the Liberal group has successfully extracted a promise - would have the power to tell any EU country how many refugees or migrants it must take."
"But all EU states must assist Frontex to be properly resourced and equipped, and agree on the application of human rights and maritime law so that boat-people do not drown due to EU disarray. We must not just dump people back on a human rights-abusing country like Libya."
"EU states must respect their obligations to assess refugee applicants for protection, but also to remove those not qualifying to stay and establish coherent criteria for legal migration."
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