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DRC calls for upholding rights of refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants during the legislative term

To encourage the attention and action of the new European Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has issued recommendations on EU’s policies on asylum and migration as well as external action that will be relevant for this legislative period.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is present in 40 countries around the world, including EU Member States and neighboring countries. DRC provides different types of support to people who are forcibly displaced, including protection services such as legal aid. DRC thus has first-hand experience of how the EU’s policies on asylum and migration impact the lives of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.

With the new European leadership all appointed and their teams now in place, in 2025 the new legislative cycle will now really kick in, as we expect new legal proposals in the coming months.

DRC would like to draw the attention of both the new Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament to critical issues regarding the EU’s policies on asylum, migration and related external action.

The European Commission, while holding the sole prerogative to propose new legislation, must ensure the safeguarding of the treaties and the promotion of fundamental rights. The European Parliament, as the co-legislator with the European Council, has a critical role in ensuring spotlight on and scrutiny of European policies to ensure that rights are upheld and that no-one is left behind.

To this end, DRC has issued a series of recommendations that will be particularly relevant during the current legislative period.

We call on the new Commission and the Members of the European Parliament to ensure that work related to EU asylum and migration policy is done with focus on safeguarding and promoting fundamental rights, rather than dehumanizing the policies that have a profound impact on the lives of people affected by conflict and displacement.

Céline Mias, EU Director, Danish Refugee Council

For this legislative cycle, DRC recommends the new European Commission and European Parliament to:

Ensuring fair implementation of the EU Pact to protect rights for refugees and migrants
Ensuring fair asylum procedures requires access to high-quality independent legal aid
Ensuring that border monitoring is effective, meaningful, and independent
European borders should be managed without pushbacks and human rights violation
Rights compliance, accountability, and protection at the centre in third country cooperation on asylum and migration
Ensuring safe and dignified return of rejected asylum seekers

In the creation and implementation of new legislation, the role and expertise of civil society cannot be underestimated. DRC's daily work with asylum-seekers, refugees, and migrants is the foundation for our recommendations together with our knowledge of national and international law.

Eva Singer, Director for Asylum, Danish Refugee Council