Source: European Union
2987th JUSTICE and HOME AFFAIRS Council meeting
Brussels, 27-28 November 2008
Brussels, 27-28 November 2008
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The Council recalls its conclusions of 24 July and 25 September 2008, in which:
– it considered it necessary to continue contacts in order to agree on the most appropriate forms of solidarity with all Iraqis, and agreed to return to the question;
– it noted, in this context, the Commission's intention to conduct a mission to Syria and Jordan, accompanied by the Member States concerned, in order to assess, together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the situation of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees in those countries, and to examine the possibilities for resettlement in Member States willing to receive them;
– it noted also that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had expressed the hope that eventually most Iraqi refugees would be able to return to their country of origin in conditions of security, although, for some, resettlement would continue to be necessary.
2. That mission took place from 1 to 6 November in Syria and Jordan and the Council welcomes
the report submitted by the Commission as a follow-up to it.
The Council notes in particular:
– the analysis of the difficult situation faced by many refugees from Iraq and their increasing need for assistance;
– the fact that return to Iraq is thought to be the only eventual solution for the great majority of Iraqi refugees;
– that return from Syria and Jordan is not, however, significant today;
– that local integration in Syria and Jordan can be a solution only for a very small number of refugees;
– the need for resettlement of a certain number of refugees who have no prospect of any other lasting solution, even in the long term; these are people in a vulnerable situation who are easily identifiable, especially those with medical needs, trauma or torture victims, members of religious minorities, or women on their own with family responsibilities;
– the fact that a greater effort towards resettlement in the countries of the European Union would send a positive signal of solidarity to all Iraqis and of cooperation with Syria and Jordan for the maintenance of their area of protection.
the report submitted by the Commission as a follow-up to it.
The Council notes in particular:
– the analysis of the difficult situation faced by many refugees from Iraq and their increasing need for assistance;
– the fact that return to Iraq is thought to be the only eventual solution for the great majority of Iraqi refugees;
– that return from Syria and Jordan is not, however, significant today;
– that local integration in Syria and Jordan can be a solution only for a very small number of refugees;
– the need for resettlement of a certain number of refugees who have no prospect of any other lasting solution, even in the long term; these are people in a vulnerable situation who are easily identifiable, especially those with medical needs, trauma or torture victims, members of religious minorities, or women on their own with family responsibilities;
– the fact that a greater effort towards resettlement in the countries of the European Union would send a positive signal of solidarity to all Iraqis and of cooperation with Syria and Jordan for the maintenance of their area of protection.
The Council also notes the particular situation of the Palestinians who have left Iraq for Syria, for whom no solution other than resettlement appears to be feasible.
3. The Council emphasises, as it did in its conclusions of 25 July 2008, that the main objective is to create the conditions in which displaced persons inside Iraq and refugees in neighbouring countries can return safely to their homes, while ensuring that the human rights of all Iraqis are protected and defended.
The Council also reaffirms its conclusions of 23 April 2007 on Iraq, which called for a comprehensive approach on Iraq.
In this context, it notes that the Netherlands has convened a high-level meeting in The Hague on 1 and 2 December 2008 aimed at contributing to a coordinated response by the European Union to migratory flows from or to Iraq.
The Council also reaffirms its conclusions of 23 April 2007 on Iraq, which called for a comprehensive approach on Iraq.
In this context, it notes that the Netherlands has convened a high-level meeting in The Hague on 1 and 2 December 2008 aimed at contributing to a coordinated response by the European Union to migratory flows from or to Iraq.
4. The Council recalls the humanitarian and financial aid provided by the European Union and Member States to Iraqi refugees, as well as the contribution of Member States which receive Iraqis who have submitted an asylum application on their territory.
However, given the current situation in Iraq and in neighbouring countries as well as the results of the mission conducted by the Commission, the Council considers it necessary to go further.
In this respect, it welcomes the fact that some Member States are already taking in Iraqi refugees, particularly under their national resettlement programmes.
However, given the current situation in Iraq and in neighbouring countries as well as the results of the mission conducted by the Commission, the Council considers it necessary to go further.
In this respect, it welcomes the fact that some Member States are already taking in Iraqi refugees, particularly under their national resettlement programmes.
5. In this context, as a signal of solidarity, the Council invites Member States to take in Iraqi refugees in a particularly vulnerable situation such as those with particular medical needs, trauma or torture victims, members of religious minorities or women on their own with family responsibilities.
This has to be done on a voluntary basis and in the light of the reception capacities of Member States and the overall effort already made in terms of taking in of refugees.
In consideration of the resettlement target set out by UNHCR, and taking into account the number of persons already taken in or planned to be taken in by Member States, in particular under their national resettlement programmes, the objective could be to take in up to around 10 000 refugees, on a voluntary basis.
In taking this approach, Member States should cooperate closely with UNHCR and the other competent organisations present in the region. They should bear in mind the importance of promoting reconciliation between Iraqi communities in Iraq.
6. It may be noted that the European Refugee Fund provides financial support for resettlement projects and that Member States have until 19 December 2008 to indicate on their intentions with a view to calculating the allocation of the funding for 2009.
The Commission is invited to report to the Council at the beginning of 2009 on the information gathered from Member States on the basis of these conclusions."
This has to be done on a voluntary basis and in the light of the reception capacities of Member States and the overall effort already made in terms of taking in of refugees.
In consideration of the resettlement target set out by UNHCR, and taking into account the number of persons already taken in or planned to be taken in by Member States, in particular under their national resettlement programmes, the objective could be to take in up to around 10 000 refugees, on a voluntary basis.
In taking this approach, Member States should cooperate closely with UNHCR and the other competent organisations present in the region. They should bear in mind the importance of promoting reconciliation between Iraqi communities in Iraq.
6. It may be noted that the European Refugee Fund provides financial support for resettlement projects and that Member States have until 19 December 2008 to indicate on their intentions with a view to calculating the allocation of the funding for 2009.
The Commission is invited to report to the Council at the beginning of 2009 on the information gathered from Member States on the basis of these conclusions."
