Reform of the Common European Asylum System

Lack of Balance Between Control and Protection

After eight years of negotiations, the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which entered into force in June, is intended to manage migration, accelerate procedures, and harmonise standards. The reform establishes an EU-wide legal framework for asylum procedures, from arrival at the border through to return.

However, it also entails significant risks for human rights: accelerated procedures at the EU’s external borders may undermine fair asylum assessments, detention-like facilities for families and children raise concerns under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and so-called “return centres” raise questions regarding compliance with international law.

Whether the reform ultimately strengthens protection or reinforces exclusion will now depend on its implementation at national level, independent monitoring, and judicial review. In her contributions to Tagesschau and BR news, Prof. Dr Petra Bendel warns that the balance between migration control and the provision of protection is fragile — and that the risk of legal violations is real.

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