UNHCR comments on the EU reception directive

16 March 2009

UNHCR Comments on the European Commission's Proposal for a recast of the Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum-seekers (COM (2008)815 final of 3 December 2008)

UNHCR supports the Commission's aim of the proposed amendments "to ensure higher and more equal standards of treatment of asylum-seekers with regard to reception conditions that would guarantee a dignified standard of living, in line with international law". UNHCR believes that many of the proposed amendments, if adopted, would strengthen the applicable legal standards and address identified gaps. In the document, UNHCR comments on specific proposed amendments and, in some cases, suggests that different wording may be more effective to achieve the aim of the recast Directive.

The "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers (Recast)" of 3 December 2008 is also available in Refworld, at http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/493e8ba62.html

The Comments are also available at http://www.unhcr.org/eu