Today in a report on the situation of unaccompanied minors in the EU, the Commission calls for improved efforts at both national and European level to respond effectively and in full respect of the rights of the child to this complex transnational challenge.

The EMN glossary, a useful tool to improve the use of common definitions on migration and asylum has been translated into French. This version was accomplished through narrow cooperation of the EMN national contact points of Belgium, France and Luxemburg.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: glossary

According Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, the Commission is required to submit this first report to the European Parliament and the Council with a view to examining the dgree of progress in the implementation of the above Regulation.

Asylum seekers in the EU would be better protected, and would not be transferred to EU countries where there is a risk of inhuman or degrading treatment, under changes to EU asylum legislation endorsed by the Civil Liberties Committee.

The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) gave the green light to an agreement to recast the Reception Conditions Directive.

Responding to information needs and increasing responsiveness to policy makers needs, is the key EMN objective for 2013. The EMN also aims at further informing media and public debates on asylum and immigration.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: study topic, work programme

The new website has been created to provide updated information on South-South migration to migration experts, practitioners and the general public.

GFMD 2012 will focus on "Enhancing the Human Development of Migrants and their Contribution to the Development of Communities and States". A provisional agenda (as of 3 September 2012) was presented at the High Level Working Group on Asylum and Migration on 13 September.

On 10 September 2012 the Belgian legislation transposing the Blue Card Directive(2009/50/EC) entered into force. The Blue Card Directive itself was adopted on 25 May 2009 to create a “European Blue Card” for highly qualified third-country nationals.

In its September newsletter, ADDE provides information on the return path, legislative changes with regard to the aliens law, the EU blue card and reception related issues, recent caselaw from the ECHR, the Aliens Litigation Council as well as recent articles and forthcoming events.
Main Theme: Asylum, Migration
Keywords: jurisprudence, legislation

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on asylum applications and first instance decisions.

Secretary of State Maggie De Block (Open VLD) pays attention to misuse of the right to family reunification, more particularly false declarations of parenthood.

Every month, the Office of the Commissioner Gereral for Refugees and Stateless persons (CGRS) publishes a document providing the statistics on the asylum applications and the first instance decisions.

The Commission published today its report on the development of the European Migration Network (EMN).
Main Theme: Migration
Keywords: evaluation of EMN

The law of January 19, 2012 introduced the concept of a “return track” for asylum seekers, a framework for individual counseling on return, offered by the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil). New instructions implement this return track in the reception centres.

The newsletter of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) for July/August 2012 has been launched.
Main Theme: International Protection
Keywords: EASO

The statistical data up till the month June on assisted voluntary return (REAB) are available. In June 410 people voluntarily returned to their country of origin, bringing the total for the first six months of 2012 to 1990.

A permanent system for relocating internationally protected persons within the EU would help to improve asylum policy solidarity among EU member states, says a resolution voted by the Civil Liberties Committee.

Eurostat publishes an edition of 'statistics in focus' on mixed-marriages. By using data from two EU surveys, the percentage of persons in mixed marriage is estimated in 30 European countries over recent years.

On 30 June 2012 the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taking over the Danish Presidency, presented its 6 months programme. Asylum, Migration and Borders is one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency's Operational Programme.

This publication provides an analysis of recent developments in migration movements and policies in OECD countries and two analytical chapters, covering the role of migration in renewing the skills of ageing workforces and the role of Asia in international migration.

The first issue on "Global Perspectives on Migration and Development" explores fresh strategies proposed by the GFMD in its fourth year of operation in Mexico and beyond.

The Belgian Minister of Justice and the State Secretary for Immigration and Asylum have presented a new national action plan to combat trafficking in human beings and human smuggling to the Belgian Council of Ministers.

The handbook was presented and commented on by panelists from IOM, MPI, Swedish Ambassador for the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) as well as representatives from the European Commission, Board of the Diaspora Forum for Development and other stakeholders.

On the occasion of the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2012, the statistical office of the European Union releases data on the results of asylum decisions in the EU 27.
Main Theme: Asylum