Migration policy has become a focal point in the European Union's election campaigns, with significant criticism directed at the EU's current approach to asylum. Migration researchers warn of a decline in international asylum standards, emphasizing that refugee children are particularly vulnerable.

The recent "Global Refugee Report 2024," presented in Berlin, highlights numerous shortcomings in the EU's asylum policy. Franck Düvell, a migration researcher from the University of Osnabrück, criticized the dire living conditions in many refugee camps, citing the notorious Moria camp on Lesbos, Greece, as a glaring example. Originally designed for 2,800 people, it housed up to 20,000 refugees in squalid conditions.

The report, produced by a consortium including the Universities of Erlangen-Nuremberg and Osnabrück, the International Center for Conflict Studies in Bonn, and the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), scrutinizes the reformed Common European Asylum System (CEAS). This system mandates that asylum seekers are processed at the EU's external borders, potentially enduring up to 12 weeks in overcrowded reception camps before their applications are decided. Petra Bendel from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg expressed concerns about the humane treatment of these individuals, particularly families and children.

Criticism also extends to the EU's agreements with non-EU states, such as Tunisia. These agreements, which involve significant financial incentives, have led to reports of human rights abuses, including the abandonment of refugees in desert areas without basic necessities. Düvell cautioned that such treaties could undermine democratization efforts in these partner countries.

The report also touched on the EU's handling of Ukrainian refugees. While praising the unbureaucratic approach and the substantial role of civil society in Germany, researchers warned of the temporary nature of the refugees' residence status, set to expire in 2025, potentially leading to further challenges.

Moreover, the researchers emphasized that the EU's asylum policies could exacerbate global displacement issues. They pointed to long-term refugee situations in countries like Bangladesh and Turkey, warning that these could become permanent if the EU does not alter its approach.

Conflict researcher Benjamin Etzold from the Bonn International Center for Conflict Studies highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, exacerbated by recent conflicts, as a worst-case scenario for refugees who are unable to flee. He urged the EU and German government to focus more on global refugee solutions rather than merely restricting access to Europe.

The findings of the "Global Refugee Report 2024" underscore the urgent need for the EU to reassess its asylum policies to prevent further erosion of international refugee protection standards.