Human Rights Watch Criticises New EU Migration Pact, Says It Weakens Asylum Protections

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the European Union’s new Migration and Asylum Pact, which is set to come into force on June 13, 2026, arguing that the reforms significantly weaken protections available to asylum seekers and migrants across the bloc.

The pact, originally adopted in 2024, comprises ten binding legislative measures designed to reform the EU’s asylum and migration framework. Among other changes, it expands pre-entry screening procedures, increases health and security checks, accelerates asylum processing, and introduces free counselling services for applicants.

According to HRW, however, the reforms risk undermining the fundamental right to seek asylum by enabling authorities to process claims more quickly while reducing procedural safeguards. The organisation has expressed particular concern that the new framework may lead to longer periods of detention for migrants and increase the likelihood of rushed asylum determinations.

Judith Sunderland, Senior Refugee and Migrant Rights Adviser at Human Rights Watch, stated that the pact weakens access to fair asylum procedures and diminishes Europe’s commitment to refugee protection.

A major point of criticism concerns provisions allowing EU member states to designate certain non-EU countries as “safe third countries.” Under this mechanism, asylum seekers may be redirected to pursue protection claims in those countries rather than having their applications examined within the EU, even where they may lack meaningful personal, cultural, or family connections.

The pact has also faced political opposition from several member states. The implementation of the new framework comes amid broader debates across Western democracies regarding immigration controls, border security, and refugee protection obligations under international law.