The Dublin system is coming under increasing pressure. It sets out the criteria for deciding which European Member State has responsibility for dealing with an asylum application. The Dublin system has been widely criticised because it is unfair to both asylum seekers and Member States and because it is increasingly malfunctioning.
Various ideas on how the Dublin system should be reformed or replaced have been put forward. In this background paper by Richard Williams the pros and cons of the various proposals and a possible way forward are discussed. The paper was initiated by the Green MEPs Bodil Ceballos, Ska Keller, Jean Lambert, Judith Sargentini and Josep-Maria Terricabras.
