Nasc criticises EU-Turkey migrant relocation deal

Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre, has said it is “profoundly concerned” by the EU-Turkey deal agreed last week.

Fiona Finn, CEO of Nasc, said: “This agreement is – at best – an ineffective response to what is fast becoming a humanitarian catastrophe.

“At its worst, it is a largely punitive measure aimed at punishing those fleeing violence and persecution for the method by which they arrive in Europe to seek protection.”

In a letter sent last week to Dara Murphy, minister with special responsibility for European affairs, Ms Finn said Ireland could “take a lead in Europe and offer viable and effective alternatives to the proposals currently on the table”.

Nasc has proposed the establishment of a humanitarian visa scheme along the lines of the historic Nansen passport; an increase in the current settlement and relocation quotas, as well as adequate resources for their implementation; and a suspension of the Dublin Regulations for the duration of the crisis.

Ms Finn said: “If the EU does not want people to enter Europe by boat then we must in all urgency provide alternative safe pathways for people fleeing violence and persecution.

“If EU leaders think that by shutting Europe’s door on people that their need to flee will end, they are demonstrating a profound and deliberate misunderstanding of the level of human suffering and terror felt by men, women and children fleeing war and conflict.”