Protection, Resettlement and Integration Approximately 800,000 people have crossed borders intoEurope this year. Some have fled conflict and persecutionand are seeking asylum; others are escaping extremepoverty and are in search of a better life. The majority havecome from Syria, Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Iraq,while a smaller number have travelled from Sudan, Nigeria,Pakistan and other countries. Since the beginning of 2015, astaggering 3,400 people have died or gone missing along thetreacherous routes across the sea to Greece, Italy and Turkey,or overland through the western Balkans. Regardless of thecontext from which these people have fled, they share anexperience of desperation so great that they are willing to risktheir lives. As some European countries tighten border controls orclose borders completely, it is becoming increasingly difficultfor people to identify safe routes and secure options formigration and settlement. Political leadership is vital nowin the fight against discrimination, exclusion, racism andIslamophobia. Upholding human rights and humanitarianvalues, along with our collective international obligations forpeople seeking protection, is critical at this time. This briefing paper provides a background to the refugee andmigration crisis. It sets out the international, European andIrish context and outlines a range of recommendations forthe Irish government and EU leaders. The recommendationsaddress three key areas, (A) opening up legal channelsfor migration, including reducing the barriers for familyreunification with a particular focus on vulnerability, (B)developing community and participative approaches toreception conditions and long-term integration of asylumseekers and programme refugees, and (C) upholdingIreland’s commitments to human rights, humanitarian aid andaddressing the root causes of conflict and inequality. Download Paper Manage Cookie Preferences