UK hit by Greece asylum blow

BRITAIN and Ireland have been told they cannot send asylum seekers back to Greece because of the country’s inadequate asylum arrangements.

A European Court of Justice ruling said no EU government could take it for granted that another member state’s asylum procedures complied with fundamental rights – even though Europe is supposed to have a common asylum policy in place.

Under the policy, – the so-called “Dublin 11” Regulation – asylum seekers entering the EU must apply for asylum in the first member state in which they arrive. But the Luxembourg judges have now ruled that the provision does not apply if an asylum applicant’s fundamental rights risk being breached.

The outcome was anticipated, with several EU countries having suspended returns to Greece following a similar ruling earlier this year.