Asylum and Human Rights

The right to asylum may not be enshrined within the European Convention on Human Rights (the ECHR). However, the ECHR applies to any asylum seeker and refugee under the jurisdiction of a High Contracting State.

In the recent years, hundreds of thousands of migrants arrived in Europe and many died along the way. The scale of the crisis has put huge pressure on transit and destination countries. States have a shared responsibility to welcome asylum seekers in a dignified manner, ensuring that their case is examined and determined fairly and efficiently. Asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their application must be provided with proper reception conditions. However, in many instances, authorities are increasingly detaining asylum-seekers for irregular crossing of the border while such detention is not always necessary.