EC/Pakistan agreement: readmission agreement

The European Parliament adopted by 382 votes to 250, with 23 abstentions, a legislative resolution in which it gives its consent to the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation.

The resolution is accompanied by a Commission declaration in which it recalls that EU law requires Member States to ensure that third country nationals present on the territory of the Member States may apply for international protection if they so wish and that in particular the Treaty, the Asylum Qualification and the Return Directive make it clear that Member States must respect the principle of non-refoulement in accordance with their international obligations. The Commission also recalls that EU Member States are in particular obliged to ensure, in all cases, that no return is effected in violation of the European Human Rights Convention and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which oblige States to ensure that a person should not be returned if he or she would be likely to suffer serious harm on his or her return to a country of origin or transit.

Lastly, the Commission will report every 6 months to the European Parliament on the implementation of the EU readmission agreements and will establish contacts with relevant international organisations active in Pakistan as regards the situation of persons readmitted under the EU agreement.