Immigration policy must have specific provisions for woman-refugee in accordance with EP resolutionThe reform of European policies on immigration and asylum should be exercised and the women asylum seekers and often traveling with small children and other dependents, stressed MEPs in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.
"The resolution highlights the extremely vulnerable situation of refugee women in the European Union. They are forced to leave their homes, making a dangerous journey to reach a safe place. On arrival at reception centers these already vulnerable women, who may be victims of sexual violence, human trafficking or other violent crimes, face additional obstacles that aggravate their already vulnerable situation ", said the rapporteur Mary Honeyball (S & D, UK).
The resolution was adopted with 388 votes in favor, 150 against and 159 abstentions
According to the resolution, the European policies and asylum procedures should take into serious consideration the gender dimension and the individual and gender-based violence, such as rape, sexual violence, female genital mutilation, forced marriages or domestic violence should be recognized as valid reasons for seeking asylum in the EU. MEPs also note the need to take into account their specific needs in reception centers, as violence against these individuals is a common phenomenon in the receiving facilities.
The measures suggested by MEPs in order to ensure the needs of women throughout the duration of the asylum procedure are to provide:
separate sleeping and sanitary facilities for women and men,
women to conduct interviews and interpretation,
specialized counseling and psychosocial care to women who have suffered traumatic sex
childcare during the examination and interviews for asylum,
information to women about their right to apply for asylum independently from their spouse, and to seek and maintain the status of refugee or asylum seeker regardless of the status of other members of their family,
specialized training in the host personnel for the special needs of women
MEPs call for an immediate end to all Member States, the detention of children, pregnant and nursing as well as victims of rape, sexual violence and human trafficking and to provide appropriate psychological support.
They also stress that in order to improve the safety and security of women and to address illegal trafficking networks must provide safe and legal pathways to the EU, while adding that the legislation and policies relating to illegal immigration should not prevent the access to EU asylum procedures.
