The Law Commissioner on Friday handed over to the deputy minister of immigration a draft bill on the modernisation of the Refugee Law of 2000 it says will strengthen the current system.
The draft bill will now be subject to consultation with all the services involved, prior to a public consultation.
The drafting of this bill was assigned to the Commissioner by a cabinet decision and was carried out “in close cooperation with the deputy ministry of immigration and international protection and the asylum service” a written announcement said.
It added that the new legislative framework aims to adopt a clear and effective legal framework, strengthening the administrative, judicial and other procedures concerning beneficiaries of international protection.
“Our opinion in this work has been the substantive safeguarding of the rights of beneficiaries of international protection as they arise from EU and international law, while safeguarding the public interest of the Republic,” the announcement added.
The legislative initiative is part of the broader framework of government policies for the management of the refugee/immigration issue and the observance of international obligations.
The Commissioner said it takes into account the new legislation and rules introduced with the entry into force of the EU’s Migration Pact of May 2024 with which it is aligned.
