es for seeking asylum inside the wealthy European bloc to ensure genuine refugees can find a safe haven and prevent economic migrants from using asylum systems to enter the EU to seek work. The proposals are the last building bloc in the EU's attempt to forge a common asylum and immigration law. But the plans have come under attack from the U.N refugee agency and pressure groups such as Amnesty International, which say that EU member states -- faced with anti-immigrant sentiment among their own citizens -- risk undermining refugees' rights.

Meeting in Luxembourg, EU interior ministers tried to resolve outstanding issues, including whether member states should establish lists of safe countries of origin or safe non-EU countries to which refugees can be returned. They will also discuss what rights to appeal failed asylum applicants should have and whether rejected asylum seekers can be sent out of EU states while their appeal is being dealt with. The UNHCR argues the plans may lead to refugees being sent to states outside the EU where their rights and safety may not be guaranteed. The number of asylum seekers to the EU has dropped, but asylum and immigration remain sensitive issues in Europe, where anti-immigration parties have gained in national polls by calling for tighter rules to curb the influx of migrants. The UNHCR says the drop in asylum seekers is due to its increased help to refugees in regions close to their home, while some EU states argue it is due to stricter asylum procedures. Reuters