Regulations
Regulation 2725/2000 Concerning the establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of the Dublin Convention (OJ 2000 L 316/1)
This provides for a central database of fingerprints of all asylum applicants of at least 14 years of age and an electronic means of transmission of such data between the Member States. The ultimate purpose is to ensure that the correct Member State is dealing with the asylum application.
Council Regulation establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State Responsible for examining an application for asylum lodged in one of the Member States by a third country national (EC) 343/2003 ('Dublin II' Regulations)
Replaces the Dublin Convention as the means of deciding which Member State should decide an application for asylum, and known as 'Dublin II'. It is based on the principle that the country that let an asylum seeker into the EU whether legally or by failing to prevent their illegal entry, must take responsibility for their asylum claim. It is part of EU law, but the Dublin Convention was not. It came into force on 1st September 2003. Its procedures are complex. The Refugee Council produced a briefing on the common European Asylum system in March 2004. www.refugeecouncil.org.uk.

