This "dynamic list," according to European Commission representative Markus Lammert, may evolve over time, permitting additions or removals based on the changing safety status of listed countries. Asylum seekers from EU candidate nations will also automatically be treated as safe unless exceptional circumstances arise. While many EU leaders push for faster returns to curb irregular migration, Italy, in particular, has embraced this decision, while some human rights groups warn against classifying these countries as safe due to documented human rights violations. Individual assessments for asylum applications will remain mandatory under EU law to ensure fairness.
EU Fast-Tracks Migrant Returns by Designating Seven Countries as Safe
EU Fast-Tracks Migrant Returns by Designating Seven Countries as Safe
The European Union identifies seven countries deemed safe, aiming to expedite asylum processes for migrants from these regions.
The European Union (EU) has announced that it will classify seven countries—Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—as "safe" origins for migrants, enabling faster processing of asylum claims from these nations, typically within three months. This decision, celebrated by Italian officials, is part of broader reforms initiated after the surge of irregular migrants in 2015-2016. The EU plans to quicken processing times by allowing accelerated return for migrants from these identified nations, where asylum approval rates are historically low. The proposal is subject to approval from both the European Parliament and member states, but human rights advocates have raised concerns over the safety and rights protections in those countries.
