EU Establishes Seven Safe Countries to Expedite Asylum Processes

The EU's recent designation of seven countries as safe for asylum seekers marks a significant step in reforming the migration system amidst rising irregular migration.

The European Union has announced a controversial decision to classify seven nations as safe countries of origin, a move aimed at expediting the asylum application process for migrants originating from these regions. The countries identified include Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, with the EU expecting the vast majority of claims from these nations to be processed in three months, under the presumption that they are unlikely to succeed.

Markus Lammert from the European Commission emphasized that the list would remain dynamic, subject to revisions, allowing for the addition or removal of countries based on their safety status. This decision comes in the wake of a significant influx of irregular migrants into Europe between 2015 and 2016, prompting a strong push for asylum reforms. Although a comprehensive pact on migration and asylum was finalized last year, its implementation is not expected until June 2026. In the interim, EU leaders have insisted on pressing ahead with measures to accelerate the return of migrants, noting that fewer than 20% of those ordered to leave were successfully repatriated.

Under the new regulations, EU member states could streamline processing for individuals from the designated safe countries—and potentially also from nations where fewer than 20% of asylum claims are granted. Notably, candidate countries seeking EU membership will automatically qualify as safe, although exceptions can be made for nations embroiled in conflict, such as Ukraine.

Italy has been a vocal advocate for these reforms, especially given its significant migrant arrivals since 2015. Meanwhile, countries like Germany have resorted to imposing border controls to mitigate irregular migration pressure. If the EU's unified list is implemented, it is anticipated to deter asylum seekers from targeting nations with more lenient asylum regulations.

In recent years, a surge of migrants from Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt has attempted perilous crossings of the Mediterranean Sea. The announcement received support from Italy's right-wing government, with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi declaring the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia a notable achievement amidst political opposition. However, some Italian judges have previously halted attempts by the Meloni administration to classify Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants as safe for detention in Albania, citing concerns over safety for various regions and minorities within those countries.

The EU's proposals will soon be put to a vote before the European Parliament and member states, but human rights advocates have raised alarms about the implications of this classification. EuroMed Rights, a coalition of human rights organizations, cautioned that labeling these nations as safe overlooks documented abuses against human rights and inadequate protections for both citizens and migrants.

As Lammert asserted, "We do not compromise on fundamental human rights," emphasizing that EU legislation mandates individual evaluations of each asylum claim in accordance with established legal frameworks.