The European Union has made a significant move by designating seven nations as safe countries of origin, aimed at expediting the asylum application process. Citizens from Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia will have their claims processed within a streamlined timeline of three months, based on the presumption that their applications are likely to be rejected.
Markus Lammert from the European Commission emphasized that this list would be "dynamic," allowing for additions or removals based on the evolving safety situation within these countries. Following the surge of irregular migration in 2015-2016, EU states have increasingly sought to reform their asylum policies. Although a comprehensive pact on migration is set to come into force in June 2026, the EU aims to implement quicker processing rules in anticipation of returning more migrants.
At present, EU nations can fast-track applications from individuals originating from the newly designated safe countries or from those where only a small percentage (less than 20%) of asylum seekers are granted protection. Prospective EU candidate nations will also be automatically classified as safe; however, exceptions may apply for countries experiencing conflicts, such as Ukraine.
Italy has emerged as a vocal advocate of these reforms due to its significant uptick in migrant arrivals since 2015. Meanwhile, countries like Germany have also introduced border controls in an effort to curb irregular immigration. The consensus among EU leaders is that this unified list of safe countries will likely dissuade asylum seekers from targeting nations with more lenient regulations.
The Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has lauded the inclusion of countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia, viewing it as a political achievement amidst opposition. Though Italian courts recently halted Meloni's plans to detain Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants, declaring that the safety evaluations must consider regional safety and minority conditions in those countries.
While the proposed changes await approval from both the European Parliament and member states, some human rights organizations are expressing concern over labeling these nations as "safe." EuroMed Rights criticized the decision, arguing it ignores documented abuses and limited protections for vulnerable populations. In response to these criticisms, Lammert asserted that EU regulations mandate individual assessments of all asylum applications, emphasizing the commitment to uphold fundamental human rights standards.
