BRUSSELS: The European Union has unveiled a new list of seven countries it now considers “safe” for migrant returns, proposing a controversial overhaul aimed at fast-tracking deportations and reducing the asylum burden across the bloc.
In a move drawing sharp criticism from human rights organisations, the European Commission on Wednesday designated Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia as “safe countries of origin.”
The policy shift means that asylum claims from nationals of these countries will be presumed to lack merit and can be processed more quickly. While individual assessments will still be required, the designation is designed to accelerate deportations and streamline asylum decisions amid mounting political pressure.
“Many member states are facing a significant backlog of asylum applications, so anything we can do now to support faster asylum decisions is essential,” said Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Migration.
Rising Political Pressure Drives Reform
The announcement comes as the EU grapples with growing anti-immigration sentiment, particularly in light of electoral gains by hard-right parties in several countries. In 2023, irregular crossings into the bloc peaked before falling 38% to 239,000 last year, according to Frontex, the EU border agency.
Despite the drop, less than 20% of migrants ordered to leave the bloc are actually deported, prompting the EU to push for stricter enforcement and the creation of return centres, potentially outside the EU.
Human Rights Groups Condemn the Plan
Critics, including EuroMed Rights, have denounced the new list, warning that some of the named countries have documented records of rights abuses and limited legal protections.
“Labelling them ‘safe’ is misleading — and dangerous,” the organisation posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Commission clarified that exceptions would still apply, particularly for countries experiencing conflict — such as Ukraine, despite its status as an EU candidate. The EU previously abandoned a similar list in 2015 over disputes about whether to include Turkey.
Harmonising Asylum Procedures Across the EU
Several member states, including France, already maintain their own safe-country lists — with nations like Serbia, Mongolia, and Cape Verde included. The EU-level list aims to harmonise asylum procedures across the 27-member bloc and ensure consistency.
Under the proposed framework:
-
Member states may add to the EU list, but cannot remove countries.
-
Asylum cases must still be assessed individually, maintaining existing legal safeguards.
-
The list may be expanded or revised over time, based on migration trends and security assessments.
The plan must now be approved by both the European Parliament and EU member states before it can be implemented.
