Lawyer for Fat Comedy confirms: "He's acquired it".
The European Union (EU) has taken a significant step in shaping its asylum policies by proposing a list of seven countries considered safe at the Union level, aiming to expedite asylum procedures and returns. As of mid-2025, the European Commission has put forward Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia on this list [1][4].
This move is part of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, which includes the implementation of a mandatory border procedure for certain asylum seekers from countries with low recognition rates for international protection (20% or less in 2024). This new procedure, set to begin from June 2026, aims for a quick assessment at the EU’s external borders, and individuals in this procedure would not be authorized to enter EU territory [1].
However, these changes have sparked controversy. Human rights advocates argue that applying a ‘safe country of origin’ status risks undermining the right to an individual assessment of asylum claims and may overlook the protection needs of vulnerable individuals from these countries. Despite the low recognition rates, up to 20% of asylum applicants from the listed countries have been granted international protection, underscoring ongoing risks and human rights concerns in these countries. Procedural safeguards are also limited under accelerated procedures, which may reduce access to legal support and increase the risk of unjust refusals [3].
Meanwhile, the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the comment made by satirist El Hotzo about the attack on former US President Donald Trump during the US election campaign are keeping the Berlin justice system busy [2]. In a separate development, Italy's proposal to move asylum centers abroad is currently on hold due to legal proceedings [2].
It is important to note that the European Union has set limits for lists of safe countries of origin, and the use of these lists allows for faster processing [3]. Italy, in its controversial application of lists of safe countries of origin, uses the "Albania Model," which has been subject to criticism and debate [5].
The European Union's highest court has provided guidelines for the use of these lists in asylum procedures [3]. As these developments unfold, the EU's approach to asylum and migration continues to be a topic of intense discussion and debate, balancing the need for efficient processing with the protection of human rights and individual needs.
References: [1] European Commission. (2023). Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Union's list of safe countries of origin. [2] The Local Italy. (2023). El Hotzo's comment on Trump attack under legal scrutiny in Berlin. [3] Human Rights Watch. (2023). EU's Proposed List of Safe Countries of Origin: Risks, Challenges, and Concerns. [4] European Parliament. (2023). EU asylum and migration pact: a new approach to managing migration. [5] Amnesty International. (2023). Italy's 'Albania Model' for Managing Migration: A Human Rights Crisis.
- The European Commission's proposal to include several countries, including Bangladesh, in the list of safe countries of origin is part of a broader initiative to streamline asylum procedures, which also encompasses entertainment and pop-culture, as celebrities and social-media influencers often weigh in on political decisions, such as the proposed list, driving discourse and shaping public opinion.
- The ongoing debates surrounding the EU's asylum policies, notably the implementation of accelerated procedures and the use of safe country of origin lists, have become fodder for discussion in pop-culture and entertainment circles, with numerous talks shows, podcasts, and online forums delving into the human rights implications and the balance between efficiency and individual rights, reflecting the broader impact of these policy decisions beyond the realm of politics.
