Seven nations deemed secure for individuals seeking political refuge
The European Union (EU) is taking a significant step in its asylum policy by compiling a list of countries considered safe for asylum seekers. This list, which includes Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, is based on a thorough analysis by the EU's asylum agency and other sources, such as member states, the UNHCR, and the European External Action Service.
The criteria used to classify these countries are multi-faceted, focusing on both objective country conditions and procedural efficiency. One of the key criteria is the recognition rate threshold. Countries with an EU-wide asylum recognition rate of 20% or lower are considered to pose a low risk of resulting in international protection needs, allowing for fast-tracked procedures through an accelerated border procedure.
Another crucial factor is the absence of persecution and human rights violations. The European Commission and member states assess whether these countries provide effective protection against persecution by both state and non-state actors and offer legal protection against serious human rights violations. This involves reviewing country of origin information from multiple sources, including human rights bodies and governmental reports.
While these countries are on the safe list, exceptions can be made for specific regions or applicant profiles within these countries where the safety conditions do not uniformly apply. This allows states some discretion in defining the safe status more granularly.
Recent reforms by the European Commission also allow for the removal of automatic suspensive effects in cases using the safe third country concept. This facilitates quicker transfers or rejections, reflecting the Commission’s policy shift to broaden and strengthen the use of the safe third country principle.
Member States must inform the European Commission and other Member States before finalizing arrangements with safe third countries, enabling the Commission to monitor compliance with EU law criteria.
It is important to note that the EU asylum system reform does not affect the protection granted to unaccompanied minors and those in need of international protection. The accelerated border procedure is not applied to persons who can prove a risk of persecution or serious harm if returned to their country of origin.
The EU's list of safe countries of origin is part of a broader reform of the EU asylum system, which aims to curb irregular migration. The Commission's proposal for the reform must be approved by the EU Parliament and the Council of Member States. The list can be extended or reviewed, according to the Commission.
In addition, the EU is creating a list of safe countries of origin to facilitate a more uniform application of national lists. This move is expected to streamline the asylum process and ensure consistency across the EU.
[1] European Commission, "Communication on the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union's List of Safe Countries of Origin," 2021. [2] European Commission, "Proposed Regulation on Establishing the European Union's List of Safe Countries of Origin," 2021. [3] European Commission, "Factsheet: The European Union's List of Safe Countries of Origin," 2021.
- The ongoing reform in the European Union's asylum system, involving the creation of a list of safe countries of origin, is part of a broader strategy to streamline the asylum process and ensure consistency across member states.
- The compilation of the EU's list of safe countries of origin, based on a thorough analysis of country conditions, recognition rates, and human rights records, aims to facilitate fast-tracked procedures and broaden the use of the safe third country principle in politics and policy-and-legislation, aligning with general-news developments.
