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EU Classifies Seven Countries as Safe for Asylum Seekers
The European Union has designated seven nations as safe countries of origin in a move aimed at expediting the asylum application process for individuals from these nations. This classification targets Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, with the understanding that asylum claims from these countries will be fast-tracked to a three-month processing timeline, based on an assumption that many will likely be denied.
Markus Lammert from the European Commission noted that the list of designated safe countries would be dynamic, allowing for updates and reviews. Countries can be added or removed based on changing circumstances regarding their safety.
The drive for reform in asylum policies has been a response to the significant increase in irregular migration observed in 2015 and 2016. Despite having established a migration and asylum pact last year, the EU recognizes that its full implementation won’t commence until June 2026. Consequently, there is a push to enforce two primary rules that would hasten the processing of asylum applications.
EU leaders previously instructed the Commission to develop strategies for accelerating the return of migrants. Current statistics reveal that fewer than 20% of individuals mandated to leave EU countries have actually returned to their home nations.
The proposals would allow EU member states to expedite the processing of asylum seekers not only from the newly classified safe countries but also from nations where only a fifth of applicants receive protection.
Interestingly, prospective EU member states will automatically qualify as safe, though exceptions may arise for nations experiencing conflict, such as Ukraine. Countries facing heavy migratory pressures, including Italy, have been vocal proponents of these reforms. Italy has witnessed substantial increases in the number of arrivals since 2015, while other nations like Germany have activated border restrictions to curb irregular migration.
While Italy has established its own lists of safe countries, a unified EU list could potentially deter asylum seekers from selecting routes to countries with perceived leniencies in asylum regulations. The northern African nations of Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt have historically seen significant outflows of irregular migrants heading towards Europe across the Mediterranean.
The classification has garnered support from Italy’s right-wing government, with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi expressing approval of the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia. He emphasized the political tensions that have surfaced against this move, attributing opposition to “purely ideological” viewpoints.
However, the EU’s classification is not without controversy. Italian courts previously intervened to block plans by the Meloni government to place Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants in detention centers in Albania. The courts ruled that these countries could not be deemed safe if certain regions faced instability or if minority rights were under threat.
As these proposals move forward, they must receive the endorsement of both the European Parliament and EU member states. Opponents, including various human rights organizations, have raised alarms about the classification, arguing that labeling these countries as safe is misleading. They point out the prevalence of human rights violations and inadequate protections for citizens and migrants alike within these nations.
In response to these concerns, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert asserted, “We do not cut back on fundamental human rights,” reiterating that EU laws require member states to assess each asylum application on an individual basis.
The new proposals will now need to be approved by both the European Parliament and EU member states, as discussions continue on the implications of these classifications for migrants and asylum systems across Europe.
Source
www.bbc.com