EU Identifies Seven "Safe" Countries in Migrant Return Strategy

Tue Jul 08 2025 09:39:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
EU Identifies Seven "Safe" Countries in Migrant Return Strategy

The European Union has announced a list of seven countries deemed "safe" for expedited asylum processes, igniting both support and concern among member nations and rights organizations.


The European Union's recent designation of seven countries—including Kosovo, Bangladesh, and Colombia—as "safe" aims to streamline asylum applications for migrants from these regions. While Italy celebrates the decision, highlighting its potential to manage migration more effectively, human rights groups caution against oversimplifying the safety of these nations due to existing rights violations.


The European Union (EU) has officially recognized seven countries it classifies as "safe" in a strategy aimed at expediting asylum claims from these regions. The countries identified—Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—will allow for a fast-tracked asylum process lasting up to three months, primarily aimed at those likely to have their claims denied.

Markus Lammert from the European Commission stated that this list is 'dynamic', indicating that it could be updated to include new nations or remove those deemed unsafe. The initiative comes in response to the substantial influx of irregular migrants to EU countries starting in 2015, leading to ongoing calls for reforming asylum regulations. A migration and asylum pact was ratified last year, but due to its effective date being June 2026, the EU seeks immediate implementation of two rules aimed at accelerating processing times and returns.

Countries from which fewer than one in five asylum applications are approved will also be subjected to fast-tracked processing. Prospective EU candidates will automatically be considered safe, albeit with exceptions for countries experiencing conflict such as Ukraine. This recent policy shift has found support from nations like Italy, which has been significantly affected by migrant arrivals in recent years, while others like Germany have enacted stricter border controls to manage the situation.

Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government in Italy has welcomed this decision. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has highlighted the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia on the safe list as a key victory amidst ideological opposition. Previous legal proceedings have seen Italian courts prevent the government from designating some migrants from these nations as safe, based on rulings from the European Court of Justice regarding the treatment of minorities in those countries.

However, human rights organizations have voiced concerns over the classification of these nations as safe. EuroMed Rights has labeled this approach as misleading, pointing to significant documented human rights infractions and inadequate protections for both citizens and migrants in many of the listed countries. In response, Lammert emphasized that EU law mandates individual assessments for each asylum application, ensuring that fundamental human rights are upheld.

As the proposals await approval from the European Parliament and member states, the debate over how best to manage migration within the EU continues to evolve, highlighting the delicate balance between national interests, humanitarian concerns, and the realities faced by asylum seekers.

MORE ON THEME

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:52:38 GMT

The Legacy of Abu Abraham: India's Satirical Voice Against Censorship

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 01:52:38 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:57:06 GMT

Emerging Economies Forge Independence Amid U.S. Tariff Threats

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:57:06 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:39:59 GMT

Trump Plans to Introduce 25% Tariffs on Goods from Japan and South Korea

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:39:59 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:27:56 GMT

**Trump Urges Brazil to Cease Prosecution of Bolsonaro, Calling It a 'Witch Hunt'**

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:27:56 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:12:13 GMT

Security Tightens in Nairobi as Nationwide Protests Loom

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:12:13 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:22:30 GMT

Torture Techniques Remain in South African Police Practices

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:22:30 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:21:05 GMT

Persistent Torture Methods Resurface in South African Police Force

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:21:05 GMT
Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:33:47 GMT

Global Supply Chains Transform Amidst Tariff Uncertainty

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:33:47 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 20:43:19 GMT

Indirect Ceasefire Talks Commence in Qatar Amid Diverging Israeli and Hamas Demands

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 20:43:19 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:01:07 GMT

Israel Engages in Fragile Ceasefire Talks with Hamas Amid Rising Tensions

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:01:07 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:34:52 GMT

Arrest Made in High-Profile Attack on Conservative Senator in Colombia

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:34:52 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:33:21 GMT

US Supreme Court Clears Path for Deportation of Convicted Criminals to South Sudan

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:33:21 GMT
Sun, 06 Jul 2025 04:06:41 GMT

The Future of Tibetan Democracy: Challenges Ahead for Exiled Leadership

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 04:06:41 GMT
Sat, 05 Jul 2025 19:59:44 GMT

Arrest of Alleged Mastermind in Assassination Attempt on Colombian Senator

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 19:59:44 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 22:33:18 GMT

U.K. Government Bans Palestine Action as Terrorist Organization

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 22:33:18 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:24:52 GMT

British Fighter Jet Stranded in India Becomes Local Attraction Amid Mechanical Troubles

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:24:52 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:47:50 GMT

UN Expert Urges Corporations to Halt Business Ties with Israel Amid War Crimes Allegations

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:47:50 GMT
Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:44:37 GMT

Russia's Historic Recognition of Taliban Government: A Shift in Geopolitical Dynamics

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:44:37 GMT
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:13:21 GMT

Ethiopia Completes Grand Renaissance Dam Amid Regional Tensions

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:13:21 GMT
Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:05:10 GMT

UN Expert Urges Global Corporations to Sever Ties with Israel over Allegations of War Crimes

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:05:10 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.