Displaying items by tag: safe countries

The EU has proposed a new list of seven ‘safe countries of origin’ - Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia - to fast-track asylum applications from citizens of those nations. The assumption is that most of these claims will be denied, allowing decisions within three months. The move is part of ongoing efforts to reform the EU’s asylum process, following the 2015–2016 migrant crisis and persistent low return rates (only 20% of rejected applicants are deported). The plan allows countries to process claims faster if fewer than one in five applicants from a specific country are granted protection. Countries applying for EU membership will also be presumed safe unless affected by war. Italy’s right-wing government welcomed the list, but human rights groups raised concerns, warning that these countries have documented abuses and lack full protections. The EU said that individual case reviews will still be required, despite the fast-track designation. The proposal awaits approval from both the European Parliament and member states.