EU Classifies Seven Nations as Safe for Accelerated Asylum Procedures

Wed Oct 22 2025 14:30:21 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

New EU policy designates seven countries as safe origins to expedite asylum claims, raising concerns over human rights and individual assessments.

The European Union has categorized Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia as "safe" countries of origin to fast-track asylum applications and deter irregular migration. While welcomed by some member states, this decision has sparked criticism from human rights advocates.

In a significant move aimed at reforming asylum application processes, the European Union (EU) has officially designated seven nations as "safe countries of origin." This classification allows expedited processing of asylum claims from citizens of Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, all of which will undergo fast-tracked assessments within three months, under the presumption that their claims are likely to be denied.

Markus Lammert from the European Commission noted that this list would be "dynamic," opening the door to future assessments that could either expand the list or remove nations that no longer meet safety criteria. The EU's strategy, initiated in response to the unprecedented influx of irregular migrants experienced in 2015-2016, continues to evolve. Although a comprehensive migration and asylum pact was agreed upon last year, real implementation is not slated to begin until June 2026. In light of this delay, EU leaders have pushed for urgent measures to expedite the return of migrants.

Under the proposed rules, EU countries could fast-track returns for individuals from these identified safe countries or those with a low acceptance rate, meaning fewer than 20% of applicants from such nations are granted protection. European states in the process of joining the EU will also automatically be regarded as safe, barring exceptional circumstances like ongoing conflict, as seen with Ukraine.

Italy has vigorously supported the establishment of this list, viewing it as a crucial victory amid pressures stemming from a significant upsurge in migration since 2015. Other nations, including Germany, have implemented stricter border controls in response. The inclusion of Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt is particularly notable, given the surging number of irregular migrants departing from these shores to seek entry into Europe.

The Italian right-wing government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has celebrated the decision, with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi asserting that the inclusion of specific countries reflects a valid response to perceived ideological opposition. However, some domestic legal challenges remain; Italian judges have previously blocked efforts to detain migrants from perceived safe countries, citing concerns around regional safety and minority rights.

This proposal is now set to face scrutiny from both the European Parliament and EU member states, with human rights organizations raising alarms. EuroMed Rights condemned the labeling of these nations as "safe," highlighting evidence of human rights abuses that challenge the validity of such classifications. They emphasize the necessity for comprehensive individual assessments of asylum applications under EU law, reaffirming the importance of upholding fundamental rights for all.