Italy has welcomed the European Union's recent identification of seven "safe countries of origin," a strategic move aimed at accelerating the asylum application process for migrants from these nations. The countries designated as safe include Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, allowing for the fast-tracking of asylum claims to be completed within three months, based on the presumption that these claims are likely to fail.
Markus Lammert from the European Commission clarified that this list is "dynamic," meaning it will be subject to ongoing reviews, potentially adding or removing countries based on their safety status. This designation comes as part of the EU's broader efforts to reform asylum procedures following a significant influx of irregular migrants during the 2015-16 crisis. Although a comprehensive migration and asylum pact was agreed upon last year, its implementation will not occur until June 2026, prompting the EU to push for immediate changes.
Under the new plans, member states will have the ability to expedite procedures for migrants from these nations or from countries where fewer than 20% of asylum requests are accepted. Additionally, candidates for EU membership will automatically be classified as safe, although exceptions could apply in cases of warfare, such as with Ukraine.
Countries advocating for these reforms, particularly Italy, have seen a sharp rise in migrant arrivals since 2015. France and Germany are among other member states that have instituted border controls in response to this situation. Recognizing designated safe countries is expected to deter asylum seekers from targeting nations with more lenient regulations.
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia on the list, despite facing political opposition. However, recent court decisions have limited the government's ability to transfer certain migrants to detention centers abroad, pointing to complexities within the legal framework regarding migrant safety assessments.
The proposal must still gain approval from both the European Parliament and member states, a process that raises concerns among various human rights organizations. EuroMed Rights criticized the classifications of these nations as "safe," citing documented human rights abuses and inadequate protections for both citizens and migrants. In response, Lammert affirmed the obligation of member states to conduct individual assessments for every asylum application, ensuring compliance with EU law.
Markus Lammert from the European Commission clarified that this list is "dynamic," meaning it will be subject to ongoing reviews, potentially adding or removing countries based on their safety status. This designation comes as part of the EU's broader efforts to reform asylum procedures following a significant influx of irregular migrants during the 2015-16 crisis. Although a comprehensive migration and asylum pact was agreed upon last year, its implementation will not occur until June 2026, prompting the EU to push for immediate changes.
Under the new plans, member states will have the ability to expedite procedures for migrants from these nations or from countries where fewer than 20% of asylum requests are accepted. Additionally, candidates for EU membership will automatically be classified as safe, although exceptions could apply in cases of warfare, such as with Ukraine.
Countries advocating for these reforms, particularly Italy, have seen a sharp rise in migrant arrivals since 2015. France and Germany are among other member states that have instituted border controls in response to this situation. Recognizing designated safe countries is expected to deter asylum seekers from targeting nations with more lenient regulations.
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia on the list, despite facing political opposition. However, recent court decisions have limited the government's ability to transfer certain migrants to detention centers abroad, pointing to complexities within the legal framework regarding migrant safety assessments.
The proposal must still gain approval from both the European Parliament and member states, a process that raises concerns among various human rights organizations. EuroMed Rights criticized the classifications of these nations as "safe," citing documented human rights abuses and inadequate protections for both citizens and migrants. In response, Lammert affirmed the obligation of member states to conduct individual assessments for every asylum application, ensuring compliance with EU law.
