EU Proposes Fast-Track Migrant Returns from Seven 'Safe' Countries

EU Names Seven 'Safe' Countries in Plan to Accelerate Migrant Returns

Asylum Applications from Kosovo, Bangladesh, and Others to Be Fast-Tracked

The European Union has announced a proposal to designate seven countries as "safe countries of origin" in a move designed to speed up asylum application processes and increase the rate of migrant returns. The countries listed—Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia—would be subject to fast-track processing, with most asylum claims expected to be resolved within three months.

According to the European Commission, asylum seekers from these countries are statistically less likely to be granted protection, and the new process aims to streamline decisions and improve enforcement of return orders.

A Dynamic and Expandable List

Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the European Commission, described the list as “dynamic,” noting that countries may be added, suspended, or removed based on changing safety conditions.

"It will be continuously reviewed to reflect the evolving political and humanitarian landscape of each country," Lammert said.

The policy is part of a broader EU effort to reform migration systems in response to the spike in irregular migration seen during 2015–2016. Although a formal EU migration and asylum pact was approved in 2023, it will not take effect until June 2026, prompting the Commission to fast-track specific components.

Focus on Low Recognition Rates and Safe Origins

Under the proposed measures, EU member states would be able to expedite asylum claims from nationals of countries with low asylum approval rates—defined as 20% or less. Applications from individuals in these seven countries are among those least likely to be accepted.

Furthermore, countries that are EU accession candidates will be presumed safe, unless specific conflicts or risks—such as war—affect that status. For example, Ukraine would not qualify due to ongoing conflict.

National Responses: Italy at the Forefront

Italy, a leading proponent of tougher migration policies, has welcomed the proposal. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the inclusion of Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia, calling it a political win over what he described as “ideological opposition.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has been under scrutiny for its migration policies, including an attempt to send certain migrants to detention centers in Albania—a move recently blocked by Italian judges. The European Court of Justice also ruled that a country cannot be deemed safe if it does not guarantee protections for all regions and minority groups.

Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, in particular, have seen significant numbers of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in recent years, prompting the EU to prioritize return efforts to these states.

Human Rights Groups Voice Alarm

Despite official assurances that individual asylum claims will still be assessed case by case, human rights organizations have criticized the safe country designation.

EuroMed Rights, a coalition of rights groups, warned that labeling countries like Egypt or Bangladesh as safe could put vulnerable individuals at risk.

“It is misleading and dangerous to suggest these countries offer sufficient protection, given documented rights violations,” the group said in a statement.

Critics argue that safety assessments must consider regional disparities and the treatment of specific minorities or political dissidents, rather than apply broad national labels.

Legal Safeguards and Next Steps

The European Commission insists that the fast-track process will not compromise legal protections, emphasizing that EU law requires an individualized review of each asylum application.

“We do not cut back on fundamental and human rights,” said Lammert. “Every application will be judged on its own merits.”

The proposal still requires approval from both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before implementation. The debate is expected to intensify as lawmakers, national governments, and civil society groups weigh the balance between efficient border management and the EU’s human rights commitments.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for more in-depth reporting on migration policy, asylum law reforms, and the global challenges of displacement and mobility.