The European Commission has added countries like Egypt and Tunisia to its list of “safe countries” for the return of failed asylum seekers, despite concerns over human rights practices in these nations.
The list, which has drawn criticism from human rights groups, will allow EU member states to process asylum claims from nationals of these countries through an expedited procedure, based on the assumption that their claims are unlikely to succeed. The Commission described the move as part of efforts to streamline asylum procedures.
While illegal migrant entries to the EU dropped by 38% last year—the lowest level since 2021—immigration remains a contentious issue among the EU’s 27 member states. The “safe countries of origin” list includes Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Kosovo, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia, with the possibility of future expansions or reviews.
Amnesty International’s Hussein Baoumi expressed concerns that the list could lead to discrimination against refugees based on their nationality, potentially undermining individual assessments of asylum claims. “The EU must clarify protections for vulnerable groups, such as political opponents, journalists, LGBTI individuals, and human rights defenders, and engage with the listed countries to address human rights concerns,” he added.
This proposal is part of the EU’s 2023 migration pact and an amendment to the Asylum Procedures Regulation, which is set to take effect in 2026. It still requires approval from the European Parliament and EU governments.
The Commission’s March introduction of new rules on migrant returns has already faced significant opposition from rights organizations, who warn that the policy could lead to further human rights violations.
