The European Parliament has approved amendments to the EU asylum procedure rules aimed at accelerating the processing of asylum applications.
Members of the European Parliament supported the creation of an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin and also voted in favor of an agreement on a regulation governing the application of the “safe third country” concept.
According to the Parliament, the new EU-level list of safe countries of origin will allow for the accelerated processing of asylum applications from nationals of Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Under the new rules, the burden of proof will rest on the applicant to demonstrate that the safe country provision should not apply in their specific case, due to a well-founded fear of persecution or risk of serious harm if returned to their country of origin.
EU candidate countries will also be considered safe countries of origin, unless relevant circumstances indicate otherwise.
Such circumstances include indiscriminate violence in the context of an armed conflict, an EU-wide asylum recognition rate for their nationals exceeding 20%, or the imposition of economic sanctions related to actions affecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
Rapporteur Alessandro Ciriani stated that the list of safe countries of origin marks a political turning point in the EU’s migration management.
“With this legislation, a period of uncertainty comes to an end and a clear direction is established: common rules, faster and more efficient procedures, protection of the right to asylum for those entitled to it, and a firm approach to preventing abuse. The EU is preparing clear and enforceable rules based on shared responsibility,” Ciriani said.
The European Commission will monitor the situation in the listed countries and candidate countries and will respond if circumstances change. The Commission may temporarily designate a country as unsafe or propose its permanent removal from the list.
