EU Approves New Rule Allowing Deportation of Asylum Seekers to “Safe” Third Countries
The European Parliament has passed new legislation that could allow asylum seekers to be deported to countries they have no personal or national ties to, provided those countries are officially deemed “safe.”
The measure was approved on Tuesday by a vote of 396 in favour and 226 against, with strong backing from centrist and far-right lawmakers. The rules are expected to come into force in June, pending final formal approval from all 27 EU member states.
Key Points of the New Legislation
Under the new rules:
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EU member states can deport asylum seekers to “safe” third countries outside the EU, even if migrants are not citizens of those countries.
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Asylum seekers may be sent to countries they only transited through, as long as those states are considered to meet international standards for migrant treatment.
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Migrants can also be deported to countries they have no prior connection to, if an agreement exists between the EU country and the receiving state, according to reporting by The Guardian.
Political Context and Background
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The move reflects a growing anti-immigration sentiment across the European Union over the past decade.
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It marks a significant tightening of migration policy following the 2015–16 refugee influx, when more than one million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe.
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The legislation represents one of the toughest shifts in EU asylum policy to date.
Concerns Raised by Human Rights Groups
Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the new rules, warning they could expose migrants to serious risks.
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International Rescue Committee warned that asylum seekers may be forced into countries where they:
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Have no community support
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Do not speak the local language
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Face abuse, exploitation, or mistreatment
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Meron Ameha Knikman, senior adviser at the organisation, said the rules could result in people being sent to places they have never lived in or even visited, placing them in dangerous situations.
List of Countries Deemed “Safe”
During the same session, the European Parliament approved a list of countries designated as “safe,” including:
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Bangladesh
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Colombia
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Egypt
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India
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Kosovo
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Morocco
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Tunisia
However, reports indicate that migrants in some of these countries — particularly Morocco and Tunisia — have faced widespread abuse, including expulsions into remote desert areas.
Opposition From Lawmakers
Several lawmakers strongly opposed the designations.
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Italian MEP Cecilia Strada, from the Socialists and Democrats Group, said the so-called safe countries “are not safe.”
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She noted that the Parliament has previously passed resolutions condemning human rights abuses, democratic backsliding, and rule-of-law violations in many of these states.
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“Today’s vote ignores the reality of the facts,” she said.
French Green lawmaker Melissa Camara also warned that the legislation could place hundreds of thousands of people in serious danger, despite worsening human rights conditions in some third countries.
Broader EU Migration Reforms
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In May last year, the EU approved major reforms under the European Commission’s Pact on Migration and Asylum.
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The pact calls for:
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Faster asylum processing
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Increased deportations
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The creation of so-called “return hubs”, widely criticised as deportation centres for rejected asylum seekers
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Conclusion
The new legislation represents a major shift in EU asylum policy, prioritising deportations and externalisation of migration control. While supporters argue it will reduce irregular migration, critics warn it risks violating human rights and exposing vulnerable people to serious harm.
