European Union announces new asylum measures to fast-track deportations

The European Union’s executive branch announced new asylum measures on Wednesday, designating seven countries as “safe third countries.”

Citizens from Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia are unlikely to be granted asylum in Europe and will have their applications fast-tracked for quicker deportation if rejected.

According to the European Commission, applications from these countries will be processed within three months, unlike the usual six months.

This move aims to ease pressure on migrant reception facilities and reduce secondary movements. The European Commission spokesperson, Markus Lammert, emphasized that the new measures will not compromise fundamental and human rights.

“We streamline and speed up the processing of asylum applications, but we do not cut back on fundamental and human rights,” Lammert said. “What it does is allow for faster procedures for those whose asylum applications are likely to be unfounded.” The plan also includes fast-tracking asylum applications from EU candidate countries, including Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.

EU members can also speed up proceedings for countries with a low recognition rate of asylum applications. The recognition rate for the seven designated countries is 5% or less, indicating that most applicants from these countries do not qualify for asylum. The new measures aim to reduce the number of unfounded asylum claims and deport those whose applications are rejected.

The European Union has been grappling with managing migration effectively, particularly since the influx of over 1 million migrants in 2015.

The new measures are part of the EU’s efforts to establish a common asylum system and manage migration more efficiently.

The plan must be endorsed by EU member countries and the European Parliament before it can enter force.

The EU’s migration policy has been a contentious issue, with member states struggling to find a unified approach. The new measures aim to harmonize asylum procedures across member states, reducing secondary movements and asylum shopping.

By fast-tracking deportations, the EU hopes to deter irregular migration and promote a more efficient asylum system.

The European Commission’s announcement has sparked debate among EU stakeholders, with some welcoming the move as a step towards managing migration more effectively.

Others have raised concerns about the potential impact on human rights and the asylum process.

As the EU continues to navigate the complexities of migration policy, the new measures will likely face scrutiny and debate in the coming weeks.

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