EU Proposes Major Shift in Asylum Policy: 'Unsafe Fourth Country' Approach
The European Commission has proposed a significant change to the 'safe third country' concept in asylum cases. The new rules would allow member states to send asylum seekers to countries deemed safe, even if they have no personal connection to that nation. This move marks a shift towards an '(un)safe fourth country' approach, which has been previously attempted but not successfully implemented.
The Commission, once critical of offshoring refugee protection, now facilitates it. The new proposal aims to ease pressure on national asylum systems and speed up procedures. However, critics warn of potential human rights violations and limited applicability.
The Commission's vision of solidarity is transactional and evasive. It risks undermining the goal of a fair and efficient Common European Asylum System based on shared responsibility. No EU member states have explicitly agreed to take over the external processing of asylum seekers, but the Commission's proposal could pave the way for such cooperation with safe third countries.
The European Commission's proposal to ease the 'connection requirement' in the 'safe third country' concept has sparked debate. While it aims to reduce pressure on national asylum systems and accelerate procedures, critics raise concerns about human rights and practical challenges. The future of this policy remains uncertain as no EU member states have explicitly agreed to take over external processing.
