By Kevin Akor
BRUSSELS (chatnewstv.com) — The European Parliament on Tuesday approved legislation allowing EU member states to deport asylum seekers to designated “safe” countries outside the bloc, even if migrants have no prior ties to those nations, in a move critics warn could put thousands at risk.
The measure passed by 396 votes to 226, with centre-right and far-right lawmakers supporting the legislation. Under the new rules, EU states may return asylum seekers to third countries they merely transited through, provided those countries are deemed to meet “international standards” for migrant treatment. States can also deport migrants to countries with which they have no prior connection, if an agreement is reached with the host nation. The rules are expected to take effect in June.
“The new ‘safe third country’ rules are likely to force people to countries they may never have set foot in — places where they have no community, do not speak the language, and face a very real risk of abuse and exploitation,” said Meron Ameha Knikman, senior adviser for the International Rescue Committee.
During the vote, lawmakers approved a list of “safe countries” that includes Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia. Rights groups have raised concerns that migrants in some of these nations, particularly Morocco and Tunisia, have faced widespread mistreatment, including expulsions into remote desert areas.
Cecilia Strada, an Italian lawmaker with the Socialists and Democrats Group, criticized the designations. “The so-called ‘safe countries of origin’ are not safe,” she said. “This parliament has passed resolutions on many of these countries, condemning deteriorations in their rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights. Today’s vote ignores the reality of the facts.”
French Green lawmaker Melissa Camara also warned that the policy could endanger thousands. “The text on safe countries of origin will place hundreds of thousands of people in situations of great danger. Third countries will be deemed safe despite an extremely worrying human rights situation,” she said.
The legislation forms part of the EU’s broader overhaul of its asylum system under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted last May, which aims to increase deportations and establish “return hubs” — centres for rejected asylum seekers — across the bloc.
The measure now requires formal approval from the 27 EU member governments before it becomes law.
