The European Parliament recently approved significant changes to its regulations concerning what constitutes a 'third safe country.' This redefinition enables the establishment of an official list of such countries, which includes South American nations like Colombia, as well as countries outside Europe like Morocco and Egypt. This legislative shift is aimed at streamlining the process for EU member states to manage and send migrants to specific countries that are considered safe, highlighting a response to ongoing migration crises faced across Europe.

One of the most notable changes in the new legislation is the removal of the requirement for a direct connection between the migrant and the third country deemed safe. This means EU states can now classify and send migrants to these countries based purely on this designation, without necessitating previous ties of the individuals to those nations. This aspect of the legislation has sparked criticism from various quarters, including Spain and humanitarian organizations, who argue that it undermines the rights and dignity of migrants by potentially deporting them to countries where they may not have any support structure or safe haven.

As the new regulations await final adoption by the EU Council, their implications could be substantial for migration patterns and policies. The EU's approach to handling migration issues has faced growing scrutiny, and these legislative changes could further solidify the practice of outsourcing migration-related responsibilities to third countries. Critics warn that this practice may not solve the underlying issues of migration and may lead to increased human rights violations as countries like Ecuador prepare to accept migrants that the EU considers 'safe'.