The European Union has initiated two new regulations aimed at streamlining the asylum process for migrants not entitled to protection within the EU. The European Parliament has approved these measures, known as the regulation on safe countries of origin and the regulation on safe third countries, as part of its broader Migration and Asylum Pact. These new laws are expected to take effect pending confirmation from EU member states in the EU Council.

One of the most significant components of the new regulations is the establishment of a common list of countries deemed 'safe for origin'. According to international law, such countries are considered secure for their citizens who are not at risk of political persecution, torture, or the death penalty, and who do not face significant dangers due to ongoing armed conflicts. Countries on this proposed list include Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, as well as all EU candidate nations, contingent upon current conditions.

Human rights organizations have sounded the alarm over these developments, raising concerns that the new measures may unjustly expedite asylum applications without adequate consideration of individual cases. Critics emphasize that categorizing countries as 'safe' may overlook the complex realities that refugees face, and they call for a more humane and thoughtful approach to migration and asylum policies within the EU. The outcome of these regulations could have lasting implications for the EU's migration policy and its humanitarian responsibilities toward asylum seekers.