Brussels, Apr 17 (V7N) – In a bid to expedite asylum processing and reduce migration pressures, the European Union (EU) has designated seven countries—including Bangladesh—as “safe countries of origin”, a move that could significantly limit the chances of asylum seekers from these nations being granted protection.

The list, proposed by the European Commission, includes Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia, according to a report by AFP.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said that the decision aims to help member states deal with massive backlogs of asylum applications. “It is essential to do everything possible to make asylum decisions quickly,” he stated.

Under this classification, asylum claims from nationals of these countries will be presumed unfounded unless proven otherwise, making it easier for EU nations to reject applications and carry out deportations.

However, the move has sparked criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that it could lead to unjust dismissals of legitimate asylum claims. Critics warn that designating entire countries as “safe” oversimplifies complex human rights conditions and could endanger vulnerable individuals.

The announcement comes amid growing anti-immigration sentiment across Europe, driven by negative public opinion and the rise of far-right political forces, which have increased pressure on governments to tighten border controls and accelerate deportations.

The Commission clarified that while EU candidate countries may be considered safe, exceptions would be made for those facing ongoing conflicts, such as Ukraine, which is notably excluded from the list.

A similar effort was made in 2015, but was abandoned after controversy, particularly around the inclusion of Turkey.

Officials say the list will be regularly updated, based on migration trends and evolving geopolitical conditions.

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