UN refugee agency expresses concerns over EU asylum policy

In order to speed up the handling of asylum applications, EU interior ministers agreed on 2 October to create a list of 'safe countries' from which nationals have no obvious reasons to claim asylum. Nationals from these countries will still be able to apply for asylum but their applications will be subject to a fast-track procedure. The Commission is expected to determine which countries are to be included on this list by the end of November. This list will then be submitted to a vote by the Council of Ministers.

The EU is also considering the establishment of a list of 'safe third countries' where asylum seekers can be returned to claim asylum. EU Member States are seeking to minimise the number of asylum applications they process by agreeing to return asylum seekers to a country through which they have passed or where they formerly resided. The underlying reasoning is that it would be safe and appropriate for them to seek asylum in such places.

Proposals to harmonise asylum procedures have been under discussion for about three years and ministers are expected to reach a political agreement on them by the end of the year.

In a press statement, the UN refugee agency warned that if the 'safe country' concepts were introduced without sufficient safeguards they could seriously compromise the protection of refugees and deviate from international standards.