Overview
- The European Commission has proposed amendments to asylum regulations, allowing member states to deport rejected asylum seekers to third countries without requiring personal connections.
- The proposal removes the suspensive effect of appeals, meaning deportations could occur before appeals are fully adjudicated.
- Seven countries, including Bangladesh, Morocco, and Tunisia, have been designated as 'safe third countries,' despite scrutiny over their human rights records.
- Rights groups, including Amnesty International, warn the changes undermine EU values, risk refoulement, and burden poorer nations with limited resources.
- The amendments, part of the 2023 EU migration pact, await approval by the European Parliament and Council, with implementation expected in 2026.