European lawmakers on Tuesday approved changes to the European Union’s asylum system, clearing the way for faster deportations of rejected asylum seekers and marking a further tightening of the bloc’s migration policy.
The reforms, which still require final approval from EU member states, introduce a list of “safe” countries to which failed asylum seekers can be returned. Under the new rules, applications may be rejected if applicants could have sought protection in a country the EU considers safe. The measures also establish EU-wide return procedures, including potential prison terms for those who do not comply with return orders and the creation of “return hubs” outside the bloc.
The changes form part of the EU’s Migration Pact, adopted in 2023 and due to take full effect in 2026. The tougher stance reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment since the 2015–16 refugee influx. Humanitarian groups and some lawmakers have criticized the reforms, warning they could undermine asylum rights and expose migrants to human rights risks.
Credit : CGTN
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