The European Parliament has approved a norm classifying Colombia as a safe country, allowing faster rejection of asylum requests from its citizens. This measure is part of new migration policies approved in December. Amnesty International has criticized the ease of labeling countries as safe.
The European Parliament recently approved a norm that speeds up the rejection of asylum applications from Colombian citizens. According to the official document, Colombia is deemed a safe country with no generalized risk of serious harm or threats from indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict. Furthermore, it states there is no generalized persecution in the country, as per Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347.
This decision fits within broader asylum policies adopted by the European Union and its Council in December. Colombia joins a list of safe countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. The norm means EU member states can presume applicants from these countries do not need international protection, streamlining review processes.
Amnesty International has voiced concerns over these regulations, arguing they make it easier to categorize countries as safe origins, potentially denying protection to those who require it. The organization notes this generalized presumption could infringe on human rights in specific cases.
The approval aims to expedite migration management in the European Union, though it sparks discussions on its effects on refugee protection. No specific figures on affected Colombian applications are mentioned.
