Brussels, Belgium, 16 April 2025 —  The International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that the EU’s new proposals to extend the number of countries considered to be “safe” throughout the asylum process are “part of a broader trend towards hollowing out refugee rights”.

Meron Ameha Knikman, IRC’s Senior EU Advocacy Advisor, says:

“The EU’s new proposals around which countries are considered to be “safe” throughout the asylum process and for returns are extremely concerning. They are part of a broader trend towards deterrence and hollowing out refugee rights, rather than welcoming people with dignity and respect. 

“Anyone who applies for protection in the EU should have their individual claim assessed fully and on its own merits - regardless of where they are fleeing from. It’s simply not possible to claim that countries from which 20% or fewer applicants are granted international protection in the EU are ‘safe’ for everyone - particularly those with specific vulnerabilities or from marginalised groups. 

“We know that recognition rates often vary immensely between different EU states. For example, while 98% of people from Afghanistan were recognised as refugees in Greece in 2024, this figure was as low as 41% in Germany and 39% in Belgium, highlighting the difficulties of identifying the risks people face in different countries.

“We are also concerned about the provisions which allow the EU to exempt certain areas of “safe” countries, deeming these to be unsafe for people to go back to. The reality is that any truly safe country must offer protection across its entire territory and to all individuals. The EU’s approach undermines the premise that the country is safe in the first place, and ignores the often quickly changing circumstances surrounding conflict, displacement and other conditions on the ground.

“It is extremely complex to assess a country’s overall safety. The IRC is calling on the EU and its member states to adopt a transparent approach, and consult with international and civil society actors originating from or operating in the countries in question. As ever, it must also put the needs of the most vulnerable individuals front and centre, or risk them bearing the brunt of these changes.”