The German government today backed a bill that would simplify the process of determining so-called "safe countries of origin" for migrants - a step that could significantly limit the number of asylum applications, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Under the new proposals, the government would be able to independently determine which countries fall into this category, without the need for prior approval from the Bundesrat, the upper house of the German parliament, as currently required by law.
According to the German legal framework, "safe countries" are those where people are not at risk of political persecution, torture or inhuman treatment. Migrants from such countries generally have minimal chance of being granted asylum in Germany, except in rare and proven cases. exceptions. In addition, the procedure for deportation back to “safe countries“ is legally less burdensome.
The bill, approved by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's cabinet, still needs to pass through the Bundestag before it can enter into force.
The new German government has made the fight against illegal migration a priority. The coalition agreement between Merz's conservative bloc and the Social Democrats includes an expansion of the list of safe countries. India, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are expected to be included as a priority.
The list of “safe countries“ currently includes all EU member states, as well as several other countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia and Moldova from Eastern Europe, as well as Senegal and Ghana from West Africa.