Overview

• The European Commission has proposed eliminating the need for a personal connection between migrants and third countries to apply the 'safe third country' concept, allowing deportations based on transit or bilateral agreements.
• Member states would gain the ability to define 'safe third countries' using their own national legislation instead of adhering to uniform EU criteria.
• Deportation appeals would no longer automatically suspend expulsions, aiming to reduce delays in removal processes.
• Protection guarantees, including examination of asylum claims and adherence to EU human rights standards, are required for agreements with third countries, with unaccompanied minors excluded from the policy.
• Humanitarian groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the proposal as undermining refugee protection, citing the EU's low deportation enforcement rate of only 20%.