For a Europe grounded in solidarity, protection and human dignity

Refugees Welcome Italia expresses serious concern over the ongoing reform of the EU asylum framework and the proposed expansion of the “safe third country” concept within the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The proposed changes risk significantly restricting access to international protection by allowing Member States to declare asylum applications inadmissible and to shift responsibility to so-called third countries, often without ensuring effective protection, adequate safeguards or full respect for fundamental rights.

One of the most critical elements of the reform concerns the weakening of the requirement for a connection between an asylum seeker and a designated third country. While this criterion formally remains part of the framework, it would no longer be mandatory. Until now, it has acted as an important safeguard against arbitrary transfers. Making it optional would allow people to be sent to countries with which they have no personal, social, cultural or legal ties, significantly increasing the risk of legal uncertainty and violations of the principle of non-refoulement.

The reform also introduces further restrictive measures, including reduced procedural guarantees and limitations on the right to an effective remedy. Taken together, these changes undermine the right to asylum and weaken protection standards across the European Union.

Refugees Welcome Italia warns that this approach represents a dangerous shift of responsibility away from the EU, normalising the delegation of asylum obligations to third countries that may lack the capacity to guarantee safety, rights and dignity. This does not address forced displacement, but simply moves responsibility elsewhere.

People on the move are individuals fleeing war, persecution and serious human rights violations, not a problem to be managed or outsourced. European asylum policies must instead be grounded in solidarity and fair responsibility-sharing among Member States.

At the same time, Refugees Welcome Italia calls for a clear and concrete commitment to expanding safe and legal pathways to protection. Humanitarian corridors, resettlement programmes, family reunification and community sponsorship are essential tools to ensure access to asylum, prevent dangerous journeys and uphold human rights.

The European Union has both a legal and a moral responsibility to protect people seeking asylum, in full respect of their rights and dignity.