Ireland has expanded its list of “safe countries” for asylum seekers by adding Brazil, Egypt, India, Malawi, and Morocco. This decision, announced by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, aims to streamline the asylum process by accelerating the application procedures for individuals from these countries.
The designation of a country as “safe” implies that it is generally free from systematic persecution, torture, or inhuman treatment. While individuals from these countries can still apply for international protection in Ireland, they will need to provide compelling evidence to support their claims. Officials stress that the designation of a state as a safe country of origin does not mean that a claim for asylum is inadmissible for anyone coming from that country, or that a person cannot make an application. Instead, it places the onus on the applicant to demonstrate why their case is exceptional and why they are in need of protection.
Currently, Ireland’s safe countries list includes ten other nations: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and South Africa. The introduction of accelerated processing has significantly reduced the number of applications from these countries, with a reported drop of over 50% since the procedures were introduced in November 2022.
Minister McEntee also highlighted an increase in prosecutions and imprisonments of asylum seekers arriving without proper documentation. This move aims to ensure that those in genuine need of protection receive timely assistance while maintaining the integrity of the asylum process. Over 100 people have been prosecuted this year for arriving without appropriate documentation, with more than 80 cases resulting in imprisonment.
The updated list of safe countries is part of Ireland’s broader efforts to manage immigration effectively and provide protection to those who genuinely need it.
