20 August 2025
Safe for Everyone?
On 1 August, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its much-anticipated judgment, addressing the interpretation of the “safe country of origin” (SCO) concept under the Asylum Procedures Directive 2013/32 (APD). Contrary to AG de la Tour, the Court firmly ruled that Member States cannot designate a country as “safe” unless it provides adequate protection to its entire population. Ultimately, the Court’s judgment effectively preserves the current protection until the EU legislator fully exercises its prerogative to amend the rules. Continue reading >>
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15 May 2025
Safe for whom?
The EU’s notion of “safe countries of origin” is on increasingly shaky ground. In a recent Opinion, Advocate General de la Tour suggests that a country can still be deemed safe even when specific groups face serious threats there. This reinterpretation breaks with established case law and risks hollowing out core procedural protections for asylum seekers across Europe. It remains to be seen how this stance will influence the delicate balance between efficient processing and safeguarding fundamental rights. Continue reading >>
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