Germany seeks to expand “Safe Country of Origin” list to include Maghreb countries

Germany’s federal government is moving to broaden its list of “Safe Countries of Origin” to include Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Nigeria, and Mongolia, in a bid to tighten its asylum rules, Reuters reports.

The proposed legislation would allow the government to revise the list without requiring approval from the upper house of parliament, which has previously blocked similar expansions.

“We will be able to determine safe countries of origin by government decree,” said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.

Critics argue that the move would make it harder for migrants from the affected countries to seek asylum in Germany. It would enable authorities to reject claims more quickly, limit appeal opportunities, and accelerate deportations—despite the fact that many of the listed countries face ongoing human rights concerns.

Human rights organizations warn the proposal could breach the 1951 Refugee Convention, which guarantees the right to asylum and forbids returning individuals to countries where they face potential harm.

Public concern over migration has surged in Germany, fueling the rise of far-right parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who won the May election after campaigning on a tough stance against migration, has endorsed the plan.

“These are essential steps as part of a broader package to reform the asylum system,” Dobrindt said.