The European Union has declared Bangladesh a “safe country,” effectively ending the possibility of Bangladeshi citizens easily securing political asylum or citizenship in Europe or the United States. Italy first raised the issue, formally informing the EU headquarters that it would no longer accept political asylum claims from Bangladeshis, citing that the country is now politically stable.
According to the European Commission’s list released on 16 April, Bangladesh was included alongside Kosovo, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. The move comes as Italy and other European states grow increasingly frustrated over negative behavior and fraudulent asylum claims by Bangladeshi applicants.
BBC Bangla reports that Bangladesh ranks among the top countries seeking asylum in Europe, placing sixth in 2023 and 2024, after Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Turkey, and Colombia. In 2024 alone, 43,236 Bangladeshis applied for asylum, with another 47,778 cases pending. However, the success rate remains very low, with only 3.94 percent approved and over 96 percent rejected.
The asylum-seeking trend has historically been tied to political changes in Bangladesh, where members of opposition parties claimed persecution after government transitions. Thousands secured citizenship in Europe under this pretext over past decades. But with the new designation of Bangladesh as a “safe country,” such claims will face swift rejection.
Under the EU’s revised migration and asylum pact, asylum applications from citizens of these listed countries will be fast-tracked, with most cases expected to be decided within three months. While exceptions may apply for individuals facing genuine persecution, the overall likelihood of approval has sharply decreased.
Human rights groups have criticized the decision, arguing that each asylum request should be judged on its individual merits rather than broad national designations. However, EU officials defended the move, saying it was necessary to address the overwhelming backlog of asylum cases and rising pressure from far-right, anti-immigration parties across Europe.
Statistics show that fewer than 20 percent of migrants ordered to return to their home countries are actually deported, a problem the EU hopes to fix by rejecting unfounded claims more quickly.
For many Bangladeshis who migrated to Europe with large sums of money after the fall of the Awami League government, this decision poses serious risks. Their asylum claims will now face tougher scrutiny, and rejection could mean deportation along with potential losses of assets and funds invested abroad.
The new policy also sends a strong signal to young Bangladeshis considering dangerous and costly journeys through human traffickers in hopes of securing asylum. With lower chances of success and faster rejections, many may be deterred from risking their lives and savings in pursuit of uncertain futures abroad.
Ultimately, the EU’s decision to list Bangladesh as a safe country undermines the long-used strategy of political asylum by opportunistic individuals and looters, while still leaving room for genuine victims of violence and persecution to receive protection.
