International protection, rights and application procedure

Fundamental human rights are generally considered to be respected in the states on this list and cases of applicants for international protection with citizenship in these countries are normally treated as priority cases by the Directorate of Immigration. Generally, citizens of these states are refused protection and returned to their countries of origin.

Each case is, however, examined separately on its own terms, with regard to relevant information at any given time. The mere fact that an applicant is from a country on the list does not lead to the Directorate of Immigration not considering his or her case or refusing his or her application without a prior investigation. Where appropriate, the cases of nationals of countries on the list will be examined in general sustantive procedure.

Member States of the European Union

• Austria

• Belgium

• Bulgaria

• Denmark (including the Faroe Islands and Greenland)

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Greece

• Netherlands

• Ireland

• Italy

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Latvia

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Poland

• Portugal

• Romania

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Czech Republic

• Hungary

• Germany

In order to become a member of the European Union, states must guarantee their citizens fundamental human rights and freedoms. EU citizens are therefore generally considered to come from safe countries of origin.

Other safe countries of origin

Albania

Albania is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in Albania in detail in connection with applications for asylum from Albanian citizens.

Australia

Australia is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and generally responded to their views.

United States of America

The United States is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Fundamental human rights are generally respected in Bosnia and Herzegovina and there is no systematic persecution of people.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a parliamentary monarchy. The United Kingdom is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The United Kingdom is also a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of United Nations agencies and other human rights organisations.

Georgia

Georgia is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In general, human rights are respected in Georgia and the Georgian constitution provides for equal treatment of citizens, as well as non-governmental human rights organisations operating in the country without barriers. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in Georgia in detail in connection with applications for asylum from Georgian citizens.

Japan

Japan is a constitutional monarchy that is a party to, inter alia, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In public reports, Japanese authorities have mainly been criticized for the difficult situation of prisoners and poor conditions in prisons. Human rights are, however, generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and acted on their views.

Canada

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and is a party to, inter alia, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Canada is also a member of the Organization of the Americas. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations work there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and acted on their views.

Kosovo

Kosovo is a constitutional democracy without systematic persecution against people. Fundamental human rights are generally respected in Kosovo and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. Kosovo is not a party to the Geneva Convention or the European Convention on Human Rights, it is due to insufficient international consensus regarding its status as an independent state, but not due to problems in securing fundamental human rights in the country. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in Kosovo in detail in connection with applications for asylum from Kosovan citizens.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is a party to, inter alia, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Liechtenstein is also a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and generally responded to their views.

Moldova

Moldova is a party to several international conventions for the protection of human rights. For example, Moldova has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995 and ratified the European Convention on Human Rights in 1997. Moldova is also a party to the Geneva Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In general, fundamental human rights are respected in Moldova and there is no systematic persecution of people.

Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is a constitutional monarchy that is a party to, inter alia, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Monaco is also a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights. Domestic and foreign human rights organisations are permitted in the state, although none of them are active there.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in North Macedonia in detail in connection with applications for asylum from North Macedonians.

Norway

The Kingdom of Norway is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Norway is also a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of United Nations agencies and other human rights organisations.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Public reports have focused mainly on certain discrimination and social difficulties faced by minorities in the state. Human rights are, however, generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and generally responded to their views.

Serbia

Serbia is a constitutional democracy and is a party, inter alia, to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in Serbia in detail in connection with applications for asylum from Serbian citizens.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a federal republic with 26 cantons. Switzerland is one of the parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Switzerland is also a member of the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected by the government and both domestic and foreign human rights organisations have worked there without barriers. The government has cooperated with representatives of human rights organisations and acted on their views.

Montenegro

Montenegro is a constitutional democracy and is a party to all major human rights treaties, including the Geneva Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. Human rights are generally respected in Montenegro and there is no systematic persecution of people. Montenegro has the status of a candidate country for membership of the European Union, and the negotiations have reached an advanced stage. The Directorate of Immigration has examined the situation in Montenegro and it is clear that all prerequisites exist to define Montenegro as a safe state.