The list of Safe Countries of Origin remains unchanged
The Royal Decree from 7 May 2013 establishing the list of safe countries of origin was published today in the Belgian Official Gazette. The government lists the same countries as for the previous year.
The federal government has issued a new list of "safe countries of origin". These are the same seven countries as last year:
1. Albania
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. FYROM (Macedonia)
4. India
5. Kosovo
6. Montenegro
7. and Serbia
The fact that an asylum applicant originates from a safe country of origin does not automatically mean that his/her application will not be considered. But the asylum applicant himself/herself will have to put forward substantial arguments to demonstrate his/her fear of persecution.
More (only in French/Dutch) in the Royal Decree of 7 May 2013.