The German parliament has adopted a draft law that classifies the North African states of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco as well as Georgia as safe countries of origin.
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said once the law is approved by the German Federal Council, asylum procedures for people arriving from these countries will be
accelerated.
He added that the return procedure of rejected applicants to their home country will also be sped up. According to the German constitution, safe countries of origin are countries in which there is neither political persecution nor inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment.