A Safe Third Country is a nation designated by immigration authorities as safe for asylum seekers to enter and seek protection. Under certain international agreements, asylum seekers are required to apply for asylum in the first safe third country they enter, rather than continuing to another country to apply.

The concept of a Safe Third Country is used to manage asylum applications and prevent “asylum shopping,” where individuals move through multiple countries to apply for asylum in a preferred destination.

Key Features:

1. Safety Assessment: The country must be deemed safe for asylum seekers, with a functioning asylum system, protection against refoulement (forced return), and adherence to international human rights standards.
2. Bilateral or Multilateral Agreements: Safe third country agreements are often established between neighboring countries or regions, such as the agreement between the United States and Canada.
3. Return and Processing: Asylum seekers who enter a country with such an agreement may be returned to the safe third country to have their asylum claim processed.

Impact on Asylum Seekers:

1. First Country of Asylum: Asylum seekers are expected to apply for protection in the first safe country they enter.
2. Limited Choice: Individuals may have limited options to choose their preferred destination for asylum.
3. Legal Challenges: Asylum seekers may challenge the designation of a country as safe based on their individual circumstances.

Etymology:

The term “safe” comes from the Old French “sauf,” meaning “protected” or “uninjured.” “Third” is derived from the Old English “þridda,” meaning “number three in a sequence,” and “country” comes from the Old French “contrée,” meaning “land” or “region.”