When “Safe Countries” aren’t safe for women

This year, World Refugee Day focuses on the right to seek safety, while the Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary. At a time when European states increasingly use the language of “safety” to restrict access to asylum, this theme takes on even greater significance and invites reflection on what “safe” really means today. Can a country truly be considered safe when protection against violence exists in law but not in practice? The idea behind the concept of Safe Country of Origin (SCO) may seem simple: countries considered “safe” are presumed to protect their citizens and safeguard fundamental rights. Yet the reality faced by women fleeing domestic and sexual violence is often far more complex. Assessing these claims requires looking beyond formal legal protections and examining whether violence is tolerated in practice and whether state authorities are genuinely willing and able to prevent it. When these realities are overlooked, presumptions of safety can undermine women’s access to protection.