UNHCR Baltic and Nordic Headlines (uutiskirje)

[Roope]

Thursday 4 November to Friday 5 November 2010

Finland

Finland returns some asylum-seekers to Greece
According to head of the asylum unit at the Finnish Immigration Service Esko Repo, the problems in Greece are known in all of the EU countries, and Finland constantly follows the development in Greece. Although some asylum-seekers are sent back to Greece, persons in a vulnerable state, such as minors, the sick, lonely women and families with children are not returned. At the moment Finland waits for new recommendations to soon be published by the European Court of Human Rights. Repo says that Finland has made approximately one hundred deportation decisions to Greece this year. About 10 per cent of them have been enforced. The cases of persons in a vulnerable situation are directly processed in Finland.
YLE 3 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8G0ED

Immigrants learning Swedish over Finnish face problems
Finland's integration policy calls for newcomers to learn either of the country's two official languages. However, many immigrants who have learned Swedish say they feel shortchanged, as knowledge of the Finnish language is a vital skill in the labor market. Minority Ombudsman Eva Biaudet says that newcomers learning Swedish have had many good experiences. Nevertheless, many immigrants feel they have studied Swedish in vain. Paula Kuusipalo, an official at the Ministry of the Interior's migration department, says she has been the target of many angry complaints from refugees and immigrants who were directed to Swedish-language courses in Ostrobothnia. Biaudet notes that immigrants must be given the opportunity to choose whether they want to study Finnish or Swedish, adding that newcomers should be given an accurate picture of Finnish society.
YLE 4 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8H0EE


Sweden

Request to halt returns of Iraqis appealing to ECtHR
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has requested Sweden and other European countries to stop scheduled deportations of Iraqis who have appealed to ECtHR. So far, only seven planned deportations of Iraqis have been cancelled in Sweden, after the Iraqis themselves had appealed to ECtHR. Thomas Hammarberg, European Council Commissioner for Human Rights, states that ECtHR will now determine whether it is possible to return Iraqis to certain parts of Iraq without risking violation of their human rights. Sören Clerton, Head of Border Control of the Swedish National Police Board, says that deportations to Iraq will continue until further notice from the Migration Board.
Sveriges Radio 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8I0EF

Baby girl granted asylum due to risk of genital mutilation
A ten-month old Eritrean girl will be granted asylum after the Migration Court in Gothenburg assessed that she would be at great risk of genital mutilation in Eritrea. Due to the girl's young age, the mother has been granted with a Swedish residence permit.
Sveriges Radio 3 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8J0EG

[Roope]

Saturday 06 November to Monday 08 November 2010

Denmark

Changes to immigration legislation
After negotiations on Saturday night with Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Peter Skaarup, the legal spokesperson of the Danish People's Party (DF), wants to establish a deportation unit within the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. The government also wants to replace the 24-year rule for family-reunification with a points system that rewards immigrants who are in employment, and also includes demands on the family member who will move to Denmark through family reunification. Moreover, an Immigration Commission has been given the task of investigating the cost of immigration to Danish society. Peter Skaarup also announces that, in the future, foreigners will be charged a fee to be reunited with their families.
Politiken 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6A0E5
Danmarks Radio 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6B0E6
Jyllandsposten 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6C0E7

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 7 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6D0E8
Sveriges Television 7 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6E0EA

Sweden

8 per cent of development aid to refugee reception in Sweden
More than 8 per cent of the development aid budget for 2010 is allocated to the financing of refugee reception in Sweden. The number has doubled since 2006.
Sveriges Radio 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6F0EB

Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy critical of Greece
Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, are very critical of Greece for its incapacity to deal with the increased influx of asylum-seekers, following failed border control. Billström points out that Greece does not even have a minister to deal with the issue. The Swedish Migration board recently decided to stop returns of asylum-seekers to Greece under the Dublin regulation. Billström, however, says that asylum-seekers could instead be forcibly returned to other countries they have traveled through on their way to Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6G0EC
Svenska Dagbladet 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6H0ED

Many Iraqis unaware of possibility to appeal to ECtHR
Rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers may be allowed to stay in Sweden. After receiving a request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the Migration Board decided to stop forced returns to Iraq providing that the rejected asylum-seeker had appealed to ECtHR. Few Iraqis are however aware of this possibility and some have been advised by their legal representatives that there is no use appealing. Lawyer Krister Hellström at the Swedish Red Cross says that there is a great risk that Iraqis will remain unaware of the possibility to appeal, and that the Red Cross will now print forms to facilitate appeals. The Migration Board does not plan to spread information about the possibility to apply for inhibition of returns. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that asylum-seekers can receive information through their legal representatives. But rejected asylum-seekers no longer have legal representation. The Migration Board continues to forcibly return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq, as long as they have not appealed to ECtHR.
Sveriges Television 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6I0EE

[Roope]

Tuesday 9 November to Thursday 10 November 2010

Denmark

Budget agreement includes DF demands of "earned welfare benefits"
The Danish People's Party (DF) has received support for the principle that persons who come to Denmark as immigrants or refugees shall not have the same access to welfare services and payments as others. The child care benefit and the people's pension are the first benefits to be affected by the decision; the group leader of DF, Kristian Thulesen Dahl, comments after the government has entered a budget agreement with DF and the Christian Democratic Party. According to the new agreement, the time a refugee has lived in his or her country of origin will not be included in the calculation of the people's pension. This means that the same rules will apply for refugees as for other immigrants. To give refugees time to adjust to the new rules, a ten-year transitional period will precede the implementation of the new rules. The parties also agree that recipients of child care benefits must have been living in Denmark for at least two of the past ten years to qualify for the full payment. Moreover, the parties have appointed a cross-party committee which will investigate foreigners' right of access to public services – this will include both benefit payments and welfare services. The committee is expected to present its preliminary proposals in March.
Danmarks Radio 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiH30E7
Berlingske Tidende 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiH60EB
Jyllands-Posten 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIC0EP

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 9 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiID0EQ


Finland

Youth league of Coalition Party: asylum-seekers do not need income support
The youth league of the Finnish Coalition Party would pay asylum-seekers only for food and accommodation. The league also demands that Finland should be made less attractive for asylum-seekers with unfounded claims. The League is strict about family reunification, and says the right to it should be reserved for employed immigrants. According to the League, the family should be supported without social benefits.
Aamulehti 9 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIG0ET

Greens to immigrants: learn Finnish or lose benefits
The Green League of Finland is calling for immigrants, especially those with refugee backgrounds, to learn Finnish or Swedish, or risk reductions in income support subsidies. The party says it is particularly alarmed by the poor language skills among stay-at-home immigrant mothers. The party wants to motivate newcomers by tying social welfare benefits to language class attendance. They also want to see more immigrant mothers in the workforce as their children grow. Labour Minister and Green Party chair Anni Sinnemäki says it is not only a right but a duty to learn the language of a new home country, because it will help integration into society.
YLE 8 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIH0EU


Norway

UDI wants to open 30 new return centres
UDI wants to open 30 new return centres with 100-200 places each for asylum seekers who have received a final rejection on their application for asylum. Staffing and security will be comparable to regular asylum centres. Previously, 250 persons were living in so called "waiting centres", in addition to the 4000 rejected asylum seekers living in regular asylum centres. According to UDI-director Ida Børresen, the waiting centres were not functioning as they should since residents did not choose to voluntarily return. She hopes that the new return centres with more return-oriented activities will be more effective.
Dagbladet 9 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiII0EV
Verdens Gang 9 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIJ0EW


Sweden

Migration Court puts family reunification over verified identity
Five Somali children between two and ten years of age will now reunite with their parents in Sweden, who have already been granted residence permits. The Migration Court annulled the previous decision by the Migration Board, according to which the children would not be allowed family reunification in Sweden. The Migration Board stated that the identities of the children could not be verified, although DNA tests proved kinship with the couple in Sweden. The Migration Court agrees that the identities of the children cannot be authenticated, but argues that the right to family reunification is more important.
Sveriges Television 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIK0EX
Sveriges Radio 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIL0EY

Deportations to Iraq continue - many unaware of possibility to appeal
Deportations from Sweden of Iraqi asylum-seekers continue, in spite of the request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to stop forced returns until ECtHR has tried whether such returns violate human rights. Iraqis who appeal to ECtHR are temporarily exempted from deportation, but many are not aware of this opportunity. According to Amnesty, the procedure does not follow rule of law and the Migration Board should actively inform all concerned. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that information has been published on the Migration Board website. A few thousand Iraqis await deportation from Sweden. Forced returns will continue  as usual for those who are not aware of the possibility to appeal to ECtHR.
Dagens Nyheter I:12 9 November 2010 (in Swedish)

Fathers forced to return to home countries to apply for asylum
The Swedish Alien's Act was amended in July this year, to facilitate for asylum-seekers to apply for residence permits when in Sweden, if they have become parents during the asylum assessment period. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that several fathers have been forcibly returned recently, in spite of the new law. According to Ribbenvik, the amendments to the law only apply to uncomplicated cases, but not when there are uncertainties surrounding e.g. identity or passports, in which case the applicant has to return to his or her country of origin to apply for asylum in Sweden. Ribbenvik says that much of the bureaucracy that characterised the old law is still present in the amended law. The Migration Board communicated to the government at an early stage that they wanted more far-reaching amendments to the law to address the problematic situation.
Sveriges Radio 10 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIM0EZ

[Roope]

Thursday 11 November to Friday 12 November 2010

Finland

Immigrant from Vantaa elected Father of the Year 2010
A teacher and father of four children Abdishakur Moalin was elected as one of three "fathers of the year 2010". With his actions he has promoted integration of immigrant children. Moalin moved to Finland from Somalia around twenty years ago. He also wants to encourage other parents to activate their children in society. The award was given on Thursday by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Juha Rehula. The title has been rewarded since 2006.
YLE 11 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSW0E8

Norway

Unsatisfactory placement of unaccompanied minors
A new report reveals that homes were found for only 27 per cent of unaccompanied minor refugees within three months of arriving in Norway. Government targets state that unaccompanied minors should be housed within three months – in reality, it takes on average 5.6 months before a place is found. Although homes were found for 606 unaccompanied minors - almost three times as many as the previous year - 7 per cent fewer were housed within the recommended time period. The Office of the Auditor General, which published the report, emphasizes that unaccompanied minors are an especially vulnerable group with specific needs. Those aged 15 to 18, in particular, often have to wait a long time for a place. Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Association of Asylum-Seekers, explains that unaccompanied minors are in a very vulnerable position from the start and that any added insecurity only makes their situation worse.
Verdens Gang 11 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSX0EA

Danish minister wants to build orphanage in Afghanistan
Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration, and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn-Hornbech, wants to build an orphanage in Kabul, to which unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers from Afghanistan can be sent. The Danish government hopes to save 75 million DKK by building the orphanage because it is cheaper to help child refugees in their home country, according to the government.
Verdens Gang 10 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSY0EB

Sweden

Police may have to cancel deportation flight to Iraq
Twenty-five of the 7000 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden have turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to apply for inhibition of their forced return to Iraq. The Swedish Migration Board has only halted returns of those who have appealed to ECtHR. More applications to ECtHR are expected in the coming days, and the police may have to cancel the deportation flight to Iraq scheduled to the 17th of November.
Sveriges Radio 11 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSZ0EC
Dagens Nyheter 11 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSa0EJ

No review of law forcing parents to return home to apply for asylum
The Swedish Alien's Act was recently amended so that asylum-seekers who have had children when in Sweden should not have to apply for asylum in their countries of origin. But many parents are still forced to return to their home countries to apply for asylum from there. The law was criticised by the Migration Board and the Ombudsman for Children for exposing asylum-seekers to unnecessary risks. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board thinks that the law is still too strict. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason to review the law. He says that the main rule is that applicants should have a permit to come to Sweden before entering the country. Billström also states problems with trafficking of children must be considered in the application of the rule, and that Sweden must know who enters Swedish territory.
Sveriges Radio 10 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSb0EK

Less than 1/6 of Migration Board interpreters authorised
Less than 1000 out of the 6000 interpreters used by the Migration Board are authorised. Only 6 per cent of the 200,000 interpreter hours in 2009 were carried out by interpreters with competence in legal affairs. Anne Ramberg, Director of the Swedish Bar Association, says that asylum-seekers risk rejection due to not having made themselves understood. She adds that the use of unqualified interpreters might risk the rule of law. Authorisation tests are only carried out in 36 languages, whereas the Migration Board meets applicants speaking altogether over 100 languages. So far this year, almost 5,000 Somalis have applied for asylum in Sweden, but there are only 11 authorised Somali-speaking interpreters in the country.
Sveriges Radio 12 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSc0EL

[Roope]

Saturday 13 November to Monday 15 November 2010

Finland

Support for asylum-seekers to be registered in law
The government is proposing a legislative change to the law on the reception of asylum-seekers this week. The new law suggests that adult asylum-seekers be paid reception money, and unaccompanied minors spending money instead of the current income support. The reception money paid for an adult living alone would amount to 290 euros. If the asylum-seeker receives meals at the reception center, the amount is 85 euros. The support is approximately two euros less than the current income support. Last year, 6,000 persons sought asylum in Finland. This year the estimate is for 4,000 applications. The state pays for all the costs of asylum-seekers. For one person living a year in a reception center the costs are estimated to be 14,900 euros.
Verkkouutiset 14 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2an0E3

Immigration costs 300 million euros for one year
The state of Finland paid in total around 290 million euros for immigration last year. Municipalities participated with 26 million euros. The Ministry of the Interior used 18.6 million euros for the expenses of the Immigration Service. The reception costs of refugees and asylum-seekers ware 62.1 million euros, which included the income support paid for asylum-seekers. Altogether there were 5,988 asylum applications, where decisions were made on 4,335 cases. Asylum was granted for 1,373 persons (32 per cent). In 2009, 155,700 foreign nationals lived in Finland. There were 17,800 immigrants, of whom 2,650 were refugees.
Verkkouutiset 14 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2ao0E4

Sweden

Parishes in the Church of Sweden plead for halt of returns to Iraq
Four Christian parishes in the Church of Sweden plead for a temporary halt of deportations of Iraqis from Gothenburg. Henrik Törnqvist, vicar at the Bergsjön parish in Gothenburg, says that deportations to Iraq sends asylum-seekers back to a life of recurrent attacks and legal insecurity, where their lives are at risk. Törnqvist says that many Iraqis fear being scrutinised when telling of kidnappings, murder and terror, due to their ethnicity or religious beliefs. UNHCR has recommended EU countries to stop forced returns to Iraq. Civil Rights Defenders in Sweden has also urged for a stop to the deportations of Iraqis.
Sveriges Radio 15 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2ap0E5
Svenska Dagbladet 15 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2aq0E6

[Roope]

Tuesday 16 November to Friday 19 November 2010

Denmark

Denmark praised for quick asylum decisions
Denmark may be set to become the European country with the shortest handling time for asylum claims. The average time it takes to process an application has decreased from five months to two months. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), commends the Danish authorities for the increased efficiency of the asylum process which has resulted from targeted organisational restructuring. However, Kamm also points out that the situation of rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be sent home remains problematic, and calls for a political solution to this issue.
Jyllands-Posten 17 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvp0EB

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvq0EC

Frequent amendments to immigration laws
If the newest immigration agreement between the the Liberals, the Conservatives, and the Danish People's Party passes, it will be the 18th amendment to immigration laws since the current government took office in 2001, according to a survey by the newspaper Politiken. Johannes Lund Andersen, Associate Professor of Political Science and Administration at Aalborg University, believes such a large number of legislative changes ultimately weakens respect for the law. Tage Gøttsche, member of the Association of Immigration Lawyers, complains that the many changes make his work – and the work of his colleagues - more difficult, and calls the situation undesirable. Integration spokesperson of the Conservatives, Naser Khader, says that because the immigration field is dynamic, the relatively frequent legislative changes are required to address new issues as they arise.
Danmarks Radio 18 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvr0ED

Many refugees will not qualify for family reunification
Refugees on Bornholm risk being hit hard by the new points system for family reunification. Most refugees on Bornholm – an island off the eastern coast of Denmark – are quota refugees who initially live on 4000 DKK per month provided by the government. This makes it virtually impossible for them to come up with the 100 000 DKK bank guarantee required in the new rules. In addition to the bank guarantee, the new points system will reward higher education qualifications, relevant work experience, and language skills. Susanne Andersen of the Society of Bornholm's Refugee Friends (Bornholms Flygtningevenner) cannot understand why the same rules should apply to refugees as to those who have chosen to come to Denmark for other reasons. Currently, between 220 and 250 refugees - mostly from Burma, Iraq, Ex-Yugoslavia, Bhutan, and Syria - are living on Bornholm.
Danmarks Radio 19 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvs0EE

Finland

Honor-based violence feared to increase in Finland
Refugee Woman of the Year 2010 Nasima Razmyar tells an example of honor-based violence. If the daughter is decent, she is her father's girl, but if she is blamed for being indecent, she is seen as raised by her mother, Razmyar considers. At worst, the violence turns into murder. In everyday life honor-based violence is about restricting hobbies, studies, clothing and interfering in the social life of women, Razmyar clarifies. She spoke at a seminar on the cultural and gender-sensitive work with girls in Turku about the growth challenges of girls with an immigrant background. According to Razmyar, the violence has become more brutal and the victims younger. She hopes that the legislators would see the importance of preventive action because it is clearly more inexpensive than crisis work.
Turun Sanomat 16 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvt0EF

Norway

Jagland warns against forced returns
According to Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been clear in its request that Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom should cease deportations to Iraq because of the deterioration of the security situation. In a press release he claims that forcibly deporting persons to Iraq goes against the decision of ECHR, and that all 47 Council members should respect the decision of the court.
Verdens Gang 17 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvu0EG

No Norwegian halt to deportations to Iraq
A Swedish flight with rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers destined for Baghdad was cancelled after Swedish authorities were contacted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, had also publicly called for a stop to Iraqi deportations. Both are of the opinion that the current security situation in Iraq is too critical to permit the forced return of asylum-seekers to the country. This year, Norway has deported 132 persons to Iraq – an additional 470 have chosen to voluntarily return. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, says that Norway is not planning to halt departures to Iraq, adding that asylum claims will continue to be assessed by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) based on their individual merits.
Bergens Tidende 18 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvv0EH

Sweden

Deportation flight to Iraq halted
The forced return of 30 Iraqis to Baghdad, scheduled for Wednesday 17 November was cancelled by the Migration Board. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that also the ten Iraqis whose cases were not considered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are allowed to stay temporarily in Sweden. ECtHR has requested the Migration Board to stop the forced return of around 200 individuals to Iraq, but the Migration Board does not want to issue a general halt of deportations. ECtHR has had about 400 applications from Sweden regarding inhibition of deportations to Iraq and now investigates whether it is safe for Iraqis to be returned to certain areas in Iraq, including Baghdad. Billström says that several Swedish authorities have informed on how and where to appeal to ECtHR, and that the information was not concealed from rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. The ECtHR ruling on whether it is safe to return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq is expected on 24 November.
Sveriges Television 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvw0EI
Sveriges Radio 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvx0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvy0EK
Göteborgsposten 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvz0EL
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv10E7
Sveriges Radio 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv20E8

European Council and Swedish Migration board criticise each other
Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the European Council, criticises Sweden for continuing to deport rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq, despite the request from European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to halt forced returns to the country. The Migration Board states that they have never received instructions to stop all deportations, only to halt the deportation of certain individuals. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that there is confusion in ECtHR, and mentions that ECtHR had made several mistakes in the list of Iraqis for whom they demanded that deportation should be temporarily halted. Swedish MEP Cecilia Wikström (Liberal Party) says that it is inhumane and deeply unworthy of Sweden to continue deportations to Iraq, and that Sweden should follow ECtHR recommendations. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that assessments on halting deportations need to be done on a case-by-case basis. Billström adds that the Migration Board has never acted in opposition to ECtHR rulings and dismisses the critique from the European Council.
Dagens Nyheter 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv30EA
Svenska Dagbladet 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv40EB
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv50EC
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv60ED

Migration Board: minorities in Iraq not generally threatened
Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that the safety situation in Iraq has improved. Ribbenvik adds that the situation for minorities, not only Christian Iraqis but also Palestinians and homosexuals, has deteriorated and that many have protection needs. Attacks against Christians in Iraq are increasing, and on the 31st of October, 60 persons were killed in an attack against a church in Baghdad. According to the Migration Board, many areas are safe to return to, especially in northern Iraq. After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Sweden received over half of the Iraqi asylum-seekers who turned to the West. In 2007, the Swedish Migration Board however stated that there was no longer an armed conflict in Iraq, and that each case would be assessed individually. Ribbenvik says that no refugees are returned to Iraq, and that about 50 % of the Iraqi asylum-seekers are deemed to have protection needs, and are allowed to stay in Sweden. Anders Sundquist, Director of the Swedish Refugee Advice Centre, says that Iraqis are sent back to unsafe surroundings. Ribbenvik states that he believes the Migration Board has sound knowledge on the situation in Iraq, after a recent visit to the country, and that the Migration Board is currently better informed on the situation in Iraq than European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Ribbenvik says that UNHCR has turned to ECtHR and that the UN agency fears that returns from Europe to Iraq will lead to returns of Iraqis from Syria and Jordan. Ribbenvik states that this would in all likelihood destabilise Iraq, but adds that the Swedish Migration Board cannot take into consideration such external circumstances. According to Sundquist, many Iraqis in Sweden are unaware on where and how to appeal. Ribbenvik replies that the Migration Board has published information regarding the possibility to appeal on their website.
TV4 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv70EE
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv60ED
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv80EF
Svenska Dagbladet 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwA0EP
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvy0EK

ECtHR rulings not legally binding for Sweden
Many Iraqis cannot or do not dare return to Iraq, and UNHCR has criticised forced returns from EU countries to Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk and other places for a long time, due to the unsafe situation there. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has demanded that deportations to Iraq be temporarily halted until the 24 November, so that ECtHR may investigate whether deportations risk violating the human rights for the Iraqis. ECtHR rulings are not legally binding for Sweden, but the Swedish government most often chose to follow ECtHR recommendations.
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwB0EQ
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwC0ER

[Roope]

Saturday 20 November to Monday 22 November 2010

Denmark

Widespread poverty among old immigrants
Only 1.1 per cent of ethnically Danish pensioners live on less than half of the median income, and would therefore be considered poor according to OECD's relative definition of poverty. However, for older immigrants from non-western countries, the figure is much higher – 27.4 per cent in this group are living in poverty. The reason for this is that you have to have lived in Denmark for at least 40 years to qualify for the full people's pension. Previously, those who came to Denmark as refugees were exempt from this rule, but according to the 2011 financial agreement, they too will have to earn their right to people's pension. According to Jonas Schytz Juul, of the Economic Council of the Labour Movement, there is no doubt that the new legislation will result in increased poverty among older refugees.
Politiken 22 Novemeber 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpd0E8

Denmark returns Iraqis to bloodbath
The Danish government has neglected to protect Iraqi asylum-seekers from the sectarian bloodbath that is plaguing the country, according to Information. Leaked American war documents provide detailed insights into the situation on the ground. The leaked material shows that religiously based violence, particularly between Shia and Sunni Muslims, peaked during 2006 and 2007. Accounts also tell of assassinations and bombs targeting mosques and Christian Iraqis. The violence continued the following years, and reports state that Iraqis, who, after having fled sectarian violence, chose to return home, were murdered. The hardest-hit areas are the central and southern parts of Iraq, where two thirds of the rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers come from. The leaked material covers the period from 2004 to the end of 2009, and contains no indication that the violence subsided in 2009. According to UNHCR, the security situation in Iraq has recently become even more critical. The acceptance rate for Iraqi asylum-seekers in Denmark has increased steadily since 2004, but it is still lower than for persons from Syria, Somalia, Iran and Afghanistan. The practice in many other European countries corresponds better to UNHCR guidelines regarding Iraq. Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, of the Danish Institute of International Studies, emphasises the importance of determining if an asylum-seeker faces a real threat of persecution or torture upon return to the country of origin. He points out the striking similarities between the information contained in the leaked documents and reports from both UNHCR and Human Rights Watch, and poses the question whether enough has been done by Danish authorities in terms of fact-finding in Iraq, and whether information gathered has been taken seriously enough.
Information 19 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpe0EA
Avisen 20 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpf0EB

Norway

No returns to peaceful Somaliland
Since 2009, no Somali asylum-seekers have been returned to Somaliland. At the same time, Norwegian authorities are working hard to promote so-called "humanitarian returns" to the war-torn south of the country. "Humanitarian returns" is a return procedure introduced by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) which should not be confused with UN-sanctioned returns - UNHCR strongly advises against returns to south Somalia.  Self-governed Somaliland in the north has practically been its own state since the civil war in the 1990s. According to UNHCR, the area is peaceful and also accepts some refugees from volatile neighbouring areas. UDI suspects that the reason why no one is returned to Somaliland is that asylum-seekers originating from the area claim to come from south Somalia to avoid being deported. The Ministry of Justice and the Police has started working on setting up a system of returns to Somaliland. It will prove a very difficult task for both legal and practical reasons, since Somaliland is not recognised as an independent nation-state, according to Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry.
Aftenposten 19 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpg0EC

Sweden

Sweden Democrats wants a points system for family migration
The Sweden Democrats (SD) wishes to see a points system for family migration in Sweden, similar to the system recently proposed in Denmark. This would mean that without several years of work experience or a PhD from one of the top 20 universities in the world, family reunification would in effect be impossible for applicants. Erik Almqvist, Political Secretary for SD, says that Sweden needs better sifting among family migrants, and that SD's ambition is to significantly limit family migration. Maria Ferm, MP for the Green Party, says that many family migrants have dire protection needs, and that it is worrying that Denmark now appears to be moving away from the right to family reunification. According to Ferm, several human rights organisations state that integration is very difficult for persons who are separated from their families. Ferm also says that family migration to Sweden is already restricted, and that this affects in particular Somalis.
Sveriges Radio 19 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUph0ED

Sweden criticised for returning unaccompanied children to Malta
In 2009, some 299 persons were returned from Sweden to Malta under the Dublin regulations. 28 of them were unaccompanied children. So far this year, six unaccompanied children have been returned to Malta. Malta has been criticised by the EU and human rights organisations for the poor treatment of asylum-seekers. UNHCR states that Malta does not satisfy the humanitarian needs of asylum-seeking children. Sweden has received criticism from the Council of Europe and the Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, for returning unaccompanied children to Malta. Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that Sweden must follow the Dublin regulations and return asylum-seekers to the first country of asylum. Billström adds that the situation in Malta is ultimately the responsibility of Malta and the EU Commission.
Sveriges Radio 22 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpi0EE

[Roope]

Tuesday 23 November to Wednesday 24 November 2010

Denmark

Fears that Syrian Kurd has been imprisoned after deportation
According to the Danish organisation Right to Asylum, Abed Mohamed Atto a Syrian Kurd who was deported to Syria one week ago, has been detained by Syrian authorities and is now locked up in the Seidnaya prison. The organisation believes there is a risk that he will stay incarcerated for a long time because of his sympathies for Partiya Yekîtiya Demokrat, a Kurdish political party. Abed Mohamed Atto came to Denmark in August 2009. He received a final rejection to his application for asylum in May 2010. He was involved in a hunger strike, along with 27 other Kurdish asylum-seekers facing deportation, in September. Right to Asylum claims that 22 of the 28 Kurds involved in the strike have previously been imprisoned and tortured in Syria. A number of the deportations were halted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as it had been determined that they came to Denmark via Greece. Nevertheless, two of the 28 who did not come through Greece have already been deported to Syria, and Right to Asylum is in contact with a further six that are awaiting deportation. According to Right to Asylum, another Kurdish asylum-seeker, who was deported in September, was also detained upon arrival in Syria and is reportedly still imprisoned. The organisation wants to refer the cases to ECtHR. The hope is that the court will stop the deportations, as it has done regarding returns to Greece and central Iraq.
Politiken 23 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDN860ZqnfK0aYE0CdMf0Ew

Sweden

Deportation of Iraqis whose return has not been inhibited
The deportation of more than 200 Iraqi asylum-seekers, scheduled to 17/11, was postponed to 24/11 and 8/12, following a demand from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Swedish Migration Board has now revoked the cancellation for the ten of the Iraqis, since ECtHR has not demanded inhibition for their cases. On 23/11, ECtHR pleaded that the deportations scheduled to 24/11 should be postponed to 8/12, which the Migration Board accepted.
Dagens Nyheter 23 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDN860ZqnfK0aYE0CdMg0Ex

[Roope]

Thursday 25 Novemeber to Friday 26 November 2010

Finland

Sweden continues to return Iraqis
Sweden has resumed the deportations of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to the Swedish Migration Board, the European Court of Human Rights does not categorically oppose deportations to Iraq. Since 2007, Iraqi asylum-seekers must undergo an individual assessment in Sweden. In 2009, over three thousand applications by Iraqis were rejected, and around 1,500 persons were granted asylum.
YLE 24 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCB0En

Norway

Halted deportation to Iraq
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has called on Norway to halt the deportation of a rejected asylum-seeker to Iraq. The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has confirmed that the deportation has been halted until they hear from ECtHR again. The deterioration of the security situation in Iraq has been given as reason for the suspension of the deportation order. The request by the court does not automatically influence other cases, but the reasoning of the court will be taken into account when decisions are made by UNE. According to Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, the government has no plans for a general stop of returns to Iraq. Lønseth adds that the government has complete faith that UNE can make an adequate assessment of the situation.
Aftenposten 25 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCE0Eq

Sweden

ID requirements obstructing Somali family reunification
It is almost impossible for the 245 unaccompanied Somali refugee children in Sweden to reunite with their parents. In March this year, the Migration Board introduced stricter identification requirements for family members. However, the Migration Board does not recognise Somali ID documents issued after the civil war broke out in 1991. Fredrik Löndahl, judge at the Migration Court in Malmö, says that the requirements are too strict and do not stem either from the Alien's Act or from rulings by the Migration Court of Appeal. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that identification requirements are needed to control who resides on Swedish territory and to prevent human trafficking. Billström says that he sees no immediate solution to the negative effects on Somali applicants.
26 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCG0Es

ECtHR lifts halt of returns to Iraq
The European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) has revoked the general halt of forced returns to Iraq and will now try cases reported to ECtHR individually. The 300 Iraqis whose return from Sweden to Iraq was inhibited by ECtHR will be allowed to stay in Sweden temporarily.
Dagens Nyheter 25 November I: 22 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 24 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCI0Eu

[Roope]

Saturday 27 November to Monday 29 November 2010


Denmark

Refugees leave for 118,000 DKK
An increasing number of refugees and immigrants, who have been granted permanent residency permits, choose to leave the country and return to their country of origin for a lump sum payment of 118,000 DKK. In addition to this Denmark also pays for transportation costs. Those who choose to return can also apply for a lifelong pension-like payment. In the first ten months of this year 332 refugees and immigrants accepted the payment to return to their home country. In the last five years, an average of only 158 people a year chose to do so. Previously, each adult who chose to return was given 29,000 DKK – now that amount has risen to 118,000 DKK. The Danish People's Party would like to see the amount increased even more.
Jyllands-Posten 27 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjb0E4
Politiken 27 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjc0E5


Finland

Iraqi returnees disappointed with situation at home
The majority of voluntarily returned Iraqis aim at leaving Iraq again, The New York Times reports. The returning refugees are disappointed because the country is still seen as unsafe and there are not enough job opportunities and other basic prerequisites available. In a survey conducted by the UN, 61 per cent of the returnees in Baghdad regretted having returned to Iraq. 87 per cent of them considered that they cannot earn enough to support their families. After last spring, asylum applications in Syria have risen considerably. After 2003 over 2 million Iraqis have fled the violence abroad. After 2008 around 100,000 refugees have returned back to Iraq.
YLE 27 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjd0E6

N.B. This story was also covered in the United States:
The New York Times 26 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwje0E7


Norway

Asylum-seekers refused return because of fines
Many asylum-seekers who want to return voluntarily cannot do this because of unpaid fines. When the police conduct a check of an asylum-seeker who wants to return home voluntarily, and outstanding fines are discovered, the asylum-seeker may not be allowed to participate in the return program. This happens to one out of five asylum-seekers who opt for voluntary return. Hugo Limkjær, manager of Hol reception centre, has experienced cases where asylum-seekers were distraught that they could not return because of outstanding fines. This can result in asylum-seekers not being able to return for long periods of time. The average price tag for the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to place an asylum-seeker at a centre is 103,750 NOK a year.
Aftenposten 27 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjf0E8

[Roope]

Tuesday 30 November to Wednesday 1 December 2010


Finland

The Finnish Immigration Service is trying to get rid of paperwork
The Finnish Immigration System has now begun to use a new electronic case management system. The new data system will handle all applications regarding asylum-seekers electronically and will replace the previous registration system. Starting from 2011 it will be possible to register the asylum application online and each client will be able to follow their personal asylum process on the website. This new system is expected to shorten the processing times for applications, improve costumer service, and bring significant cost savings.
Taloussanomat 1 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPMj0ZqnfK0aYE0C6bc0Ej

[Roope]

Thursday 02 December to Friday 03 December 2010

Denmark

Ministers oppose asylum proposals
Conservative ministers of integration from several EU member countries have voiced their opposition to closer EU cooperation when it comes to asylum policy. They want existing rules to be fully implemented before new ones are proposed. Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, says that Denmark supports this position. EU proposals for the streamlining of asylum policy and increased solidarity with Malta and Greece are some of the things that the European Parliament group of conservative parties has criticised. The conservative ministers are also critical to a suspension of the Dublin Regulation. Because of the 1992 Edinburgh agreement that granted Denmark certain exceptions from the Maastricht Treaty, Denmark is not affected by most EU rules on asylum policy.
Berlingske Tidende 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5W0Ev
Jyllands-Posten 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5X0Ew

Massive protests against short hearing times
Very short hearing times increase the risk of poor legislation, a number of concerned organisations tell Parliament. It is claimed that the hearing time for legislative proposals has become so short that a real risk exists that the quality of legislation is adversely affected. In a letter to Parliament, 25 organisations (including the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, The Catholic Church in Denmark, Save the Children Denmark, and the Danish Refugee Council) criticise the handling of a legislative proposal related to fee changes in the Aliens Act. A draft version of this proposal, known as proposal 66, was submitted for a hearing on 11 November. The scheduled hearing time lasted until 15 November. On 17 November a legislative proposal was made, and the Ministry's summary of responses from the hearing was published on 18 November. The organisations find it completely unacceptable to allow for less than three working days of hearing time.
Berlingske Tidende 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5Y0Ex

Finland

Finland gets a new Director of the Migration Department
The Finnish government appoints Kristina Stenman as new director of the Ministry of the Interior's Migration Department. Currently Stenman works as Deputy Mayor of the City of Vaasa. Stenman will begin her new job on 1 January 2011. The Migration Department develops legislation on migration, is responsible for the integration of immigrants, and promotes good ethnic relations. Stenman has previously worked as a researcher at the Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University and as director of the Refugee Advice Center.
YLE 2 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5Z0Ey
YLE 2 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5a0E6

Finnish municipalities get increased financial support for refugees
The Finnish government has augmented its budget for next year with approximately 60 million euro. Among those getting more money are the municipalities. Starting from next year their budget for refugees is increased with ten per cent, which is approximately two million euros. From September next year the municipalities will be compensated for quota refugees for a period of four years instead of three. The government hopes that the changes will speed up the resettlement of refugees in municipalities.
YLE 1 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5b0E7

Sweden

Policy change for integration of refugees
On 1 December the Swedish Public Employment Service took over the main responsibility for integration of refugees, which the municipalities were previously tasked with. One of the reasons for the new integration policy is that recent arrivals have had great trouble entering the labour market.
Sveriges Television 1 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5c0E8
TV4 1 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5d0EA

Deportation flight to Iraq scheduled to 15 December
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has notified the Swedish authorities that it has taken up the cases of a further 598 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. ECtHR has indicated that Sweden should stop returning refugees to Iraq, but the Swedish Migration Board will only halt the deportations of individuals being considered by ECtHR, says Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board. The United Nations and human rights organisations have previously called on Sweden to halt the deportations, as the situation in Iraq is regarded as unsafe, especially for Christians. The Border Police in Gothenburg says that the next deportation flight to Iraq is scheduled for 15 December.
Sveriges Television 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5e0EB
2 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5f0EC

Pressure on Greece to improve living conditions for asylum-seekers
The demands on Greece to improve living conditions for asylum-seekers in the country are increasing, says Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, after the EU ministerial meeting on 2 December. Billström adds that people's wellbeing is badly affected by the winter weather. The Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, says that tens of thousands of asylum-seekers in Greece are treated in a way that is neither worthy of European norms, nor compatible with European law.
Sveriges Radio 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5g0ED

[Roope]

Saturday 4 December to Monday 6 December 2010


Sweden

Many deported Iraqis again flee their country
Many of the 45 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers deported from Sweden in Feburary 2009 have again fled their country to for example Greece, Syria, Tyrkey, and even Sweden. Others live in hiding in Iraq. According to the 2008 repatriation treaty between Sweden and Iraq, those who are returned to Iraq shall not have to fear harassment, threats, or persecution. The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström says that Sweden has no responsibility for asylum-seekers once they have been deported, and that it is up to the Iraqi government to deal with their protection. This is criticised by Swedish MP Jabar Amin (Green Party), who says that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of anyone outside of the Green Zone in Baghdad. Both Amin and Swedish MP Abir al-Sahlani (Centre Party) believe that the Migration Board has interpreted the asylum regulations too narrowly in the case of Iraqis. Billström says that many more need to be deported to Iraq, since the number of deportees do not add up to the amount of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1m0ER
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1n0ES
Sveriges Radio 6 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1o0ET

Handcuffs and other restrictions of movement on deportation flights
Rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers who do not leave Sweden voluntarily should be returned step-by-step, humanely, and orderly, according to the repatriation treaty between Sweden and Iraq. But during the deportations to Iraq in 2009, handcuffs, leg cuffs, waste cuffs, and hoods to prevent spitting were used on the deportees. Christer Isaksson, Head of Security of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, says that the agency is trying to perform their tasks in the best way possible, and that they take measures to treat the deportees as humanely as they possibly can.
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1p0EU

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Hendricks on meeting refugees in Ethiopia
Barbara Hendricks, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for Life, recently met with refugees in Ethiopia during an advocacy visit organised by the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries. Hendricks says that when she looked into the eyes of the refugee children, she realised that she could as well have been looking at her own children, and that she feels compelled do defend the human rights of the refugees. Hendricks stresses that we also have to respect and tolerate people we meet in our everyday life even though it can be difficult at times.
Sveriges Television 6 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1q0EV

Quota refugees informed on life in Sweden
The municipality-led project Landa [Land], which has introduced some 80 quota refugees to life in Sweden prior to their departure, will now be evaluated. Landa started in 2009 and has since run 1 ½-day courses for refugees about to be resettled. The refugees seen pictures and films about Sweden, and read letters from refugees who have already settled in the country. The future of the project is unclear, since the main responsibility for integration was recently transferred from the municipalities to the Swedish Public Employment Service.
Sveriges Radio 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1r0EW

[Roope]

Tuesday 07 December to Wednesday 08 December 2010

Finland

A citizenship test for immigrants gets support in the Finnish Parliament
According to a survey by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, a majority of the chairmen of the parliamentary groups support a citizenship test for immigrants. Last week the Administration Committee of the Finnish Parliament asked the government for a report on whether Finland should introduce citizenship tests for immigrants. Citizenship tests are used in several EU countries. The test would measure the applicant's knowledge of Finnish history, culture and society.

YLE Uutiset 7 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazE0Ep

Norway

More asylum-seekers opt for voluntary return
A new study from the Institute for Social Research shows that more asylum-seekers return to their country of origin through the voluntary return procedure than through forced returns. The voluntary procedure was introduced in 2002. It is an alternative to deportation for those who do not have the right to stay in Norway. It offers financial incentives for foreigners to return home. According to Jan-Paul Brekke, who has conducted the historical study of the supported voluntary return procedure in Norway, the numbers of voluntary and forced returns has developed in parallel. The voluntary return procedure also legitimises the authorities work with deportations. Jan-Paul Brekke underlines that the voluntary return procedure should only be used when the conditions in the home country are secure. Security is more important than financial considerations, he adds.
Aftenposten 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazF0Eq
NRK 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazG0Er
Verdens Gang 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazH0Es



UNHCR in the news

Skype develops new version with lower bandwidth for UNHCR
Skype has developed a customized version of the online telephone service for use by UNHCR staff in hardship locations. The new version requires less bandwidth than the regular version, since internet connections at remote locations are not as fast as connections in developed countries. The new version supports both the video and telephone function and will be available free of charge to UNHCR staff at 120 locations around the world. Currently, UNHCR staff, who can be separated from their loved ones for long periods of time with very limited communication opportunities, must pay for personal calls out of their own pocket. The software has already been tested in locations such as Iraq, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, explains that Skype has removed the practical barriers for communication in very remote locations and hopes that, in the future, the technology can directly benefit the refugees of the world as well.
NTB 6 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazI0Et
Comon 7 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazJ0Eu

[Roope]

Thursday 9 December to Friday 10 December 2010


Denmark

Unaccompanied minor refugees leave Vipperød
The asylum centre in Vipperød will no longer house unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. The reason for this is that the number of unaccompanied minors has fallen markedly since the centre reopened one year ago. The authorities have discovered that some supposed minors have been over 18 years of age. Carsten Isaksen, of the Danish Red Cross, believes that this information has discouraged some persons from trying to come to Denmark. Around 35 unaccompanied minors who are still living in the centre will be moved to other centers during the coming week. Single persons and families will now be staying in the centre instead. Initially around 100 persons will move in. Once the Red Cross has erected pavilions the capacity will increase to around 200 persons.
Danmarks Radio 9 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYX0EA


Finland

No increase in quota refugees to Finland
Finland will not change the annual number of quota refugees admitted into the country.
Next year's quota stands at 750 persons, a number unchanged since 2001. Next year the Ministerial working group on immigration policy advocates that Finland resettles 200 Myanmar refugees from Thailand, 150 Congolese refugees from Rwanda, and 300 Afghan refugees from Iran. Additionally 100 places are reserved for urgent cases. Within its refugee quota, Finland accepts for resettlement persons defined as refugees by the UNHCR.
YLE Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYY0EB
YLE Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYZ0EC

Court fines man who threatened the Migration Minister
The man who posted threats against the Finnish Migration Minister Astrid Thors on a Facebook page on the Internet was ordered, by the Pirkanmaa District Court, to pay a fine of 640 euros. The perpetrator was found guilty of aggravated slander and making illegal threats. The Migration Minister has been repeatedly targeted by racist groups for defending the rights of immigrants and asylum-seekers in Finland.
YLE Uutiset 8 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYa0EJ
Helsingin Sanomat 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYb0EK
Hufuvdstadsbladet 8 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYc0EL
Turun Sanomat 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYd0EM
Aamulehti 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYe0EN

Residence permits become more expensive in 2011
Next year the application fees for residence permits and citizenship will rise. For example, the fee for a first residence permit will rise from 255 euros to 350 euros. The authorities argue that the augmentations are needed since the new electronic processing system and the biometric identifiers have increased the Finnish Immigration Service's expenses.
Yle Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYf0EO
Kauppalehti 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYg0EP


Sweden

Sweden stops returns of asylum-seekers to Greece
A ruling by the Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) stops all forced returns of asylum-seekers from Sweden to Greece under the Dublin regulations. The living conditions for asylum-seekers in Greece are inhumane and unacceptable, and the MCA ruling states that returning asylum-seekers there would be a breach of the Swedish Alien's Act. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that Greece has ignored the problems for many years. He stresses that asylum-seekers have the right to a fair assessment of their protection needs, no matter in which member state they apply for asylum.
10 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYh0EQ

[Roope]

Saturday 11 Decemeber to Monday 13 Decemeber 2010

Denmark

Voluntary help for new Danes
In Haderslev, twelve families are ready to help newly arrived refugees adjust to life in Denmark. The churches in Haderslev have organized this initiative. Niels Ravn, one of the organizers, says that they are happy to help the quota refugees integrate into the local community, and explains that he understands how hard it must be to set up a life in a completely new culture and society.
Danmarks Radio 13 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRUB0ZqnfK0aYE0Du5p0El

Finland

The question of cutting social support for immigrants divides the small parties
The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE  asked all the parliamentary parties how the public economy should be brought into balance next year. The True Finns and the Finnish Christian Unit favour the reduction in social support for immigrants. The Green League of Finland, the Swedish People's Party and the Left Alliance claim that the social support for immigrants is already low and should not be reduced. The Greens of Finland stress that a cut would not guarantee everyone's right to an adequate livelihood, and the Swedish People's Party argue that immigrants should also have the same basic rights in Finland.

YLE Uutiset 13 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRUB0ZqnfK0aYE0Du5q0Em

[Roope]

Tuesday 14 December to Wedenesday 15 Decemeber 2010

Denmark

Amnesty: refugees systematically tortured
Refugees on their way to Europe are systematically tortured in Libya. Despite being aware of this, the European Union pays Libya millions of euros to manage the border control, says Amnesty International in a new report. According to Nicolas Berger, director of Amnesty International's European Institutions, refugees and asylum-seekers who arrive in Libya are at great risk of being detained, imprisoned for long periods of time, and subjected to systematic torture. The EU will pay Libya 50 million euros until 2013 as part of a joint border control agreement between the two parties.
Politiken 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fx0Eu
Jyllands-Posten 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fy0Ev

Government proposal goes against UN
The government proposal to change pension rules for refugees is not in line with the refugee convention, according to the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR). The proposal requires that refugees must have lived in Denmark for 40 years to qualify for the full people's pension. According to DIHR, this contravenes the provision in the refugee convention that refugees shall be treated equal to other citizens. Jonas Christoffersen, Director of the institute, is highly critical that due consideration has not been paid to the UN refugee convention in the legislation proposal.
B.T. 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fz0Ew
Danmarks Radio 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4F10Ej

Finland

Immigrants living in Finland sent 18 million euros to their home countries last year
A total of 18 million euros was sent last year by immigrants living in Finland to their countries of origin, according to a new report by Eurostat. The remittance from Finland is a small part of the total amount in the EU countries, where the remittance is 30 billion euros. Of this sum, 22 billion was sent to countries outside the EU.
Turun Sanomat 13 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4F20Ek

[Roope]

Thursday 16 December to Friday 17 December 2010

Denmark

Afghan child asylum-seekers to be forcibly returned
Denmark is set to start forcibly returning unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers to their countries of origin. This is the result of a new law, passed with a narrow majority in parliament on Thursday. The law was passed despite protests from the National Council for Children, the Danish Refugee Council, the Danish Red Cross and Save the Children Denmark. Denmark and Norway want to jointly establish reception centres in Afghanistan for rejected minor asylum-seekers. Up until now, the majority of unaccompanied minors have received residency permits if their families could not be traced. Karsten Lauritzen, integration spokesperson for the Liberals, feels the criticism is exaggerated, and points out that many families pay up to USD 10 000 to send their child to Denmark, and hopes that the new rules will discourage those who try to come to Denmark on false grounds.
Danmarks Radio 16 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/12/16/063434.htm
Berlingske Tidende 16 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.bt.dk/danmark/afghanske-asylboern-skal-tvinges-hjem

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 16 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/danmark-tvingar-hem-asylbarn-1.1227860
Sveriges Radio 16 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4242953
Sveriges Radio 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4244788
Sveriges Radio 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1646&artikel=4244834

Misleading information by Rønn on asylum-seeking unaccompanied minors
Minister for Refugee, Immigration, and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, wrongly informed Parliament that the Red Cross and Red Crescent are operating orphanages in Afghanistan. This is not the case, according to Anders Ladekarl, Secretary General of the Danish Red Cross. Ladekarl does not understand why the Minister did not contact the Red Cross before making such a claim. Rønn made the statement during a hearing in connection with the new law regarding forced returns of asylum-seeking unaccompanied minors. Rønn admits in a letter to Parliament that she should have expressed herself differently.
Jyllands-Posten 17 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2280324.ece?ref=eblistermest
Danmarks Radio 17 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/12/17/054620.htm

Finland

Asylum-seeker figures down by one-third
This year the number of asylum-seekers decreased with over 30 per cent compared to last year, according to an analysis by the Finnish Immigration Service. Some 3,800 people have applied for asylum in Finland, while approximately 6,000 people applied for asylum in 2009. The number of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and Somalia has been halved, even though the violence in the countries has not decreased. Veikko Pyykkönen from the Finnish Immigration Service says that the reasons why the number of asylum-seekers has dropped remain unclear. He points out that one reason might be that the number of asylum-seekers has increased in Sweden. Small changes in the Finnish refugee policy might also have had an impact on the decrease. Like last year, one out of three asylum-seekers has been granted asylum in Finland.
YLE 17 December (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/12/turvapaikanhakijoita_kolmannes_vahemman_2226172.html

Immigrants not in favor of citizenship test
Immigrants are not enthusiastic about the idea to introduce a citizenship test. The members of the National Advisory Board on Ethnic Relations (ETNO) believe that the test is difficult to put into practice and will not encourage active citizenship. ETNO member Petr Potchinchtchikov says that the procedure for applying for citizenship already is slow and expensive, and the test will complicate it even more. He also adds that it will be difficult to develop a test which can measure integration, since the test is based on memorised facts.
Aamulehti 16 December (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194658977519/artikkeli/maahanmuuttajat+eivat+lampene+kansalaisuustestille.html

Sweden

Increasing number of unaccompanied minors to Sweden
The number of unaccompanied refugee children coming to Sweden, mainly from the Balkans, is higher than expected. The cost for accommodation has gone up since placement of refugee children in municipalities has been slow. The Migration Board is now asking for increased funds.
Dagens Nyheter 15 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/flyktingbarn-spracker-migrationsverkets-budget-1.1227597

[Roope]

Saturday 18 December to Monday 20 December 2010

Norway

Calls for quicker forced returns
The government has decided to make changes to the asylum authorities in order to bring down the processing time of asylum applications. The goal is that those who do not receive the right to stay can be sent out of the country quicker, and those who are granted asylum can be placed in a municipality quicker. Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, calls the return policies of the past year successful. The number of forced return has increased by 46 per cent compared to 2009, bringing the total to 4,505 so far this year. The number of persons who chose to return voluntarily after having had their asylum claim rejected also increased, from 1,019 last year to 1,356 so far this year. The total number of asylum-seekers has decreased from 9,200 in the first eleven months of 2009 compared to 6,900 in the corresponding time period this year. The number of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers has also decreased significantly compared to last year. The total number so far this year is 800, a reduction of 66 per cent compared to the same time period last year.
Dagsavisen 17 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3d0E3
Verdens Gang 17 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3r0EI

Sweden

Refugees sent back to Iraq again
Last Wednesday a plane departed from Arlanda airport carrying 20 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. Despite the widespread violence directed at Christians in the country, a number of Christians were on board. As the deportation was taking place, a seminar was being held in Parliament during which UNHCR called on Sweden and other Western European countries to seize forced returns to Baghdad, Mosul, and a couple of other provinces. Carolyn Ennis, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR in Baghdad, emphasised that the violence in the country continues despite lower numbers of casualties. Ennis adds that the attacks against Christians have increased since October, and that this has not resulted in concrete action being taken by the Iraqi government to protect the group. Up until the 22 November, the European Court of Human Rights temporarily stopped the deportations of 813 Iraqis. Now the court makes an individual assessment of each case. This is why the forced returns have been resumed.
Dagens Nyheter I:16
16 December 2010 (In Swedish)

Sweden is criticized for forced repatriation of Iraqis
UNHCR and the Council of Europe are criticizing Sweden for sending back rejected Iraqis. Many of the 20 Iraqis that were deported on Wednesday 15 December come from areas considered as unstable. The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu, expresses his concern since this is not the first time Sweden forcibly deports refugees to Iraq. Melissa Flemming, spokesperson for UNHCR, pleads with Sweden to stop the deportations. She stresses that five of the UNHCR offices in Iraq have reported a significant increase of Christians fleeing from Baghdad and Mosul. UNHCR strongly reiterates its call on countries to refrain from deporting Iraqis who originate from the most perilous parts of the country.
Swedish Radio 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3s0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3u0EL
Dagens Nyheter 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3v0EM
The Local 19 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3w0EN

Lithuania

The majority of Lithuanians are not in favour of immigrants
A survey on Lithuanians' approach to immigration and economic migrants conducted by the Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Migration Network shows that a majority of the respondents (58 per cent) view immigrants unfavourably. One third of the Lithuanians think that there is a very large number of foreigners in Lithuania, while in fact foreigners account for only one per cent of the population. The aversion against foreigners is not determined by the status of a migrant or his or her qualifications. According to the survey even highly skilled foreigners from rich countries are not welcomed. Audra Sipaviciene, IOM, thinks that the public stance is caused by ignorance, prejudice and emotions.
The Baltic Course 20 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3x0EO

UNHCR in the news

At least twenty people dead in post-election violence in Ivory Coast
Thousands of people have fled the violence that begun after the presidential election in Ivory Coast. USA, EU and the African Union demand Laurent Gbagbo to resign as president but he refuses to leave his post. UNHCR now warns that the number of refugees will increase to 5,000 in the beginning of this week. Most of the refugees are fleeing to the neighboring country Liberia.
Hufvudstadsbladet 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3z0EQ

Thousands of Christians flee Iraq
In Iraq a mass exodus of thousands of Christians is taking place after the church attack on 31 October. Christians from Baghdad and Mosul are slowly but surely leaving the country, according to UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming. 46 persons were killed in the attack against the church and during the police attempt to free the hostages.
Dagens Nyheter 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO310ED

[Roope]

Tuesday 21 December to Wednesday 22 December 2010

Denmark

Vulnerable group is offered healthcare services
From now on, persons who are illegally staying in Denmark will receive the medical care they require. The Danish Red Cross and the Danish Medical Association will work together to offer medical services to those who lack access to the public healthcare system. According to Susanne Larsen, President of the Danish Red Cross, both the Red Cross and doctors regularly encounter persons who for some reason do not have a residency permit, but are in dire need of medical treatment. Poul Jaszczak, Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Danish Medical Association, explains the dilemma that doctors are faced with when they may have to choose between following the Hippocratic Oath or the law. To prevent this, the creation of services for people who are not in possession of a valid residency permit is desirable, he adds.
Danmarks Radio 21 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPh0EH

Finland

Increased reimbursement to municipalities for refugee reception
The Finnish Government has issued a regulation concerning the reimbursement of expenses caused by the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers. From the beginning of 2011, the reimbursement paid to municaplities for persons over 7 years is 2,300 euros per year, compared to the current annual allowance of 2,091. The reimburesement for children under 7 years will remain at 6,845 euros.
Kauppalehti 21 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPi0EI
Kauppalehti 21 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPj0EJ

Sweden

"Iraqi government cannot blame everything on terrorism"
The Iraqi government is unable to cope with the persecution and violence targeting the Christian minority in Iraq, according to Pascale Warda, a former Iraqi Minister and current director of Iraqi NGO Hammurabi Organisation for Human Rights. It is unacceptable to put the blame solely on Al-Qaida for the situation for Christians in Iraq, according to Warda. Talking at a seminar organised by UNHCR and the Christian Council of Sweden about the situation in Iraq, she urged Sweden not to return Iraqi Christian asylum-seekers to the country. Warda stressed that the Iraqi authorities are not able to protect the Christian minority from violence and abuses, and that the situation for Christians in Iraq is far from safe. Carolyn Ennis, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR in Iraq also spoke at the seminar, explaining that the situation for minorities in Iraq is unsafe, emphasising the gaps between the relatively sound legislative framework and the implementation of laws protecting minorities. Aside from Christians, Ennis specifically mentioned the vulnerable situation for lgbt-persons in Iraq.
Dagen 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPk0EK

Iraqi Christians forced to flee
Violence and persecution have forced more than half of Iraq's Christians to flee the country. Some have come to Sweden, but many more have fled to Jordan where they are neither able to work legally nor continue to a third country. Last week a new wave of Christians left their homes, many leaving behind all their possessions. Since the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 around 2 million Iraqis are have left the country, around 20 percent of which are believed to be Christians. Iraqi Christians are an especially vulnerable minority, being the target of violent attacks and persecution. It is not clear exactly how many Christians have left Iraq since 2003, but it is estimated that the population has halved.
Metro I: 31
21 December 2010 (in Swedish)

The Swedish Migration Board may face stricter demands
Following the recently voiced criticism from, inter alia, UNHCR and the European Court of Human Rights regarding the deportation of Christian Iraqis to Iraq, the Swedish Government now puts stricter demands on the Swedish Migration Board. According to Swedish radio, specific demands will be raised on improving the Board's competence to make realistic evaluations of the conditions facing deported asylum-seekers of religious minorities. The wording of the Government' s letter of regulation, which stipulates the priorities, goals and financial budget for the Swedish Migration Board for 2011, will be decided upon on Wednesday.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPl0EL
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPm0EM
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPn0EN

[Roope]

Thursday 23 December 2010 to Monday 03 January 2011

Denmark

Danish People's Party demands doctors to breach patient confidentiality
Planned clinics for illegal immigrants have caused the Danish People's Party (DF) to voice demands that doctors report to the police or the immigration authorities patients who do not have the legal right to stay in Denmark. DF's demand comes after a number of organisations have stated that they aim to set up clinics which will cater to the estimated 5,000 persons who live in Denmark without residency permits and therefore lack access to public health services. The Danish Red Cross and the Medical Association of Denmark have announced that they will set up a health centre, and the Committee for Underground Refugees – a Danish humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to rejected asylum-seekers illegally staying in Denmark – also plans to find volunteers and funding for a clinic. Because of patient confidentiality rules, healthcare personnel are not obliged to report to the authorities patients who are staying in Denmark illegally. DF's spokesperson on Health issues, Liselott Blixt, wants to see these rules changed. According to Blixt, everyone should have access to emergency treatment, but a doctor should always report an illegal immigrant to the authorities. The President of the Medical Association of Denmark, Mads Koch Hansen, disagrees, claiming that this would force doctors to break the Hippocratic Oath as well as breach patient confidentiality.
Berlingske Tidende 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5E0EI
Jyllands-Posten 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5F0EJ
Danmarks Radio 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5G0EK

Red Cross: Police should stay away
The Danish Red Cross expects that the police will not use the knowledge of the existence of clinics for illegal immigrants to prosecute persons in need of medical care. The Danish Red Cross and the Medical Association of Denmark are in the process of setting up a clinic for illegal immigrants who do not have the right to stay in Denmark. Similar clinics already exist in Norway and Sweden. In those countries there is an understanding among the police that the clinics are necessary for humanitarian reasons, and that persons who require medical attention are in a vulnerable position which should not be exploited by authorities, according to Susanne Larsen of the Danish Red Cross.
Berlingske Tidende 22 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5H0EL

Doubling of immigration to Denmark
Since the change in government in 2001, the number of persons granted residency permits has almost doubled. During the previous government, however, the largest group was made up of refugees and family reunification cases. Today, most immigration to Denmark comes in the form of students, workers and professionals, from countries such as Poland, China and Germany. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), is critical of the fact that Denmark's reception of refugees is often portrayed as such a burden, when, in reality, refugees make up only a small amount of total immigration to Denmark. He calls it "asylum-hysteria", considering that Denmark accepts less than 2,000 refugees a year. This can be compared to 2008, when almost 70,000 residency permits were granted to foreign nationals. It is expected that around 60,000 residency permits will have been issued in 2010.
Politiken 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5I0EM
Jyllands-Posten 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5J0EN
Danmarks Radio 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5K0EO

NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Sweden
Hufvudstadsbladet 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5L0EP
Dagens Nyheter 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5M0EQ


Finland

Reduced reception capacity
There are fewer places offered for asylum-seekers in the reception centres in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service has reduced the accommodation capacity of the centres with approximately 1,200 places this year. The reason is that the number of asylum-seekers has dropped. Currently there are about 300 free places in the reception centres, says Jorma Kuuluvainen, director of the reception centre unit of the Finnish Immigration Service. According to Kuuluvainen no major changes will be made regarding the accommodation capacity any time soon. This year around 3,800 people applied for asylum in Finland. The number of asylum-seekers is over 30 per cent less compared to 2009. According to Esko Repo, director of the Finnish Immigration Service's asylum unit, there is no specific reason for the decline. The number of asylum-seekers is affected by for example international crises and the praxis of asylum in Finland and the rest of Europe.
Vasabladet 23 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5N0ER
Helsingin Sanomat 23 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5O0ES

Oravainen asylum reception centre destroyed by fire
On 25 December a reception centre in Oravainen was destroyed by fire. According to the police the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a kitchen. No one of the around 30 asylum-seekers living at the reception centre was injured in the fire. The affected refugees are now temporarily housed in Oravainen, Pietarsaari and Vaasa. The house that was destroyed is one of five buildings part of the asylum reception centre in Oravainen.
Yle 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5P0ET
Hufvudstadsbladet 26 December (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Q0EU
Vasabladet 26 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5R0EV
Vasabladet 27 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5S0EW
MTV 3 27 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5T0EX

Asylum-seekers from central Iraq to stay in Finland
A group of 17 asylum-seekers from central Iraq has been granted residence permit in Finland. The decision by the Supreme Administrative Court is based on the principle of subsidiary protection. According to the court the current security situation in Baghdad and central Iraq is too insecure for the persons to return. In another case concerning 32 Iraqis coming from Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Northern Iraq, the Supreme Administrative Court decided to the contrary since the security situation is substantially better in KRG.
HBL 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5U0EY
Kauppalehti 30 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5V0EZ

Norway

Disappearances of children from asylum reception centres
Some 47 children have disappeared from asylum reception centres this year. Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, fears that the children have been victims of trafficking, slavery and sex trade, and that we would have been more concerned had the children been Norwegian citizens. Save the Children reminds the Minister that his Ministry is responsible for both the asylum system and the police - who should be investigating these disappearances in a more systematic manner.
NRK 27 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5W0Ea

NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 28 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5X0Eb

Iraqi Christians persecuted by extremists
Extremist groups in Iraq want to force the Christian minority out of the country. Attacks against Christians have increased since the American-led invasion of the country in 2003. At the time of the invasion there were an estimated 900,000 Christians living in Iraq. Since then, the number of Christians has halved, and more and more are leaving the country. According to UNHCR, the Baghdad Cathedral attack in November has prompted even more Iraqi Christians to flee the country.
Dagsavisen 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Y0Ec
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Z0Ed

Sweden

Government issues new guidelines to Migration Board
The Government has issued new instructions to the Migration Board aimed at improving how it deals with refugees from religious minorities. According to Swedish Radio the directive mostly affects Iraqi Christians. Recently Swedish migration authorities have come under heavy criticism, from for example UNHCR, for forced return of Christian Iraqi asylum-seekers despite an upsurge in violence targeting the religious minority. The new guidelines require that the Migration Board, at the latest 1 June 2011, accounts for how it will improve the knowledge about the situation for asylum-seekers belonging to religious minorities in their countries of origin. This will hopefully prepare the Board to make correct judgments on whether to send asylum-seekers back or not. The newspaper Dagen writes that an Iraqi government delegation has visited Sweden in order to prompt the authorities not to forcibly return Iraqis. In the current situation Iraq is not ready to receive and protect Iraqis who are forced return, says an Iraqi diplomat. According to Dagen, the Iraqi delegation also visited UNHCR's regional office in Stockholm. Iraqis who are forcibly returned will only flee again, the Iraqis told us, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson at UNHCR.
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5a0Ek
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5b0El
Kyrkans tidning 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5c0Em
Laholms Tidning 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5d0En
Dagen 23 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5e0Eo

More Skåne municipalities accept unaccompanied minors
In Skåne the number of municipalities receiving unaccompanied minors has increased. Last year only five out of 33 municipalities received unaccompanied minors. This year a majority of the municipalities in Skåne accept child asylum-seekers. Only 13 municipalities in Skåne refuse to receive unaccompanied minors.
Sveriges Radio 24 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5f0Ep

Politicians demand stop of child deportations to Malta
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Insurance demand that the Swedish Board of Migration stop deportations of child asylum-seekers to Malta. Currently, the Swedish practice is to deport children to Malta in accordance with the Dublin Regulation. The Parliamentary Committee would like to see a change in this practice because they believe the situation for child asylum-seekers in Malta is unacceptable. Emma Henriksson, migration spokesperson for the Christian Democrats, says the Dublin Regulation should not be applied to children when it comes to Malta since access to education and a secure living environment cannot be guaranteed for those children. Henriksson wants the Board of Migration to conduct an investigation about the feasibility of applying the Dublin Regulation in such cases, as was done with Greece. If it can be established that the conditions are unacceptable, no child asylum-seekers should be returned to Malta, according to Henriksson. Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Swedish Board of Migration, will be called to the Committee to explain why deportations of child asylum-seekers is continuing.
Sveriges Television 2 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5g0Eq
Dagens Nyheter 2 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5h0Er

United Nations: 14,000 have fled C ôte d'Ivoire
Around 14,000 persons have fled Côte d'Ivoire for Liberia as a result of the violence that erupted after the disputed presidential election. At least 173 persons have been killed in the post-election violence that has plagued the country since 28 November. Svenska Dagbladet quoted UNHCR's homepage, saying that the humanitarian needs are increasing for the mostly women and children refugees as well as for the villagers hosting them. The incumbent president, Laurent Gbabgo, as well as his main contender, Allassane Ouattara, have both declared themselves winners.
Politiken 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5i0Es
Jyllands-Posten 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5j0Et
Berlingske Tidende 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5k0Eu
Danmarks Radio 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5l0Ev
Verdens Gang 25 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5m0Ew
Dagbladet 25 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5n0Ex
Aftonbladet 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5o0Ey
Svenska Dagbladet 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5p0Ez
Turun Sanomat 25 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5q0E1

100 asylum-seekers arrested outside UNHCR office in Athens
Around 100 asylum-seekers who have been demonstrating outside the UNHCR office in Athens for the past couple of weeks have been arrested. The protesters had erected a make-shift camp outside the UNHCR office. According to some of the protesters they have been waiting for up to eight years for a decision on their asylum applications. The participants in the protest are mainly asylum-seekers from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and occupied Palestinian territories who have applied for asylum because of political persecution in their countries of origin.
Verdens Gang 27 December 2010 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5r0E2

20,000 have fled Côte d'Ivoire
Over the past few weeks 20,000 persons have fled the post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire, fearing that the violence will result in a civil war. Refugees have left western Côte d'Ivoire for the eastern parts of Liberia. According to UNHCR, supporters of both incumbent president Laurent Gbabgo and his main contender Alassane Ouattarra are among those who have fled. The majority of the refugees are women and children, and a reported 62 per cent are minors. The refugees fear that the country's political deadlock may result in a civil war, as both Ouattarra and Gbabgo claim to be the rightful winners of the presidential election that took place on 28 November. UNHCR has increased its capacity at the Ivorian-Liberian border and is currently able to receive and care for 30,000 refugees.
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5s0E3
NRK 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5t0E4
Aftonbladet 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5u0E5
Sveriges Radio 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5v0E6
SVT 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5w0E7

Iraqi Christians persecuted by extremists
Extremist groups in Iraq want to force the Christian minority out of the country. Attacks against Christians have increased since the American-led invasion of the country in 2003. At the time of the invasion there were an estimated 900,000 Christians living in Iraq. Since then, the number of Christians has halved, and more and more are leaving the country. According to UNHCR, the Baghdad Cathedral attack in October has prompted even more Iraqi Christians to flee the country.
Dagsavisen 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Y0Ec
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Z0Ed

New attacks spread fear among Iraqi Christians
A new wave of attacks is spreading fear among the Christian community of Iraq, a group which is already the target of violence and persecution. A total of 15 bombs were placed in Christian areas of Baghdad on Thursday, according to an official at the Ministry of the Interior. Two Christians were killed in the attacks and 16 were injured. Since the attack on the Baghdad Cathedral in October, a string of attacks have taken place in Christian suburbs of Iraq. The al-Qaeda-affiliated group Islamic State of Iraq has assumed responsibility for a number of the attacks. Speaker of the Parliament, Osama al-Nujaifi, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, have called on Iraq's Christians to try to remain in the country.
Verdens Gang 31 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5y0EA

Greece wants fence along Turkey border
Greece plans to build a fence along its border with Turkey in order to combat illegal immigration. The land border between Turkey and Greece has become the main entry point into the EU for irregular migrants and asylum seekers. According to Greece Minister of Citizen Protection Christos Papoutsis the country cannot absorb any more illegal immigrants. In November the EU border agency Frontex sent close to two hundred border control specialists to Greece, this has reduced the arrival of illegal immigrants to the country. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has demanded that Greece efforts to stem illegal immigration do not harm persons seeking international protection.
Hufvudstadsbladet 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5z0EB
MTV3 2 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI510Ew
Pohjolan Sanomat 2 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI520Ex
DR 1 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI530Ey
Sveriges Radio 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI540Ez
Aftonbladet 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI550E1

[Roope]

Tuesday 4 January to Wednesday 5 January 2011

Denmark

Denmark might receive record number of refugees
The Danish Immigration Service expects that 2,850 refugees will get residence permit this year. It is almost the double compared to 2010. The increase is expected because more refugees than before apply for and receive complementary forms of protection. These are persons do not meet the requirement of the refugee convention but need protection due to more private reasons, such as family feuds, violent disputes about land or fear of violence after adultery. This new law was introduced in 2002.
Politiken 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKn0Et
DR 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKo0Eu
Berlingske Tidene 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKp0Ev


Sweden

25 per cent more asylum-seekers in 2010
31,900 persons applied for asylum in Sweden during 2010, which is a 25 per cent increase compared to 2009, according to the Migration Board. Most of the asylum-seekers came from Serbia, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. About one third of all applicants were granted asylum. A large part of the increase is due to the high number of asylum-seekers from Serbia - many of them Roma - which rose to 6,343 from 567 the previous year. Only 1 per cent of the Serbian applicants were granted asylum, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that a cynical trade in persons lies behind the increased influx of asylum-seekers from Serbia.  The Migration Board still has great difficulty in finding municipality placement for unaccompanied refugee children. A positive trend for 2010 is that assessment of asylum applications was quicker than in 2009. About 75 per cent of the applications were assessed within six months, and the government now has the ambition to cut the assessment period to three months.
Sveriges Radio 4 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKq0Ew
Dagens Nyheter 3 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKr0Ex



UNHCR in the news

A stream of refugees from the Ivory Coast
Around 25,000 refugees have already left the Ivory Coast for Liberia. During the last three weeks refugees have streamed into the country. Local experts predict that around 30,000 refugees may arrive during the coming weeks. If a civil war breaks out the influx of refugees might get out of control, with up to 100,000 refugees. The situation for the refugees is getting worse, and especially critical is the lack of clean water, which has led to cases of diarrhea and dehydration leading to death. The Norwegian Refugee Council has been tasked by UNHCR to plan and coordinate the refugee camps and to respond for the work with distribution of food, housing and emergency aid packages.
Aftenposten 3 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKs0Ey

Greece plans to build a border fence raises concern
The European Commission and human rights organizations are concerned over Greece's plans to build a fence along part of its border to Turkey to stop illegal immigration. Critics point out that the 12 kilometer fence would cover only a short section of the Greece-Turkey land border. The area has become the main route into Greece for irregular migrants and asylum-seekers. Greece Minister of Citizen Protection, Christos Papoutsis, recently announced that the country cannot accept any more illegal immigrants. According to the European Commission building a border fence is only a short-term solution and does not tackle the root of the problem. The Greek Communist Party has described the fence as inhumane and ineffective and Human Rights Watch says it will only shift the problem elsewhere. UNHCR has asked Greece to guarantee that efforts to stem illegal migration do not hinder access to asylum for persons in need of international protection.
Uusi Suomi 4 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKt0Ez

[Roope]

Saturday 8 January to Monday 10 January 2011


Denmark

More refugees to North Denmark
This year the municipalities of North Denmark Region will receive more refugees than expected. The state has announced that the municipalities will receive 442 refugees this year, which is 100 more than originally expected. The increase is due to for example a growing number of refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. Aalborg and Læsø are the only municipalities in the North Denmark Region not to receive refugees. The whole country is expecting an increase in refugees this year.
Dansk Radio 6 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4T0EJ
Nordjyske 6 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4U0EK


Norway

South-Sudanese return home
Around 120,000 South-Sudanese persons have returned to Southern Sudan from the northern parts of the country, where they have lived in refugee-like situations, according to UNHCR. The number of South-Sudanese who have returned home from the north has doubled since mid-December, says UNHCR. More people are expected to return, with the daily rate of new arrivals currently at 2,000.
Verdens Gang 7 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4V0EL

Families forcibly returned to Iraq
52 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers who had not left Norway voluntarily, were forcibly returned to Baghdad on 8 January and were received by the Iraqi authorities. Many of the deportees were families, some of which had spent 2-5 years in Norway. The National Police Immigration Service (NPIS) stated that it is important to show that staying in Norway illegally is unacceptable. NPIS added that their prime task is to assure that the deportations are carried out as gently as possible. In the last year, 140 persons have been forcibly returned to Iraq.
Dagsavisen 8 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4W0EM
Aftenposten 8 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4X0EN


Sweden

Iraq wants Sweden to halt deportations
Iraq wants Sweden to stop the forced returns of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers, says Dendar Najman, Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hussain al-Ameri, Iraq's Ambassador to Sweden, pleads to the Swedish authorities and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum, to halt deportations to Iraq. In 2008, Iraq agreed to receive rejected asylum-seekers who had been forcibly returned from Sweden. UNHCR has strongly criticised the deportations. Hans ten Feldt, Representative for UNHCR at the Regional Baltic and Nordic office in Stockholm, says that Sweden's actions are worrying, and that UNHCR has raised their concerns repeatedly. ten Feldt adds that while UNHCR understands that deportations might be called for in some cases. However, the situation in several regions in Iraq, such as Baghdad and Kirkuk, is still too violent for safe returns of asylum-seekers. ten Feldt points out that many minority populations are particularly vulnerable, and mentions that Sweden has for example deported Christians to Iraq. UNHCR has informed the Swedish government several times on the situation in Iraq, and last year helped organise a hearing on Iraq in the Swedish Parliament. Hans ten Feldt says that many of the deportees have fled Iraq a second time, and that some of them have been granted asylum in the US, proving the protection needs for the deported Iraqis. Sweden was first among Western countries to forcibly return asylum-seekers to Iraq, starting in 2008, but have later been joined by the Netherlands, the UK, and Norway. UNHCR now warns that more countries might follow suit, and ten Feldt says that although relatively small groups of people have been deported so far, the situation would be catastrophic should Iraq's neighbouring countries follow the Swedish example. Hans ten Feldt stresses that Sweden has a responsibility as a UN supporter. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason to stop deportations to Iraq and stresses that the Iraqi authorities have not asked to renegotiate the agreement. Hussain al-Ameri says that Iraq will try to have an active dialogue with Sweden and other countries deporting forced returns to Iraq, to affect a halt to the deportations. The next deportation flight from Sweden to Iraq is scheduled for 19 January, according to sources used by the daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
Dagens Nyheter I:15 9 January 2011 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet I:13 9 January 2011 (in Swedish)

1,799 quota refugees received
In 2010, Sweden received 1,799 quota refugees, whom UNHCR considered to have particularly substantial protection needs. Of the quota refugees 800 were selected in Kenya, Sudan and Syria, whereas the others were resettled due to written requests from UNHCR.
Dagens Nyheter 7 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4Y0EO



UNHCR in the News

UNHCR steps up assistance in Côte d'Ivoire
UNHCR is now intensifying the efforts to help the 22,000 refugees from Côte d'Ivoire who have fled to Liberia, after the escalating turbulence following the Ivorian elections. In coordination with the World Food Programme, UNHCR delivers food items to 21,000 persons. The refugees themselves help out with harvesting crops in the Liberian villages in exchange for food. According to UNHCR, the refugees state that they fled Côte d'Ivoire on foot through the bush in the night-time to avoid being discovered by the opposition forces.
Sveriges Radio 5 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4Z0EP

[Roope]

Tuesday 11 January to Wednesday 12 January 2011

Denmark

Rights to citizenship for stateless persons ignored
At least 22 stateless Palestinians have incorrectly been refused Danish citizenship. In 1977 Denmark acceded to the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. This obliges Denmark to grant citizenship to stateless persons who are born in the country and apply for citizenship between the age of 18 and 21 years. The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has kept this right secret and failed to mention in the application instructions that stateless persons are exempted from the regular citizenship tests and requirements. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech has now changed course. Eva Ersbøll, leading expert in citizenship law and senior research fellow at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, says that some stateless persons could have presumed that they were not eligible for Danish citizenship. Ersbøll is also very critical of the fact that the group of stateless Palestinians, who were born in Denmark, has been denied citizenship. Jens Vedsted-Hansen, Professor of Law at Aarhus University, says that the Ministry's practice has violated the UN convention.
Information 10 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVU0Ed
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVV0Ee


Finland

More aliens deported last year
Deportations of foreign citizens tripled last year compared to 2009. During 2010 Finnish Immigration authorities issued removal orders for 200 persons. Only 64 were actually deported, says the Immigration Police. Around 700 persons, without a residence permit, were issued a decision on refusal of entry. Crime is increasingly a reason behind the rejection of the asylum application. Especially theft crimes have increased, says Olli Koskipirtti, head of the Result Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service. A decision on refusal of entry can be implemented the next day while the enforcement of a deportation order may take up to a year.
Yle 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVW0Ef
Helsingin Sanomat 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVX0Eg
Aamulehti 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVY0Eh


Sweden

Sweden continues to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers
Despite criticism from the UN and Iraq, Sweden continues to deport Iraqis who are denied asylum in Sweden. UN's Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is highly critical of the forced returns to Iraq, since the security situation remains volatile and the Iraqi government cannot guarantee state protection. The issue of forced returns to Iraq was recently discussed in-depth in the Swedish Radio's foreign affairs programme Konflikt. Among the interviewed was Carolyn Ennis, UNHCR's Senior Protection Officer in Baghdad. She visited Sweden during an Iraq hearing in Parliament in December 2010. Ennis accounted for continued violence in Iraq, the absence of rule of law, and a full reign of threats to safety and enjoyment of rights. Furthermore, Ennis referred to reports showing that state protection simply is not available in Iraq. Ennis also warned that if European countries continue to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers this may lead neighbouring countries, which accommodate a large population of Iraqi refugees, to follow suit. Later in the programme there was a panel discussion in which Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, and Liv Feijen, Senior Regional Legal Officer at UNHCR in Stockholm, participated. Feijen stressed that asylum-seekers from the five central governorates in Iraq should not be forced to go back. UNHCR is especially concerned for persons who belong to so called vulnerable groups. Lately ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT persons have become more exposed to intensified violence and persecution in Iraq. Finally Feijen underlined the importance of taking into account the latest developments in Iraq when re-examining whether or not to implement a decision of forced return.
Konflikt, Swedish Radio, 8 January 2011
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVZ0Ei


UNHCR in the news

200 dead in Côte d'Ivoire
On Tuesday 11 January several persons were shot dead in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The violent clashes involved followers of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara. Mr. Ouattara is recognised by the UN as the winner of the November presidential election, but Mr. Gbagbo refuses to give up the presidential post that he has had for over a decade. According to the UN, 200 persons have been killed during the political crisis in the country, and thousands have been forcibly displaced. UNHCR states that some 25,000 Ivorians have fled to neighbouring Liberia, with 600 new arrivals daily. According to a UN spokesperson, Ivorians have fled due to fear of violence, rather than actual violence against them.
Dagens Nyheter 11 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVa0Ep
Jyllands-Posten 11 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVb0Eq

[Roope]

Thursday 13 January to Friday 14 January 2011


Finland

Every third young refugee is traumatised
Every third young asylum-seeker and refugee arriving to Finland is traumatised or has visible symptoms of trauma. According to a report from Helsinki Deaconess Institute only one third of them get psychiatric or psychotherapeutic care. The report states that the public health care system is unable to properly respond to the needs of former child soldiers or victims of torture or rape. It is difficult for them to get help due to long queues, prejudices, and difficulties identifying the problem. The children are also often reluctant to talk about their difficult experiences. Every year around 900 persons under the age of 24 apply for asylum in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 13 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zU0EU
Aamulehti 13 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zV0EV


Norway

Wave of criticism after award-winning paperless alien arrested
A 25 year old woman from the former Soviet Union is in detention and awaiting deportation. When she came to Norway as a teenager in 2002, her family applied for asylum but got rejected in 2004. After this Maria Amelie has resided illegally in the country. In September 2010 Maria Amelie filed an appeal with the Immigration Appeals Board. Her appeal was rejected 12 January 2011. She was arrested the following day and brought to detention. Last year Amelie published the book, Ulovlig norsk (Illegally Norwegian), about her life as a paperless alien. Later the same year the weekly magazine Ny Tid honored her with the "Norwegian of the year" award. Her sudden detention has raised a wave of protests. Thousands of persons in several Norwegian cities have protested against the arrest. Many think that Maria Amelie should have the right to stay, stressing she has a strong connection to Norway and that she was a child when she came to Norway. Despite her lack of papers she has completed high school, college, and obtained a master's degree in Norway. Authorities, including Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police, said that Maria Amelie cannot be treated differently from other illegal aliens and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg stated that Norway has to uphold a fair and consistent refugee and asylum policy.
Aftenposten 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zW0EW
Dagbladet 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zX0EX
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zY0EY
Dagsavisen 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zZ0EZ
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2za0Eg
NRK 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zb0Eh
Verdens Gang 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zc0Ei

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zd0Ej


Sweden

Refugees on hunger strike to protest deportation to Iraq
A group of fifteen refugees at the Swedish Migration Board's detention unit in Gothenburg have been on hunger strike since 12 January. They protest against the deportation of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers scheduled for next week. Iraqis, Palestinians, Libyans, Tunisians, Somalis, and Russians participate in the strike. All countries in Europe have stopped forced returns to Iraq, except for Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the UK.
Sveriges Television 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2ze0Ek

Network of human smugglers cracked by Europol
A criminal network that has smuggled thousands of refugees to Europe has been disbanded by Europol, which have arrested 26 persons in Italy, France and Germany.  Starting in August 2008, the network has smuggled around 200 persons per month, mainly from Afghanistan via Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey to Greece, and from there northward in Europe to for example Sweden, Norway, and the UK. Most of the smuggled persons are Afghans, and about 20 per cent of them are believed to be minors. The smuggling network has had collaborators in several European countries. The network has earned around 20 million euros during 2010 on the smuggling from Afghanistan to Sweden alone, by charging 10-15 000 Euro per person for the journey. Some of the persons involved in the human smuggling are suspected of international terrorism, says Italian prosecutor Piero Saviotti. Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at UNHCR's Regional Office in Stockholm, says that it is not illegal for refugees to cross borders in an irregular manner to seek asylum, and stresses that it is the smugglers who are criminals, not the refugees. Mathisen refers to a UNHCR study on unaccompanied Afghan refugee minors coming to Sweden. She underlines that although each story is unique, a common trait is that the children and their families have very little information on the risks involved in human smuggling. Mathisen believes that much more should be done to inform people in Afghanistan on the risks with undertaking such journeys. The end destination is often not decided on until long after the children have set off from their native Afghanistan, and the journey is often paid for and undertaken in separate stretches. Mathisen describes the horrific conditions for smuggled persons, and tells of how they are stacked on top of each other in dirty lorries, are in constant risk of being arrested and deported by the local police, and risk dying when crossing waters nightly in unseaworthy boats. Mathisen says that although UNHCR vehemently opposes human smuggling, it is often the only way for refugees to reach a country where they can seek asylum. States have a legitimate right to control their borders, but Mathisen states that the EU could diminish the market for criminal human smugglers by opening up legal avenues for refugees to seek asylum in Europe, so that they could travel there safely. Unaccompanied minors are often referred to as "anchor children", but Mathisen dismisses the term for its hint of a cynical agenda. She states that UNHCR believes that unaccompanied children often are the family's 'chosen one', financed to seek safety and a better future, without necessarily planning to later bring the rest of the family to the country of asylum.
Dagens Nyheter 12 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zf0El
TV4 14 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zg0Em



UNHCR in the News

Malmström opposed to fence along the Greek-Turkish border
Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, who is responsible for EU migration and asylum policy, is critical of Greece's plans to build a fence along the Turkish border to stop illegal immigration. Malmström says that the issue will not be solved by building a wall or a fence. According to TV4 the UN Refugee Agency estimates that 46,000 persons are living on the streets in Athens without a right to get their asylum claims examined. Greece's detention centres are overcrowded and Malmström describes the conditions there as horrendous.
Dagens Nyheter 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zh0En
TV4 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zi0Eo
Svenska Dagbladet 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zj0Ep
Sveriges Radio 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zk0Eq

[Roope]

Saturday 15 January to Monday 17 January 2011


Norway

Growing support for Maria Amelie
The award-winning paperless alien Maria Amelie will be sent back to Russia between 23 and 27 January. Last week she was brought into custody by the police. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) justifies the deportation order. They say that Maria Amelie has no need for protection, and that she therefore is not entitled to a residence permit in Norway. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) considers expelling her because she has violated the immigration law by living under false identity and have worked and stayed too long in the country illegally. Maria Amelie's lawyer Brynjulf Risnes is working persistently to make UNE reassess Maria Amelie's case. A survey for the magazine Verdens Gang shows that six out of ten Norwegians think Maria Amelie should get permission to stay in Norway.
Dagbladet 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxI0EU
Dagbladet 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxJ0EV
NRK 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxK0EW
Aftenposten 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxL0EX
Aftenposten 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxM0EY
Verdens Gang 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxN0EZ


At least 3,000 paperless immigrants living in Norway
It is estimated that more than 3,000 paperless immigrants have lived in Norway without permission for over five years. The estimation is made by several non governmental organisations such as Amnesty International. 24 organisations started the campaign last year to shed light on the situation for undocumented migrants. They want the government to put a limit on how long an undocumented migrant can reside in Norway illegally and grant citizenship to children after three years of illegal residence and to adults after five years, even though their asylum applications have been rejected. The exact number of paperless aliens is unknown. Two years ago Statistics Norway estimated that there are 10,000 to 32,000 undocumented migrants in the country.
Aftenposten 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxO0Ea


Sweden

Activists protest deportation to Baghdad
The deportation of five Iraqi refugees detained at the Swedish Migration Board's detention unit in Kållared was temporarily delayed by 50 protesting activists on 15 January.  Approximately thirty of the Iraqi asylum-seekers whose deportation to Baghdad is planned for 19 January have turned to the European Court of Human Rights to in order to benefit from an inhibition order. They have not yet received an answer. UNHCR has urged the authorities to prevent the forced return to Iraq, as the security situation in the country remains very critical.
Sveriges Television, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxP0Eb
Göteborgs Posten, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxQ0Ec
Göteborgs Posten, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxR0Ed

[Roope]

Tuesday 18 January to Wednesday 19 January 2011


Denmark

Denmark "tops refugee hit list"
A high percentage of asylum-seekers in Denmark are granted asylum. This makes the country a popular destination for persons who enter the European Union through Greece, according to EU Border Police spokesman George Petropoulos. Most immigrants and asylum-seeker who come to Greece do not plan to stay in the country, but wish to move on to other EU states. Both Denmark and Germany have high asylum recognition rates and are therefore popular final destinations for asylum-seekers. Recognition rates vary a lot across the EU – in Denmark 48 per cent of the applications are successful, in Germany the figure is 37 per cent, in Sweden 30 per cent, and in France 14 per cent. In Greece just one per cent of the asylum-seekers are granted asylum. The EU average is 27 per cent. The Danish Immigration Service expects to issue residence permits to 2,850 persons in 2011, compared to 1,500 in 2010. The newspaper Politiken points out that although Denmark has a high recognition rate it accepts only around five per cent of the total number of refugees that come to the Nordic countries. Sweden and Norway accept a much higher number of refugees. In 2009, Sweden granted asylum to ten times as many persons as Denmark, and Norway granted asylum to five times as many.
Jyllands-Posten 19 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYS0ED
Politiken 19 January 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYT0EE


Norway

Many children have lived more than three years in reception centres
The voluntary organisation "Selvhjelp for innvandrere og flyktninger" (SEIF) says over 300 minors have lived over three years in reception centres in Norway. SEIF accuses Norway of state child abuse arguing that the state has deprived refugee children of their basic rights. According to the organisation children who have not been forcibly returned after three or four years should automatically be granted a residence permit. SEIF participates in a campaign to protect Norway's paperless migrants. The organisation fears there will be more cases like Maria Amelie, a paperless alien threatened with deportation after residing several years in Norway illegally.
Verdens Gang 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYU0EF

Maria Amelie released from detention
Maria Amelie, a well-known paperless alien, was released from detention on Tuesday pending the High Court's review of her deportation appeal. The question regarding Maria Amelie has caused tension within the government and has announced that it may make it possible for rejected asylum-seekers to return as labour immigrants.
NRK 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYV0EG
Dagbladet 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYW0EH
Aftenposten 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYX0EI

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYY0EJ

73 child asylum-seekers disappear without notice
Last year 73 of 1200 unaccompanied asylum-seekers between the ages of 15 and 18 disappeared from Norwegian reception centres without notice. Reidar Hjermann, Norway's Ombudsman for Children, says that the children risk being driven into the arms of human traffickers. He fears that some of them might have been subject to crime or prostitution. Hjermann is critical of the lack of commitment to protect unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers, and says that the situation would have been very different if Norwegian citizens would have disappeared. Anne Siri Rustad, Director of the Department for Regions, Reception and Return at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), says that UDI believes that many of the disappeared children are living with their families, friends or acquaintances in Norway, but that some might have left the country. Rustad admits that some of the children might have been victims of crime, or forced into crime.
Verdens Gang 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYZ0EK

4,615 deported - most of them Dublin returns
4,615 persons were deported from Norway in 2010. This is an increase by 38 per cent compared to 2009. Most of the deportees were returned to other European countries such as Italy (895 persons), Serbia (403 persons), Greece (283 persons) and Spain (257 persons) under the Dublin II regulations. Considerably lower numbers of deportees were escorted back to their countries of origin: one Eritrean, three Somalis, 57 Afghans and 81 Nigerians.
Dagsavisen 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYa0ER


Sweden

Deportations to Iraq continue
Yesterday the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rejected the appeals of 20 Iraqis who have not received asylum in Sweden. ECtHR agreed with the Swedish Migration Board arguing that these persons cannot be granted residence permit only because they are Christians or come from specific areas in Iraq. The 20 Iraqis have been deported from Sweden to Iraq this morning. Amnesty International, the Council of Europe, and UNHCR have strongly criticised the decision to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. However, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says that it is important to remember that Sweden has a properly functioning legal system and that every case is examined individually. UNHCR's spokesperson Hanne Mathisen: "For persons in Iraq's central governorates the need of protection continues as a result of the security situation. Violence occurs in many places and there are violations of law and order and human rights". Several persons have gathered both outside the Swedish Migration Board's detention center in Märsta and the detention facilities in Gothenburg to protest against the forced return of Iraqis. The police broke up both demonstrations.
Svenska Dagbladet 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYb0ES
Dagens Nyheter 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYc0ET
Sveriges Radio 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYd0EU
Sveriges Radio 18 January 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYe0EV
Sveriges Radio 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYf0EW
TV4 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYg0EX

Amnesty criticises deportation of Iraqis
Amnesty International criticises Sweden for forced return of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. Previously UNHCR and the Council of Europe have expressed their concern over the deportations. Amnesty states that Iraqis scheduled for deportation on 19 January might risk their lives if they are returned to the country. According to Amnesty, at least fourteen of the Iraqis scheduled for deportation are from especially dangerous provinces; belong to especially targeted ethnic or religious groups; or are persons who risk persecution on the basis of gender or political opinion. Amnesty now pleads for people to send written appeals addressed to Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and to Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Migration Board, to protest against the deportations and remind the Swedish authorities of the international conventions the country has signed. Amensty also criticises Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK for forced return of Iraqis. Sveriges Television 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYh0EY

NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYi0EZ

[Roope]

Thursday 20 January to Friday 21 January 2011


Denmark

Do not send refugees back to Greece
Today the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a key verdict that deeply affects the Danish as well as the European refugee policy. The case concerns a complaint by an Afghan refugee against the state of Belgium. The Afghan national arrived in Belgium in 2009, after fleeing from Kabul via Iran, Turkey, and Greece. Despite protests from the refugee the Belgian authorities chose to send him back to Greece under the Dublin II Regulation. According to today's verdict Belgium should not send the asylum-seeker back to Greece. In Denmark some 350 asylum-seekers are waiting to hear about the implication for their part. Birthe Rønn Hornbech Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs will scrutinize the verdict from ECtHR before she decides how Denmark will proceed regarding the around 350 asylum-seekers that have arrived to Denmark from Greece. She says, "It will be carefully considered whether and to what extent the verdict has significance for the Danish practice regarding sending back asylum seekers to Greece." Nevertheless, Denmark is not sending refugees back to Greece before the country's asylum procedures are in line with EU standards.
DR 21 January 2011 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfh0E1
DR 21 January 2011 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfi0E2
DR 21 January 2011 3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfj0E3
DR 21 January 2011 4 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfk0E4


Norway

193 persons have been forcibly returned from Norway in 2011
During the first two weeks in January 193 rejected asylum-seekers were forcibly returned from Norway. Many of them have family in Norway. The aim is to forcibly return around 4,600 persons this year. Meanwhile the well-known paperless alien Maria Amelie's deportation order is pending. The decision to deport Maria Amelie has raised a lot of protests in Norway and it has put paperless persons on the agenda. During a hearing in Parliament on Wednesday Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was criticised for Norway's strict asylum policy and the decision to send Maria Amelie out of the country.
NRK 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfl0E5
Verdens Gang 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfm0E6
Dagbladet 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfn0E7
Dagsavisen 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfo0E8

Norway refuses to meet Mullah Krekar´s demands
On Wednesday 19 the rejected asylum-seeker Mullah Krekar said that he might return voluntarily to Iraq. Krekar fled Iraq in the early 1990s and has led a guerrilla group there. He has been allowed to stay in Norway due to fears that he might be executed on return. Now Krekar demands that Norwegian authorities make an agreement with the Iraqi authorities which guarantees that he will not be executed or tortured upon his return to Iraq. In addition Krekar wants to be cleared from US's and UN's terrorist lists. All of Krekar´s demands have been discarded, pointing to the fact that persons whose asylum claims are rejected are obliged to leave the country.
Verdens Gang, 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfp0EA
TV2, 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfq0EB


Sweden

No change in number of asylum-seekers expected
The Swedish Migration Board estimates that around 31,000 asylum-seekers will come to Sweden in 2011. In 2010, around 31,819 persons applied for asylum. This is an increase of 32 percent compared to 2009. The Swedish Migration Board informs that the sharp increase in people who sought asylum in 2010 has delayed the decisions on asylum applications with half a year.
Dagens Nyheter 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfr0EC

Concerns over deportation of Iraqi refugees
After having their appeal turned down by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), 20 Iraqis were deported from Sweden to central Iraq on Wednesday. The Swedish government and the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) claim that the situation in the country has improved and that Christian Iraqis no longer face a general risk of persecution. However, UNHCR has strongly criticised the forced deportations. In the daily newspaper DN Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR's spokesperson in Stockholm says, "We are on the ground in Iraq and still hold the view that Christians and persons from Iraq are in need of protection. That thousands of Christians are now fleeing Iraq is clearly an indication of their situation." In Swedish Radio UNHCR's spokesperson Melissa Fleming argues that Sweden has not only failed to protect these refugees, but has not taken into account UNHCR's advice about the situation in Iraq: "We understand that a number of those scheduled for return belong to religious and ethnic groups targeted by violence in Iraq."  In TV4 Lise Bergh, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Sweden says, "Many of those that have been forcibly returned have left the country again. We know that some of them have died and some have been subject to different kinds of violations. It is very difficult for us to understand why the recommendations are not followed." However, according to Mikael Ribbenvik, director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), UNHCR's recommendations are very general and SMB looks at every case individually. In Swedish Radio International UNHCR's spokesperson in Stockholm Hanne Mathisen says, "We see that even Christians and other vulnerable groups are now being rejected. That said the protection rate, the number of persons getting positive decisions went up to 50 per cent amongst the Iraqis in 2010, which was up from about 27 per cent the year before. I think that many of those that are being returned now probably got there negative decision a year or two back. One can only speculate, but there is some chance that some of them that are being returned now, that if the asylum claims was looked at today they might have been granted to stay."
Sveriges Radio, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfs0ED
Sveriges Radio, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXft0EE
Dagens Nyheter, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
TV4 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfu0EF
Sveriges Radio 19 January (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfs0ED

Ministers wanted to stop wave of Iraqis
According to Wikileak's newly released document the Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström expressed their concern of the numbers of Iraqi asylum-seekers coming to Sweden during a meeting in Baghdad in September 2007. Bildt said an agreement was needed with Iraq to return illegal immigrants, adding that without a regulatory framework to send back illegal aliens the immigration to Sweden would get out of control. The ministers explained that 20,000 Iraqi asylum-seekers were expected in 2007, of which 74 per cent were expected to be granted permission to stay. According to American sources Bildt and Billström also said that Iraqis arriving after 2003 have had more difficulties integrating since they have almost no money, lower education, and no professional or language skills. Bildt and Billström also mentioned some high profile honour killings that have sparked the demands for a more strict immigration policy. The conversation took place during a breakfast meeting with the United States Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, Director-General for Political Affairs Björn Lyrvall, and Sweden's Ambassador to Iraq Niclas Trouvé. The released document has raised strong reactions. Cecilia Wikström, a member of the European Parliament and part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, expresses concern over the statements. She is especially upset over the connection to honour killings in Sweden. Peter Weiderud, Chairperson of the Swedish Association of Christian Social Democrats, is surprised by the narrow-minded ideas of Iraqis having a low education and difficulties to integrate. Some politicians are concerned and hope the ministers have been wrongly quoted. Bildt and Billström have not commented on the report. In February 2008 Sweden and Iraq signed an agreement which allows Sweden to send back rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers.
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfv0EG
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfw0EH
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfx0EI

[Roope]

Saturday 22 January to Monday 24 January 2011


Denmark

Denmark stops returns to Greece
The around 340 asylum-seekers who were waiting to be sent back to Greece under the Dublin II regulation, will get their asylum claims assessed in Denmark. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech underlines that this does not guarantee that the concerned asylum-seekers will get a residence permit in Denmark. Birthe Rønn Hornbech also wants EU to help Greece out of its current crisis. The Minister proposes that the Danish Red Cross and the Danish Refugee Council could assist Greece to reconstruct the Greek asylum system. The Minister's decision follows a verdict by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Friday condemning Belgium for sending back an Afghan asylum-seeker to Greece, and condemning Greece for the treatment of the Afghan asylum-seeker. Many Danish organisations such as Amnesty, Save the Children, and Danish Refugee Council have demanded that Denmark stops sending back asylum-seekers to Greece where the asylum system does not function properly.
DR 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLm0E4
Politiken 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLn0E5
Berlingske 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLo0E6
Berlingske 24 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLp0E7

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLq0E8


Finland

Finland stops returns to Greece
The Finnish Immigration Service (FIS) has decided to stop returning asylum-seekers to Greece. According to FIS the Greek asylum procedures do not meet human rights standards. The decision follows a key verdict by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Friday, in which Belgium was condemned for violating the rights of an Afghan asylum-seeker when sending him back to Greece.  Finland will now make an exception to the Dublin II Regulation regarding asylum-seekers who arrive in Finland through Greece. According to Esko Repo, director of the Asylum Unit in the Finnish Immigration Service, the decision is affecting some 30 asylum-seekers in Finland. Previously Finland has refrained from returning unaccompanied minors or vulnerable persons.
HBL 23 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLr0EA
Helsingin Sanomat 23 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLs0EB
YLE 23 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLt0EC


Norway

Verdict in Strasbourg has consequences for asylum-seekers in Norway
In light of the verdict delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg on 21 January 2011, Paul Lønseth State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police has confirmed that Norway will stop transferring asylum-seekers to Greece, until there are significant improvements in the Greek asylum system.
Aftenposten 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLu0ED
NRK 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLv0EE

Maria Amelie deported to Russia today
The Norwegian authorities are reviewing the regulations for migrant workers, following the controversy regarding Maria Amelie, who was deported to Russia today amidst protests. It may become possible for rejected asylum-seekers who have violated the Immigration Act by staying illegally in Norway to apply for a work permit from the country of origin. Currently, a violation of the Immigration Act would result in travel restrictions for up to five years. Ann-Magritt Austenå, Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) has criticised that Maria Amelie first has to be deported before she can return for work purposes. However, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) argues that Maria Amelie's deportation order is necessary since she has been illegally residing in Norway for several years.
Dagsavisen 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLw0EF
Verdens Gang 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLx0EG
Aftenposten 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLy0EH
NRK 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLz0EI
Dagbladet 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL10E4
Verdens Gang 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL20E5
Verdens Gang 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL30E6
Aftenposten 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL40E7
Aftenposten 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL50E8

NB. this story was also covered in Sweden and Finland
Sveriges Radio 24 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL60EA
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLw0EF

Fridtjof Nansen's 150th anniversary puts paperless immigrants on the agenda
With regard to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, Amnesty International highlights the situation for undocumented immigrants in Norway. Ole G. Solheim, regional manager at Amnesty International states that Maria Amelie has given a face to paperless immigrants and that it is about time that these persons are regularized. The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, underlines that it is necessary to follow the rules and regulations on immigration and says that those who do not meet the requirements for asylum will be sent back.
NRK 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL70EB


Sweden

Asylum-seekers placed in custody prior to deportation
Rejected asylum-seekers who are arrested and detained prior to deportation, are sometimes placed in custody along with criminal suspects, pending transportation to the Swedish Migration Board's detention facilities. Asylum-seekers in detention are not supposed to spend more than a night in police custody or remand prisons. However, according to the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO), this time limit is regularly exceeded by 4-5 days. In a memo to the Migration Board, JO states that it is unacceptable that persons who have committed no crime, are unwell or have tried to injure themselves must share cells with criminal suspects. A rejected asylum-seeker who refuses to return voluntarily is placed in the Swedish Migration Board's detention facilities prior to deportation. In 2010, 232 detainees where placed in custody for security-related reasons, for periods of up to several months. There are around 11,000 rejected asylum-seekers in Sweden who have refused to leave the country voluntarily. The returns must be quicker, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and the government has tasked the National Police Board, the Migration Board and the Prison and Probation Service with rendering the returns more effective.
Sveriges Television 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL80EC
Dagens Nyheter 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMA0EM
Dagens Nyheter 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMB0EN

Experts and politicians criticise Wikileaks quotes on Iraqi refugees
Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, were quoted in a Wikileaks document as having spoken negatively about Iraqi asylum-seekers arriving in Sweden. Mona Sahlin, Party leader for the Social Democratic Party, criticises Bildt and Billström heavily, and says that the situation is scandalous. Sahlin says that it is hypocritical that the ministers criticise Sweden Democrats publicly, but speak about Iraqi asylum-seekers in such a negative manner behind closed doors. Sahlin considers it blackmail of the Iraqi authorities that Bildt and Billström allegedly spoke about establishing a Swedish embassy in Baghdad in exchange for a return agreement regarding rejected asylum-seekers deported to Iraq. Bodil Ceballos, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for the Green Party, is reporting Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy to the Committee on the Constitution, for allegedly having tried to trade the establishment of a Swedish embassy in Baghdad for a return agreement of rejected asylum-seekers with the Iraqi authorities. Ceballos states that such deal making violates human rights, and that asylum assessments should be based on protection needs. Bildt and Billström have refused to comment the Wikileaks document regarding the meeting between Bildt, Billström and the Iraqi authorities in 2007. Billström has stated that the government has decided not to comment Wikileaks documents, but both Bildt and Prime Minister Reinfeldt have previously commented on other Wikileaks documents.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMC0EO
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMD0EP
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjME0EQ
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMF0ER
Sveriges Television 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMG0ES
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMH0ET
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMI0EU



UNHCR in the News

UNHCR pleads for halt of returns to Côte d'Ivoire
No countries should return refugees from Côte d'Ivoire as long as the political instability persists, says UNHCR. Only Germany and Switzerland have formally halted such returns, says UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic, and urges other countries to follow this example until security and the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire have improved. Around 30,000 Ivorians have fled to neighbouring Liberia.
Sydsvenskan 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMJ0EV

[Roope]

Tuesday 25 January to Wednesday 27 January 2011

Denmark

Asylum-seekers not transferred to Greece
Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, has made it clear that all asylum-seekers coming to Denmark via Greece can now apply for asylum and get their cases processed in Denmark. Those who meet the requirements will receive a residence permit. However, Hornbech thinks that Greece should sort out its asylum system before the end of the year. The Danish government's support party strongly opposes the decision. Peter Skaarup, Danish People's Party Integration Spokesperson, argues that it would entail an influx of asylum-seekers. He suggests that asylum-seekers who are granted asylum move to Greece and reside there.
Berlingske Tidende 26 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqA0ET
Jyllands-Posten 26 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqB0EU


Norway

Rejected asylum-seekers deported to Russia
On 25 January 50 Chechen asylum-seekers were sent back to Russia. The return of Chechen refugees to Russia has raised concerns. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee strongly criticises the decision saying it is not safe for Chechens to return. Some of the asylum-seekers are political refugees seen as enemies in Russia and risk being arrested, tortured or executed without a trial. Anne-Karin Westbye at the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) argues that each case is assessed individually and that these 50 asylum-seekers are not in need of international protection. The Norwegian immigration authorities decided to deport Chechen asylum-seekers when it was found that Chechens can settle in other parts of Russia. On Monday afternoon a small demonstration took place outside parliament (Stortinget) in Oslo.
Verdens Gang 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqC0EV
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqD0EW
Dagbladet 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqE0EX
Dagsavisen 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqF0EY

Victims of torture seldom get help
Norwegian authorities should be better at detecting and assisting asylum-seekers with special needs, according to a recently released study from the Institute for Social Research (ISF). The EC Directive on the Reception of Asylum Seekers obliges member states to identify vulnerable asylum-seekers and provide them with care, treatment and follow-up when needed. The newly released report criticises Norway for not having special legislation that identifies asylum-seekers with special needs. According to the study Norway should learn from experiences in the EU.
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqG0EZ

Kosovo Serbs face difficulties upon return to Serbia
A Kosovo Serbian family was deported to Serbia in September 2010 after living three years in a municipality in Nordland, Norway. The deportation caused strong protests and the local population organised a support group with volunteers sending financial support to the family each month. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reacted to the forced return of Kosovo Serbs and other minorities from Kosovo. Dusan Aralica, Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR in Belgrade in Serbia says that there is no immediate security risk for displaced Kosovo Serbs. However, when they return they will have trouble getting the necessary documents, shelter and earning a livelihood. Aralica explains that Kosovo Serbs do not fall under the UNHCR mandate since they are not registered as internally displaced persons in Serbia. They receive no assistance but can apply for financial support from the Serbian authorities. Aralica adds that it is not known how many receive financial support. Many Kosovo Serbs have not been able to return to Kosovo. According to UNHCR's statistics, in 2009 and 2010 Norway and Germany were the countries sending back most persons to Serbia.
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqH0Ea


Sweden

Asylum-seekers detained in custody with criminals
Asylum-seekers detained at the Migration Board's facilities in Gothenburg and who are believed to be a danger to themselves or others, are regularly placed in police custody along with criminals. There is no time limit to how long asylum-seekers may be detained in custody, and several persons have been detained for weeks on end. A staff member at the police custody in Gothenburg likens the supervision of suicidal detainees to torture. Sweden has been criticised by both UNHCR and the UN Committee Against Torture for placing asylum-seekers in detention with criminals.
Göteborgs-Posten 25 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqI0Eb

Opposition parties proposed discussion on Iraq deportations
The left and green opposition parties wanted to call Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Migration Board, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, to the Parliamentary Committee on Social Insurance, to speak about the continued forced return of Iraqis, and the alleged statements by Billström in Iraq on Iraqi refugees. However, the proposal was voted down by the four centre-right parties and the Sweden Democrats in the Committee. Gunnar Axén, president of the Committee, says that the proposal was an attempt to investigate Billström's alleged statements in Iraq, something the Committee on the Constitution is already tasked with.
Sveriges Television 25 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqJ0Ec



UNHCR in the news

Tens of thousands of Pakistanis still displaced after floods
According to UNHCR around 166,000 Pakistanis are still living in camps or spontaneous settlements due to the devastating floods six months ago. An estimated 20 million persons were affected and 1.7 million homes were damaged or destroyed. Most of those who are still homeless are located in the southern Sindh province. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called the flood disaster "a slow-motion tsunami".
YLE 25 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqK0Ed