UNHCR Baltic and Nordic Headlines (uutiskirje)

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UNHCR Baltic and Nordic Headlines 19-20 August 2010

Thursday 19 August to Friday 20 August 2010

Finland

Debate on asylum-seekers in Finland
The True Finns party states that those living in reception centers should not receive any money at all while their application is under consideration. Instead, the centers should only provide food, clothing and residence. Arto Välikangas (True Finns) participated in a debate with Corinna Tammenmaa (Swedish People's Party), special advisor to Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors. Tammenmaa criticized the True Finns' view on "asylum shoppers" and stated that only providing food and clothing does not contribute to the integration of asylum-seekers in Finland. The support asylum-seekers receive is around 300 euros a month, which is not enough to lead a luxurious life in Finland, she added. Both parties agree that the review process of asylum applications should be shortened.
YLE 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Xc0ZqnfK0aYE0EFoV0Ee
YLE Areena 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Xc0ZqnfK0aYE0EFoW0Ef

Sweden

Sabuni aide slanders Muslims
An official working closely with the Minister for Integration, Nyamko Sabuni, has been given new duties at the Ministry for Integration and Gender Equality after comparing Islam with Nazism and Communism on his personal blog. The official stated that there are no good practitioners of Islam, just confused or evil persons. Sabuni states that she strongly opposes these views and that the statements are untrue, but did not want to respond to questions on whether the official was suitable to work with issues pertaining to integration.
Dagens Nyheter 18 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Xc0ZqnfK0aYE0EFoX0Eg



UNHCR in the news

EU increases border control
Joint deportations of illegal migrants from EU countries have been heavily criticised by UNHCR and Human Rights Watch (HRW), among others. So far this year, 27 flights deporting 1338 persons from the EU have been coordinated and partly financed by Frontex. The deportations are in line with the Stockholm Programme, a five-year strategy on migration and border policy, part of EU aspirations for a common asylum policy and border control. The programme stresses that collaboration with transit countries, such as Libya and Turkey, is key to stem irregular migration, and emphasises that human rights should not be violated. HRW has however criticised the programme for its lack of transparency and states that boats with irregular migrants are towed back to Libya without giving passengers a fair test of their needs for asylum. The United Kingdom has also been accused of not following Frontex regulations during deportations. The General Secretary for the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), Bjarte Vandvik, states that Frontex has transformed from a small inter-state project to a fairly large EU authority. He adds that EU has criminalised migration, and that this affects their international reputation negatively.
Svenska Dagbladet 19 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Xc0ZqnfK0aYE0EFoY0Eh

Hollywood star helps flood victims
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Angelina Jolie, donates 100,000 USD to the flood victims in Pakistan. Altogether the UN has estimated the need for nearly 400 million euros to help with the emergency, only half of which has been received.
YLE 19 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Xc0ZqnfK0aYE0EFoZ0Ei

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Saturday 21 August to Monday 23 August 2010

Sweden

"EU-countries should not transfer refugee children"
Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum should never be returned from one EU country to another, such as Malta, says Cecilia Wikström, Liberal MEP. She represents the European Parliament in negotiations with the European Commission and the European Council on the controversial Dublin Regulation. Recently the Riksdag parties' youth leagues demanded a halt to Sweden's forced returns to Malta. Wikström says that her proposal would put an end to these discussions. Belgium, current holder of the EU presidency, has put asylum issues on top of the agenda.
Dagens Nyheter 21 August 2010 p: 16 (in Swedish)

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Thursday 26 August to Friday 27 August 2010

Norway

Stricter rules for UDI-employees
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has introduced new rules for employees with an immigrant background. According to the new rules, UDI-employees with a foreign background should not handle asylum cases from their own country of origin, if there are conflicts between different ethnic or other groups within that country. UDI-employees also should not be allowed to take on a case if their own country of origin is in conflict with the country of the asylum seeker, or if the UDI-employee is known by the asylum-seeker or other affected parties. The Institution against Public Discrimination criticises the new rules, saying that they may lead to increased discrimination of immigrants in the job market.
Aftenposten 25 August 2010 (In Norwegian
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC7jj0ZqnfK0aYE0EGTa0Ep

Sweden

Family to be deported – to two continents
A Chechnyan woman and her three children were picked up in their home in Hagfors on Thursday and are scheduled to be deported to Russia this week. The woman's spouse, father to two of the children, is to be forcibly returned to Côte d'Ivoire. The legal representative for the Chechnyan woman is critical of the Migration Board and the Migration Courts, who he claims have not accounted for the family situation. The legal representative hopes to be able to stop the deportations by appealing to the European Court for Human Rights. The Red Cross, along with local politicians, plead that the family should be allowed to stay in Sweden, where two of the children are born.
Svenska Dagbladet 26 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC7jj0ZqnfK0aYE0EGTb0Eq
NB. This item was also covered in Norway
Aftenposten 27 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC7jj0ZqnfK0aYE0EGTc0Er
ABC-Nyheter 27 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC7jj0ZqnfK0aYE0EGTd0Es
Norsk Rikskringkasting 27 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC7jj0ZqnfK0aYE0EGTe0Et

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Saturday 28 August to Monday 30 August 2010

Denmark

Swedish politicians admit failed integration of immigrants
Unemployment among Swedes who were born in a foreign country is twice as high as among native Swedes. A quarter of immigrants aged 18-45 have not ever been in employment after nine years in the country, according to a new government report. Both parliamentary blocs admit that the integration policy has failed. However, neither the government nor the opposition plan on following "the Danish way" of limiting family reunification or accepting fewer refugees to remedy the situation.
Berlingske Tidende 29 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV10Ex

Finland

Minister Thors proposes biometric passport for Somalis seeking family reunification
Minister for Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, Swedish People's Party, calls for a tightening of the rules for family reunification for asylum-seekers and refugees. She proposes that arrivals in Finland should be required to give their finger prints and have a biometric passport so that their identities can be verified. The passport requirement is already in use in Sweden, and the number of unfounded  applications for family reunification has decreased. The Ministry of the Interior has suspected fraud in the applications, especially concerning foster children. Finland receives the highest number of applications for the reunification of Somali foster children in Europe. According to the Ministry of the Interior, some families may have up to eight foster children. Minister Thors does not want comment on the fraud suspicions, and says that the persons reviewing the applications are in a key position to comment.
Helsingin Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV20Ey
YLE 29 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV30Ez
YLE 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV40E1
Turun Sanomat 29 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV50E2
Turun Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV60E3
Aamulehti 29 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV70E4
Aamulehti 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGV80E5
YLE Svenska 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWA0EG
Hufvudstadsbladet 29 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWB0EH
Vasabladet 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWC0EI
Helsinki Times 30 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWD0EJ

Somali foster child applications pile up at Finnish Immigration Service
The number of applications for family reunification has increased sixfold in the last four years. Now, 5000 Somalis await a decision on their applications. A reason for the increased number of applications is the number of foster children in the families. Almost every family has foster children, while a few years ago there were almost none. According to a report by the Ministry of the Interior, 70 per cent of the reported foster children between the ages of 13 and 17 are girls. The report also states that the foster child system may be abused as a tool for human smuggling.
Helsingin Sanomat 29 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWE0EK
MTV3 29 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWF0EL

Record number rejected due to crime
Finland has rejected a record number of foreigners this year and the number of those who have been being rejected due to criminal activities has risen by 150 per cent compared to the previous year. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, especially theft crimes have increased. In the period between January and July, over 400 foreigners were rejected because of crime, while the number for the same period was in 2009 was 250. Russians are the biggest group among the rejected,  but the share of Estonians and Romanians who are involved in crime has increased.
Nelonen 28 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWG0EM
Turun Sanomat 28 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWH0EN
Verkkouutiset 28 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWI0EO

Sweden

Migration Board rejects criticism on missing children
ECPAT and the insurance company If have criticized the Migration Board for the approximately 500 children that have disappeared during the asylum process during the first half of 2010. The ultimate responsibility rests with each municipality and the police, according to the Migration Board. ECPAT and If believe that the missing children risk exploitation by traffickers and might become victims of sex trafficking. It is unclear how many children in this group are being sexually abused or involved in organized crime. Of the 660 children registered as missing between January and June in 2010, 494 were still missing in June. According to the Migration Board, all these children may not be lost without a trace, since some families have left Sweden without de-registering the children and some families have been rejected, but that further guidelines on dealing with matters concerning suspicion of human trafficking will be developed.
Dagens Nyheter 27 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWJ0EP

Emotional reunion of family
The family of asylum-seekers that was due to be deported to two different continents has been reunited in their home in Hagfors. The mother and the children were picked up by police on Thursday and were to be deported to Russia on Friday. The father of the two children is to be deported to Côte d'Ivoire. The family's legal counsel is of the opinion that Swedish authorities have only looked at the cases of the parents individually, failing to see the situation from a family perspective. The case has been reported to the European Court of Justice.
Dagens Nyheter 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8GJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGWK0EQ

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Tuesday 31 August to Wednesday 1 September 2010

Finland

Biaudet to probe human trafficking suspicions
The office of the Ombudsman for Minorities is looking into whether the Finnish Immigration Service could be able to recognize possible cases of human trafficking as it processes family reunification applications. The Ministry of the Interior suspects that there are some cases of human trafficking among the current applications to bring foster children from Somalia, the majority of them being teen-aged girls. On Monday, Ombudsman for Minorities Eva Biaudet asked why the Immigration Service has not reported any cases to organizations that support victims of human trafficking. Under Finnish law, victims of human trafficking or even suspected victims are eligible for participation in a support system. Biaudet expects answers from the Immigration Service by 10 September.
YLE 30 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgE0Ex
Helsingin Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgF0Ey
Turun Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgG0Ez
Hufvudstadsbladet 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgH0E1
Vasabladet 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgI0E2
Åbo Underrättelser 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgJ0E3

Somali biometric passports must be accepted
The Ministry of the Interior suggests that Somali biometric passports should be accepted in Finland as identification documents. The majority of European countries do not trust Somali biometric passports, since there is not a single trustworthy authority to issue passports in Somalia. The passports are expensive, so all arrivals in Finland have not been able to present even a regular passport. According to Astrid Thors, Minister for Migration and European Affairs, Finland has tightened the rules for family reunification. The changes came into force in the beginning of August. In 2009, 43 per cent of Somalis seeking residence in Finland were rejected. Thors says that the foster children must have had an actual care relationship with the family that wants to reunite with them, to ensure that foster children are treated as real family members.
Helsingin Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgK0E4
Helsingin Sanomat 1 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgL0E5
MTV3 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgM0E6
Verkkouutiset 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgN0E7
Åbo Underrättelser 30 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgO0E8

The Police have no reference to human trafficking
So far the Police have not launched an investigation regarding the increased numbers of Somalis applying for family reunification for foster children. Crime inspector Per Ehrstén from the Finnish Police Board states that it is not a crime to apply to reunite with one's foster children. The Immigration Service currently needs up to two years to process foster child applications due to applications piling up. The waiting time is illegal but no extra resources are expected to process more applications.
MTV3 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgP0EA

ECHR extends temporary stay for Egyptian grandmother
The European Court of Human Rights has extended its temporary stay of Finland's planned deportation of the Egyptian grandmother Eveline Fadayel. The Court says it will try to speed up its decision; however, it was unable to give a more specific timetable.
Fadayel was to leave Finland by mid-June, but her relatives in Finland have kept her hidden. The Finnish Immigration Service had previously denied her a residence permit as grandparents are not considered immediate family members. Fadayel has submitted a detailed medical report to the Court, which is still considering her case.
Helsingin Sanomat 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgQ0EB
YLE 30 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgR0EC
YLE 31 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgS0ED

Lithuania

Chechen couple applies for residence permit
Chechen nationals Khadidzhat Gatayeva and Malik Gatayev seek residence and additional protection in Lithuania, regardless of their asylum application in Finland. On August 24, Lithuania's Supreme Administrative Court examined Khadidzhat's appeal against the decision made by the Migration Department to reject her application for additional protection and asylum in Lithuania. In May of 2009, a Vilnius court found the department's move legitimate. As soon as the couple receives a decision in Finland, they will consider whether they will return to Lithuania.
Baltic News Service 24 August 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee



UNHCR in the news

BBC World Service report on Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden
Since the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein, many Iraqis have come to Sweden in the hope of being granted asylum. However, in 2007, a Swedish court ruled that Iraq is no longer in a state of internal conflict. Since then, over 500 Iraqis have been forcibly returned. An estimated 3000 – 4000 Iraqis, many part of the Christian-Assyrian minority, are faced with deportation and are in hiding. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, says that Swedish asylum policy works on the basis of individual screening, not collective decisions. Accordingly, Sweden does not automatically grant Assyrian-Christians asylum and continues to deport those not deemed to be in need of international protection. UNHCR spokesperson Hanne Mathisen explains that, in the view of UNHCR, "persons originating from the governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa, Salah-al-Din as well as the Kirkuk province, continue to be in need of international protection" and therefore should not be "forcibly returned".
BBC World Service 19 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8bF0ZqnfK0aYE0EGgT0EE

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Thursday 2 September to Friday 3 September 2010

Finland

Municipalities unwilling to receive refugees
Municipalities are reluctant to open their doors to asylum-seekers and refugees. Around 200 refugees, mostly living in refugee camps, are waiting to move to Finland. Although they have their paperwork in order, they need a municipality to take them in. In addition, about 400 refugees who have been granted asylum in Finland are still living at refugee reception centers because no municipality has offered them a place to stay. In total, Finland needs to find accommodations for 2,200 refugees and asylum-seekers. Last year, Finland aimed to find 2,000 homes for refugees, but only 1,450 were secured. Finland has committed to taking in 750 refugees annually. According to UNHCR, this includes 100 persons in need of immediate assistance.
YLE 2 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGx50Ef
YLE 2 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGx60Eg

Norway

Most rejected asylum-seekers forcibly returned
So far this year, 3967 asylum-seekers have been sent home from Norway. Of these, 75% were returned against their will. Minister for Justice and the Police Jens Storberget sees this as proof that the Norwegian asylum policy is working. According to Storberget, it is important to give a realistic picture of who may or may not stay in Norway and that more returnees mean that fewer persons will come to the country in the first place.
Aftenposten 1 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGx70Eh
Verdens Gang 1 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGx80Ei

Report criticises lax security procedures at Lier return centre
A report by the Labour Inspection Authority criticises the way security issues were dealt with at the Lier centre for rejected asylum-seekers waiting to be deported, before it was burnt to the ground by its residents. Lack of internal procedures and routines for following up violence are cited as a problem. The management claims that any problems have been rectified. The centre is to be closed on 1 November.
Aftenposten 2 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGyA0Es

Sweden

Police recommendations on Roma deportations
Sweden has been criticised for its expulsion of some 50 Roma migrants this year. The Swedish police have defended the deportations, claiming that the Roma were begging, and referring to the Aliens' Act, which states that a person who does not earn a living by lawful means can be expelled from the country. Different police authorities in Sweden interpreted the legislation differently and recent recommendations from the National Criminal Police (NCP), state that a person can be expelled if suspected of organised begging.
Dagens Nyheter 3 September 2010 p: 17 (in Swedish)

Sweden Democrats propose stricter immigration – and 1 billion to UNHCR
The Sweden Democrats (SD) proposes a stricter immigration policy in the party election programme, presented today. One suggestion is that burkhas should be banned in public places. A few hundred women are estimated to wear burkhas in Sweden. SD sticks to its earlier proposals of tightened immigration. SD also proposes that one billion Swedish kronor should be donated to UNHCR, to help refugees - in the region close to their countries of origin. According to Jan Ekberg, professor in gross economics, SD's suggested immigration policy is based on faulty assumptions on how much financial resources can be saved through diminishing immigration.
Dagens Nyheter 2 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGyB0Et
Svenska Dagbladet 2 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC8wZ0ZqnfK0aYE0EGyC0Eu

[Roope]

Saturday 4 September to Monday 6 September 2010

Finland

Green MP: Somalis should be helped at home
Green League parliamentarian Pekka Haavisto says Somali refugees should receive more aid in Somalia. According to him, Finns are more concerned with the Somali refugees living in Finland than with the actual conflict. He believes the key issue is for the refugees to be able to return to their homes. He is in favor of introducing a biometric passport requirement for asylum-seekers. It is also important that the EU harmonize its asylum policies to prevent asylum shopping within the union, he says. Haavisto, a former Minister of the Environment and Development Co-operation, is the EU Special Representative for Sudan. Haavisto strongly supports UNHCR and the quota refugee system, among others because quota refugees' identities are well documented, and prefers this system to spontaneous asylum applications. Haavisto also says that the worst case scenario is that Finland accepts refugees and asylum-seekers who cannot be taken care of properly, adding that there is never a bad time to discuss what the Finnish resources are, and how much help should be given through UNHCR.
YLE 6 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4b0EE
Suomen Kuvalehti 5 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4c0EF
Helsingin Sanomat 5 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4d0EG
YLE 6 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4e0EH

Practice of imprisoning deportees draws fire
Hundreds of foreign nationals awaiting deportation are held in police facilities due to overcrowding at Finland's only detention centre. The UN Committee Against Torture has reprimanded Finland for the practice. This year, 500 to 600 such cases have been reported so far. Foreign nationals not guilty of any crime can be placed in the detention center if they are to be deported, or their identity needs to be established. The detention centre can house only 40 persons. This year, stays at the detention center have increased by around a month. Persons at the detention centers should be able to move about, go outside, visit with others, exercise and have access to the internet, whereas the police facilities are more like a prison. Construction of new centres would provide accommodation for dozens of more persons. However, the proposal was cut from next year's budget.
YLE 3 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4f0EI
YLE 3 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4g0EJ
YLE 3 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4h0EK

Norway

Troublemakers still in Norway
Two months after the Nannestad and Lier return centres were set on fire by their residents, only 16 out of 250 have been returned to their home countries, despite all having received negative responses to their asylum applications. Four have been forcibly returned, one is in prison, twelve have returned voluntarily, but the vast majority are now living at other return centres. Most have not been returned either because the authorities have had difficulties in positively establishing their identities, or because Norway does not have return agreements with their countries of origin.
NRK 5 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4i0EL
Dagbladet 5 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4j0EM
Aftenposten 5 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4k0EN

Sweden

Sweden criticised for discrimination against Romas
Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Swedish Arch Bishop Anders Wejryd, state that the population that is most discriminated against in Europe and Sweden is the Roma. Hammarberg and Wejryd criticise the deportations from Sweden of Roma EU citizens this year. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, supported the forced returns, but according to Hammarberg and Wejryd, the deportations were based on unclear legal guidelines. Hammarberg and Wejryd warn that Roma are portrayed as a danger to society by politicians trying to win votes. They point out that legal protection of Roma should be taken seriously, that anti-gypsyism must be targeted across Europe, and that Roma should not be hindered from enjoying the rights intended for all EU citizens. Hammarberg and Wejryd support the call for a Swedish Truth Commission, for investigation of earlier violations, such as forced sterilizations of Roma women, expulsions of Roma from municipalities, and other forms of discrimination against Roma. Sweden, as well as Germany, Austria and Switzerland have deported Roma asylum-seekers to Kosovo, sending them back to poor living conditions and unsafe surroundings.
Dagens Nyheter 4 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4l0EO
Svenska Dagbladet 4 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4m0EP

Roma discriminated against across Europe
The Stockholm police have so far deported 62 beggars from other EU countries. More than half - many of them Roma - were forcibly returned to Romania. Sweden has criticised other EU countries for their poor treatment of the Roma people, and one of the critics is the Minister of EU Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson. She claims that Sweden has come further than other countries in improving the "tone of the discourse" on Roma, but admits that Roma are still discriminated against in Sweden. Ohlsson reacts strongly against the anti-Roma rhetoric of politicians in both new and old EU countries, and adds that the UN and the Vatican have criticised the poor treatment of Roma in Europe. Ohlsson recently stated that sanctions against France should be considered for the country's ill-treatment of Roma, but softened her critique after French reactions to her statement. Ohlsson does not wish to comment on the Swedish deportations of Roma, but states that begging is not a crime, and not a reason for mass deportation. The Minister adds that each case should be tried individually and be open for appeal.
Dagens Nyheter 4 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4n0EQ

Centre-Left coalition calls for review of asylum procedures
The three Centre-Left opposition parties believe that the Aliens Act is interpreted too strictly and suggest that the regulations concerning family migration should be reviewed. The Centre-Left parties have agreed on a common migration policy, and want to clarify the meaning of the term "armed conflict" in the assessment of asylum applications. The opposition parties state that the definition of the term should include its full scope under Public International Law, and provide protection for those fleeing war in their countries of origin. The Centre-Left coalition also wants to clarify the term "severe internal conflict" and make it less restrictive. The changes to regulations regarding asylum for reasons of gender and sexual disposition have not had the intended effect, according to the opposition parties. The changes should therefore be examined, and necessary clarifications should be made. The Centre-Left parties also believe that the term "particularly distressing circumstances" should be broadened for the assessment of asylum applications. The coalition suggests that procedures relating to children and youth should be made less severe, and that so-called apathetic children should not be forcibly returned. Detention should only be allowed in exceptional cases, and for a maximum of three months. Children should never be detained. The Centre-Left coalition also wishes to review financial compensation for asylum-seekers.
Dagens Nyheter
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4o0ER

Red Cross and Save the Children demand humane treatment of refugee children
The Red Cross and Save the Children organised a national manifestation for refugee children in eight Swedish cities on Saturday 4 September. The two organizations demanded that refugee children in Sweden should be received in a dignified and humane manner. The Red Cross believes that the issue of unaccompanied refugee children has disappeared from the election campaign. In a recent report, the Red Cross investigates how unaccompanied refugee children are cared for in Sweden. Today 633 children are residing in temporary transit housing, awaiting placement in some of the country's municipalities. Save the Children demands that unaccompanied children should be appointed a guardian within 24 hours. The organisation criticises many municipalities for not taking responsibility for the children. They now hope that more people will ask their local politicians whether their municipality can accommodate unaccompanied refugee children. Last year, 2,250 unaccompanied children and youth came to Sweden. The estimated number of arrivals for 2010 is 3,000.
Svenska Dagbladet 4 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4p0ES



UNHCR in the news

USAID and WFP aid destined for flood victims sold at markets
Under a photo showing Pakistani flood victims carrying UNHCR-marked assistance material, it is claimed that persons receiving aid from the World Food Program and USAID have been selling the aid items openly at markets. Bags of seeds provided by aid agencies, for example, are high quality and low-price, and therefore attractive for buyers, says one trader. No reference in the article is made specifically to UNHCR assistance material being sold on.
Verdens Gang 4 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAWl0ZqnfK0aYE0EG4q0ET

[Roope]

Tuesday 7 September to Wednesday 8 September 2010

Norway

Norwegian asylum figures among lowest in Europe
Norway has experienced the highest fall in the number of asylum applications of any European country. This year Sweden will receive three times as many asylum applications as Norway – so far 18 300 have applied for asylum in Sweden, but only 5311 in Norway. Two years ago Norway introduced tougher rules for asylum applications – it is believed that the tougher rules are the reason for the decline. Asylum on humanitarian grounds is now only granted on an individual basis, not to whole groups of people. Persons who have been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds must have been in employment or education for a minimum of four years to qualify for family-reunification or to receive the right to marry. Ida Børresen, Director General of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), says it seems like asylum-seekers have an understanding of the politics of different European countries, and consider this information when choosing where to apply for asylum. Jens Storberget, Minister for Justice and the Police, has commented that "return is the most effective way of communicating our asylum policy". Norway has received criticism from UNHCR for returning rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq.
Dagsavisen 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIk0Ek
Verdens Gang 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIl0El

SV want more quota refugees
The Socialist Left Party (SV) would like to see an increase in the number of quota refugees that Norway accepts. Because fewer asylum seekers are coming to Norway, SV immigration spokesperson Heikki Holmås would like to see Norway increase the number of quota refugees it accepts by 300 persons, from the current level of 1200 to 1500 quota refugees. Lise Christoffersen, immigration spokesperson for the Labour Party, welcomes the fall in the number of asylum-seekers, however adding that, if it means persons in genuine need of protection choose not to come to Norway, it is a negative development.
Dagsavisen 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIm0Em

Swedish criticism of Norwegian asylum politics
Kalle Larsson, spokesperson for refugee issues of the Swedish Left Party (V), is criticising Norwegian asylum practices calling them less humane than Swedish practices. The criticism was prompted by the revelations that Sweden is likely to receive three times as many applications for asylum this year compared with Norway. The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, is critical of the large differences in asylum policy and practices across Europe, calling for a more equal approach from the different countries.
Dagsavisen 8 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIn0En

Sweden

Commissioner for Human Rights says Swedish deportations are inhumane
Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, criticises his native Sweden for inhumane deportations. Hammarberg states that Sweden almost systematically ignores instructions from UNHCR not to deport asylum-seekers to Iraq. Similarly, Sweden is the country that deports most persons to Kosovo, many of them Roma, although UNHCR has warned for unsafe and undignified living conditions in Kosovo. Hammarberg also criticises Sweden for returning asylum-seeking children to Malta, under the Dublin regulations, in spite of the extremely harsh living conditions for asylum-seekers there. Hammarberg further states that asylum-seekers are increasingly treated as criminals by Swedish authorities, and have on occasion been isolated for months in the wait to be forcibly returned. Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, informed the Parliament earlier this summer that recommendations from UNHCR should only be regarded as one of many information sources guiding the asylum procedure. Hammarberg regrets that the precise recommendations from UNHCR are currently only regarded as background information by Sweden. He adds that UNHCR is the expert agency on refugee issues, with much experience and a competent body of staff in the field. Hammarberg warns that current government policies risk undermining the role of UNHCR, and might provoke harsher attitudes also in other countries.
OmVärlden September Issue 2010 (in Swedish)

Malmström on the stigmatisation of Roma
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, criticised the French policy regarding Roma deportations at a meeting on asylum and migration in Paris. She expresses that she finds the stigmatisation of Roma, in France and other EU countries, unpleasant. The meeting, hosted by French immigration minister Eric Besson, was attended by Malmström, and ministers or secretaries of state from Canada and four EU member states. Malmström says that Roma are in a very vulnerable position in Europe, and that it is vital to discuss how the EU can address the marginalisation of Europe's 10-12 million Roma. Malmström says that there is a dialogue with the French authorities, and that the European Commission is currently investigating whether France has violated any laws in deporting Roma from the country. According to Malmström, there are currently discussions with the Belgian EU presidency on arranging a special meeting regarding the situation for Roma. 17.5 billion euro were set aside in the EU 2007-2012 budget for Roma projects, and a working group will now review how the funds have been used.
Sveriges Television 6 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIo0Eo
Dagens Nyheter 6 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIp0Ep

Forced Returns to Greece Halted
Two rulings from the Migration Court in Malmö stopped the return of five asylum-seekers to Greece. The five asylum-seekers: two women and their three children, first sought asylum in Greece, where they were rejected. The Migration Court however finds that the asylum process in Greece is seriously flawed, that asylum-seekers will potentially not be given a fair trial, and are at risk of refoulement, in spite of possibly dire protection needs. The Court therefore suggests that Sweden should take over the assessment of the asylum applications. In 2008, the Migration Court decided that asylum-seekers could be returned to Greece but the court now states that Greek legislation has since deteriorated. UNHCR has refused to participate in the Greek asylum process. The Greek committee that previously tried appeals has been annulled, and the right to appeal has been limited. The Migration Court also mentions in the verdicts that only 1.2 per cent of all asylum applications, and 2 per cent of appeals, were approved by the Greek authorities. The Migration Court stresses that UNHCR has shown that the Greek rejections are standardised, and lack detailed legal discussions, references to case-specific facts, and country information. The court bases its decisions on a ruling by the European Court of Justice, calling on EU member states to halt the transfer of asylum seekers to Greece. The verdict was later appealed by the Migration Board, to the Migration Court of Appeal, the highest authority for cases concerning migration. This year, Sweden has returned 395 asylum-seekers to Greece.
Sveriges Television 6 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIq0Eq
Dagens Nyheter 6 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIr0Er
Sveriges Radio 6 September (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIs0Es
Sveriges Television 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIt0Et
N.B. This story was also covered in  Norway
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIu0Eu

Decrease in financial assistance to refugees
During the first six months of 2010, financial assistance to refugees in Sweden decreased with five per cent to 1.1 billion Skr, compared with the same period last year. The total disbursement of financial assistance increased with seven per cent to 5.9 billion SKr.
TV 4 7 September 2010 (in Swedish
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIv0Ev
Dagens Nyheter 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIw0Ew
Svenska Dagbladet 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIx0Ex



UNHCR in the news

Jolie visits victims of Pakistan floods
Actress Angelina Jolie is visiting the flood victims in Pakistan. She arrived in Islamabad yesterday. Ms Jolie is visiting the country in the capacity of Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. The purpose of the visit is to draw attention to the plight of the victims of the floods. The UN has so far raised USD 310 million of its USD 460 million dollar target. Ms Jolie would like to encourage individual donors and governments to give more to the relief effort.
Norway
NRK 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIy0Ey
Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHIz0Ez
Denmark
Jyllands-Posten 7 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI10Em

Civilians killed in Mogadishu
According to figures from UNHCR, more than 230 civilians have been killed and at least 400 injured in fighting between government troops and armed Islamists in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. Around 23 000 persons have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the violence. "UNHCR is alarmed by the further deterioration we are seeing in the situation in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu," said Melissa Fleming, UNHCR spokesperson.
Norway
Verdens Gang 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI20En
ABC Nyheter 7 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI30Eo
Denmark
Danmarks Radio 7 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI40Ep
Sweden
Sveriges Radio 7 Spetember 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI50Eq
Dagens Nyheter 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDAoU0ZqnfK0aYE0EHI60Er

[Roope]

Thursday 9 September to Monday 13 September 2010

Finland

Iranian diplomat seeks asylum in Finland
The second highest diplomat Hossein Alizadeh in the Iranian embassy in Finland seeks asylum in Finland. He resigned from his post in the end of last week in protest against the anti-democratic policies of the Iranian government. Alizadeh announced his decision to seek asylum in a press conference in Helsinki on Monday. Alizadeh risks capital punishment in Iran and he is afraid for the safety of his family and himself. He declares that the main reason for his resignation is the assumed ballot rigging in the June 2009 presidential elections. Alizadeh worked as the vice head of office in the Iranian embassy.
Helsingin Sanomat 13 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe30Ee
Hufvudstadsbladet 13 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe40Ef
YLE 13 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe50Eg

Latvian league suspected of smuggling over 100 persons to Finland
Fours Latvians are suspected of having smuggled over hundred Afghanis and Iraqis to Finland. The persons brought illegally to Finland had to pay over 7,800 euros to the smugglers. According to the Helsinki Police, some of them have been threatened and kept locked up in apartments. The smuggled persons have sought asylum in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 13 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe60Eh

More funds needed to find municipal homes for refugees
Finland's refugee reception centers are battling with overcrowding. The Finnish Immigration Service and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities agree that the current integration system for asylum-seekers who have been granted residence permits does not work. This year's national target is to arrange 2,200 places for refugees in Finnish municipalities. It is already clear that this goal will not be reached. The Immigration Service's aim is for all asylum-seekers to leave reception centers within two months of being granted residence permits. However in practice some are obliged to wait as long as a year before a suitable relocation site is arranged. The system depends on municipalities' notifying the Service as to how many refugees they are prepared to voluntarily accept. The central government pays them 2100 euros a month per accepted refugee for three years, or a total of 75,600 euros per individual. This sum, which was originally set in 1993, was raised by 10 per cent at the beginning of this year. According to the Association of Local and Regional Authorities, this is simply not enough. For instance, social and healthcare costs have risen by around 56 per cent. The municipalities have proposed that the reimbursement be increased by 40-50 per cent from their current level to reach the 1993 value.
YLE 12 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe70Ei
YLE 12 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHe80Ej
Helsinki Times 13 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfA0Et

Finland hinders family reunifications
Persons applying for family reunification are to give their fingerprints when submitting their applications. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the introduction of biometric identifiers will presumably reduce the number of asylum applications for family reunification. With the new requirement one cannot apply for family reunification from Finland, and in the future the applicant may only submit the application and at the same time give biometric identifiers for the alien registry. The parliament discussed the proposal on biometric asylum application cards on Wednesday. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, more thorough interviews and extra resources to employ more case reviewers would be the most efficient way to screen out unfounded applications. Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, emphasized that asylum applications are still at a lower level compared to other Nordic countries. 318 Somalis sought asylum in Finland, whereas in Sweden the number is 3800 so far this year.
YLE 8 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfB0Eu
Uusi Suomi 8 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfC0Ev

Immigration Service: misuse of foster children often prevented
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, many suspicions on the abuse of foster children have been prevented by hearing family members. Especially girls between 14 and 18 years of age are often asked in detail what kind of domestic work they do. The Service states that social authorities are often better informed if children live in conditions similar to human trafficking in Finland. The fact that a great majority of the applicants were girls aroused suspicion that the girls might be brought to Finland to serve as second wives or maidservants.
Helsingin Sanomat 9 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfD0Ew
Turun Sanomat 9 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfE0Ex
Hufvudstadsbladet 9 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfF0Ey

Charges filed following Facebook threats against Minister Thors
Court officials have filed charges against a man who threatened Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs. The suspect has been charged with aggravated slander, illegal threats, inciting the public to commit a crime and incitement against an ethnic group. The suspect posted the threats on Facebook. Court proceedings are to take place at the Pirkanmaa District Court. Minister Thors has been targeted by racist groups for defending the rights of immigrants and asylum-seekers in Finland.
YLE 9 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfG0Ez
YLE 9 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfH0E1
Aamulehti 9 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfI0E2
MTV3 9 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfJ0E3
Hufvudstadsbladet 9 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfK0E4
Åbo Underrättelser 9 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfL0E5

Norway

"It is a long canvas to bleach"
Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget acknowledges that efforts to shorten the processing time of asylum applications have not been efficient enough. Statistics by the Directorate of Immigration show that the processing of asylum applications has decreased since 2004. A reduced processing time was a priority in the Soria Moria Declaration II. Although there have been far fewer asylum-seekers in 2010, the process is not any faster than before. According to Storberget, there are no reasons why Norwegian authorities should not be able to handle all the cases within 60 days. He explains that efforts to reduce the processing time is a priority for the government, alongside with the efforts to work towards more voluntary and forced returns. Acting Secretary General Sylo Taraku from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers fears that the asylum-seekers have to await a decision on their applications for months. The long waiting time leads to both human and material costs, Taraku concludes.
Aftenposten 11 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfM0E6

Stoltenberg defends forced returns
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg states that the force return of 71 Kosovo Serbs to Serbia on Saturday will contribute to more asylum-seekers choosing to return voluntarily. Stoltenberg clarifies that the strict but fair policies have led to fewer asylum-seekers in Norway.
Dagbladet 11 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfN0E7

Sweden

Call for a truth commission
Liberal MEP Cecilia Wikström and Maria Weimer, diplomat and parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Party, stated in Svenska Dagbladet that the expulsion of Roma from France constitutes state-sanctioned racism, and should be condemned by the rest of Europe. But Sweden also has to improve the situation for Roma in the country. A recent report shows that Swedish Roma have been and remain marginalised and discriminated against. Close to 80% of Roma in Sweden are unemployed and many lack education. Wikström and Weimer propose the setting up of a youth academy for Roma, and would support a Swedish truth commission identifying abuse against the Roma minority during the last hundred years.
Svenska Dagbladet 8 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfO0E8
Svenska Dagbladet 10 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfP0EA
Dagens Nyheter 10 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfQ0EB

Sweden Democrats propose ban on Islam
Sweden Democrats (SD) in Strömsund, Jämtland, propose that practicing Islam should be banned in the municipality. Among the 150 Muslims in Strömsund are Uzbeki quota refugees resettled from UNHCR camps and previously persecuted for their Muslim faith. SD party Headquarters in Stockholm state that they support the statement, but that the party is in favour of freedom of religion. Since the arrival of Muslim refugees in Strömsund, threats have been directed against them, and in 2008, there was an attempt to burn down the Strömsund mosque.
Sveriges Radio 13 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfR0EC
Aftonbladet 13 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfS0ED

Speedier assessments of asylum applications
The Migration Board has long been criticised for drawn-out assessment procedures of asylum applications, but there have been some improvements as of late. Two years ago, asylum-seekers in Gothenburg had to wait for 267 days on average for a decision. Today, the average waiting time has gone down to 64 days.
Sveriges Radio 12 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfT0EE

Prime Minister candidates on integration needs
In a TV debate on Sunday between Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Social Democratic Party Leader Mona Sahlin, both Prime Minister candidates treated integration of immigrants as an important issue. Sahlin stressed the need to give the same opportunities to immigrants as to native Swedes, and Reinfeldt mentioned that the country now faces a great challenge in providing new Swedes with Swedish language skills, work, and the possibility to live where they want in the country. Sahlin mentioned that many refugees settle in a few clusters and that it should be the responsibility of all municipalities to receive refugees.
Dagens Nyheter 13 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDBfs0ZqnfK0aYE0EHfU0EF

[Roope]

Tuesday 14 September to Wednesday 15 September 2010

Denmark

15 deportations stopped
The Danish Refugee Council has managed to stop 15 deportations from Denmark to Greece through the European Court of Human Rights. The situation in Greece means that asylum-seekers may be sent back to dangerous and threatening circumstances. Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council calls the Greek asylum process non-existent.
Jyllands-Posten 14 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnA0Ej

Finland

Immigration Service: foster children not victims of human trafficking
A report given to the Ombudsman for Minorities, Eva Biaudet, states that Somali foster children who have been reunified with their families are not victims of human trafficking in Finland. According to the report, the Finnish Immigration Service has improved its capacity to recognize human trafficking cases by training staff. Biaudet is satisfied with the detailed analysis and the fact that applicants are interviewed abroad in order to identify potential victims of human trafficking. The Immigration Service believes that it has pre-emptively prevented suspected abuse of minors through its action by thoroughly examining the family ties. Special attention is given to cases where the child is not applying for residence permit at the same time as the parents. Between mid- March and late August 2010 applications were lodged for almost 300 foster children, of which 156 boys and 136 girls. The majority of the older foster children are girls. Biaudet also says that there always is room for improvement of the system of recognizing victims of human trafficking in Finland.
YLE 13 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnB0Ek
Uusi Suomi 13 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnC0El

Norway

Steep rise in forced returns
The forced returns of rejected asylum-seekers in Norway have increased with 63 per cent compared with 2009. 4042 asylum-seekers have been deported from Norway this year alone, the corresponding number for 2009 is 2541. 890 of the asylum-seekers were deported for committing crimes, and the Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, states that he is content with criminals being deported from the country. Storberget adds that 976 of the deportees returned voluntarily, and so there is also an increase in voluntary returns. 18 per cent of the returnees were deported to non-European countries. These are typically persons who have sought asylum in another Schengen country, and are therefore not eligible to seek asylum in Norway. Storberget says that Norway should have the ambition to increase the number of such deportations, in order to shorten the waiting period for asylum-seekers in Norway. The return agreement between Norway and Iraq from 2009, has led to forced returns to Iraq, which have gotten much negative attention. UNHCR states that no one should be forcibly returned to Baghdad and other provinces in central Iraq, since the areas are unsafe. The UN has noted that the Norwegian authorities have chosen to ignore this recommendation.
Aftenposten 10 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnD0Em

4000 asylum places removed this year
The significant decrease in asylum applications in Norway means that Norway will remove 4000 of its asylum places at reception centres this year. This week 250 places for unaccompanied children will be removed – meaning only half the amount of places available for unaccompanied children are left, compared to last year. The Directorate of Immigration believes that the number of applications for asylum will remain at a similar level next year.
NRK 14 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnE0En
Aftenposten 14 September 2010 (in Nowegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnF0Eo

Amundsen wants asylum-seekers out of church
The immigration spokesperson for the Progress Party (Frp), Per Willy Amundsen, wants the Police to remove a Kosovo-Serbian family faced with deportation from the church in Rognan in which they have sought refuge. The family was to be included on a flight to Belgrade, this past weekend, along with 70 other persons who did not have the right to stay in Norway. Amundsen wants to revoke the principle that persons hiding in a church may not be deported.
NRK 14 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnG0Ep

Stoltenberg defends deportations
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg defends the forced deportations of Kosovo-Serbs, because it will increase the number of rejected asylum-seekers who will choose to return voluntarily. So far this year 4000 people have been forcibly removed – that is 63 per cent more than last year.
NRK 14 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnH0Eq

Sweden

Racist comment by SD candidate
Thomas Karlsen, top candidate for the Sweden Democrats (SD) in Trollhättan, writes in his blog that some immigrants are characterised by an aggressive gene. Karlsen says to Dagens Nyheter that he feels that certain immigrants have a problem with aggression, and that this "gene" is not as common among Swedes. Björn Söder, party secretary for SD, does not agree with Karlsen that aggressiveness stems from a genetic difference, but that the supposed difference is instead culturally influenced. Söder adds that persons from the Middle East are considerably more aggressive than Scandinavians. When asked whether a candidate with Karlsen's views can represent SD, Söder replies that he has to discuss this with Söder.
Dagens Nyheter 15 September 2010(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnI0Er



UNHCR in the news

Mogadishu hostilities intensifying
UNHCR states that at least 230 persons have been killed in Mogadishu and that 23,000 persons have fled their homes during the last weeks. The Islamic guerrilla al-Shabab launched an attack on the Somali government three weeks ago. Most of the casualties have died in the crossfire, and 32 persons died in a suicide bombing that al-Shabab carried out in a hotel. Both women and children were killed, along with six Somali MPs staying at the hotel. Due to the hostilities, it is difficult to deliver emergency relief, according to a UNHCR spokesperson. Persons in Mogadishu are now trading their personal belongings for a bus ticket out of the capital. In just a few months, Somalia will have been without a functioning government for twenty years.
Sveriges Radio 7 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnJ0Es

UNHCR spokesperson criticises Italian migration policy
Laura Boldrini, spokesperson for UNHCR, states in an interview that 100 000 persons have fled from the Horn of Africa this year alone, and that the refugee camps in Kenya are overcrowded and unable to receive all refugees. Boldrini is critical of the Italian policy to return asylum-seekers to Libya, without a fair assessment of their reasons for asylum. The steep decrease in arrivals at the Italian island of Lampedusa has been framed as a success by the Italian government. Boldrini states that asylum-seekers are now stopped from departing to Italy by the Libyan authorities, and that Libya has become a cul-de-sac for refugees. The UNHCR spokesperson writes in her book "Tutti Indietro" (Everybody Back) - treating the mass deportations from Italy - that 75 per cent of those who applied for asylum in Italy in 2008 entered the country from the Mediterranean Sea. According to Boldrini, closing the sea crossing to Italy is not combatting illegal immigration, but limiting the opportunities to seek asylum in Italy. Boldrini adds that Italian migration policy is based on fear alone.
Dagens Nyheter 14 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDB1Z0ZqnfK0aYE0EHnK0Et

[Roope]

Thursday 16 September to Friday 17 September 2010

Denmark

Roma case against France could affect Denmark
Asylum policy experts Tomas Gammeltoft-Hansen of the Danish Institute for International Studies, and Professor Jens Vedsted-Hansen of Århus University, agree that the EU case against French deportations of Roma may have ramifications for the legitimacy of Danish practices. In July Denmark deported 23 Roma – all EU-citizens – without individually examining each case. This year, France has deported 8000 Roma to Romania and Bulgaria.
Berlingske Tidende 14 September 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH5x0E2
Jyllands-Posten 14 September 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH5y0E3

Denmark resumes deportations to Greece
In May this year Denmark resumed its practice of deporting asylum-seekers to Greece, claiming that Greece had responded to EU-demands to improve its asylum process. This has prompted heavy criticism from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) which has referred around 30 expulsion orders to the European Court of Human Rights, 15 of which have been stopped. Andreas Kamm, DRC Secretary General, emphasises that there is absolutely no guarantee that an asylum application in Greece will be processed. Only 0.04 % of asylum claims are approved in Greece. Spyros Koulocheris of the Greek Council for Refugees says it is "obvious" that Greece cannot be considered a safe country for asylum-seekers.  Karsten Lauritzen, Immigration Spokesperson for the Liberals, says that Denmark is simply following the Dublin Convention, and that it is Greece, not Denmark, who is not respecting human rights if asylum applications are not processed.
Danmarks Radio 16 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH5z0E4

DF budget demands: immigration
The Danish People's Party announced yesterday that it wants to limit immigration from non-Western countries by raising the age limit for bringing a foreign spouse to Denmark from 24 to 28. It also wants to introduce a seven-year period without the right to social benefits and medical care for immigrants.
Berlingske Tidende 16 Septemeber 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH510Eq

Finland

Municipalities receive recognition for immigration work
The Ministry of the Interior awarded three municipalities – Helsinki, Pudasjärvi and Rovaniemi – for having target-oriented and innovatively developed immigration work in their region. R
ovaniemi has received refugees since late 1980's and Helsinki is considered a forerunner in immigration and integration issues.
YLE 15 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH520Er
YLE 15 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH530Es

Thors: We have forgotten how to receive refugees
Municipalites need more experience in the reception and integration of refugees, states Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. Many municipalities used to be better equipped with knowhow on refugees. However, in many Swedish-speaking and bilingual municipalities the work on reception and integration has been successful. According to Thors, reception and integration should be more active and oriented towards the individual. Many newcomers are interested in working as soon as possible, so the system should rather support than be passive. Another issue is that refugees have to wait for language courses for a long time. Of the 600–700 children waiting for a decision on their residence permit applications, around 100 are outside the reach of basic education. School duty only applies to those who have a permanent residence permit.
Hufvudstadsbladet 15 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH540Et
Åbo Underrättelser 15 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH550Eu
Vasabladet 15 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH560Ev

Pocket money for minor asylum-seekers reduced
A proposal suggests that unaccompanied minors who apply for asylum in Finland will only be given a small amount per month in the future. The amount would be between 25–45 euros, depending on the age of the applicant. Asylum-seekers receive at the most 290 euros in cash handouts per month, the largest amount within the EU. If the applicant lives with a spouse or the couple has children, the amount per person is somewhat smaller. The backdrop for the proposal is a suspicion that children have been sending the money meant for their living costs in Finland to their parents in the home country. Staff at reception centres have noticed that not everyone can control the use of money, and that monay has been used for other purposes than living costs. Until late August, Finland has received just less than 2700 asylum-seekers so far in 2010.
Turun Sanomat 17 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH570Ew
Verkkouutiset 17 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH580Ex

Norway

255 asylum-seekers disappeared in three months
255 asylum-seekers have disappeared from the 29 asylum centres operated by Hero in the past three months. Most of them have had their applications for asylum denied. Hero is the largest operator on the asylum centre market in Norway. Asylum-seekers are registered as missing if they have had an unexplained absence of at least three days. The asylum centre has no obligation to report missing asylum-seekers to the police, unless unaccompanied minors are involved.
Verdens Gang 16 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6A0E8

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 16 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6B0EA

Norwegian People's Aid wants to open asylum centre in Greece
The humanitarian organisation Norwegian People's Aid wants to open an asylum centre for 70 unaccompanied minors in Greece. Greece only has places for 350 minors, despite the fact that between 3000 and 5000 arrived last year. The Ministry of Justice and the Police have received an application from Norwegian People's Aid for 16 million NOK annually to operate the centre.
Aftenposten 16 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6C0EB

Lønseth: Norwegian asylum policy in line with human rights
In an op-ed article in Dagbladet, Pål K. Lønseth, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and the Police, refutes allegations voiced in the paper that Norwegian asylum policy does not follow UNHCR guidelines. The claims that Norway has not respected UNHCR guidelines on which countries asylum-seekers should not be returned to and that Norwegian authorities' assessment of the protection needs of refugees is influenced by the arrival numbers are "completely wrong and directly misleading", according to Lønseth. Norwegian policy is in line with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and fully respects human rights, Lønseth claims, adding that UNHCR has highlighted Norway's treatment of refugees as a good example. Moreover, the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and the Police, examined the extent to which Norway follows UNHCR's country-specific protection recommendations, and concluded that Norwegian practice, on the whole, is in line with UNHCR recommendations.
Dagbladet 15 September 2010 (in Norwegian)

Sweden

No action taken by SD on racist comment
The Sweden Democrats (SD) have decided not to take any steps to remove top candidate Thomas Karlsen from the party. Karlsen wrote in his blog in August that some immigrants have an aggressive gene not present in Swedes, and has confirmed his views in an interview with Dagens Nyheter. Karlsen removed the statement on his blog earlier this week, but has not retracted his statement. The SD board and Party President Jimmie Åkesson has earlier stated that SD does not welcome persons with racist opinions to the party. According to the Swedish periodical Expo, SD has previously discharged members who have publicly expressed racist views. Party Secretary Björn Söder says that SD finds the matter trivial. Mattias Tydén, expert on the history of Swedish race biology, states that Karlsen's statement is an example of the ideas of classical racism.
Dagens Nyheter 15 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6D0EC



UNHCR in the news

UNHCR Representative in Iraq criticises European deportations
Mr Daniel Endres, UNHCR Representative in Iraq, criticises European forced returns of asylum-seekers to Iraq, and says that he and his colleagues were shocked to hear of the deportations from e.g. Sweden. He adds that the forced returns are a real disappointment, and believes that the Iraqi confidence in Europe is shattered. Endres stresses that Europe now needs to show solidarity with Iraq, until the Iraqi economy has recovered.  When asked how many Iraqis are currently displaced, Endres replied that the number is highly disputed. He mentioned that 200 000 Iraqi refugees are registered in Syria and Jordan, but that, according to the Syrian and Jordanian governments, there are 1.8 million Iraqi refugees in the two countries. Endres also drew attention to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Iraq, estimated to be at least 1.5 million. Endres states that Iraqi IDPs live in extremely dire circumstances, and that around 500 000 of them squat in open spaces, under very harsh conditions.
Sveriges Radio 9 September 2010 (narration in Swedish, interview in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6E0ED
Sveriges Radio (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6F0EE

Angelina Jolie in UNHCR appeal
Actor and Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, Angelina Jolie, has appeared in a UNHCR-produced video appeal for the crisis in Pakistan. In the appeal Jolie emphasises that the flood disaster is not only a humanitarian, but also a social and an economic catastrophe. The purpose of the appeal is to collect money for shelter, food and clean water for the victims of the flood.
Aftenposten 16 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6G0EF

High Commissioner António Guterres in Pakistan
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres is visiting flood-hit Pakistan. Pakistan has only received a quarter of the support it needs to re-build the country after the flooding catastrophe. As winter approaches, the needs of the 8 million persons in need of emergency help to survive will increase. Everything we have been doing until now is out of proportion with the needs of the people, says Guterres. The international community needs to do much more to support the Pakistani people, he concludes.
NRK 16 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6H0EG

Deported Kosovo-Serbs not in need of international protection
The Kosovo-Serbs who were returned to Serbia from Norway last Saturday are not in need of international protection, according to Norwegian authorities, UNHCR, Amnesty International and Norwegian People's Aid. The deportations are justifiable, according to UNHCR spokesperson Hanne Mathisen. Return of failed asylum-seekers is important as it contributes to continued trust in and support for the asylum system, Mathisen adds.
NRK 16 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDCNP0ZqnfK0aYE0EH6I0EH

[Roope]

Saturday 18 September to Monday 20 September 2010

Denmark

Court stops 155 Danish deportations
The European Court of Human Rights has blocked 155 Danish expulsion orders to Greece because the Greek asylum system is not working. The court is of the opinion that Danish authorities have not made a correct assessment of the situation, and has blocked all 155 deportation orders that were referred to the court by the Danish Refugee Council.
Politiken 17 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGl0EZ
Danmarks Radio 17 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGm0Ea

NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Verdens Gang 18 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGn0Eb
NRK 18 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGo0Ec

Asylum-seekers may face months of uncertainty
Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, welcomes the decision to stop the 155 deportations to Greece, but warns that this means that asylum-seekers may face months of uncertainty before they can have their cases tried. At the moment it is unclear in which country the applications for asylum should be handled. Kamm estimates that around 100-150 asylum-seekers arrive in Denmark via Greece each month. The majority come from Afghanistan.
Danmarks Radio 18 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGp0Ed

Minister denies Greek cases will be handled in Denmark
Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister for Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs, denies that asylum-seekers who cannot be sent back to Greece will have their cases tried in Denamrk. This would undermine the Dublin Convention, according to Hornbech. The European Court of Human Rights has temporarily stopped expulsions to Greece because the Greek asylum system is not working.
Danmarks Radio 18 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGq0Ee

Liberals: Stop family re-unification in ghettos
Place of residence should become decisive when it comes to family reunification, say the Liberals. Residents in so- called ghettos – areas with high proportions of immigrants – would not be able to apply for family-reunification unless they move to another area. The proposal would prevent further "ghettofication" of areas and promote integration, the Liberals claim. The Danish People's Party supports the proposal, but the Conservatives want a definition of "ghetto" before lending their support. The Social Democrats and Socialist People's Party are open towards the idea if alternative housing is made available to immigrants. Liberal Alliance cannot understand why a well-integrated family should be prevented from family-reunification because they live in a certain area.
Berlingske Tidende 18 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGr0Ef

NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 19 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGs0Eg
Svenska Dagbladet 19 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGt0Eh


Norway

More refugees to Oslo
The government would like to see Oslo accepting more refugees and asylum-seekers. This year the government asked Oslo to take 750, but the city only accepted 350. It is likely that the City Council will decide to accept more refugees next year, but only gradually, as more housing needs to be built.
NRK 20 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGu0Ei


Sweden

Sweden Democrats won 20 seats in parliament
Anti-immigration party Sweden Democrats (SD) have won 20 out of 349 seats in the Swedish parliament. Observers have warned that the party could act either as kingmaker or spoiler, since neither the centre-right or the centre-left managed to secure a majority mandate. Party president Jimmie Åkesson has confirmed that SD could bring down a government with a minority mandate. Leaders of all parliamentary parties have condemned SD for their xenophobic policies, and have stated that they will not cooperate with the party. Åkesson stated that SD is prepared to cooperate with all parties, provided that they will be invited to influence in particular immigration policy, a crackdown on serious crime and improved care for the elderly. SD's success in the Swedish elections, and the fact that the party has its roots in racist and nazi movements, was also addressed in media globally. Åkesson stated in an interview on the day after the elections that Swedish immigration policies are too liberal and lax, and that the immigrant influx to Sweden will decrease if the country signals that the assessment procedures will be stricter. Åkesson belives that Sweden should continuously receive quota refugees, but that the main part of refugee assistance should take place in areas neighbouring the country of origin, or the first country of asylum. SD therefore wants to contribute with one extra billion Swedish kronor to UNHCR.
Sveriges Television 20 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGv0Ej
Dagens Nyheter 20 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGw0Ek
Svenska Dagbladet 20 September 2010(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGx0El
Dagens Nyheter 19 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGy0Em
Sveriges Television 20 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIGz0En
Svenska Dagbladet 19 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG10Ea
Dagens Nyheter 19 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG20Eb
Göteborgsposten 20 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG30Ec

NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Norway:
YLE 20 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG40Ed
Helsingin Sanomat 19 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG50Ee
Hufvudstadsbladet 20 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG60Ef
NRK 19 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG70Eg

SD cleanup of xenophobic statements
Racist blog statements and anti-Muslim rhetoric by SD representatives reveal views contrasting with official party guidelines. Two examples are Party Secretary Björn Söder, who has stated that Sweden is at risk of an Islamic revolution; and Party President Jimmie Åkesson, who wrote in an article for Aftonbladet in 2009 that Muslim immigration is the greatest external threat to Sweden since World War II. Some of the statements have been removed, among others Söder's statement that homosexuality is a degenerate offshoot. Marie Demker, expert on xenophobic movements and far-right extremist parties, believes that Åkesson is working very actively towards mainstreaming members to only expressing more socially acceptable views. Söder admits that SD has the ambition to mainstream party members, but denies that the party has actively encouraged party members to self-censure. Söder adds that SD has excluded two party members due to racist blog statements. Daniel Poohl, chief editor at the periodical Expo, agrees that there has been a cleanup of racist statements in the party, but states that the current trend is that rather than trying to muzzle members, SD has let members speak freely. One recent example is a top candidate who wrote in his blog that some immigrants have an aggressive gene not present in Scandinavians. The party board has not distanced SD from the statement, in spite of the negative attention it caused. According to Demker, the two likely outcomes for the Sweden Democrats, now that they have gained parliamentary power, is that the party either disintegrates, or generates opinion through parliamentary bills and demands.
Svenska Dagbladet 18 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIG80Eh

Mother and children deported – family separated
The scheduled forced deportations of a family to two different countries – Russia and Côte d'Ivoire – have attracted much attention. The Chechen mother and her three children have been deported to Russia, the father of two of the children will be forcibly returned to Côte d'Ivoire. The first attempt at deporting the mother and children three weeks ago was cancelled, since the pilot refused to go through with the flight due to the mother's protests. The Hagfors municipality board and the Red Cross have pleaded for the cancellation of the deportation.
TV4 17 September 2010 (in Swedish)http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIHA0Er
Sveriges Radio 17 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIHB0Es
Sveriges Television 17 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIHC0Et

Prize to refugee authors
Authors Midhat Ajanovic and Fausta Marianovic have been awarded the biannual Klas de Vylder prize, for their books touching on the Balkan wars. The prize is intended for authors who have immigrated to Sweden as refugees or for other reasons, and who intend to work as authors in the country. Marianovic and Ajanovic were both born in Bosnia, former Yugoslavia. Marianovic fled to Sweden in 1992 and currently lives in Umeå, whereas Ajanovic has lived in Gothenburg since 1994. The prize consists of two scholarships of 50 000 Swedish kronor each and will be awarded at the Gothenburg book fair on 25 September 2010.
Svenska Dagbladet 17 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDC2I0ZqnfK0aYE0EIHD0Eu

[Roope]

Tuesday 21 September to Wednesday 22 February 2010

Denmark

DF demands explanation from Birthe Rønn Hornbech about rising asylum numbers
The Danish People's Party (DF) wants Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration, to explain why so many persons were granted asylum during the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2009.  929 persons, mostly from Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and Burma, had received asylum in the first half of 2010 compared with only 276 in the same period last year. Peter Skaarup, DF integration spokesperson, suspects that the numbers may inidicate that asylum-seekers are not applying for asylum in the first country they arrive in. Jakob Dam Glynstrup of the Danish Immigration service explains that the rise is a result of a rise in applications.
Berlingske Tidende 21 Septemeber 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDEK0ZqnfK0aYE0EIQV0Ej

Norway

Criticism of conditions in asylum centres
A woman who in the past has run a reception centre criticises the responsibilities unaccompanied children who seek asylum are faced with once they arrive. The demands placed on these children are tougher than those placed on our own children, says Bente Hagesæther. 880 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers are spread across 40 different centres in Norway. They are given 3,100 NOK a month. The money should be spent on food, medical care, clothes and leisure activities. According to Hagesæther, nutritional food and even medical care is not always a priority for these children. She would like the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to impose stricter guidelines on centres to make sure that the health of the children is not neglected.
Dagsavisen 22 September 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDEK0ZqnfK0aYE0EIQW0Ek

[Roope]

Thursday 23 September to Friday 24 September 2010

Denmark

Commissioner criticises asylum rules
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the European Council, says all EU countries should disregard the Dublin Regulation when it comes to Greece, stop sending asylum-seekers there, and handle the cases themselves. The EU countries violate the human rights of asylum-seekers when they return them to Greece, claims Hammarberg. Denmark has temporarily stopped 155 deportations, after a verdict from the European Court of Human Rights, but does not have any plans to handle the cases itself.
Danmarks Radio 23 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgg0EO

Court stops 34 further deportations to Greece
The European Court of Human Rights has blocked 34 further expulsion orders of asylum-seekers from Denmark to Greece. This brings the total to 203 in the past 30 days. According to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) around 400 asylum-seekers in Denmark are at risk of being forcibly returned to Greece. DRC is working hard to make sure all cases are referred to the Court. We are now halfway there, says Secretary General Andreas Kamm. Today, both the Commissioner of Human Rights of the European Council and UNHCR have urged European governments to stop deportations to Greece. According to UNHCR, the situation for asylum-seekers in Greece is a humanitarian crisis. Around 20 000 asylum-seekers arrive in Greece each year, but only 1000 places are available at reception centres. 45 000 cases are pending and only around 400 persons a year are granted asylum.
Danmarks Radio 23 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgh0EP
Jyllands-Posten 23 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgi0EQ


Finland

Ombudsman for Minorities reminds doctors of confidentiality
The Ombudsman for Minorities has contacted the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) in reference to the handling of patient information when estimating the age of persons applying for residence permits. Medical doctors should be reminded about rules and the confidentiality concerning patient information. The Ombudsman received information on a few cases where the doctor had taken the role of immigration authority and forwarded confidential information about the asylum-seeker. An age estimation based on medico-legal facts can only be initiated by the police, the Finnish Border Guard or the Immigration Service. Age estimations are conducted with a minority of asylum-seekers. Last year until the end of September, age assessments were done in 92 cases and from those the applicant was classified as adult in 55 cases.
YLE 21 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgj0ER

Asylum-seekers search for apartments
Homelessness of persons recently granted residence permit is on the increase in the metropolitan area. There are so few receiving municipalities that some get frustrated with waiting for a first home and independently leave the reception centers. The number of persons moving to Helsinki has become threefold. Last year 281 persons tried their luck in Helsinki, whereas in 2005 there were only a bit more than a hundred persons. From the newcomers 60 per cent did not have an apartment at the time of moving. In comparison, Helsinki has provided a municipal place for only two persons so far this year. The problem multiplies when homeless persons travel from one municipality to the next, since every unexpected newcomer burdens the municipality. The lack of a permanent address may limit the access to health care services, because district registries have different stands on what applies to the  homeless.
Helsingin Sanomat 23 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgk0ES

The Centre Party would strengthen asylum system
The parliamentary group of the Finnish Centre Party would like to reduce misuse and ungrounded applications in the asylum system. The group lined up its views on immigration policy in a fresh working paper. According to the Centre Party, Finland should consider giving up on granting residence permits on humanitarian grounds.
Pohjolan Sanomat 22 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgl0ET

Not enough receiving municipalities for refugees
Higher governmental subsidies have not encouraged Finnish municipalities to receive refugees. There is still a shortage of receiving municipalities and the number of 750 quota refugees will not be reached this year. In Pohjanmaa, however, three small municipalities - Kruunupyy, Pedersöre and Luoto – decided cooperatively to receive a group of Burmese refugees. In cooperation, the municipalities can share their responsibilities, and the municipalities seem eager to receive refugees. So far this year, only around thirty municipalities have promised to receive refugees, while some are still considering. The Pohjanmaa coast is the second most common reception region after Helsinki.
MTV3 News 23 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgm0EU

Refugee youth at morgue for months
The 18-year-old Afghani boy that drowned in June has still not been buried. According to the statements by the Finnish Red Cross, his parents have been unable to receive visas to Finland. The boy had applied for asylum last year in August and had been living in the Pansio center since then. The boy's parents may be residing outside of Afghanistan at the present moment.
Turun Sanomat 22 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgn0EV


Norway

134 asylum places removed in northern Norway
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is taking away 134 places in asylum centres for unaccompanied minors in northern Norway. The reason behind this is that fewer asylum-seekers are arriving in Norway. So far this year, the number of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers has fallen by 68 per cent. In total, UDI has reduced the number of places for asylum-seekers by 4000 this year.
NRK 23 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgo0EW

Fire alarm at Haslemoen
The fire brigade and police were called to Haslemoen reception centre three times on Thursday. The fires follow a period of relative calm – during the summer over 50 fires were reported at Haslemoen. No one was injured in the incidents and there are no suspects.
NRK 23 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgp0EX

Norway pays most to Schengen
Norway pays 329 million NOK annually to the EU External Borders Fund. This is around 80 NOK per citizen – double what most EU members pay. Norway does not, however, contribute any money to EU funds for integration of refugees and asylum-seekers. A number of persons in the article call for Norway to disregard the Dublin regulation when it comes to return of asylum-seekers to Greece, because of the difficult situation asylum-seekers in Greece find themselves in. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR spokesperson, says that the conditions in Greece are so bad that Norway should not be returning asylum-seekers there.
Ny Tid 24 September 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgq0EY
ABC Nyheter 23 September 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgr0EZ


Sweden

Call to resettle quota refugees
UNHCR has urged the EU to take greater responsibility for the 800,000 quota refugees who currently are in dire need of durable solutions. There are only 80 000 quota places available in third countries. Sweden has agreed to receive 150 people from the notorious Al Hol camp in north-east Syria, where refugees live in tents in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Migration Board, states that Sweden has previously helped in closing a camp in Syria, and is pleased that Sweden can help empty the Al Hol camp. The European Commission has presented an outline to a joint refugee resettlement programme, but the proposal has become mired in a debate between the European Council and Parliament. As a result of the financial crisis and high unemployment rates, most member states have shown only moderate interest in the programme. Today only 12 EU countries receive quota refugees voluntarily, and Sweden, which currently receives the highest number of quota refugees in the Union, has urged other countries to increase the reception of refugees. At the same time, Sweden has been strongly criticised for rejecting thousands of Iraqi asylum-seekers, and for forcibly returning some to violent areas, such as Baghdad. Eliasson explains the deportations with stating that those who are forcibly returned are not in need of  protection under Swedish law. He adds that the quota refugees who will now be resettled to Sweden are stateless Palestinians who have lived in Iraq and have been targeted there.
Dagens Nyheter 23 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgs0Ea

Roma seeking asylum in vain
In the past three weeks, around 1 000 Serbian Roma have sought asylum in Sweden, but the majority will most probably be returned to Serbia. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Migration Board, says that while Serbian Roma live in miserable conditions and face discrimination, most of them do not fulfill the conditions for asylum under Swedish legislation. So far this year some 3 000 Serbian citizens have applied for asylum in Sweden. The Migration Board does not keep records on ethnicity, but the majority have indicated that they speak Romani. As of 1 January this year, the EU granted a visa exemption for Serbian citizens. Serbia, which has applied to join the EU, has launched a number of integration programmes for its 100 000 Roma. In some areas of Serbia, the unemployment rate is 98% among the Roma, according to a report by the Swedish embassy in Belgrade, and up to 20 000 displaced Kosovo Roma remain stateless.
Dagens Nyheter 24 September 2010 I: 17 (in Swedish)

Left Party leader suggests cooperation on refugee policy
Left Party leader Lars Ohly suggests that the newly elected parliament should reach an agreement on refugee and migration policy, to mark their disapproval of newcomer Sweden Democrats' (SD) anti-immigration politics, and to neutralise SD's influence. Ohly proposes that the seven parties should discuss how refugee and migration policy could be designed to be more humane, multicultural and congruous with the rule of law, and that it should reflect that Sweden is a country where people have different backgrounds, experiences and ethnicities. Ohly says that the Left Party has been very critical of the refugee policy of the centre-right government and of previous Social Democratic governments, but stresses that none of the seven parties has been anywhere near the xenophobic views propagated by SD – a party that originated from racist organisations. Ohly believes that the centre-left and the centre-right blocs are not necessarily separated in issues pertaining to migration policy and human rights, and adds that the initiative should come from centre-right alliance leader and current prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Ohly states that he is convinced that Reinfeldt is a vehement anti-racist, and that he is in no way interested in steering politics in a xenophobic direction.
Dagens Nyheter 23 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eDDY70ZqnfK0aYE0EIgt0Eb

[Roope]

Saturday 25 September to Monday 27 September 2009

Denmark

Asylum rules creating problems
In mid-September, the European Court of Human Rights blocked 155 Danish expulsion orders to Greece. In fact, countries across Europe are struggling with how they should approach the issue of returning failed asylum-seekers to Greece. An Afghan asylum-seeker, who was returned from Belgium to Greece, is now suing both the Belgian and Greek governments for exposing him to inhumane conditions in Greece and for being sent back to persecution in his home country. Myrto Germani, representing the government of Greece in this case, says that Greece carries an unfair burden compared with other European countries. According to Frontex, the border control agency of the European Union, 88 per cent of all non-EU citizens that arrive in Europe come through Greece. Germani also says that the Dublin Regulation further increases the pressure on the Greek asylum system.
Danmarks Radio 23 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkP0Ez

Norway

No to quota refugees
Norway has seen the most dramatic decline in applications for asylum of any European country this year. Despite government promises that Norway will accept more quota refugees if there is a sharp decline in asylum applications, Norway will not accept more quota refugees this year. Minister for Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, says that more quota refugees will be accepted only if there is a sustained decline in the number of applications for asylum. Currently Norway accepts 1200 quota refugees per year. The government wants to increase this number to 1500. Storberget claims a discussion is needed about what is most humane – having more asylum-seekers arrive in Norway or accepting more quota refugees.
Dagsavisen 27 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkQ0E1

"Waiting centre" to become "return centre"
Lier and Fagerli "waiting centres" (ventemottak) were burned to the ground by their residents this summer. As the government sets up new centres – Lier and Fagerli were the only such centres in Norway – they want to rename them "retursentre" (literally: return centre). The new return centres will have the same standard and staffing as normal asylum centres, and residents will enjoy the same rights as today.  It is important to make clear that persons who have had their applications for asylum denied have an obligation to leave Norway, says Knut Storberget, Minister for Justice and the Police.
NRK 24 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkR0E2

Sweden

DPP demands abolition of racism paragraph
The Danish People's Party (DPP) has put forward a demand that the law paragraph prohibiting agitation against ethnic groups be abolished, since DPP believes it limits freedom of expression. Several DPP members have made malevolent statements  especially regarding Muslims, among them MP Jesper Langballe, who claimed that Muslims rape and murder their own daughters. Langballe now faces court charges for his statement. The demand has been criticised both by the UN Anti-Racism Committee and within Denmark, for diminishing the protection for ethnic minority groups. Jimmie Åkesson, chairman of the Swedish Democrats party, criticises the corresponding Swedish law banning agitation against ethnic groups, for being too arbitrary. He states that the paragraph is problematic, since intent is difficult to prove. Åkesson adds that the law is inadequate, since it does not include agitation against Swedes, which he labels an injustice.
Sveriges Television, broadcast 26 September 2010 (in Swedish and Danish
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkS0E3
Sveriges Television, broadcast 26 September 2010 (in Swedish and Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkT0E4

Serbian Roma unlikely to be granted asylum
3 000 Serbian Roma have reportedly sought asylum in Sweden during 2010, although it is unlikely that any of them will be allowed to stay in the country. The right to asylum does not comprise suffering due to extreme poverty and discrimination. EU regulations on freedom of movement, as well as the refugee conventions, should be respected. Robert Hårdh, head of Civil Rights Defenders [former Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights] criticises Sweden and other EU countries for forcibly returning Roma asylum-seekers to Kosovo, in spite of the systematic discrimination they are subjected to. Deportations of Roma to Kosovo was also criticised recently by Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.
Dagens Nyheter 25 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkU0E5
Svenska Dagbladet 27 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkV0E6



UNHCR in the news

Thousands flee fighting in Yemen
At least 4000 persons have fled fighting between government forces and rebel militia in south Yemen, according to UNHCR. Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for UNHCR, hopes that all necessary precautions are taken to protect the civil population. Since Sunday, government forces have been fighting with a group of around a hundred rebels in the village of Huta in the Shabwa Province. According to Yemeni government sources the rebels are part of Al-Qaeda.
NRK 24 Septmeber 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDD4g0ZqnfK0aYE0CkW0E7

[Roope]

Tuesday 28 September to Wednesday 29 September 2010


Finland

New anti-immigrant group files for party status
A right-wing group calling itself Vapauspuolue or "the Freedom Party" has applied to become a registered political party. The organization describes itself as being critical of immigration, and accuses another immigration-critical party, the True Finns, for "selling out" opponents of immigration. Last summer another anti-immigration group, the Change 2011 movement, filed to join the party registry. Both organizations hope to field candidates in next spring's parliamentary elections. Meanwhile the True Finns who are in comparison relatively moderate on immigration issues are expected to significantly increase their current total of five seats in the Parliament.
YLE 27 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlD0E5
YLE 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlE0E6
Helsingin Sanomat 27 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlF0E7

Number of asylum-seekers reduced by one third
The Finnish Immigration Service aims at reducing reception facilities with 500 places by the end of November. Over 700 places have already been cut earlier this year. Until August this year, 2,665 persons sought international protection in Finland. The number is 31 per cent smaller than during the same period in 2009. Until late August, 195 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum arrived in Finland, which is more than 50 per cent less than last year. Altogether about 3,600 persons live in reception centers at the moment. Additionally, there are around a thousand persons living in private accommodations. The Immigration Service states that it aims at giving an asylum decision in 1200 cases until the end of the year. Municipalities would then receive around 400-500 persons who have been granted residence permit.
Helsingin Sanomat 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlG0E8
Aamulehti 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlH0EA
MTV3 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlI0EB
Helsinki Times 28 September 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlJ0EC

Refugees employed slowly
The employment rate of immigrants improves with time, but especially refugees have a hard time finding jobs. Immigrants that arrived in Finland between 1989 and 1993 were employed quite well in 2007. The employment rate was at 58 per cent, compared to the total employment rate in Finland being at 70 per cent. In the end, the employment of refugees also rose to the same level as the other groups and the country of origin did not affect employment. This information is revealed in a report on the integration of immigrants in the labor market by the City of Helsinki Information Center. According to the study, the most common reason to move to Finland is love, either through a relationship or family reunification. Other central reasons are seeking refuge, work or studies.
Helsingin Sanomat 29 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlK0ED
YLE 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlL0EE
MTV3 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlM0EF
Uusi Suomi 28 September 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlN0EG
Hufvudstadsbladet 28 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlO0EH

Norway

Yet another fire at Haslemoen asylum centre
The police were called to Haslemoen asylum centre Sunday evening after a fire was discovered in a garage located within the centre. The garage is used for storing clothing and the fire caused large amounts of smoke to develop. The police have called in the Criminal Investigation Department to help with the investigation. There are suspicions that the fire was arson.
Verdens Gang 27 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlP0EI

Sweden

MP to cooperate with centre-right on migration policy
The Green Party (MP) stated on Monday that is prepared to cooperate with the centre-right alliance (the Moderate Party, the Liberal Party, the Centre Party and the Christian Democrats) on migration policy, including refugee, integration and human rights policy. The intention is to reach an agreement that would diminish the political power in parliament for the Sweden Democrats, a party that by many is considered xenophobic.
Göteborgsposten 27 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlQ0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 27 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlR0EK
Sveriges Television 27 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlS0EL
Dagens Nyheter 27 September (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDEQV0ZqnfK0aYE0FlT0EM

Migration Board: some Kosovo Roma asylum-seekers need protection
Several human rights organizations believe that Sweden should not deport Roma asylum-seekers to Kosovo. The response from the Migration Board has been that misery, threats and discrimination are not enough to merit asylum in Sweden. In July this year, the EU Parliament discouraged member countries from deporting Roma to Kosovo. Such forced returns have also been criticized recently by the European Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner and by the Civil Rights Defenders. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Migration Board, states that the Migration Board is not mandated by the parliament to grant asylum on socio-economic grounds. He adds that 5 % of Kosovo Roma asylum-seekers in Sweden have protection needs. During the Kosovo conflict, more than 100 000 Roma fled Kosovo. Other ethnic groups were of the view that the Roma had supported Serbia during the war. Today, tens of thousands of Kosovo Roma are internally displaced and stateless persons in Serbia. So far this year, 942 persons, stating they are from Kosovo, have sought asylum in Sweden. The majority of these persons are Roma.
Dagens Nyheter 28 September 2010 p:12 (in Swedish)

EU Commissioner: Greek asylum policy has collapsed
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, met with the Government of Greece to discuss the country's asylum policy. Greece has been heavily criticized for serious flaws in the reception of asylum-seekers. Malmström says that the Greek asylum system has collapsed, and needs to be rebuilt from the bottom. Malmström adds that the EU Commission and EU member countries are prepared to help Greece to this end.
Dagens Nyheter 29 September 2010 p:19 (in Swedish)

[Roope]

Thursday 30 September to Friday 01 October 2010

Denmark

Experts criticise Rønn-proposal
Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech, wants to introduce a points system for family reunification where owning your home will give more points than renting. Thomas Gammeltoft Hansen, of the Danish Institute for International Studies, questions whether the distinction actually says anything about someone's ability to support themselves. Thousands have become bankrupt precisely because they have chosen to buy their home rather than rent, he says. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, is also critical. Kamm says he expects that these restrictions would not apply to refugees, who have a right to family reunification. Karsten Lauritzen, integration spokesperson of the Liberals, gives assurances that this would not be the case, as refugees are protected by international conventions. The proposal is rejected by the Conservatives as well as the opposition parties - the Social Democrats, the Socialist People's Party, and the Social Liberals.
Berlingske Tidende 29 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItL0Et
Jyllands-Posten 29 September 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItN0Ev
Avisen 29 September 2010 (in Danish
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItP0Ex

Norway

Asylum-seekers faced with deportation go underground
311 asylum-seekers in Nordland, a county in northern Norway, have gone underground this year, usually after having their requests for asylum denied. The police do not have the right to send a denied asylum-seeker out of the country before obtaining clearance from the country which the asylum-seeker will be sent to. This can sometimes take months. It is usually during this period that asylum-seekers go into hiding. The Progress Party would like to see locked asylum centres to resolve this issue. Ingvald Bertelsen, spokesperson for the Norwegian Organisation of Asylum-Seekers (NOAS), flatly rejects this proposal, and emphasizes that Norway must respect human rights and cannot lock up persons who have not been convicted of a crime.
NRK 29 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItQ0Ey

PU: Foreigners without residence permits receive money from NAV
The police warn that many rejected asylum-seekers who are illegally staying in the country may be receiving welfare support from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Adminstration (NAV). Suspicions were raised when the National Police Immigration Service (PU) encountered numerous cases where asylum-seekers faced with deportation demanded to have their welfare entitlements paid out before leaving the country. Ole Johan Heir of PU says that they are of the opinion that foreigners who do not have the right to stay in Norway also do not have legitimate claims to financial support from NAV. Gina Lund, State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, says that if persons illegally staying in Norway are indeed receiving welfare payments from NAV, it is unacceptable. Magne Fladby, director of the National Insurance Verification and Collection Agency, says that it needs to be established what kind of support these persons might be receiving, and investigated whether any rules have been broken.
Dagsavisen 30 September 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItR0Ez
Verdens Gang 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItT0E2

Storberget proposes changes in the asylum policy for children
Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, wants to look into changing the asylum policy for children. He wants to see applications processed more quickly, and possibly introduce separate return processes and asylum centres for families with underage children. Storberget wants to see the processing time come down from the current 240 days to just 60. That children sometimes spend several years in the country without having their claims processed is regrettable, says Storberget. 2-3 years is an ocean of time in the life of a child, he adds. In parliament, Storberget wants to see a debate about how long children would have to be in the country before automatically being given the right to stay. Next year, the Norwegian parliament will publish a white paper on refugee children.
Aftenposten 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItU0E3
NRK 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItV0E4

Government saves money on foreign aid and asylum-seekers
The stricter asylum procedures that were introduced in 2008 have significantly reduced the number of asylum-seekers that arrive in Norway – saving the government almost 1 billion NOK this year. By reducing the amount of GDP that goes to foreign aid, from 1.09 per cent to 1 per cent next year, the government is set to save a further 1 billion NOK.
NRK 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItW0E5
Verdens Gang 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItX0E6

Stricter rules, fewer persons on welfare
The stricter rules regarding family reunification that were introduced in 2003 require those who have been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds to be self-supporting before they are allowed to bring a spouse into the country. A report funded by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) shows that - since the introduction of the new rules - the proportion of persons who receive economic welfare support has fallen. Among men, the amount of economic welfare recipients was reduced by 12-14 per cent, and 6-7 per cent more men were in steady employment. For women, the employment rate increased by 4-8 per cent. Another effect of the stricter rules is that fewer persons are reunified with their spouse – 20 per cent fewer men qualify for re-unification after four years in the country. Only 15 per cent of women have managed to bring their spouse to Norway after four years.
Aftenposten 30 September 2010 (in Norway)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItY0E7

Sweden

Reinfeldt and Sahlin in talks
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has met with Maria Wetterstrand, Party Spokesperson of the Green Party, and Mona Sahlin, Party Leader of the Social Democrats, to discuss the Swedish presence in Afghanistan as well as asylum and refugee policy. It is only reasonable that the democratic parties have a discussion about these issues, says Sahlin – implying that the new arrivals in Parliament, the Sweden Democrats – do not belong to this group. The Green Party and the Social Democrats are both of the opinion that it is important to have a dialogue about asylum and refugee policy with the government to prevent the Sweden Democrats from gaining any influence. The Party Leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Åkesson, says that he still expects to be able to talk to and negotiate with the other parties.
Sveriges Radio 28 September 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDElY0ZqnfK0aYE0ItZ0E8

[Roope]

Saturday 2 October to Monday 4 October 2010

Finland

Researcher turns down suspicions of human trafficking
Researcher Outi Lepola does not believe that female Somali foster children that were brought to Finland are victims of human trafficking. The young women were at UNHCR refugee camps in the Northern part of Kenya in the beginning of September. The Finnish Immigration Service informed the Ministry of the Interior in the spring that the foster child system could potentially be a tool for human trafficking. According to Lepola, the suspicions were based on inadequate statements. Earlier the Immigration Service had noticed a clear gender division in the foster child applications. However, the division disappears when applications for the entire year are taken into account. The chief director of the Immigration Service, Jorma Vuorio, notes that suspicions of human trafficking have also been formed at the Embassy of Finland in Addis Abeba where Somalis wanting to go to Finland are interviewed. If there is incongruity in the interviews, then there is ground to doubt whether the child is an actual foster child, Vuorio clarifies. He denies that foster child figures would have been misused to prove human trafficking. Venla Roth, legal scholar, considers that the term human trafficking is misleading because it raises the image of absolute slavery. Human trafficking is not only serious exploitation of freedom or violent coercion. A prostitute can become a victim of human trafficking if her/his freedom of movement is being restricted or she/he is forced into an obligation of debtor to creditor, she concludes.
Helsingin Sanomat 3 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mmw0Er

Over half of Finns for stricter immigration policy
60 per cent of the Finns are for a stricter immigration policy, reveals an internet enquiry by Taloustutkimus Oy. The current situation is favored by around 25 per cent of the population, and 6 per cent wish the policy was more liberal than the current one. At the same time, 41 per cent of the persons somewhat agreed that Finland should be more open about work-related immigration. The enquiry was conducted at the end of September and it received 1072 answers from Finns over 15 years of age.
Turun Sanomat 2 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mmx0Es

Norway

No support for asylum proposal
In March, the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) sent a proposal to the Ministry of Justice and the Police regarding how the asylum process can be made more efficient. The Ministry lent its support to the report, and further proposed to remove the police from the registration process – to allow them to focus on tracing the identities of asylum-seekers. This has been criticised by politicians as well as the Police Union. The main criticism which has been raised is that the police would miss out on important information if they are removed from the registration process. A working group of representatives from UDI, the National Police Directorate (POD), and the National Police Immigration Service (PU), have evaluated UDI's original proposal in a jointly published report, and concluded that it would lead to more efficiency and result in shorter processing times. The report also mentions that changes would have to be made to Immigration Law which states that requests for international protection shall be made to the police. Pål Lønseth, state secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, says that all opinions will be taken into consideration by the Ministry, and that new guidelines will be published this autumn.
Aftenposten 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mmy0Et

75 Serbs deported on Saturday
The National Police Immigration Service (PU) confirms that all 75 left the country on Saturday. The operation was a collaboration between several different police departments and involved removing denied asylum-seekers from 40 separate residences across the country. All of the persons in question have had their applications for asylum denied, and had not left the country within the specified time limit. Most had previously lived in Kosovo, and had their applications denied several years ago. The police have not had the opportunity to follow through with these deportations before this summer, when return agreements with Serbia were finalised, says Ingrid Wirum, Chief of PU. According to the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum-Seekers (NOAS), several families with children were among those forcibly returned. So far this year, 4400 persons have been forcibly returned from Norway. Knut Storberget, Minister for Justice and the Police, thinks operations like the one this Saturday, send an important signal to those who are illegally living in Norway, and hopes that persons who have had their applications denied, choose to contact the authorities, so that they can return in dignity.
NRK 2 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mmz0Eu
NRK 2 Ocotber 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm10Eh
Dagbladet 2 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm20Ei
Verdens Gang 2 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm30Ej

Liberals: Stop deportations to Greece
The Party Leader of the Liberals (V) calls on Norway to stop deportations to Greece because the country is not able to give asylum-seekers a fair and just hearing. In a speech at the party's national conference, she said that it is unacceptable that asylum-seekers should be returned to Greece, considering the state of the country's asylum system.
Dagsavisen 3 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm40Ek

Progress Party opposes Storberget's asylum proposals
The immigration spokesperson of the Progress Party, Per-Willy Amundsen, claims that the Minister of Justice and the Police, invites abuse of the asylum system by wanting to introduce special rules for families with children. He claims that some asylum-seekers have children in order to receive the right to stay in Norway. Directorate of Immigration (UDI) figures show that, in 2006, 214 children were born by asylum-seeker mothers, but so far this year  541 children have been born by mothers who are asylum-seekers.
Verdens Gang 2 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm50El
Aftenposten 1 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm60Em



UNHCR in the news

Roma fear persecution in Kosovo
Due to fear of persecution, many Kosovo Roma in Serbia do not dare return to Kosovo. According to UNHCR, Roma are discriminated against in Kosovo. The EU parliament recently demanded a cessation of forced returns of Roma to Kosovo. UNHCR also has information indicating that discrimination of Roma is present in Serbia. According to insufficient statistics, around 100 000 Roma reside in Serbia, and in addition to this, UNHCR appreciates that there are at least 200 000 internally displaced persons in the country, many of whom are Roma. Added to these numbers are 17 000 stateless persons who lack citizenship of any state. UNHCR is now working with a local organisation to map out the situation for Roma. The aim is to assess the degree to which rights for Roma are provided for.
Dagens Nyheter 2 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm70En
Dagens Nyheter 2 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFIQ0ZqnfK0aYE0Mm80Eo

[Roope]

Tuesday 5 October to Wednesday 6 October 2010

Norway

Saving on asylum costs
The government counts on saving 2.5 billion NOK through stricter asylum rules. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says that financial incentives are not an argument for a stricter asylum policy, but admits that the stricter rules will save the government around 2.5 billion NOK. The number of unfounded asylum applications is set to decrease from 18 000 to only 10 000 this year, says Stoltenberg. He emphasizes that persons in need of protection have the right to stay in Norway.
Verdens Gang 5 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqU0Ew
Dagbladet 5 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqV0Ex
NRK 4 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqW0Ey
NRK 4 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqX0Ez
TV2 4 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqY0E1

Effort to fight illegal immigration
The government asks the Parliament to allow a change in legislation that would make it possible to place travel restrictions on persons who have been illegally staying in Norway, to prevent them from returning after they have been deported. The change in legislation would mean that persons, who have had their application for asylum denied, and have chosen not to leave the country within the time limit specified in their expulsion order, will be denied entry to Norway if they return. The change would also entail an upper time limit regarding how long foreign citizens can stay incarcerated before being deported. Previously, no such limit has existed, but the government proposes a limit of 18 months.
NRK 4 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0PqZ0E2


Sweden

UNHCR Representative stresses legal obligations to provide asylum
Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic Countries in Stockholm, warns that the asylum space is under threat in Europe. Policies are tightened as a result of anti-immigrant rhetoric and populist pressure. It is therefore crucial to stress the need for ensuring access to safe havens for people seeking protection. If it is virtually impossible for refugees and asylum-seekers to reach countries of asylum through legal means, they risk being stigmatised as criminals, and are effectively driven into the arms of people smugglers and traffickers. Refugees come to Europe because their basic protection and survival needs are not met in their regions of origin, and protection for refugees closer to home must also be improved. There is need for more funding to UNHCR and more resettlement places for refugees who can not find effective protection in their country of asylum. These measures can however not replace the obligations under international law to provide protection to the refugees who come knocking on our doors. Sweden has been an important partner in refugee resettlement for the last 60 years, and is one of the top donors to UNHCR's programmes worldwide. UNHCR counts on Sweden's continued support for the international protection regime and assistance of refugees.
Dagens Nyheter 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqa0EA

99 % of Somali applications for family reunification rejected
The Migration Board introduced stricter rules for identification for family reunification from Somalia in March this year. Since then, 99 % of the applications have been rejected. In 2009, 90 % of the applications for family reunification from Somalia were approved. Relatives without passports are not granted residence permits, but Somali passports have not been accepted in Sweden since 1991. Sven Bergqvist, expert at the Migration Board, admits that it is very difficult for Somalis to get hold of identification documents. He adds that the Migration Board does not consider DNA tests proving kinship as sufficient evidence, since kinship itself does not prove identity. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, explains that the new directives stem from a decision by the Migration Court of Appeal, stressing that Somalis should not be exempted from identification requirements. Ribbenvik explains the differences in approval between Somali asylum applications and applications for family reunification with the easing of evidence requirements for asylum-seekers.
Sveriges Radio 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqb0EB
Sveriges Radio 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqc0EC

Prime Minister stresses integration and openness
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of the Moderate Party has stated that one of the greatest challenges for the government is to improve integration. He assured that the government wants to ensure that people who have come to Sweden from other countries feel acknowledged. The Prime Minister added that without openness, Sweden would have been a poorer country, but that there are reception flaws, and that immigrants should be provided with opportunities for jobs and education. Reinfeldt stressed that Sweden should be a safe haven for the oppressed.
Svenska Dagbladet 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqd0ED
Dagens Nyheter 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqe0EE

NB. This story was also covered in Denmark:
Jyllandsposten 5 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqf0EF

New Minister for Integration – Ministry of Integration shut down
Erik Ullenhag, former Party Secretary for the Liberal Party (FP), has been appointed Minister for Integration in the new government. Ullenhag takes over part of the portfolio from Nyamko Sabuni, former Minister for Integration and Equality. Sabuni will stay on as Minister for Equality. The Ministry of Integration and Equality will be shut down, and Ullenhag will be placed at the Ministry of Employment, whereas Sabuni will be placed at the Ministry of Education. Ullenhag believes that a quick entry into the labour market and knowledge of the Swedish language are key to integration. Ullenhag was however opposed to language tests for immigrants applying for citizenship, proposed by FP in 2002. The new Minister for Integration does not believe that xenophobia has increased in Sweden, and points out that Sweden is not in the same situation as in the beginning of the 1990s, when the white supremacy movement was growing.
Svenska Dagbladet 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqg0EG
Dagens Nyheter 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqh0EH



UNHCR in the news

43 million displaced worldwide
Protracted conflicts around the world are driving up refugee numbers and creating new populations in need of international protection. Worldwide, there are 15 million refugees, 27 million internally displaced persons, and one million asylum-seekers, says UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. Fewer refugees than ever chose to return home voluntarily in 2009. UNHCR cares for around 10 million refugees worldwide – around half of which are caught up in protracted conflicts with little prospects of safe return in the near future. An example are those who have fled the fighting in Afghanistan – Afghan refugees are spread around 69 countries across the world.
Danmarks 4 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqi0EI
Verdens Gang 4 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFdV0ZqnfK0aYE0Pqj0EJ

[Roope]

Thursday 7 October to Friday 8 Ocotber 2010

Denmark

Rønn wants to put a stop to Greek asylum chaos
Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech would like to see Danish experts involved in helping Greece establish a working asylum system. Rønn claims that several EU countries are prepared to send experts to Greece, which at the moment does not have a functioning asylum system. So far, Greece has not agreed to accept foreign expert help. UNHCR has branded the situation in Greece a humanitarian crisis. After verdicts in the European Court of Human Rights, Denmark has halted deportations to Greece. All involved are awaiting the verdict in a precedent-setting case at the end of the year.
TV2 Lorry (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwP0E5

Finland

Pastors' support for refugees rising
Ministers of Finland's Evangelical Lutheran Church are becoming some of the most vocal defenders of refugees. Citizens' groups are also increasingly helping asylum-seekers fight deportation orders. Earlier this year, the plight of two grandmothers caught the sympathy of the public and many politicians. Now the deportation of an Angolan boy living in northern Finland is in the public eye. He has received support from Lutheran ministers as well as some politicians. Samuel Salmi, bishop of the Oulu diocese, states that deportation would put a violent end to the boy's hopes of being part of the Finnish society. The boy is now staying at a deportation center while his support group pressures authorities to issue him an alien's passport as well as the right to stay in Finland. The European Court of Human Rights has meanwhile yet to rule on the grandmothers' cases.
YLE 5 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwQ0E6

Racism on the rise in Northern Karelia
Police figures show that the number of racist crimes in the northern part of Karelia has become sevenfold between 2008 and 2009. This year, the situation is worst in the small town Lieksa that has the highest number of racist crimes in the whole country. The most common racist crimes are sabotage, threat and assault. Around one hundred asylum-seekers who had been granted residence permits arrived in Lieksa last spring. Lieksa has faced high rates of unemployment and has little prior experience with immigration.
YLE 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwR0E7

Sweden

Increased influx of asylum-seekers
Many municipalities are currently experiencing a great influx of asylum-seekers. Camping sites and other temporary lodgings have been rented by the Migration Board for emergency housing. So far this year, 23,108 persons have applied for asylum in Sweden, and the number of Serbian applicants has increased to 4,000, from 421 in 2009. Fredrik Beijer, head of asylum assessment at the Migration Board, says that the ambition is to not spend more than three months per assessment, but that the current work load is large.
Dagens Nyheter 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwS0E8
Dagens Nyheter 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwT0EA
Sveriges Radio 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwU0EB
Sveriges Television 7 October (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwV0EC

NB. This story was also covered in Norway:
Aftenposten 6 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwW0ED

Minister for Migration promises review on family reunification requirements
Over one thousand Somali children have applied for reunification with their parents this year, but as a consequence of new regulations introduced in March, almost all cases are rejected. Due to the problems applicants from certain groups experience in clarifying their identities, a review of the legislation regulating family reunification should be carried out, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. Billström however avoids specifying what changes could be considered. The Swedish Red Cross supports the proposal.
Sveriges Radio 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwX0EE
Sveriges Radio 6 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwY0EF

Efforts towards refugee integration into the labour market criticized
On 1 December 2010 the main responsibility for the integration of refugees will be transferred from a municipality level to the Swedish Public Employment Services. For an average male refugee, it takes 7 years before being employed in Sweden. The ambition with the transfer of responsibility is that refugees should enter the labour market within two years. Lars-Ove Angré, refugee coordinator in the city of Kalmar, believes that this is an unrealistic aim, considering the lack of education and experience with for example quota refugees, who might have spent decades in refugee camps.
Sveriges Radio 7 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0SwZ0EG

NB correction: The op-ed was published in Svenska Dagbladet 5 October 2010, and not in Dagens Nyheter:
UNHCR Representative stresses legal obligations to provide asylum
Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic Countries in Stockholm, warns that the asylum space is under threat in Europe. Policies are tightened as a result of anti-immigrant rhetoric and populist pressure. It is therefore crucial to stress the need for ensuring access to safe havens for people seeking protection. If it is virtually impossible for refugees and asylum-seekers to reach countries of asylum through legal means, they risk being stigmatised as criminals, and are effectively driven into the arms of people smugglers and traffickers. Refugees come to Europe because their basic protection and survival needs are not met in their regions of origin, and protection for refugees closer to home must also be improved. There is need for more funding to UNHCR and more resettlement places for refugees who can not find effective protection in their country of asylum. These measures can however not replace the obligations under international law to provide protection to the refugees who come knocking on our doors. Sweden has been an important partner in refugee resettlement for the last 60 years, and is one of the top donors to UNHCR's programmes worldwide. UNHCR continues to count on Sweden's continued support for the international protection regime and assistance of refugees.
Svenska Dagbladet 5 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDFzD0ZqnfK0aYE0Swa0EN



UNHCR in the news

No promises on UNHCR insight into migration agreement
The European Commission has reached a cooperation agreement with Libya on migration issues. Swedish Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, stated at a press conference that this was a small step in the right direction. Libya recently forced UNHCR to withdraw its presence in the country, and Malmström could not guarantee insight in the matter for UNHCR. There are currently 1.5 million migrants in Libya, many of them refugees from Eritrea and Somalia. Libya refuses to sign the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and regards refugees as illegal immigrants. Many are placed in inhumane and prison-like detention centres.
Dagens Nyheter I: 21 7 October 2010 (in Swedish)

[Roope]

Saturday 9 October to Monday 11 October 2010

Finland

Increase in proposed deportations
The number of proposals to deport foreign citizens has increased. From January to September, authorities called for the deportation of 349 foreigners, which is nearly three times more than in the two previous years. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, the threshold for police to endorse the deportation of a foreigner has become lower than before after last year's shootings at the Sello shopping mall in Espoo. Supreme Police Commander Mikko Paatero says that the police have not adopted any new policies in the matter, but he suspects that such events can make officials more vigilant. In the past year, a larger proportion of deportation proposals were approved. This year, three out of four deportation proposals were approved, up from three out of every five a year earlier.
Helsingin Sanomat 10 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZb0Ev
YLE 10 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZc0Ew
Aamulehti 10 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZd0Ex
YLE 10 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZe0Ey
Hufvudstadsbladet 10 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZf0Ez
Vasabladet 10 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZg0E1
YLE 10 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZh0E2

Norway

Sexually harassed in Greece – now due to be sent back
An Iranian woman claims to have been sexually harassed in Greece while she was detained by Greek authorities in an asylum prison. She is now faced with deportation back to Greece, in accordance with the Dublin Regulation. Denmark, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have completely or partly halted deportations to Greece due to legal insecurity and an asylum system that in reality does not function. Norway has increased the number of people it sends back to Greece, and so far this year Norway has returned 255 persons there. This places Norway at the top of all European countries when it comes to returns to Greece. State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, Pål K. Lønseth, says that Norway may be willing – in the last instance – to stop all returns to Greece over a limited period of time, if this is combined with appropriate measures in Greece.
NRK 11 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZi0E3

Sweden

Refugee reception financed by development funds
The reception of quota refugees in Sweden will continue to be financed by the budget for development assistance. Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, stated that development funds will finance the first year of stay in Sweden for quota refugees, since refugee reception is closely linked to development assistance.
Sveriges Television 10 October (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZj0E4

Sweden among the countries who deport most Roma to Kosovo
Sweden is among the countries in the EU who are forcibly returning the highest number of Roma to Kosovo, many to extremely poor socio-economical circumstances. According to UNHCR, more than 7 000 refugees have been forcibly returned from Western Euro pe to Kosovo since 2008. Amnesty International claims that the number is considerably higher, partly because most deportees are never registered. As opposed to voluntary returnees, those who are forcibly returned cannot count on support from Western Europe, or the authorities in Kosovo.
Svenska Dagbladet 11 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZk0E5



UNHCR in the news

Japan to receive 90 refugees over three years
Japan has been criticised for being a country closed for refugees, but has now offered to receive 90 Burmese refugees over a three-year period. Johan Cels, Representative for UNHCR in Tokyo, welcomes the decision, and stresses that Japan is the second biggest financial contributor to UNHCR. Japan and UNHCR now place great emphasis on carefully preparing the refugees for their new life in Japan. Cels points out that if the 90 Burmese refugees will integrate successfully, this could encourage greater refugee reception, also of refugees from other countries.
Sveriges Radio 10 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGVe0ZqnfK0aYE0WZl0E6

[Roope]

Tuesday 12 October to Wednesday 13 October 2010

Norway

Stop of returns to Greece
The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has stopped deportations to Greece until further notice. "The Immigration Appeals Board has decided to honour the request of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to stop forced returns to Greece", says UNE-director Terje Sjeggestad. All asylum-seekers who have had their applications denied in accordance with the Dublin Regulation, but remain in the country, will be allowed to stay. ECtHR is currently handling the case of an asylum-seeker who was returned to Greece from Belgium – it is not clear when the verdict of that case will be announced. Immigration spokesperson of the Progress Party, Per-Willy Amundsen, is highly critical of the decision to stop returns to Greece, likening it to extending an open invitation to Greece's 300 000 asylum-seekers to come to Norway. In total, Norway has returned 260 rejected asylum-seekers to Greece this year. According to Norwegian TV news, 470 persons who were to be returned to Greece will now have their cases tried in Norway. Recently, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Denmark have halted returns to Greece.
Aftenposten 12 Ocotber 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0Zk40EO
Verdens Gang 12 Ocotber 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0Zk50EP
NRK 12 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0Zk60EQ

Sweden

Bosnian refugee Undersecretary of State for integration issues
Jasenko Selimovic, a Bosnian refugee who came to Sweden in 1992, has been appointed Undersecretary of State, and will be working with integration issues. Selimovic believes his own experiences as a refugee, along with his political involvement in the matter, will be useful in his new position.
11 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0Zk70ER

Increasing number of Serbian Roma asylum-seekers
4,692 Serbs have sought asylum in Sweden this year. Since September there have been over 2,000 new arrivals mainly from Belgrade suburbs, half of them children. The Migration Board does not record ethnicity, but the great majority of the applicants speak Romany. Several municipalities are critical of the overwhelming work load of providing schooling for asylum-seekers. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Migration Board, admits that the situation is very strained, but pleads for understanding. A 24-hour duty telephone line is being established to provide support the municipalities. After the Serbian authorities closed down a camp in Belgrade, many Roma are still practically homeless, in spite of promises of new housing. UNHCR has information implying that Roma are discriminated against in Serbia. According to the Migration Board, severe poverty and discrimination do not amount to sufficient reasons for protection under Swedish law. Among the 500,000 Roma living in Serbia, there are tens of thousands of Kosovo Roma who do not dare return to Kosovo after the war.
Dagens Nyheter 12 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0Zk80ES

County Boards take over responsibility for unaccompanied children
The County Administrative Boards will take over responsibility from the Migration Board to reach agreements with municipalities on receiving unaccompanied refugee children, and to increase housing opportunities for them, says Minister of Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström. The model has been tested in Östergötland County, and according to Billström, the County Boards have more efficient working relations with the municipalities.
Sveriges Television 12 October 2010 (in Swedish
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0ZlA0Ec
Sveriges Radio 12 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDGrB0ZqnfK0aYE0ZlB0Ed

[Roope]

Thursday 14 October to Friday 15 October 2010

Finland

Refugee reception will be smoother
The Finnish Immigration Service has ordered 2,000 contingency places for refugees in order to avoid opening new centers if the number of asylum-seekers increases. It is difficult to predict how many persons will seek asylum in Finland since the numbers vary greatly from year to year. The number of asylum-seekers more than doubled between 2007 and 2008. Last year it rose further from 4,000 to nearly 6,000. The Immigration Service negotiates with the centers and it will consider the number of emergency places in all contracts with municipalities. The purpose is to avoid opening new reception centers, and instead simply increase the number of residents in the existing facilities. A place in a facility costs 40 euros per day. This year, the number of asylum-seekers has gone down, and places were cut as a consequence.
YLE 13 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ctz0EC

More Somalis seek residence permits
The number of Somalis applying for residence permits in Finland has risen sharply this year. By the end of August, Somalis had filed more applications than during the entire year before, according to Finnish Immigration Service figures. Most of the applications have been related to family reunifications. The number of applications based on immediate family ties has risen by 30 per cent since 2009. The number based on other relatives, such as elderly parents of adults living in Finland or foster children, has risen sharply by 96 per cent. The overall number of residence permit applications has risen by 12 per cent since 2009. In the first eight months of the year, 16,105 persons applied to live in Finland. Of these, Somalis accounted for 2,679. About 80 per cent of applications have been approved.
YLE 12 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct10Ex
Turun Sanomat 12 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct20Ey
Uusi Suomi 12 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct30Ez
Åbo Underrättelser 12 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct40E1
YLE 12 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct50E2
Helsinki Times 14 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct60E3

Norway

SV happy about "asylum victory"
Member of Parliament for the Socialist Left Party, Heikki Holmås, is very happy that the Immigration Appeals Board stopped all returns to Greece on Tuesday. Holmås says that it is a victory for everyone who works for human rights, adding that he is very pleased with the result. The UN has long said that the circumstances in Greece are not sustainable, he adds.
Aftenposten 13 Ocotber 2010 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct70E4

Stop of returns to Somalia
The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has suspended returns to Somalia of asylum-seekers who have had their applications for asylum denied. The highest instance of UNE, the Stornemd, stopped the deportation of a person to Mogadishu on Thursday because it ruled that the situation in the city is so problematic that residents are at risk of being assaulted. With this in mind, UNE Director Terje Sjeggestad, decided to suspend forced returns of all Somali citizens. The decision might result in more Somalis being granted the right to stay in Norway. According to Sjeggestad, 3,000 – 4,000 may be allowed to have their claims processed once more – and if the security situation has not improved, they will be allowed to remain in Norway.
NRK 14 Ocotber 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0ct80E5

NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Sweden
Hufvudstadsbladet 14 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuA0EG
Dagens Nyheter 14 Ocober 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuB0EH

Frp willing to pay refugees to go home
The Progress Party (Frp) believes that refugees and immigrants with residence permits should be paid 100 000 NOK if they choose to return to their home countries voluntarily. Denmark has already introduced similar procedures, and the immigration spokesperson of Frp, Per-Willy Amundsen, thinks Denmark's system is a good example that Norway should follow. Amundsen is considering making such a proposal in Parliament.
Verdens Gang 15 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuC0EI
NRK 15 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuD0EJ


Sweden

Halting returns to Greece not considered prior to ruling from MCA
In September this year, a Swedish Migration Court decided that five asylum-seekers should not be returned to Greece under the Dublin regulation, the reason being that the asylum process in Greece cannot be guaranteed to be legally secure. The Swedish Migration Board now awaits guidance from the Migration Court of Appeal, to which they have appealed the decisions, says Fredrik Beijer, Head of assessment of asylum applications at the Migration Board. Beijer admits that the current situation, where different Migration Courts in Sweden produce contradicting rulings, affects the asylum process negatively. Norway recently halted forced returns of asylum-seekers to Greece, after a request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). A similar request was also addressed to the Netherlands. According to Beijer, the requests to Norway and the Netherlands are not a reason for Sweden to stop returns to Greece.
Dagens Nyheter 14 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuE0EK

Ministers for Migration and Integration in talks with Greens and Social Democrats
Minister for Migration, Tobias Billström, has gone into negotiations with the Green Party on asylum policy. Erik Ullenhag, Minister for Integration, has invited the Green Party and the Social Democratic Party for discussions on integration policy.
Svenska Dagbladet 15 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuF0EL Sveriges Television 15 October 2010 (in Swedish)http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuG0EM

Minister for Integration and SD starkly different views on integration
Party Leader for the Sweden Democrats (SD), Jimmie Åkesson, accused the government of denying the problems that follow from immigration to Sweden, and added that demands on immigrants are far too low. Erik Ullenhag, Minister for Integration, in turn criticized SD policies for making it more expensive to hire immigrants, and cutting down on tuition in Swedish. Åkesson countered by accusing the government for making it more expensive to hire natives Swedes, and thereby discriminating them. The government will introduce an integration reform in December 2010, focusing on quicker entry into the labour market and tuition of the Swedish language.
Sveriges Television 13 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuH0EN
13 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuI0EO

Refugees receive insufficient assistance with psychological health
Refugees in Sweden do not get sufficient assistance with treating anxiety and other psychological problems, according to a study by the Karolinska Institute (KI). The brief health talks they are offered in Sweden often do not touch on psychological health. The KI study shows that more than half of those who had attended health talks, experienced "significant anxiety", and only 38 % of refugees in Sweden have been summoned for health talks this year.
Sveriges Radio 15 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuJ0EP

Troops in Afghanistan crucial, says former Minister for Equality
Former Minister for Equality, Jens Orback of the Social Democrats, criticizes the proposal from the centre-left opposition to commence the withdrawal of Swedish peace-keeping troops from Afghanistan, starting next year. Orback states that the most important reason for maintaining the presence of Swedish troops in Afghanistan is that Afghans themselves want it that way. He also stresses that Sweden must listen to UNHCR advice, according to which military protection is crucial for development assistance.
Dagens Nyheter 14 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHEF0ZqnfK0aYE0cuK0EQ

[Roope]

Saturday 16 October to Monday 18 October 2010

Finland

Legislative change removed Bulgarians from asylum queue
Bulgarians have stopped seeking asylum in Finland. In the beginning of the year, there were over 400 Bulgarian asylum-seekers, but in September the Finnish Immigration Service did not receive any applications from Bulgarians. According to chief of asylum unit at the Immigration Service, Esko Repo, new legislation that entered into force in July is the reason. The new legislation states that an EU citizen can only stay in a reception center until the application has been rejected. Additionally the asylum-seeker receives reduced income support only for the days in the center.
Helsingin Sanomat 17 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVN0EG
Aamulehti 17 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVO0EH
Uusi Suomi 17 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVP0EI
Vasabladet 17 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVQ0EJ

Norway

Returned to persecution
A court in Oslo has ruled that the deportation of a Chechnyan boy and his mother cannot be carried out as they may face persecution in their home country. Both the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) were of the opinion that the mother and the boy were not at risk of persecution and should be returned. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights now calls for a stop of all forced returns to Chechnya. Aage Borchgrevink, of the Helsinki Committee, says they fear persons returned to Chechnya will face persecution. He says that the Committee therefore wants to see a stop of forced returns, until UNE has reviewed the cases, adding that this is already being done with cases concerning South Somalia.
Aftenposten 16 October 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVR0EK

UDI cuts 100 positions
The government wants to see quicker processing times for asylum applications, but is cutting the budget of Directorate of Immigration, which will have to see off 100 employees. No permanent employees will affected by the decision. UDI-director Ida Børresen says that shorter processing times cost money, and would have liked to hold on to the staff that is laid off. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, explains that the cuts in the budget are a result of the dramatic decline in asylum applications.
Aftenposten 16 October 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVS0EL
NRK 16 October 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVT0EM

Sweden

Minister for Integration open to health care for undocumented refugees
Minister for Integration, Erik Ullenhag (Liberals), believes that the government will introduce rights for hidden and undocumented refugees to obtain health care and schooling for children. The minor centre-right parties in the government, as well as the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party, are positive to extended rights for undocumented refugees, but the Moderate Party has previously opposed such suggestions. The government is currently in talks with The Social Democratic Party and the Green Party on migration policy. Current legislation only permits emergency services to hidden and undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers, and the patients are expected to cover the full cost themselves. Hidden children have rights to all health care, to subsidized costs.
Dagens Nyheter 16 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVU0EN
Sveriges Television 16 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVV0EO
Sveriges Radio 16 October (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVW0EP



UNHCR in the news

UNHCR demands Greece to improve refugee conditions
Greece receives almost nine out of ten illegal immigrants in the EU, most of them arriving from Turkey. EU has criticized Greece for its asylum system, and several EU countries refrain from returning rejected asylum-seekers there. UNHCR urges Greece to improve the basic services for asylum-seekers, such as health care, social support and interpretation. Presently, the resources are inadequate. According to UNHCR statistics, around 36,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Greece during the first half of 2010, most of them sought asylum. Greece has asked EU for additional funding in order to manage the influx of refugees.
YLE 15 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDHil0ZqnfK0aYE0gVX0EQ

[Roope]

Tuesday 19 October to Friday 22 October 2010

Denmark

Denmark isolated on Greek deportations
Many European countries have halted deportations to Greece, but Denmark is not planning on handling itself the Greek cases that have been stopped by the European Court of Human Rights. Minister for Refugee, Integration and Immigration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, says that this would undermine the Dublin Regulation. The integration spokesperson of the Socialist People's party finds it puzzling that Rønn Hornbech's assessment of the situation in Greece differs so much from those of other European governments. She adds that she does not find it feasible for Denmark to keep pretending like there's no problem in Greece.
Danmarks Radio 20 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0mZ40EA


Finland

Refugee Woman of the Year candidate for National Coalition Party
Refugee Woman of the Year, Fatbardhe Hetemaj, will run for parliament in next year's elections. She will be a candidate for the National Coalition Party in Helsinki. Hetemaj says that immigration is positive, but should be work-related. She states that development aid is an excellent way to help those in need in their countries of origin. According to her, Finland could support education in the developing world and thus contribute to the improvement of know-how.
Helsingin Sanomat 18 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0mZ50EB

Municipalities to receive more funding for refugee reception
The Parliament proposes an additional compensation of 7 million euros to municipalities to cover the costs of refugee reception during the coming two years. This year, the compensation was raised for the first time since 1993. Due to inadequate compensation and reluctant municipalities there are not enough places for refugees. Around 900 persons who have been granted residence permits are without housing services. There are more than 400 persons who have been granted residence permits in reception centers who are waiting for a municipal placement.
YLE 19 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0mZ60EC

Act on the Integration of Immigrants and Reception of Asylum Seekers viewed positively in parliament
The proposal for a new Act on the Integration of Immigrants and Reception of Asylum Seekers was received quite positively in the Finnish parliament. Ben Zyskowicz from the National Coalition Party thanked Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors especially for the issue that travel costs for others than quota refugees are to be removed in the case of family reunification. According to Zyskowicz, Finland is at the present moment the only country that pays the travels for other groups as well. He believes that the legislative change would diminish the amount of applications concerning family reunification and also the number of asylum applications. Members of the Finnish Social Democratic Party consider the reform realizations cut from reality, since it will not be granted additional funding.
Helsingin Sanomat 19 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0mZ70ED
Turun Sanomat 19 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0mZ80EE


Sweden

UNHCR criticises deportations to Iraq
The Migration Board has handed over the files of 8,000 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers to the police since 2006. The deportees are handed over to Iraqi authorities at the Baghdad airport, and that is where Sweden's responsibility for them ends. This year alone, 11 chartered planes have taken deportees to Baghdad. The forced returns have received criticism from UNHCR. Daniel Endres, Representative for UNHCR in Baghdad, says that Iraq lacks sufficient rule of law and legal safety for forcible returns to be carried out to the country. Endres describes Baghdad and central Iraq as lawless, and says that UNHCR cannot guarantee safety for those who are forcibly returned to Iraq. Endres states that the deportations to Iraq take place quietly, without external oversight, and adds that UNHCR has been able to monitor only a few of the forced returns at the Baghdad airport. Endres stresses that UNHCR believes that the returns should not have taken place in the first place, and states that the deportations present a very serious issue. Endres states that the first thing deportees to Iraq will do is to leave the country once more to find a safe haven. Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, sees no problems with the mass deportations, saying that it is important to point out that EU countries cannot take unlimited responsibility for deportees.
Sveriges Radio 19 October 2010 (in Swedish and English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maA0EU

UN classifies living conditions for migrants in Greece as inhumane
Living conditions for migrants in Greece were classified as inhumane by the UN earlier this week. Norway has stopped forced returns of asylum-seekers to Greece, after a request from the European Court of Human Rights, which was also addressed to the Netherlands. In Sweden, the Migration Court in Skåne has stopped forced returns to Greece, whereas Migration Courts in Stockholm and Gothenburg have allowed such returns. The Migration Board has appealed the decisions from the Skåne court, and now awaits the ruling from the Migration Court of Appeal.
Svenska Dagbladet 21 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maB0EV
Dagens Nyheter 20 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maC0EW

NB. This story was also covered in Denmark:
Danmarks Radio 20 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maD0EX
Berlingske Tidende 20 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maE0EY
Jyllandsposten 20 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maF0EZ

Critical need for municipalities to receive unaccompanied children
The Migration Board has doubled the contracts with municipalities for receiving unaccompanied refugee children, to 170 out of Sweden's 290 municipalities. The Migration Board counts on receiving applications for 2 400 children this year, and estimate that another 500 places are needed this year alone. In a joint letter to the county governors, the Migration Board; Save the Children; the Red Cross; and the Ombudsman for Children, state that the situation is critical.
Dagens Nyheter 21 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maG0Ea
Sveriges Radio 21 October (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maH0Eb
Sveriges Radio 21 October (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maI0Ec

Roma state they are discriminated against in Serbia
Roma asylum-seekers in Sweden say Roma are disrespected and discriminated against in Serbia. Out of the 6 000 asylum applications lodged in Sweden since 1 September this year, 2 300 are Serbian, many of them Roma. So far, 298 of the Serbian cases have been assessed. All were rejected. The Migration Board has asked municipalities for help in housing the increasing number of asylum-seekers. Several municipalities complain that they have been given very little time to prepare for the new influx. The Council of Europe will discuss the situation of Roma on 20 October.
Sveriges Radio 19 October 2010 (in Swedish and Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maJ0Ed



UNHCR in the news

UNHCR: Most Iraqis regret return to Iraq
The majority of refugees who have returned to Iraq wish they had remained in their countries of asylum. Lack of security, poor employment prospects, and unsatisfactory access to healthcare in Iraq are cited as the main reasons for this in a survey conducted by UNHCR. Of 2,353 Iraqis who had returned to Baghdad from Syria and Jordan between 2007-2008, 61 per cent regretted leaving their countries of asylum. Although many had left Syria and Jordan because they could no longer afford to live there, 87 per cent also claimed that their income in Iraq was not sufficient to cover the needs of their families. Another UNHCR survey from 8 October of 3,500 Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan showed that the majority remain skeptical about returning home permanently. Around 180,000 Iraqi refugees are registered in Syria and Jordan.
Stavanger Aftenblad 19 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIQQ0ZqnfK0aYE0maK0Ee

[Roope]

Saturday 23 October to Monday 25 October 2010

Denmark

Asylum-seekers receive markedly quicker response
New procedures have resulted in much shorter processing times for asylum applications. The average processing time for an asylum claim last year was 146 days, compared to only 41 days in the past six months. This improvement cannot be explained by the lower number of applications, but is the result of new, improved working procedures, claims Henrik Grunnet, director of the Immigration Service. One proposed reason is the introduction of the so called "handheld procedure". According to this principle, an individual case may not leave the desk of a case-worker without having been taken over by another case-worker. Also, the police and the Immigration Service have moved into the same reception centre in Sandholm, improving inter-agency communication.
Jyllands-Posten 25 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qP40ET

Birthe Rønn surprised at lack of control
Minister for Refugee, Immigration, and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbeck, has expressed her surprise at the lax procedures related to the transfer of asylum-seekers from Kastrup airport to Sandholm reception centre. Asylum-seekers are often simply given a train ticket to Sandholm once they arrive at Kastrup. Around half of asylum-seekers never make it to Sandholm, a report in TV2 Lorry has revealed. Previously, asylum-seekers had their fingerprints taken and were then sent to Sandholm by bus.
Danmarks Radio 24 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qP50EU

Sweden

Greece asks for help with border control
Greece asks for help to handle the increasing influx of refugees who enter the country via Turkey, and has pleaded that the EU border security agency, Frontex, help control the border. Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström is responsible for issues pertaining to border security. She states that the number of persons who cross the border from Turkey have reached alarming proportions.
Sveriges Radio 25 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qP60EV

NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Vasabladet 25 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qP70EW

EU Commissioner critical of forced returns to Greece
Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, is critical of the EU countries - among them Sweden - who forcibly return asylum-seekers to Greece under the Dublin regulation. Malmström describes the detention facilities for persons who are returned there as horrific. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, declines to comment, referring to the Migration Board, which in turn awaits a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Malmström believes that ECtHR will stop forced returns from the countries that still do deport asylum-seekers to Greece.
Sveriges Radio 23 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qP80EX

Asylum-seekers in Sweden regularly cross the Danish border
Between 300 and 500 asylum-seekers in Sweden travel to Denmark every day, in spite of having no permission to cross the border, according to the Danish police. The police state that many of the persons who cross the border work illegally in Denmark, or cross the border to visit friends and family.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qQA0Eh

Refugees abused three days after their arrival
Several young persons threw glass bottles and bananas at the facilities that house refugees in Frösön, in Jämtland County, on 24 October. The perpetrators also verbally abused the refugees. No one was injured, but the facilities received extra surveillance during the night between the 24th and the 25th of October. The police assess the event as a hate crime and have started investigations. Around 50 refugees moved into the facilities in Frösön on 21 October, and the facilities are expected to house a maximum of 300 refugees.
Sveriges Radio 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qQB0Ei
Dagens Nyheter 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDIvE0ZqnfK0aYE0qQC0Ej

[Roope]

Tuesday 26 Ocotber to Wednesday 27 October 2010

Denmark

Demands for change to new asylum procedure
The fact that asylum-seekers who arrive at Kastrup airport are not escorted to Sandholm reception centre, but are simply given a train ticket and travel directions to the centre, and the confirmation by police that this procedure is nation-wide practice, has been a cause of wide-spread concern in parliament. Peter Skaarup, member of parliament for the Danish People's Party, and leader of parliament's legal committee, demands explanations from the Minister of Justice as well as the Minister of Refugee, Integration, and Immigration Affairs. Skaarup wants to know why this new practice was introduced – previously asylum-seekers had their fingerprints taken at the border and were then brought to Sandholm by bus. The legal spokesperson of the Social Democrats, Karen Hækkerup, demands that the procedure is changed as it opens the gates for unregistered persons to enter the Schengen area. Integration spokesperson of the Left Party, Karsten Lauritzen, suggests cooperation between the Red Cross and the Immigration Service when it comes to Sandholm transports, if the reason for the unescorted trips has been a lack of police resources. Carsten Isaksen, of The Red Cross, is open to this suggestion, but is adamant that it must be made clear to asylum-seekers that the organization is not part of the Danish authorities.
Danmarks Radio 26 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMm0E1
Danmarks Radio 25 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMn0E2
Danmarks Radio 27 Ocotber 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMo0E3
Danmarks Radio 27 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMp0E4

NB. This story was also covered in Finland:
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMq0E5
YLE 26 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMr0E6

Fewer arrests of illegal immigrants at the German border
The border police reports a dramatic fall in the number of persons arrested at the Danish-German border. Only 440 arrests have been made so far this year – 45 per cent less than during the same period last year. The number of people-smugglers arrested by the border police has also decreased significantly – 41 smugglers have been arrested this year, compared to 81 last year. Palle Linné from the border police at Padborg, does not have a ready explanation for these trends – but explains that the German police have carried out massive operations this year, and this will have had some influence on the Danish figures.
Danmarks Radio 26 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMs0E7

Immigration stop to ghettos
Refugees and immigrants from non-European countries will in the future not be allocated public housing in so called "ghettos" - areas with high incidents of unemployment, criminal activity, and a high proportion of residents with non-European backgrounds. According to the government, there are 29 such areas in the country. The purpose of the new government plan to deal with the ghetto issue is to give new arrivals a real chance to become integrated into Danish society, according to Henriette Kjær, political spokesperson of the Conservatives. Other initiatives outlined in the plan include speedy regulation in district courts for problem families, mandatory day care for children with foreign parents and weak Danish language skills, a stop of family reunification in ghettos, and stricter rules regarding requirements to be involved in labour market initiatives to qualify for welfare payments. Moreover, the government plans to knock down 2000 ghetto apartments. Municipalities and researchers have expressed criticism towards the proposition.
Jyllands-Posten 26 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMt0E8

NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Aftenposten 26 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMu0EA

Finland

Small differences between Finland and Sweden in family reunification
According to the Ministry of the Interior, there is no need for changes in Finland's family reunification policy. This conclusion was reached in a report where the Finnish system was compared with the ones in the other Nordic countries, UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The Finnish policy does not clearly differ from the other countries. Finland does not stand out as more inviting than the others.
Uusi Suomi 25 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMv0EB

Norway

Hagen wants volunteers to pick up asylum bill
Former leader of the Progress Party (Frp), Carl I Hagen, wants volunteers to take over the government's current responsibilities of caring for the material and housing needs of asylum-seekers. He wants asylum-seekers to register with the police upon arrival in Norway, and to be instructed to report to a police station near their residence once a week. Asylum-seekers should also be given a list of names and addresses of privately funded charitable organizations which can care for them. Hagen claims that taxpayers' money is used too generously, and that only the formal procedural and administrative costs of the asylum process should be state-financed. Hagen believes that these measures would drastically reduce the number of asylum-seekers that choose to come to Norway. Sylo Taraku from the Norwegian Organization of Asylum-Seekers says Hagen wants to introduce asylum practices similar to those in Italy or Greece, despite the fact that Norway has voiced criticism over the Greek system. The proposal differs markedly from the official Frp-line, which is to place asylum-seekers in locked reception centres while their claims are being processed.
Aftenposten 25 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMw0EC

No resolution in Krekar extradition
Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, met with Karim Sanjiri, Interior Minister of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq, to discuss the fate of Mullah Krekar, a Kurdish Sunni Islamist Leader, who arrived in Norway as an Iraqi refugee in 1991. Krekar is accused of crimes punishable by the death penalty, and wants a guarantee that he will not be sentenced to death if he were to return to Iraq. No such guarantee was given by Sanjiri, but both he and Storberget want to see a continued dialogue around the matter and both parties are keen to find a solution.
Verdens Gang 26 October 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMx0ED


Sweden

MCA lowers threshold for residence permits on humanitarian grounds
The Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) ruled on 25 October that a Mongolian woman with chronic leukemia would be granted a residence permit, since she is unable to receive treatment in Mongolia. Applicants in such cases have previously had to prove that care is not available in their home countries. Following the current MCA ruling, a feasible description of care shortages may constitute sufficient grounds to grant residence permit on humanitarian grounds. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, welcomes the ruling and says that it is important to be certain of the availability of care before rejecting an application for a residence permit.
Dagens Nyheter 26 October 2010 I: 10 (in Swedish)

Many Somalis denied family reunification
Tougher ID demands make it practically impossible for children to reunite with their parents in Sweden without possessing a valid passport. This affects Somali refugees in particular, and only 14 out of 1 000 Somali children applicants have been granted residence permits this year. The Migration Board has previously prioritized family reunification over being absolutely certain of the applicant's identity.
Sveriges Television 25 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMy0EE

Refugees exploited for cheap labour
120 newspaper couriers in Sweden have lost their jobs after it was revealed that they had exploited refugees and undocumented persons to carry out the job for a fraction of the original wages.
Dagens Nyheter 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tMz0EF
Sveriges Radio 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tM10E1

Malmström: Serbia must stop refugee flow
Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, has demanded that Serbia and Macedonia put a stop to the increasing influx of asylum-seekers from the two countries to the EU. In a letter to the Serbian Minister for Internal Affairs, Ivica Dacic, Malmström warns that unless Serbia takes immediate measures, this could result in a removal of the visa exemption for Serbia, and undermine the visa exemption process for Bosnia and Albania. Around 8,000 Serbs have applied for asylum in the EU since the visa constraint for Serbian citizens was lifted ten months ago, 5,300 of them in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board does not record ethnicity, but the majority of the asylum-seekers speak Romani.
Dagens Nyheter 22 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tM20E2

Situation for asylum-seekers in Greece a humanitarian crisis
UNHCR characterises the situation for asylum-seekers in Greece as a humanitarian crisis, and since 2008, the agency has advised against forced returns to Greece. Swedish NGOs now urge Sweden to stop returning asylum-seekers to Greece under the Dublin regulation. Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, stresses that Greece has a responsibility to solve the situation, but adds that the EU will assist the Greek authorities in a number of ways. Malmström also mentions that UNHCR and NGOs can assist in the effort to construct a system in Greece, by which protection needs may be assessed. Malmström states that exceptions can be made from the Dublin regulation if conditions are bad in the country of return - a path chosen by Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, who no longer return asylum-seekers to Greece. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, says that it is the Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) that decides Swedish practice. An MCA ruling on returns to Greece is expected shortly. According to a Greek research institute, over one million refugees are on their way from Turkey to Greece.
Sveriges Television 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tM30E3

Sweden and Denmark help control Greek-Turkish border
Greece pleads for the help of 160 experts to control the influx of illegal migrants through the Turkish border. Sweden and Denmark are preparing to join the EU Rapid Border Intervention Team with a limited number of police officers. Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, says that migrant movement has reached alarming proportions with 150-400 people crossing the Greek-Turkish border daily. Malmström adds that the Greek refugee reception system has collapsed, and that Greece is unable to determine who of the migrants are in need of protection.
Dagens Nyheter 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tM40E4

NB. This story was also covered in Denmark:
Jyllands-Posten 27 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJIY0ZqnfK0aYE0tM50E5

[Roope]

Thursday 28 October to Friday 29 October 2010

Denmark

Majority in parliament want to change asylum rules
Newly arrived asylum-seekers in Denmark are provided with a train ticket and are asked to make their own way to Sandholm reception centre. The Conservatives, The Liberals, The Danish People's Party and the Social Democrats agree that this practice should be changed. Integration spokesperson of the Conservatives, Naser Khader, is puzzled by the police's claim that escorting asylum-seekers to Sandholm is not their responsibility, and adds that if this not the case today, it needs to be made a police matter. Karen Hækkerup, legal spokesperson of the opposition Social Democrats, also wants the police to resume the task of escorting asylum-seekers to Sandholm, as they have done in the past.
Danmarks Radio 26 October 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wH60El

Finland

Resigned Iranian diplomat granted asylum in Finland
The Iranian chargé d'affaires, Hossein Alizadeh, who resigned from his office at the Iranian Embassy in September has been granted asylum in Finland. He and his family were granted refugee status and permanent residence permits under the Geneva refugee Convention. The Finnish Immigration Service dealt with his case in a fast manner, since the reasons for asylum are self-evident, stated an official at the Immigration Service who wished to remain anonymous.
Helsingin Sanomat 28 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wH70Em
YLE 28 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wH80En
Aamulehti 28 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIA0Ex

No introduction of "grandma clause"
The law relating to the granting of residence permits to relatives of Finnish citizens will not be amended. On Wednesday, a ministerial working group on immigration rejected proposed changes to the law, known as the "grandma clause". The proposed law would have made it easier for the parents of Finnish citizens to be granted permission to stay in Finland. This was despite support for the amendment from Minister of Immigration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. The Minister of the Interior would only have been able to sanction a different legal interpretation if new legislation had been introduced. According to Thors, the law change would not have caused a draramtic rise in the number of applications for residence permits. Under the current legislation, residence permits can only be granted to extended family members when an intention can be shown to continue with previously existing co-living arrangements, or when a relative is entirely dependent on a Finnish citizen. The notion of being entirely dependent has always been very narrowly interpreted.
YLE 27 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIB0Ey
Helsingin Sanomat 27 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIC0Ez
Aamulehti 27 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wID0E1
YLE 27 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIE0E2
Hufvudstadsbladet 27 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIF0E3
YLE 27 October 2010 (in English) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIG0E4

Waiting time for Finnish quota refugees unacceptable
The waiting time for Finnish quota refugees rises. It is very difficult to find municipal places for them. The long waiting time is not acceptable, says lawyer Ida Staffans at the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre. The persons who are waiting are living under very difficult circumstances, and often they have been selected especially due to their vulnerable situation. Chakupewa Lungunya was selected to the Finnish quota of refugees in 2008, but during the last two years she has not heard anything from Finland. According to her, she is the last one to stay while other families have already started a better life in Europe. Paul Kenya, UNHCR consultant in Kigali/Rwanda, states that the refugees are chosen for resettlement on the basis of protection concerns and that after the selection some countries can receive refugees faster than others. Kenya adds that this can be very challenging for the refugees since they may they think that UNHCR is responsible for these delays, and that UNHCR is doing a bad job.
YLE 20 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIH0E5
YLE 20 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wII0E6

Finnish Immigration officials discuss citizenship test
The Finnish Immigration Service is looking into the possibility of introducing a citizenship test in Finland. According to a report in the Turun Sanomat, immigrants applying for Finnish citizenship would have to pass the test before being granted the right to a Finnish passport. Officials say the results would also help them evaluate the effectiveness of integration programs. The possibility of administering such a screening procedure has not previously been investigated in Finland. Jorma Vuorio, Chief Immigration Director, stated that the test would not ease the backlog in citizenship applications, since other conditions must be met by applicants before citizenship can be granted. These prerequisites include a clean police record, residence of a certain duration and adequate proficiency in the Finnish language. This year citizenship requests grew by four per cent, with immigration authorities receiving about 1,500 applications at the beginning of the year.
Turun Sanomat 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIJ0E7
Helsingin Sanomat 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIK0E8
Hufvudstadsbladet 29 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIL0EA
YLE 29 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIM0EB

Sweden

Malmström seeks to improve refugee reception in the EU
Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, states that while EU's external borders should be controlled, the right to asylum must be guaranteed. Malmström says that her ambition is to put into place more opportunities for legal migration to the EU, but that it is difficult to unit EU member countries in an agreement. She adds that she seeks to increase and improve refugee reception in countries such as Malta and Greece. Malmström believes that undocumented migrants in Europe should be treated fairly, and have access to health care and education, but stresses that this is something that should be taken care of by member states, and not at the EU level.
Sveriges Television 26 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIN0EC

Balkan Roma flee persecution
Many of the Balkan asylum-seekers who have come to Sweden in the last weeks are Roma. They flee harsh persecution and extreme poverty in their countries, but have very small chances of being granted asylum in Sweden. Most of the Roma who apply for asylum in Sweden are from Serbia and Macedonia, where the Roma are discriminated against; their living spaces are burned down and they are treated badly by the police. The political climate, with increasing far-right extremist sentiments, also affects Roma in the Balkans negatively.
Sveriges Radio 28 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIO0ED

SD budget cuts immigration with 90 %
The Sweden Democrats (SD) presented their budget for 2011 on 27 October. SD plans to cut immigration with 90 % and lower development aid with 9.5 billion SEK to 0.7 per cent of GDP, from the current target set at 1 % of GDP. SD also suggests an increase of financial support to UNHCR with one billion SEK. SD believes that stricter immigration regulations would send a signal to refugees and would-be emigrants in the world, which would result in a decreasing number of applications for residence permits.
Sveriges Television 27 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIP0EE

Call for more municipalities to receive refugee children
More municipalities must receive unaccompanied refugee children, according to the Migration Board, the Ombudsman for Children (BO) and Save the Children. 120 municipalities do not receive refugee children, and ten have been called to talks with BO on how they live up to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has criticised Sweden for flaws in the reception of refugee children. BO Fredrik Malmberg says that children must quickly be given the opportunity to go to school, and be appointed a guardian. This year 2 400 children are expected to apply for asylum in Sweden, and more than 500 children are currently waiting for permanent housing arrangements.
Svenska Dagbladet 28 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIQ0EF
Sveriges Television 28 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIR0EG
Sveriges Radio 28 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDJdh0ZqnfK0aYE0wIS0EH

[Roope]

Saturday 30 October to Monday 1 November 2010

Finland

Political parties on family reunification and quota refugees
The Finnish Refugee Council and the Refugee Advice Centre have done a survey of the parliamentary parties' positions on immigration and asylum. The parties are divided when it comes to the right to family reunification. The Left Alliance is critical of restrictions to the right to family reunification for underage applicants, that entered into force earlier this year. The National Coalition Party wants to change the law so that only those who have been granted asylum would have their travel costs paid when it comes to family reunification. The Centre Party would like to pursue a similar policy. The Christian Democrats (CD) and the Swedish People's Party (SPP) have clarified their stance on the so-called "grandma clause":  CD argues that Finland should observe the EU directive that states that grandparents are to be regarded as immediate family of EU citizens, SPP says it is untenable that the directive does not currently apply to many Finnish citizens, while it applies to other EU citizens residing in Finland. The parties take differing views on the appropriate size of the quota for refugees. Both the SPP and the Left Alliance want to increase the quota to 1,000 places. The Greens also favor more quota refugees. The Social Democrats, the Centre Party, the CD and the National Coalition Party want to keep the current quota. The True Finns want to abolish the quota altogether.
Helsinki Times 28 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05oj0E8

Räsänen welcomes Christian refugees first
Christian refugees coming to Finland should be preferred to Muslims, according to Christian Democratic Party Chair Päivi Räsänen. In a recent interview with the university student magazine "Ylioppilaslehti", Räsänen says that Christians adapt to Finland better than Muslims because their religion and culture are more similar. Muslims are at a greater risk of becoming isolated. This can lead to radicalization, Räsänen says. Green Party MP Jyrki Kasvi accuses Räsänen of discrimination against members of different faiths. Minister for Culture and Sports, Stefan Wallin, and Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors say that Räsänen's comments are ruthless.
Ylioppilaslehti 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ok0EA
Helsingin Sanomat 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ol0EB
Turun Sanomat 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05om0EC
Turun Sanomat 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05on0ED
Aamulehti 29 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05oo0EE
Vasabladet 29 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05op0EF
Åbo Underrättelser 29 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05oq0EG
YLE 29 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05or0EH
Helsinki Times 29 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05os0EI

Bishop: Lutheran church offers shelter to all regardless of faith
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has rejected comments by Christian Democratic Party Chair Päivi Räsänen that Christian refugees coming to Finland should be prioritized over Muslims. The Church states protection should be given to all those in need, regardless of faith. Refugees are to be selected on the basis of their need for protection. Those who are most vulnerable should be accepted as refugees without regard to race, culture or religion, Bishop Heikka explained.
YLE 30 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ot0EJ
Helsingin Sanomat 30 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ou0EK
Turun Sanomat 30 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ov0EL
Aamulehti 30 October 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ow0EM
YLE 30 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05ox0EN
Hufvudstadsbladet 30 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05oy0EO
Vasabladet 30 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05oz0EP
YLE 30 October 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05o10EC



UNHCR in the news

Why Iraqis regret returning home
According to a UNHCR survey among 2,353 Iraqi returnees, the majority regret returning to Iraq. Fears about the security situation are listed as one of the most common reasons why returnees wish they would have stayed in their country of asylum. Lack of rule law is another problem for returnees – Amnesty International estimates that over 30,000 Iraqis are currently incarcerated without a trial. According to Malcolm Smart, of Amnesty International, torture is wide-spread and used systematically. Poverty is another reason why returnees wish they had not returned – 90 % report that they find it difficult to support themselves and their families. Lack of access to medical services and adequate housing is another main concern of the returnees.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 28 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKAK0ZqnfK0aYE05o20ED

[Roope]

Tuesday 2 November to Wednesday 3 November 2010

Sweden

Sweden stops returns of asylum-seekers to Greece
Sweden stops all forced returns of asylum-seekers to Greece under the Dublin regulation, following a request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Migration Board, says that the social circumstances in Greece and in many European countries are terrible, but what is crucial is that the capacity to assess asylum applications in Greece has collapsed. The legal situation in Sweden is unclear, and the Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) is currently reviewing two rulings which stopped returns to Greece. A new ruling from MCA or new instructions from the ECtHR might change Swedish policy.
Sveriges Radio 2 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVt0Ek
Dagens Nyheter 2 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVu0El

Roma immediately returned to Kosovo and Serbia
According to the Migration Board, Roma from Kosovo and Serbia do not have sufficient grounds for their asylum applications. Many Roma are therefore returned immediately to Kosovo and Serbia, where they risk being forcibly uprooted and suffer systematic discrimination. The UN, Amnesty International and several other human rights organizations plead for sensitivity to the difficult living conditions for Roma. 70 out of 3 500 asylum-seekers from Kosovo and Serbia have been allowed to stay in Sweden during 2010. Per Lilja, asylum expert of the Migration Board, says that harsh socio-economic circumstances are not sufficient grounds to grant asylum. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason to question the immediate returns.
Sveriges Radio 1 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVv0Em
Sveriges Radio 2 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVw0En

Migration Board expects increase in asylum-seekers
More persons than expected apply for asylum in Sweden. This year, 32,000 asylum-seekers are expected to come to Sweden, and the prognosis for 2011 is currently at 31,000. To cope with costs, the Migration Board has pleaded for increased financial support from the government.
Sveriges Radio 29 oktober 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVx0Eo

Ombudsman for Children calls for more efforts to house refugee children
Many unaccompanied refugee children have to wait for months before being placed in permanent housing facilities. Fredrik Malmberg, Ombudsman for Children (BO), says that this is due to unclear division of responsibility between the Migration Board and the municipalities, and calls for more efforts to improve the situation for the children.
Sveriges Radio 29 October 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKVS0ZqnfK0aYE0BFVy0Ep