Tässä ketjussa julkaistaan UNHCR:n kolme kertaa viikossa ilmestyvän uutiskirjeen sisältö eli englanninkielinen yhteenveto maahanmuuttoaiheisista uutisista Pohjoismaista ja Baltian alueelta.
http://www.unhcr.fi/en/News/baltic_nordic_en.html
Uutisarkisto löytyy täältä: http://www.unhcr.fi/en/News/baltic_nordic_archive_en.html
Älkää kommentoiko uutisia tähän ketjuun, jotta se säilyy helppolukuisena. Jos yksittäinen uutinen tuntuu huomion arvoiselta, niin sitä voi käsitellä jossain aiemmin avatussa ketjussa tai sille voi luoda oman ketjun sopivaan osastoon.
Uutiskirjeessä on referaattien perässä linkit alkuperäisiin uutisiin, mutta ne katoavat tänne copy&paste:lla kopioitaessa. Uutiset ja sieltä löytyvät linkit voi halutessaan katsoa yllämainituista osoitteista.
Edit: sinistä.
Saturday 9 January to Monday 11 January 2010
Denmark
Iraqi children face psychological problems
A new study reveals that nearly every Iraqi child, whose family is about to be deported, has thoughts of suicide and suffers from depression. Few children receive treatment and the psychological problems worsen as the children get older.
JP.dk 10 January 2010 (in Danish)
Sweden
Rise in Somali and Afghan asylum-seekers, decrease in Iraqis
The number of asylum-seekers from Iraq has fallen sharply in 2009 compared to 2008, whereas the number of Somali and Afghan asylum-seekers has increased. In 2009 Somalis constituted the largest group of asylum-seekers with 5,558 applications, a 75 per cent increase compared to 2008. "The situation in Somalia has deteriorated during the year and unfortunately we see no hope of an improvement. In principle, everyone from Somalia is granted asylum since our assessment is that there is an armed conflict in the country", says the Migration Board's Fredrik Beijer. Furthermore, the number of Afghan asylum-seekers has more than doubled, to 1,694. Meanwhile the number of Iraqi asylum-seekers has decreased by 67 per cent compared to 2008, meaning that there were 2,297 new Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden last year. The number of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers arriving in Sweden reached a new record in 2009, as 2,250 children applied for asylum. Most of the minors came from Somalia and Afghanistan. Altogether there were 24,194 asylum-seekers in 2009, a slight decrease compared to 2008. Only around one-third were granted permission to stay in Sweden.
SR 10 January 2009 (in Swedish)
SR 10 January 2009 (in English)
SvD 11 January 2009 (in Swedish) I: 6
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Vasabladet 10 January 2009 (in Swedish)
UNHCR critical to Iraqi deportations
The number of Iraqi asylum-seekers arriving in Sweden has decreased due to the stricter measures that have been introduced. Sweden started forcibly returning rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq in 2008 as the Migration Court of Appeal ruled that there is "no armed conflict in Iraq" anymore, a decision that was criticized by the UN Refugee Agency. "Asylum-seekers coming from the central parts of Iraq are still in need of protection and no-one should be sent back to these parts of the country", says UNHCR Spokesperson Hanne Mathisen. The number of Iraqi asylum-seekers has increased in neighboring Finland and Norway as a result of Sweden's stricter policy.
SVT Rapport 11 January 2009 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
UN High Commissioner for Refugees to visit Italy following clashes
Thousands of immigrants have demonstrated against racism in Rosarno in the south of Italy.The demonstrations were a continuation of Friday's clashes that started after a group of local youths shot at African immigrants with air-rifles. Seven immigrants were detained after the clashes that left 30 persons injured. The UN Refugee Agency is worried about the persecution of immigrants, and wants to start a debate on the inhumane living conditions of immigrants The UN High Commissioner for Refugees was supposed to visit the region on Saturday.
YLE 8 January 2009 (in Finnish)
Immigrants harassed in Southern Italy
Pope Benedict XVI urges Italians to respect the rights of African migrant workers after a wave of violence against African immigrants. At least 70 persons have been wounded during the violent riots in recent days in the city of Rosarno, Italy. "There is a very serious security problem here. Many immigrants who work on local farms are scared and just want to leave, even though many of them have not yet been paid", said UNHCR spokesperson Laura Boldrini.
Dagsavisen 11 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Refugees from Myanmar find home in landfill
An increasing amount of illegal refugees from Myanmar are finding housing near a garbage dump in the outskirts of Mae Sot, Thailand. Aid organizations fear that the flow of refugees will increase significantly during the upcoming elections in Myanmar. According to UNHCR there are some 140 000 refugees from Myanmar living in official camps in Thailand. Many refugees living by the landfill have been raped and had their villages burnt down.
VG.no 11 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
NRK.no 11 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 12 January to Wednesday 13 January 2010
Latvia
Government planning to grant benefits to asylum-seekers
The government plans to grant asylum-seekers supplementary benefits of LVL 1,50 (EUR 2,13) per day for food, clothes and items of personal hygiene. During the last 10 years Latvia has granted asylum to 17 immigrants.
Vesti Segodnya 7 January 2010, according to Latvian Centre for Human Rights Integration Monitor 11 January 2010 (in English)
Norway
Storberget gets "told off" by UN
UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries, Hans ten Feld, has criticized Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget's decision to forcibly return 30 Iraqis to central parts of Iraq. Due to the unstable security situation in the central provinces of Iraq, UNHCR has urged countries not to return persons to these areas. In a letter to Storberget dated 11 December 2009, ten Feld expressed that he is deeply concerned and that the deportation of Iraqis sends the wrong message to other countries. " We sent similar letters to Sweden and Denmark when they started the forced deportations of Iraqis. We know that the authorities are aware of our recommendations, but we still want to remind them of our position", said ten Feld.
"It is not a great strain for Iraq to accept 30 persons from Norway. But this can send the wrong signals to neighboring countries like Syria and Jordan, as these countries with fewer resources, have protected up to two million Iraqi refugees. Returning Iraqis on a larger scale will not make a positive contribution to the reconstruction and stability in the country", he continued. Storberget has said that each case must be considered individually. Storberget has also acknowledged that Norway's asylum policy is not completely in line with UN recommendations.
Aftenposten.no 13 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
VG.no 13 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Norway to return more asylum-seekers
Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, said Tuesday that Norway may return more rejected asylum-seekers using chartered planes. Last year 4,359 persons without legal residence were transported out of Norway. 1,019 of them left voluntarily, while others were transported out of the country by force. Norway plans to deport 4,900 persons this year.
VG.no 12 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Record breaking numbers of forcibly returned persons
In 2009, Norway forcibly returned 3340 rejected asylum-seekers. Many of them were sent back to areas that the United Nations has said to be too dangerous to return to. The record breaking numbers of returnees has left critics asking why Norway does not follow up the situation of each returnee. Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget said that Norway is responsible for what happens in its own country.
VG.no 11 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
NRK.no 12 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Vellinge will receive refugee children
Vellinge municipality, which last November found itself at the centre of controversy over its hostile stance towards housing refugee children, has for the first time in 24 years decided to house five to eight unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. Only two families have so far expressed an interest in housing the children and the municipality now intends to launch a campaign to attract more interest.
SvD.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Palme Prize to Carsten Jensen
The Danish author, journalist and social commentator Carsten Jensen received the Olof Palme Prize 2009. The jury's reasoning highlights his great commitment to the vulnerables' situation in their community and the world. He has also made a reputation as a fearless debater who does not hesitate to defend asylum-seekers, refugees or human rights. The Olof Palme Prize was established in 1987 and consists of a diploma and 75,000 U.S dollars.
SvD.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Cartoonist attacker tried to recruit youths in Sweden
The Danish-Somali man who attacked Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard has tried to recruit youths attending the al Huda mosque in Gothenburg to the Islamist al-Shabab organisation. "For those of us who heard him preach, it was not a question of whether he would carry out an act of terrorism, but how and when," says one witness. Many Swedish-Somalis in Gothenburg wonder now why the Swedish Security Service SÄPO did not react to the recruitment attempts. Patrik Peter, spokesperson for SÄPO, says he does not wish to comment on the case but he does say that the service is aware of a small group of radical Swedish-Somalis who sympathise with al-Shabab. However, according to Peter, support for the al-Shabab has in fact declined in Sweden recently, partly due to its brutal methods and partly due to an open discussion among Somalis in Sweden.
DN.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
SvD.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
War crimes suspect arrested
A Bosnian-born Swede was arrested in northern Sweden, suspected of war crimes during the civil war in the Balkans during the first half of the 1990's. The 43-year-old man served as a prison guard at a detention camp for Bosnian Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992 and is accused, along with others, of murdering and torturing some of the inmates. "We are talking about serious violations of the Geneva Convention," says Magnus Elving from the international prosecution authority in Stockholm. The prosecutor has until Thursday to decide whether to ask a court to take the man into custody. No one knows exactly how many war criminals live in Sweden, but Swedish police have previously estimated that it could be as many as 1000.
SvD.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
DN.se 13 January 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Hundreds of rebels dead after battles at the Saudi-Yemeni border, civilians fleeing
Hundreds of Shiite rebels have died as Saudi troops struck into the Yemeni border village of al-Jabri. Yemeni troops attacked the rebels in Saada, killing dozens and capturing 25. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR reports that around 200,000 civilians have been forced to flee the conflict in the Northern parts of Yemen since it escalated in 2004. In November last year, UNHCR reported that around 175,000 persons were displaced, compared to 120,000 only three months earlier. UNHCR Spokesperson Andrej Mahecic says that the organisation is now running out of resources as the number of displaced persons continues to grow.
YLE 12 January 2010 (in Finnish)
VG.no 12 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
VG.no 12 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Nyhetskanalen.se 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
SVT 12 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Thursday 14 January to Friday 15 January 2010
Finland
Number of Bulgarian asylum-seekers rocketed in late 2009
Finland received a large number of Bulgarian asylum-seekers during the second half of 2009, 708 applications, compared to only 14 during the first half of the year. In December, 40 per cent of all asylum applications were lodged by Bulgarians. Almost all of the Bulgarian asylum-seekers belong to the Roma minority. All applications are generally rejected. During 2009, the largest groups of asylum-seekers who arrived in Finland were Iraqis and Somalis. Bulgarian nationals were the third largest group, followed by Afghans.
YLE 14 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Chief Inspector: Espoo shootings not a failure of residence rules
According to Chief Inspector Tero Haapala of the National Bureau of Investigation, the media discussion about the Espoo shootings has strayed, unhelpfully, toward questions over criminality and the deportation of non-Finnish citizens. Instead, the media should ask whether a simple restraining order was ever the right response for a known criminal with convictions for illegal firearms possession, as well as of making credible threats to kill against a former lover, Haapala comments. Furthermore, one should ask how effectively the restraining order was being supervised by the police, Haapala continues.
Helsinkitimes.fi 14 January 2010 (in English, subscription required)
Misreporting of age in asylum-seeking not as common as thought
According to a report by the office of the Finnish Ombudsman of Minorities misreporting of age in asylum applications is not as widespread as was thought. The Ombudsman, Johanna Suurpää, says the age-testing system in Finland should be reconsidered. She is also concerned about the so-called Dublin decisions where the asylum-seeker is returned to another EU-country. The report recommends that an unaccompanied minor seeking asylum should not be returned to a country that is unable to ensure the child's rights or to prevent exposure to human trafficking. The report was given to the Finnish Minister of Migration, Astrid Thors, on Thursday.
Sanomat24.fi 13 January 2010 (in Finnish)
YLE 14 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Norway
Norwegian politicians demand documentation from Storberget
In the light of UNHCR's critique towards Norway's forced returns of 30 Iraqis, The Christian Democratic Party demands that Minister for Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget releases documents that allegedly confirm that it is safe to travel to central parts of Iraq. UNHCR has previously said that asylum-seekers should not be deported to Baghdad and other provinces in Central Iraq. The Christian Democratic Party has given Storberget five days to make the documents known to the public.
Aftenposten.no 14 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
War crimes suspect remanded in custody
The 43-year-old Bosnian born Swede suspected of war crimes was arrested in northern Sweden on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody. He is suspected of violations of international humanitarian law, murder, kidnapping and an accessory to kidnapping in 1992 when he was a prison guard at the Dretelj detention camp for Bosnian Serbs. Amnesty International has previously criticized Sweden for the lack of legislation that risks turning the country into a safe haven for war criminals. Among other things, Amnesty has found that several international crimes are not defined as crimes under Swedish law.
Svd.se 14 January 2010 (in Swedish)
DN.se 14 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Saturday 16 January to Monday 18 January 2010
Finland
Asylum-seekers causing disturbances in Paimio town
Reception centre residents in the south-western town of Paimio have causedsome disturbances recently, according to local police. Since the centre was opened in November, several petty thefts have been reportedthe police have been called in to settle disputes between Somali and Afghan asylum-seekers. The police also found Bulgarian asylum-seekers taking clothes from a collecting box for discarded clothes, intended for charity. According to deputy head of the centre Päivi Mikkola, the alleged disturbances are exaggerated.
Turun Sanomat 16 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Lithuania
Translator needed to communicate with Sri Lankan refugees
Lithuania is unable to locate a translator to communicate with 14 Sri Lankan refugees that have been in the country since December. The refugees were detained in Belgium in October, where it became known that the group has used forged identification documents to obtain Schengen visas. If their asylum plea is rejected, the applicants will be sent out of the country.
Baltic News Service 16 January 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Norway
More paperless persons seek medical assistance
A health centre in Oslo has received a large number of paperless persons seeking medical assistance. The centre is run by the Church City Mission and the Red Cross and assists persons who lack residence permits, identification papers and the right to medical assistance. Some 18 000 persons are believed to reside illegally in Norway.
NRK 15 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
The Minister of Migration criticizes other ruling parties
The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström from the Moderate Party, defends the provisions of the Aliens Act concerning family reunification. He also contests the Uppland politicians Solveig Zander, Centre Party, and Cecilia Wikström from the Liberals for harshly criticizing the Migration Board for allowing bureaucracy to go before humanity. The discussion was launched after two children, who had fled from Eritrea to Sudan, applied for reunification with their father in Sweden. The farther, Tesfamicael Asfah, is an Eritrean dissident journalist who received a residence permit in Sweden and now lives in Uppsala. The Migration Board, however, questions the children's age and requires age determination by a physician. The rules for unification depend on the age of the applicant. UN Refugee Agency UNHCR would not comment on this particular case but says that the Migration Board generally has good skills for this type of assessment. Hanne Mathisen, spokeswoman for UNHCR, stresses that it is important that families can be reunited, not least to facilitate integration.
Uppsala Nya Tidning 15 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Large variations in number of asylum-seekers between municipalities
A survey by news agency Siren shows that there are large variations in the numbers of asylum-seekers between Swedish municipalities. For example, Vellinge in the south of Sweden received only 25 asylum-seekers in 2009, whereas Boden in the North of the country got almost 25 times as many. Another Southern municipality, Tomelilla, received only one applicant. However, Refik Sener, Migration Board's Deputy Head of the Press Unit says the variation does not necessarily correlate with hospitality and inhospitality of the municipality's residents. "It also partly depends on where the Migration Board has accommodations. Around half of the asylum-seekers live in reception centres and most of these are in the North", Sener says.
Nyheter24.se 15 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 19 January to Wednesday 20 January 2010
Estonia
Estonia received 1,670 new citizens in 2009
The Estonian government granted citizenship to 1,670 people through naturalization in 2009. Data from the Police and Border Guard show that out of the new citizens, 1,556 persons had not previously defined their citizenship. Naturalization has steadily declined in Estonia in recent years. The number of naturalized new citizens was 2,124 in 2008, 4,228 in 2007 and 4,753 in 2006.
BNS 18 January 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Norway
Norway to examine genitalia of young asylum-seekers
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration has announced that clinical examinations of genitalia and other parts of the body will help authorities determine the age of young asylum-seekers. Examinations of the teeth and x-rays are used today. The Christian Democratic Party, The Conservative Party and The Liberals are very skeptical to the proposed clinical examinations. Critics believe that the new methods violate human rights and question whether the procedure is legal. The Norwegian Directorate for Immigration underlined that asylum-seekers must give their consent and no one will be forced to undergo the examinations.
Aftenposten 19 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 19 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Norway tightens its border control
Norway is to enforce tighter controls along its borders in order to prevent asylum-seekers lacking identification documents from entering the country unregistered. The new controls will ensure that asylum-seekers are properly listed and sent to a police immigration unit. The new controls are also believed to reduce border crime.
NRK 19 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
The U.S expects an influx of refugees from Haiti
The U.S. will not accept refugees from earthquake-stricken Haiti, instead the U.S. Guantánamo base in Cuba is ready to receive Haitian refugees. Similar restrictive approaches to potential refugee influxes can be found in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. UNHCR has established an office in the Dominican Republic as a preventative measure. Hanne Mathisen, Head of Press Relations at UNHCR in the Nordic countries, points out that the victims of the earthquake disaster are not defined as refugees under the Geneva Convention. "These are not persons who flee war or persecution. But we have established an office to monitor the situation and are prepared to assist if the security situation is changing, or develops to a civil war," said Hanne Mathisen. There is as yet no common EU policy on refugees from Haiti. In Sweden a hitherto untested provision of the Aliens Act states that natural disaster can be possible grounds for getting residency in Sweden.
Svenska Dagbladet 20 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Tobias Billström questioned about murder threats
The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, was heard in a trial where a 40-year-old man is suspected of sending death threats to both Billström and the director of the Swedish Migration Board, Dan Eliasson. The hate-filled letters were sent to the Migration Board in Norrköping and the Government office in Stockholm between April and December 2007. The suspected offender is a Kurd from Iraq and has for years resided in Trelleborg. He was charged with several cases of illegal threats and faces trial at Ystad District Court. In his letters he makes himself the spokesman for 1 500 other Kurds in Sweden, who he believes have been mistreated by the Swedish authorities. The defendant himself denies the crime.
Expressen 18 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Malmström interrogated about refugee issues
Cecilia Malmström (Liberal Party), who was nominated by the Swedish Government to be European Commissioner, was interrogated by the European Parliament about refugees and police issues, as these areas may become her responsibility. Malmström appeased both those who demand a more generous refugee policy, by stressing the need for legal and secure migration to Europe, as well as those who want to restrict the flow of immigrants, by promising more resources to strengthen the EU's agency for border security, Frontex. If Malmstföm is elected, her first task will be to implement the Stockholm programme, a five-year framework for her proposed policy. The foundations of this work were laid during the Swedish EU presidency. One of the main parts of the program is to co-ordinate the EU countries' handling of asylum seekers and refugees.
Dagens Nyheter 19 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 19 January 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Refugees end up in cities
Only a third of the world's 10.5 million refugees live in refugee camps, which has created a new set of challenges for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. As the majority of today's refugees end up in cities, finding, identifying and helping the most vulnerable becomes challenging. To this end, UNHCR has started to utilize new methods, such as the use of new technology: Mobile phone text messages and the internet are now common tools in reaching out to refugees in an urban environment. Furthermore, refugees themselves are often recruited and trained to help, teach and advice other refugees in how to survive in a foreign environment.
Kaleva Plus 19 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Iraqi refugees a milestone for UNHCR
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has faced serious challenges in Iraq since the war broke out in 2003, as over two million persons have been internally displaced, and another two million have fled to neighboring countries. UNHCR alone has registered some 300,000 Iraqi refugees in the neighboring countries, who have been hospitable in hosting the large refugee influxes. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have also continued their journey to Europe and to the US. However, some of the European countries have started returning Iraqis to Baghdad and Central Iraq, something that the Refugee Agency has criticized.
Kaleva Plus 19 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Conflict displaces 63,000 civilians in Southern Somalia
Fighting and general insecurity in Southern Somalia has displaced some 63,000 people since the beginning of this year. Conflict continues in Mogadishu and clashes between government forces and Islamist militiamen has displaced some 14, 000 persons from and within the city. The suffering in Somalia is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with some 1,5 million people internally displaced and more than 560,000 people living as refugees in neighboring countries, mainly Kenya, Yemen and Ethiopia.
Aftenposten 19 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 19 January 2010 (in Norwegian
Thursday 21 January to Friday 22 January 2010
Norway
"Voluntary returns are not leisure trips"
One fifth of asylum-seekers who want to return voluntarily are not allowed to. The reasons range from the persons having committed crimes so serious that they would need to be accompanied on flights for safety purposes, to the fact that they are not staying illegally in Norway and thus cannot benefit from the programme intended for declined asylum-seekers. Last year 1019 persons opted for voluntary return, twice as many as the year before. They were mainly from Iraq, Kosovo, Russia, Serbia and Nepal.
Dagbladet 21 January (in Norwegian)
Minister Lysbakken grilled about age determination
The Norwegian Minister of Children and Equality, Audun Lysbakken, was on Thursday grilled by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. The Committee wanted to know why Norway wants to examine young asylum-seekers' genitalia to determine their age. The Directorate of Immigration sees this as a method to find asylum-seekers who are lying about their age, but the Committee believes that this is a very controversial, stressful and drastic method. In his comment, Minister Lysbakken underlined that the government has not yet concluded whether it will start the physical examinations. In addition, the Committee was concerned about the return of 12-year-old Ashok to Sri Lanka, the matter of unaccompanied minor refugees who disappear from reception centres and are recruited to criminal activities, as well as the situation of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers who are over 15 years old.
Dagsavisen 22 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Horn of Africa new focus for Sweden
According to the United Nations a humanitarian disaster is plaguing Eastern Africa with millions of refugees fleeing Somalia and Eritrea and thousands of people living in refugee camps in Kenya, Sudan and Libya. On Wednesday the Swedish Migration Board decided that Sweden would help to alleviate the pressure on refugee camps in the Horn of Africa by accepting 500 Eritreans and 350 Somalis as quota refugees. In all 1,900 quota refugees will come to Sweden. Sweden has been accepting quota refugees since 1950, and is the fourth largest recipient of quota refugees in the world. "We have, together with the UN Refugee Agency, reached the conclusion that the humanitarian needs are tgreatest in the Horn of Africa and it is therefore natural that we concentrate our efforts there," says Dan Eliasson, director general of the Migration Board. The focus of selection as well as the number of quota places is determined in cooperation with several countries within the EU together with the United States, Canada and Australia.
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 21 January 2010 (in English)
Saturday 23 January to Monday 25 January 2010
Denmark
Immigration debate has hit all-time low
Danish People's Party Jesper Langballe has suffered a weekend of criticism for his claim that Muslim fathers murder their own daughters and allow the girls' uncles to rape them. Socialist People's Party leader Villy Søvndal said the debate about Muslims in this country has now reached an "all time low". The Conservatives' spokesperson on party policy, Henriette Kjær, said that Langballe had "gone too far" this time. - It's a generalisation of all Muslims, many of whom are well integrated into our society, and it's unacceptable. Zubair Butt Hansen, spokesman for the Muslim Joint Council, said he was "appalled and shocked" by Mr Langballe's "abominable" comments whose only aim is to stigmatize Muslims, while Copenhagen Town Hall integration consultant Many Sareen accused the DP MP of poisoning integration efforts.
Politiken 24 January 2010 (http://politiken.dk/indland/article886064.ece) (in Danish)
Berlingske Tidende 23 January 2010 (http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/soevndal-anklager-langballe-racisme) (in Danish)
Finland
Rwanda genocide case continues next month
The Porvoo District Court in Finland is preparing to hear testimony next month from African witnesses in a case against a Rwandan-born Porvoo resident accused of participating in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The court is set to begin hearing testimony on 24 February in Dar es Salaam, says judge Petra Spring-Reiman. A total of 19 witnesses will travel to Tanzania from five different countries. Half of them are refugees. The proceedings have been at a standstill due to visa problems. Refugee witnesses had difficulties travelling within Africa due to their visa status. Now Tanzania has agreed to assist Finland. According to the latest estimate, the hearing of witnesses in Tanzania will last about three weeks. The suspect is accused of leading members of the Hutu tribe to kill Tutsis in 1994. He has denied involvement in the massacres.
YLE 22 January 2010 (in English)
Biaudet: Child's best interests should be taken into account in immigration policy
According to former Swedish People's Party MP and Minister, Eva Biaudet, the child's best interests should be better taken into account in the immigration policy. The question of the child's interests is raised in particular in the so-called Dublin process, where even children coming alone can be returned to the EU country where they first applied for asylum. Biaudet stresses the fact that the Dublin process may set children at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. "According to Human Rights treaties the child has a right to protection where ever he is, and the child's best interests should be prioritized over other regulations", says Biaudet, who has now returned home from Vienna, where she worked three years as the OSCE Special Representative for combating trafficking in human beings.
Helsingin Sanomat 24 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Norway
Norway must follow the UN's recommendations
UNHCR has made clear recommendations on the countries or certain areas in some countries where rejected asylum seekers should not forcibly be returned. Despite UNHCR's recommendations, Norwegian authorities forcibly returned 30 Iraqis to Baghdad in December 2009. The Norwegian Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, stated earlier that 54 of the 400 Iraqis who have voluntarily returned to Iraq in 2009, went back to areas that UNHCR does not recommend. In a joint opinion piece by the secretary generals of Amnesty International Norway, Norwegian People's Aid and Noas propose that by acting in contradiction with UNHCR's recommendations and orders from other UN bodies, Norway puts not only persons in danger, but also undermines the international human rights system that has been built up after World War II to protect human rights.
Aftenposten 25 January 2010 (http://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/debatt/article3483362.ece) (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 26 January to Wednesday 27 January 2010
Denmark
Permanent residency requirements to be tightened
Under the terms of a new proposal to tighten integration legislation in Denmark, an applicant will only be granted permanent residency after gaining a certain number of points earned by attending language and "society information" courses, and by working a certain number of hours. The government will also tighten legislation by deporting foreigners who are found guilty of social fraud and introducing stiffer penalties for people who offer shelter to rejected asylum-seekers, or who try to prevent the police from sending asylum seekers home. The Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT) fears that tighter rules for obtaining permanent residence would punish victims of torture who may have a harder time learning a new language compared to other asylum-seekers.
Jyllands Post 26 January 2010 (in Danish)
Jyllands Posten 26 January 2010 (in Danish)
Berlingske Tidene 26 January 2010 (in Danish)
Finland
Chechen Couple to Remain in Finland
Hadizhat Gatajeva, also known as the Angel of Grozny, and her husband Malik Gatajev are allowed to remain in Finland and will not be extradited to Lithuania, according to a decision by the Helsinki District Court. The two were detained on the basis of a European arrest warrant earlier this month. They have applied for asylum in Finland, and the court found that they cannot be sent to Lithuania while their applications are being processed. They are to remain in prison while they wait for a final decision on their case. The Gatajevs have been convicted of crimes including abusing foster children under their care. The two already served their original sentences, but the basis of the warrant against them was an additional sentence. A number of organisations allege that the charges against the two are politically motivated.
YLE 25 January 2010 (in English)
Finland may reduce financial support of family reunifications
The Finnish Ministry of the Interior has investigated how EU member states refund refugees for expenses in connection with family reunification. According to the report other EU countries only refund the costs of quota refugees uniting with their families, whereas Finland covers the costs of both quota refugees and those who have received protection in the country. The Ministry of the Interior also issued new regulations that reduce the income support paid to asylum-seekers.
YLE 26 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Norway
Another 13 Iraqi refugees forcibly returned
13 Iraqis without legal residence in Norway were flown out of the country on a chartered plane from Gardermoen airport. Six of these persons were convicted of crimes in Norway. Another 33 Iraqis were taken on board in Stockholm before the plane headed to Baghdad. The operation was a collaboration between Norwegian and Swedish authorities and took place barely two months after 30 Iraqis were forcibly from Norway returned in a secret operation. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, UNHCR's representative in the Nordic countries, Hans ten Feld, criticized Norway for these returns.
Dagbladet 26 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 26 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Billström: Guantanamo detainees received only through quota
The United States has asked a number of countries, including Sweden, to help in accommodating Guantánamo prisoners who are to be released from the camp, but cannot be returned to their home countries. Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, says that if Sweden is to receive prisoners, it must be through the UNHCR refugee quota system. In addition, the Swedish Migration Board would also need to consider the case. Minister Billström underlined that the Government's stance is that Guantánamo should be closed down, but that the Aliens Act clearly states that the resettlement system must be applied in this context.
Svenska Dagbladet 25 January 2010 (in Swedish)
520 new places to solve acute refugee crisis
The acute crisis in the reception of unaccompanied refugee children is about to be resolved. 520 new places are created in municipalities like Vellinge, Trelleborg, Eslöv, Bastad, Ystad, Strängnäs, Karlskoga, Fagersta and Surahammar. Stockholm is also expected to arrange for 150 places. In 2009, 2 400 unaccompanied refugee children arrived in Sweden. Most of them were teenage boys from Afghanistan and Somalia who fled their homelands out of fear of being recruited into the Afghan Taliban guerrillas or the Somali al-Shabaab militia. The Swedish Migration Board sees no signs that the influx of teenage asylum-seekers will decrease in 2010.
Sydsvenskan 25 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Thursday 28 January to Friday 29 January 2010
Denmark
Results from immigrant and refugee poll does not bother the Liberals
According to a poll conducted among 1,055 immigrants and refugees by Catinét, the Liberals would only get six seats, thereby making it the smallest party in the Danish Parliament. The Social Democrats with 94 seats would be the parliament's largest party and have an absolute majority. The Social Liberals would get 11 seats, Unity List would get eight seats, and the Socialist People's Party would get 56 seats according to the poll. The Conservatives as well as the Danish People's Party would not obtain the required amount of votes needed for membership in Parliament. According to the Liberals' political spokesman Peter Christensen, this is a natural consequence of the government's tight immigration policy and therefore does not bother the party. Refugees and immigrants from Pakistan, Turkey, Somalia, former Yugoslavia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, as well as stateless persons, participated in the poll.
Berlingske Tidende 27 January 2010 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 27 January 2010 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 27 January 2010 (in Danish)
Finland
Bulgarian Roma seeking asylum
There are currently hundreds of Bulgarian Roma, whose applications for asylum Finland considers manifestly unfounded, living in reception-centres. The Ministry of the Interior is preparing a law amendment according to which EU residents could be evicted from the reception-centres within a week from receiving their negative decisions . According to current practice asylum-seekers can reside at the reception centers for a month.
Aamulehti 28 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Lapland receives more refugees
Lapland is prepared to receive 185 refugees this year, compared to last year's 165 persons. This year's refugees are Palestinians, Iraqis and refugees from Myanmar. 135 of Lapland's places are reserved for quota refugees. Rovaniemi municipality has already received Palestinians from Iraq, and a group of Iraqis from Syria and Jordan is about to arrive. In early March, Kemi municipality will receive 30 persons from Myanmar, whereas 35 Iraqis from Syria and Jordan will arrive in Tornio municipality.
YLE 27 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Norway
375 refugees to Bergen in 2010
The City Council of Bergen agrees to accept 250 refugees in 2010, including 30 unaccompanied minors. In addition to this it is expected that family reunifications will raise the number to 375. This is almost 100 more than last year, but over 200 fewer than what was requested by the Directorate of Integration and Diversity.
Bergens Tidende 27 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Reception centre opened without interference
Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, has opened the Nordre Land Reception Center for unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers and has 33 places. In many places in Norway the establishment of reception centres has been controversial, but in Dokka it is well received, according to the mayor of the Northern Land. Knut Storberget believes that both asylum seekers and the municipality will benefit from the new centre.
NRK 28 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
The Foreign Ministry has still not contacted the Iranian consul
Last week, Mohammad Reza Heydari, Iranian consul in Norway, became an asylum-seeker after 20 years as a diplomat. In protest against Iran's treatment of protesters in the aftermath of the presidential election, he quit the job so he could join the fight for freedom. Heydari said that his goal now is to uncover human rights violations in Iran. The Foreign Ministry sees no reason as to why the ex-diplomat should receive special treatment. State Secretary Erik Lahnsstein in the Foreign Ministry comments that all applicants should be treated equally, and that the Foreign Ministry should exercise some caution when dealing with these types of cases.
NRK 28 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Reconsideration of apathy cases
Following a ruling in the Migration Court of Appeal last November in which an 18-year-old boy showing apathetic symptoms was granted residency in Sweden, the Migration Board has reconsidered six similar cases. On Tuesday, two families with apathetic children were granted permission to stay in Sweden. A decision is pending in the other four cases. Meanwhile, an ethics commission for human rights, which provides assistance to particularly vulnerable asylum seekers, is currently in touch with 16 apathetic children. According to a psychotherapist in the commission, many of them are Roma who are to be deported to Serbia or Kosovo. "Generally, they have seen their parents subjected to violence. This is a sign that Roma are harassed in Eastern Europe", says the psychotherapist.
Sveriges Radio 27 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Health care for paperless to be investigated
Persons who find themselves without a residence permit in Sweden today have limited access to subsidized health care. A government commission of inquiry is to look into how asylum-seekers, hidden and paperless refugees could receive better access to health care. Sweden has been criticized by the United Nations for failing to ensure that the right to subsidized health care also applies to adults without residency permits. Currently, paperless and hidden adults have only the right to non-subsidized emergency treatment, although several counties have independently chosen to adopt more generous rules. "A fundamental principle of health care is that care should be provided as needed, without regard to the patient's financial, social or ethnic background," says Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Göran Hägglund. The inquiry's findings will be presented on 11 May 2011.
Dagens Nyheter 28 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 28 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Läkartidningen 28 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Saturday 30 January to Monday 1 February 2010
Denmark
Religion less important among immigrants
While the government proposes a burqa ban and tightens the requirements for foreigners who want permanent residency in Denmark, the gap between the political discourse and reality among immigrants grows. New figures from Catinét, who have studied a large group of refugees and immigrants in Denmark, show that there are fewer strongly religious immigrants in Denmark, and several more refugees and immigrants who feel Danish. According to the survey, the proportion of immigrants who do not feel Danish has decreased from more than 30 percent in 2005 to below 20 percent in 2009. In terms of religion - about 80 percent of the participants are Muslim - the proportion describing themselves as "very religious" has fallen from 19.8 percent to 10 percent during the same period.
Berlingske Tidende 31 January 2010 (in Danish)
Finland
Foreigners with family not easily deported
Foreigners who have family in Finland are not easily deported, even though they have committed several offenses. According to a survey conducted by Helsingin Sanomat, the easiest way to get deported from Finland is by engaging in drug-related crimes. Last year, authorities proposed the expulsion of 154 people from Finland. The Immigration Service decided to deport 124 of them. Over half of the deportees have a background in drug crimes. The second most common cause of deportation was violent crimes. Deportation is loosely defined in the Aliens Act. Family ties, possible offences, the type of residence permit and the length of residency in Finland should be taken into account when considering deportation.
Iltasanomat 31 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 31 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Savon Sanomat 31 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Iceland
Haitian refugees to Iceland
Iceland's Minister for Justice and Human Rights is looking into whether Haitian refugees can be brought to Iceland. Minister Ragna Arnadottir said she has had nearly 20 enquiries from Icelandic citizens with relatives in Haiti – relatives not deemed close enough by Icelandic law for their guaranteed entry into Iceland. It is not currently legal to issue residence permits to non-EU nationals who are not yet inside Iceland or who do not have close family ties in the country. Arnadottir has asked the parliamentary Refugees Committee to investigate how Icelanders' extended family members in Haiti can legally be offered temporary Icelandic residence permits.
IceNews 28 Janury 2010 (in English)
Norway
Lysbakken a lot to do after UN criticism
Save the Children says that the Minister of Children and Equality, Audun Lysbakken (SV), is going to be a busy man when he has to follow up on a number of critical remarks and recommendations from the UN Childrens' Committee. The Committee has found several areas where the conditions for Norwegian children could have been better. Lysbakken (SV) admits that Norway has a potential for improvement in several areas, but is also proud of the fact that the Committee has not found any point where Norway violate the Convention. Norway was, among other things, criticized for their treatment of minor asylum-seekers.
Verdens Gang 29 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Norway violates UN Children's Committee's recommendation
The Children's Committee says in a new report that Norway violates human rights if they conduct age test on asylum-seekers by examining their genitals. An investigation was supposed to start on October 5th last year, but the investigation of the legality of the test method was postponed. It has now been concluded that Parliament must decide whether it is legal to examine underage asylum-seekers naked in order to determine their age. This should be decided in February.
NRK 1 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Every third depressed asylum-seeking child receives psychological treatment
One out of three asylum-seeking children with severe symptoms of depression are treated by a doctor or a psychologist for their problems. According to a new report from the National Institute of Public Health, 52 percent of unaccompanied minor boys and 60 percent of unaccompanied minor girls have symptoms of depression and are in need of help. Among asylum-seeking children who are suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, only 30 percent said they had been to the doctor or psychologist during the last three months. The survey was conducted on unaccompanied minors have been granted a residence permit. Liv Berit Løken Nyblin at Hvalstad Reception Center for unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers says that the earlier refugees with symptoms of trauma are helped, the better are the chances of a complete and successful recovery.
Aftenbladet 1 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
More asylum-seekers return voluntarily
In 2009, 1019 persons returned voluntarily. That is 79 percent more than in 2008, according to figures from the Directorate of Immigration. The government now hopes that even more persons will return home voluntarily in 2010. Re-establishment support promotes and facilitates the reintegration of persons from Iraq, Afghanistan and Burundi in their home country. According to the Secretary of State, financial support to these persons is one important reason as to why many have returned. Iraqis who's asylum applications have been rejected has now been given a particularly favorable return scheme.
Aftenposten 30 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Human smuggling and Sweden
Sweden's new EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström wants to strengthen the EU's fight against human smuggling. However, in reality human smuggling is often given low priority as a crime in Sweden. Chairperson of the Riksdag Committee on Justice, Thomas Bodström, sees a clear link between human smuggling and human trafficking. His view is backed by Liberal Party spokesperson on justice policy, Johan Pehrson, who says that Sweden needs a central authority to lead the work of the Swedish police in combating human smuggling.
Svenska Dagbladet 31 January 2010 p:14 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
A quarter of a million persons displaced in Yemen
The humanitarian crisis in Northern Yemen is getting worse, warned the UN refugee agency UNHCR on Friday. According to the organization, the number of persons who have fled the fighting between government forces and Shiite Muslim rebels has risen to 250 000. The rebels have been fighting against the central government since 2004, but the situation intensified again in August. The Shiite Muslim rebels, beleaguered between Yemeni and Saudi government forces, said on Saturday that they accept the government's conditions for a ceasefire.
Helsingin Sanomat 29 January 2010 (in Finnish)
Tuesday 2 February to Wednesday 3 February 2010
Finland
Finland to stem Roma asylum-seekers
Last year, over 700 Roma from Bulgaria sought asylum in Finland Lawmakers, hoping to discourage the trend, are working to strip these EU citizens from asylum-seeking benefits. In December alone, over 200 Roma from Bulgaria arrived in Finland. Last month, however, fewer made the journey. "We are proposing to exclude EU citizens from refugee reception services. We would also require a person to pay for expenses if they try to seek asylum more than once," says Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. It's expected that the number of EU citizens seeking asylum in Finland will taper off once they can no longer benefit from Finland's hospitality.
YLE 2 January 2010 (in English)
Norway
24 municipalities refuse to accept asylum-seeking minors
According to a survey from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi), 24 municipalities in Norway refused to settle unaccompanied asylum-seekers under the age of 18 last year. 79 municipalities said 'yes'. Municipalities mainly refer to three reasons when they refuse asylum-seeking minors: restricive reception policies, a lack of resources, or integration challenges. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity believes that these are poor excuses. Ohene Aboagye at IMDi says that the municipalities' argument that they cannot afford to accept minor asylum-seekers is nonsense since IMDi always provide them with the adequate resources.
Aftenposten 3 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Well-integrated in district municipalities
The Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) says that district municipalities are better at integrating refugees. During last year, a total of 732 people, including 56 unaccompanied minors, got new homes spread over 76 of the least central municipalities in the country. The Director of IMDi, Osmund Kaldheim, estimates that about 10,000 people will need to be settled during 2010. IMDi has therefore requested that an additional 50 municipalities participate. During last year, 17 municipalities refused to accept refugees. There is a trend that many refugees living in small municipalities eventually move to the big cities. Kaldheim therefore believes that the smaller municipalities need to work harder to keep the refugees.
Dagbladet 2 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Nationen 2 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Storberget will detain even more asylum-seekers
On Tuesday, Minister of Justice Knut Storberget visited the Police's Detention Center in Trandum, to ensure that the government's asylum policy under the vignette "strict and fair" is followed. He was pleased with the figures that the head of the Detention Center Ingrid Wirum presented. Never before has the police detained more foreign nationals under the Immigration Act than they did last year. 575 former asylum-seekers were detained because police feared that they would disappear before they were deported or because police were uncertain of their identity. The 57 per cent increase from 2008 is, according to Storberget, entirely in line with government policy. Storberget also received a tour of the new center in Trandum designed for families with children, single women and minor asylum-seekers who have received their final rejections. Here they will spend the last few days in Norway before being deported. The new center has increased its capacity with an additional 50 places, making it possible to keep up to 150 foreign nationals in custody at any time. Incarceration often only lasts a few days before they are sent out of the country. Storberget says the goal is to increase the Trandum capacity by another 100 places. Last year 4,359 people were deported from Norway. 1019 left voluntarily through the International Migration Organization (IOM). This year, Storberget hopes that the police will manage to deport 5,000 foreign nationals without residence permits.
TV2 Nyhetene 2 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
More Afghans may stay in Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board concludes, after a recent visit to Afghanistan, that the situation in the country has worsened. As a result of these findings the Migration Board has increased the number of provinces to which asylum-seekers cannot be returned. Based on individual assessment, asylum-seekers from afflicted provinces can still be returned to other parts of the country, for example Kabul. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees maintains that a person needs a social network in order to survive in Kabul. Sweden has been harshly criticized for its expulsion of young men who are able to work. Today, the Riksdag will hold a hearing on why Sweden deports asylum-seekers from Afghanistan at a time when the situation in the country is deteriorating. The number of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan has increased. Today, 72 per cent of those who apply for residence permits are granted permission to stay in Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 3 February 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 3 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Expressen 3 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Asylum children have a right to free schooling
A commission of inquiry, headed by government investigator Margaret Åberg, handed over a report entitled "Schooling for every child" to Minister for Education Jan Björklund on Tuesday. The report recommends that all children resident in Sweden should be offered statutory education, regardless of their immigration status. There are thought to be several thousand hidden children in Sweden who face deportation. The fact that these children have not had a right to schooling has been criticized by the UN. The report proposes that schools and social welfare committees should no longer be obliged to report the children to the authorities, so that the families of the concerned children will not hesitate to send them to school. The proposal, if adopted, would bring Swedish legislation closer into line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Dagens Nyheter 3 February 2010 (in Swedish)
The Local 3 February 2010 (in English)
Uighur refugee faces trial
The trial against a 62-year-old Uighur man suspected of spying started on Tusday in Stockholm. He is being charged of spying on Sweden's 100-strong Uighur community on behalf of the Chinese government. The man came to Sweden in the late 1990s as a political refugee and today has a Swedish citizenship. The Intelligence agency Säpo arrested the suspect on 4 June after a lengthy investigation and surveillance period. The suspect himself denies the offence.
Dagens Nyheter 2 February 2010 p:15 (in Swedish)
Migration Board criticizes new payment forms
The Swedish Migration Board criticizes county councils' decisions to send patient fees as an invoice to the patient, instead of accepting credit card and cash payments. Dan Eliasson, the Migration Board's Director General says that this procedure becomes expensive for asylum-seekers. They do not usually posses valid ID-documents and therefore cannot open a bank account. Instead, they must pay a fee to the bank to pay the invoice. At the turn of the year the county council in Gävleborg stopped using credit card and cash payments and 1 March 2010 the County Council in Östergötland will remove the possibility of cash payments.
Sveriges Radio 31 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Dagens Medicin 2 January 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
258 civilians killed in Somalia
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that at least 258 civilians were killed in clashes between government forces and Islamist rebel forces in Somalia in January. According to UN spokesman Andrej Mahecic, at least as many civilians have been wounded. These figures make January to the worst month for civilians in terms of persons killed since August 2009. This month, there have been reports of combating in central Somalia. About 80 000 persons have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the fighting, including some 18 000 persons who have fled because of the fighting in the capital Mogadishu. Mahecic points out that the fighting makes it harder to reach persons in need with aid.
Svenska Dagbladet 2 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Dagbladet 2 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 4 February to Friday 5 February 2010
Denmark
Danish Refugee Council leaving Bosnia
After 18 years of humanitarian work, the Danish Refugee Council is now pulling out of Bosnia. Instead, the work will be performed by local humanitarian organizations. Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, Andreas Kamm, explains that the Council is pulling out because they do not have enough money to stay in the country, and because it is now safe to leave. In the years after the war and especially in recent years, the Danish Refugee Council has focused on supporting the reconstruction by supporting the capacity building of local organizations. The Danish Refugee Council has since 1992 spent over DK one billion on more than 200 projects in Bosnia and will continue to support those Bosnian refugees in Denmark who want to return home.
Jyllands-Posten 4 February 2010 (in Danish)
Finland
Costs of receiving refugees calculated as development assistance
According to the Finnish Service Center for Development Cooperation, Kepa, Finland is becoming its own biggest recipient of development assistance. It has been estimated that the cost of receiving refugees account for 39 million euros of development funds, and the sum is now greater than ever before. According to Kepa, even the costs of rejected asylum-seekers are calculated as development assistance. "The reception of refugees is an important obligation of Finland, but it does not reduce poverty in developing countries," says Niina Pitkänen at Kepa. In 2008, 18 million euros of refugee related costs were calculated as development co-operation.
YLE 5 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 5 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Latvia
Over 133 000 people naturalized in Latvia in 15 years
Since the naturalization process began in Latvia in February 1995, a total of 133 050 persons have acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalization, including 13 813 minor children who were naturalized together with their parents. As many as 9 412 children of non-citizens and stateless persons born after 21 August 1991 have also been recognized as Latvian citizens. The Naturalization Board also processed 2 843 applications to relinquish Latvian citizenship and investigated 2 341 cases resulting in deprivation of citizenship.
Baltic News Service 3 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Integration and Minority Information Service 4 February 2010 (in English)
Norway
The next flight is already booked
In December, the Police's Immigration Unit deported 30 Iraqis to Baghdad with a chartered plane. Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, hopes that forced deportations of rejected asylum-seekers will discourage fortune-seekers from traveling to Norway. The number of asylum-seekers in January declined drastically compared to the previous year. Hanne Mathisen at the UNHCR commented last year that one explanation for Norway's returns to Iraq is that Sweden tightened its policies towards Iraqis last year by making it more difficult to get asylum and starting with forced returns.
NRK 4 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 5 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 5 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 5 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Criticizes deportations to Iraq
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights is very critical to Norwegian authorities' forced return of asylum-seekers to Iraq: - We are worried about this because we believe that there are parts of Iraq that are not secure. It is above all the areas around Baghdad, where it is still very violent", said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg. Last week, more than 40 people were killed in another suicide attack in Baghdad. At the same time, the Norwegian authorities continued to deport Iraqi asylum-seekers to that area, even when the United Nations asked them not to. Since May last year, about 70 Iraqis have been deported to Baghdad, according to the Police Immigration Unit. During last week, when 13 Iraqis were forcibly returned, Norway collaborated with Swedish authorities. Both are now criticized by the Council of Europe Commissioner: - I believe that both Sweden and Norway have not shown respect for the gravity of this situation and the competence of the Refugee Commissioner", said Hammarberg. - I must say I am critical of this policy, and hope that both Sweden and Norway will reconsider their policies and wait until we have less conflict in this area in Iraq before we send people back by force", said Hammarberg.
NRK 5 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Not treated well enough
Paul K. Lønseth at the Ministry of Justice admits that asylum-seeking children in Norway are not treated well enough. The UN has previously criticized Norway for its treatment of minor asylum-seekers, saying that they violate the Children's Convention, which states that refugee children should receive appropriate help. Both adults and minors asylum-seekers risk waiting for several months to receive answers from the Norwegian authorities.
NRK 4 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
5600 received a residence permit in Norway in 2009
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) processed 10,700 applications for asylum in 2009. Some 4500 were granted residency permits, of which 1750 were grated asylum, wheras the rest were allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds or other forms of protection. 6200 persons' applications were rejected, and about 4000 persons' applications were sent to other countries as part of the Dublin cooperation. In more than every fourth case in which asylum was granted, the person that applied was an unaccompanied minor. These cases were also processed faster than other cases, with an average of six months. Just over half of women's applications were rejected, while almost two-thirds of the men who had their cases handled last year were rejected. The largest groups of asylum-seekers were persons from Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, and Somalia, and stateless persons. Over 90 percent of persons from Somalia and Eritrea were granted asylum, while the same figure for stateless persons was 53 percent. In addition, Norway accepted 1101 quota refugees in 2009.
NRK 3 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 3 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Government steps up fight on human trafficking
The Swedish government wants to tighten the law against human trafficking. Although human trafficking has been classified as a crime for seven years there have only been 21 convictions during this time. The draft includes proposals to make it easier for Swedish courts of law to convict people accused of human trafficking abroad. The government also proposes that the Riksdag (Parliament) should fully ratify the European convention against human trafficking. On Thursday the customs officials in Malmö stopped two men suspected of attempting to smuggle five persons to Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 4 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 5 February 2010 p:14 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 5 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Goverment Accused of Dictatorship Commerce
Amnesty International has accused Sweden of contributing to the violation of human rights in Libya. The charges originate in Minister for Trade Ewa Björling's recent trip to Libya, during which she promoted the sale of air reconnaissance equipment manufactured by state-owned company Rymdbolaget. The machinery would be used with the clear purpose of tracking refugees travelling by boat over the Mediterranean. There are around two million refugees and migrants residing in Libya, most of them are stuck on their way from sub-Saharan countries to Europe. One reason for this is a highly controversial agreement signed by Italy and Libya to stop refugees trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has argued that the procedure is a violation of the right of asylum. According to UNHCR, many of the trapped refugees are detained under very difficult conditions. For her part, the Minister of Trade says that the equipment will be used to save lives and stop human smuggling.
Dagens Nyheter 3 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television 3 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 4 February 2010 (in English)
Rapport 4 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Webfinanser 4 January 2010 (in Swedish)
Saturday 6 February to Monday 8 February 2010
Finland
True Finns Call for Migration Minister's Resignation
The populist True Finns party is demanding that Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors resigns from her post. The party alleges she has handled her job poorly by promoting a liberal migration policy that has attracted more asylum-seekers. The True Finns point out that the Finnish Immigration Service is struggling to process a backlog of 6,000 family reunification applications. The party says Finland's liberal migration policy is to blame for the recent large influx of family reunification requests. They are now calling on the government to scale back migration and refugee policies to prevent Finland from appearing more lucrative than other countries. Culture Minister Stefan Wallin, Thors' fellow Swedish People's Party politician, reacted to the comments by saying that the Migration Minister enjoys the full support of the government.
YLE 6 February 2010 (in English)
YLE 6 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Uusi Suomi 6 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 6 february 2010 (in Swedish)
Norway
Ban against health-related assistance to illegal immigrants
Progress Party leader Siv Jensen and her party colleague Per-Willy Amundsen wish to change the law in order to prevent the Church City Mission from helping sick, illegal immigrants. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 32,000 immigrants are staying illegally in Oslo. Figures from the Directorate of Immigration show that over 22,000 asylum-seekers have disappeared from Norwegian Reception Centers in recent years. Progress Party leader Siv Jensen says that several non-profit organizations, such as the Church City Mission and the Red Cross, today offer assistance to illegal immigrants in Norway who are sick. Jensen says that she understands the humanitarian and moral values that are the basis for this, but that since they have not been allowed to stay here, the organizations are helping to prolong their illegal stay. Therefore, they are now introducing a ban on the provision of health-related assistance to illegal immigrants. However, the ban does not apply to emergency assistance. Furthermore, the Progress Part would like to force NGO health providers to notify authorities of illegal immigrants that they come in contact with.
Verdens Gang 7 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Progress Party politician reported for racist language
Municipal politician from the Progress Party, Ole Elling Aarvik, is reported to have used wording such as "devious criminals, "blacks" and "they are taking over everything" during a debate on whether the Hemne municipaly should receive more refugees. Morten Myking, head of the Reception Center in Hemne, has reported Aarvik under the Penal Code section 135A, where the one who has presented a discriminatory or hateful statement may be punished by fines or imprisonment for up to three years.
NRK 6 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Apathetic children "in risk zone"
The number of so-called "apathetic children" is not increasing, but those at risk for entering into the catatonic-like state are on the rise, a new report describes. The syndrome, known as "pervasive refusal syndrome" in medical circles, has almost exclusively struck the children of underground refugees. Most of the sick children come from Central Asia and the Balkans, including Kosovo, Serbia, and Bosnia. According to the Migration Board, 34 apathetic children were registered in its system in summer 2008; by the end of 2009, that number had dropped to 26. Of those, nine children were so sick that they had to be tube-fed. The National Board of Health and Welfare hopes to reduce those numbers in the future, largely through more thorough visits with doctors and other health workers. At this time, however, the children of refugees who have gone underground to hide from deportation are not allowed to attend Swedish schools. The National Board of Health and Welfare disagrees with the law, and writes in a press release that all children should be able to attend school, as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child dictates.
Sveriges Radio 5 February 2010 (in English)
Sveriges Radio 5 february 2010 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 5 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 5 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Most refugee-friendly politicians in Finspång municipality
Finspång municipality in Östergötland County has the most refugee-friendly politicians in the country, according to a study conducted by the University of Gothenburg. In a survey politicians were asked whether their municipality should receive more refugees. The study shows that in the country as a whole, the Left Party politicians have the most favorable attitudes towards refugees while the Conservatives were the least positive. Politicians in Vellinge municipality in southern Sweden have the least favorable attitudes towards receiving more refugees.
Sveriges Radio 6 February 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Migrants killed in the Gulf of Aden
At least ten migrants have been killed and 30 are missing after a boat smuggling them into Yemen had engine failure in the Gulf of Aden. 70 persons, most of them Ethiopians, were rescued by coastguards in Somaliland. Two were found dead on the boat and at least eight were drowned when they tried to swim ashore. The UN refugee agency UNHCR said the number of migrants who have left the volatile Horn of Africa to come to Yemen rose by 50 per cent last year, to 74, 000 persons. Last year more than 300 persons did not survive the journey.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Blekingen Läns Tidning 7 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Nyhetskanalen 7 February 2010 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Aftenposten 7 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 9 February to Thursday 10 February 2010
Denmark
Church Asylum Society dissolves itself
The Church Asylum Society, which last year mobilized thousands of people to support a group of deported Iraqi asylum-seekers, have decided to put itself out of business. Since August 13 last year, when police stormed the Brorson Church in Nørrebro at night, the asylum activists have spent much time to evaluate the events. - We no longer have the same opportunities to support Iraqis that are facing deportation. The Iraqis are either no longer in this country, have gone into hiding, or are in custody. Therefore, our role is outplayed, says Laurids Hougaard. After the evacuation of the Brorson Church, a total of around 25,000 people demonstrated in Copenhagen. Although the Church Asylum Society originally demanded asylum or residence permits to all 282 Iraqis that had been rejected in Denmark, only a small group of 25 individuals have either been granted asylum, residence or have had their cases reopened.
Jyllands-Posten 9 February 2010 (in Danish)
Berlingske Tidende 9 February 2010 (in Danish)
Politiken 9 February 2010 (in Danish)
Latvia
Latvia to receive a former Guantanamo prisoner
A Latvian lawyer working in the European Parliament, Aleksejs Dimitrovs, believes that the Latvian decision to accept a former Guantanamo prisoner was right. According to Dimitrovs, Latvia is responsible for consequences of military operations because it participates in military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. No charges will be brought against the detainee, and he will enjoy his freedom while in Latvia.
Integration and Minority Information Service 9 February 2010 (in English)
The Baltic Times 2 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Norway
38,000 in line at the Directorate of Immigration
The greatest immigration to Norway of all times has created a record waiting line at the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Of the 38,000 waiting for a response, nearly every fifth has waited for over a year. The queue is composed by 12,200 asylum seekers, 8,300 cases of family reunification, 7,700 who have applied for citizenship, 7,300 who have applied for a settlement permit and 1,600 waiting for execution of the expulsion decision. The Ministry of Immigration describes the situation as "very difficult". UDI Director Ida Børresen commented that significant resources will be needed just to administer the pending cases.
Dagbladet 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
NRK 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Socialist Left Party against their own government
Socialist Left Party politicians in Sogn and Fjordane rebel against the government's asylum policy. They are of the opinion that the Socialist Left Party's politics is not in line with children's rights. Norvald Nøringset in Førde Socialist Left Party believes that it may seem as if the Socialist Left Party has given up the asylum fight. However, Socialist Left Party's parliamentary leader Heikki Holmås believes in turn that the party leaders are fighting hard for a more humane asylum policy.
NRK 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Lowest number of asylum-seekers in two years
In January this year, 803 asylum applications were registered. That is a decline of 40 per cent compared to January last year. - I think this might be a downward trend that will last a while. It's not that there are many fewer asylum-seekers in general in Europe, but it seems that there is less interest in seeking asylum in Norway, says Directorate of Immigration Director Ida Børresen. In January this year there were a total of 71 applications from minors, a decline of nearly 60 per cent compared to January last year, when 176 minors applied for asylum in Norway. The number of Iraqis applying for asylum fell by 74 per cent, the number of Afghan asylum-seekers decreased with 56 per cent and 44 percent fewer Nigerians applied for asylum in January 2010 compared to January 2009.
NRK 8 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Malmström faces a tough path ahead
The European Parliament voted on Tuesday in favour of the new 27-strong team of European commissioners. Some 250,000 refugees sought asylum in the European Union last year and Swedish EC Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will now be responsible for creating a common asylum policy and for combating illegal immigration. Italy, Greece and Malta have called for stringent border controls and for the swift deportation of illegal refugees. Ms Malmström has pointed out that most refugees come by air and land from countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, not by sea across the Mediterranean. And, the EU member states with the highest number of asylum-seekers last year were France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Ms Malmström has also promised to defend the fundamental rights of refugees.
Dagens Nyheter 9 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sharp increase in asylum-seeker deportations
The number of asylum-seekers deported from Sweden increased by 1,300 during 2009, according to new figures from the Swedish Migration Board. In 2009, some 10,700 persons were deported compared to 9,400 the previous year. The number of forcible deportations also increased by 500 to 2,200 cases. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström declared 2009 as the year of repatriation. - For me it is obvious that if your asylum application has not been accepted then you must return home. In that sense every year is a year of repatriation, said Billström. During 2009 the Migration Board received extra funding to accelerate the repatriation of asylum-seekers whose applications to stay in Sweden had been rejected. The Church of Sweden (Svenska Kyrkan), which offers support and advice to refugees, has criticized the upturn in expulsions.
Sveriges Radio 9 February 2010 (in English)
The Local 9 February 2010 (in English)
Sveriges Radio 9 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Expressen 10 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seeker held 18 months on remand
A rejected asylum-seeker has been kept locked up for 18 months in an Uppsala cell while the police and migration authorities decide where to return him. He is unable to prove his identity as since fleeing the North African country he claims that he has lived on the streets and has never possessed any identity papers. According to Swedish law a person may not be held remanded in custody for a period longer than two months unless there are "extreme circumstances". The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture under the Council of Europe visited Sweden's prisons and remand prisons in 2009. The subsequent report noted that Sweden had on previous occasions been urged to desist from holding people for extended periods on remand.
The Local 8 February 2010 (in English)
Many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children missing
According to Christina Ullsten at the National Criminal Police, many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, particularly from Somalia, were reported missing in 2009. Ullsten, who is responsible for the central registry where all the children that have disappeared since 1983 are registered, says that some of them might travel to other destinations, and some might have gone underground, but that the high number of missing asylum-seeking children simply cannot be explained by these two arguments.
Dagens Nyheter 9 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sentenced to prison for threats against Billström
A man from Trelleborg who sent threatening letters to Billström and Migration Board's Director General Dan Eliasson, was on Tuesday sentenced by the Ystad district court to three months imprisonment. He must also pay Minister Billström five thousand crowns in damages for the violation. The threats were made in five letters in 2007. In his letters he makes himself the spokesman for 1,500 other Kurds in Sweden, who he believes have been mistreated by the Swedish authorities.
Sveriges Television 9 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 10 February 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
126 refugees rescued by Somali fishermen
Somali fishermen rescued 126 refugees in the Gulf of Aden, who had been forced to jump into the sea by smugglers. The refugees, who mainly come from Somalia and Ethiopia, went out in the boat around a week ago. They were told that they had to leave the boat since it had not operated for several days due to engine trouble. It was the Coast Guard from Somalia who discovered the refugees on Sunday and several fishing boats nearby helped to rescue the refugees, who had kept afloat thanks to driftwood. Aid workers from UN and Red Cross have taken care of the refugees. In September last year, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, estimated that almost 300 people had died in their attempt to get across to Yemen.
Aftenposten 8 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
NRK 8 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Jolie visits Haiti's earthquake victims
On Monday, the American actress Angelina Jolie visited Haitian children in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo where they are being treated for injuries after the earthquake in Haiti. Angelina Jolie's visit is part of the actress's work as a Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Jolie visited the children's department at the Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo, and donated together with her husband Brad Pitt, one million U.S. dollars to Doctors without Borders' work in Haiti. The earthquake in Haiti on the 12th January has killed more than 200,000 people and is the largest natural disaster in the history of the country.
Jyllands-Posten 9 February 2010 (in Danish)
NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Norway
Iltasanomat 9 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Adresseavisen 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Angelina Jolie visits earth quake victims in Haiti
Angelina Jolie is currently in Haiti as a goodwill ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), working hard to bring relief to the affected people in the area. Her visits include a trip to SOS Children's Village in Santo just outside the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. The SOS Children's Village has recently been subject to a lot of attention after American missionaries were accused of attempting to smuggle 33 children out of Haiti. The children were initially reported to be orphans, but it was later discovered that they were in fact not. Angelina Jolie has on her two-day trip to the earthquake-struck area already visited one of the major trauma hospitals in Santo Domingo in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
Søndagsavisen 10 February 2010 (in Danish)
Thursday 11 February to Friday 12 February 2010
Denmark
Liberals and Conservatives on permanent residence permits
According to the integration spokesmen for the Liberals and Conservatives, foreigners who work, learn Danish quickly, send their children in day care and will volunteer as coaches for the football club should be rewarded with a residence permit much faster. The Liberals and Conservatives are ready to bring forward the date for obtaining permanent residence from seven to three years for foreigners who integrate quickly into Danish society. Together with the Liberals, the Conservatives will introduce a score card system where points are given according to different integration parameters.
Politiken 12 February 2010 (in Danish)
Estonia
Estonia still not accepting Guantanamo detainees
Estonia carried out a legal analysis on accepting Guantanamo prisoners in late autumn. The document prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is confidential but seems to have concluded that the Estonian legal system does not allow receiving such prisoners. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet says that the issue is not being debated in Estonia because no request concerning any individual has been received from the United States. - I am not a specialist of the Latvian legal system but certainly its laws for asylum-seekers and immigration are different from Estonia's, says Minister Paet. Latvia will receive one Guantanamo prisoner with Uzbekistani background. The man will be supervised by the local authorities but enjoy his freedom while in Latvia.
Baltic News Service 11 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Share of stateless persons decreasing
On Thursday, the government granted Estonian citizenship to 121 persons. Last year 1,670 persons were naturalized in Estonia, which is the smallest annual number since restoration of independence. The number of persons of undefined citizenship declined during 2009. On 1 January 2009, there were 110,315 stateless persons residing in Estonia and by the beginning of this year, 104,813 such persons were living in the country. Naturalization has gradually declined in Estonia in recent years. The number of naturalized new citizens was 2,124 in 2008, 4,228 in 2007, and 4,753 in 2006. The share of stateless residents has been decreasing ever since Estonia regained independence, being 32 per cent in 1992, 13 per cent in 1999 and now less than 9 per cent of the population.
Baltic News Service 11 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Finland
Human Rights watchdog criticizes child deportations
The Refugee Advice Centre criticizes Finland for deporting underage asylum-seekers to Italy under the Dublin accord. According to Marjaana Laine, lawyer at the Refugee Advice Centre, children deported to Italy end up on the street. The EU agreement enables Finland to return refugees who have applied for asylum in other member states.
- Finland has relied on the Dublin principle to accelerate its asylum procedure; however, Finland is too strict in its interpretation of the policy, says Laine. The EU is currently reviewing its asylum policies, including the Dublin regulation.
YLE 12 February 2010 (in English)
YLE 12 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Immigration Service suggests special residence permit for foreign elderly
On Thursday, the Finnish Immigration Service proposed offering a new type of residence permit for foreign elderly persons hoping to live in Finland. The permit would allow elderly applicants to stay in Finland, but would not entitle them to welfare benefits. The elderly person's own insurance or relatives living in Finland would be required to cover living expenses. Later on Thursday, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Liisa Hyssälä rejected the idea of a new type of residence permit that does not entitle the holder to welfare benefits. Hyssälä notes that social benefits in Finland are based on residence. She told it was "very hard to imagine in whose interest it would be to be in the country without social security - at least not in the person's own interest." Recently Finnish courts have ruled to deport several elderly foreigners despite their weak health and family ties to Finland.
YLE 11 February 2010 (in English)
YLE 11 February 2010 (in Finnish)
YLE 11 February 2010 (in Swedish)
YLE 10 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Deportation of disabled Russian senior suspended
Police in Helsinki have suspended efforts to deport an 81-year-old Russian woman. On Wednesday morning, Immigration Police attempted to carry out a standing deportation order. Doctors declared that Irina Antonova, who is wheelchair-bound and in poor health, was unfit to travel. She will be allowed to remain in the country at least as long as she is being treated at a hospital. The deportation order had been in force for more than a year, following the 2008 decision by the Finnish Immigration Service. Relatives say she would not be able to cope with the deportation on her own due to her poor health - nor does she have any relatives in Russia.
YLE 10 February 2010 (in English)
YLE 10 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 10 February (in Finnish)
Illegal entries quadruple
The Central Bureau of Investigation says that the number of people illegal residing in Finland during the first nine months of last year was 5,398, as compared to only 1,389 during the same period of 2007. During the summer, Helsinki Police and Finland's Border Guard set up a joint investigative team to uncover illegal immigration. - At its simplest, identification documents are being checked on the street. Of course, cases of human smuggling are also being exposed through tips received, explains Inspector of the Helsinki Police Jari Koski. Police are currently investigating an organization that has smuggled Afghanis from Moscow via the Baltic countries to Finland where they have applied for refugee status. These persons have paid thousands of dollars to the smugglers to reach Finland.
YLE 12 February 2010 (in English)
YLE 11 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Norway
Long queues for asylum-seekers at the Directorate of Immigration
The Progress Party will fasten the processing of asylum applications to reduce the queues of asylum-seekers at the Directorate of Immigration. The party will also restrict the opportunity to reside in Norway. The Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, admits that the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is facing huge challenges despite the fact that the number of employees has doubled since 2007. - The government brings a consistent, fair and secure asylum policy so that those who need to stay can do so. Persons who have received a final rejection of their applications for asylum need to leave Norway, said Storberget. According to Storberget, it is important that the Police Immigration Unit continues to deport those who do not have the right to reside in Norway.
TV2 Nyhetene 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Storberget: Most persons get their cases tried too many times
Aftenposten reported on Tuesday that the Directorate of Immigration has built up a queue of 38,000 immigration cases. - If you also add the complaint cases at the Immigration Appeals Board, you are talking about a total of 50,000 cases in the queue, says Storberget. He also says that there is a need for an immigration process with fewer cases tried repeatedly, a new "first-line treatment" to avoid that the cases are sent back and forth between the police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of Immigration, with time lost in between. In Thorshov in Oslo, the Directorate of Immigration and the police conduct interviews, manage cases and register asylum-seekers at one and the same site.
Aftenposten 10 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Socialist Left Party dissatisfied with the government
The Socialist Left Party County leader Roy Eilertsen in Østfold says the party should consider leaving the government because of the government's strict immigration policy. Other Socialist Left Party county leaders were also concerned about their party being a part of a government that practices an asylum- and immigration policy at odds with the party's own program. Mr Eilertsen is especially dissatisfied with the forced return of children.
Aftenbladet 12 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Hegnar Online 12 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Roma want an end to deportations
One hundred Roma asylum-seekers demonstrated outside the Immigration Service in Kållered in Gothenburg on Wednesday. The demonstrators, who handed over a letter to the Swedish Migration Board, demand that Sweden stops deporting rejected Roma to Kosovo and Serbia. The majority of asylum-seekers from Serbia and Kosovo looking for a residence permit in Sweden are not allowed to stay.
Sveriges Radio 10 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television 10 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Saturday 13 February to Monday 15 February 2010
Denmark
Support for Liberals' and the Conservatives' integration initiative
The Social Democrats, the Socialist People's Party and the Social Liberals all support the new proposal presented by the Liberals and the Conservatives. Astrid Kragh (Socialist People's Party), believes that this is a very promising sign. The proposal envisages that particularly well-integrated foreigners can obtain permanent residence permit after three to seven years. Henrik Dam Kristensen (S) says that the proposal sounds very reasonable and that they have long fought for better conditions for immigrants and refugees - not only to those who perform well, but also those who for various reasons have a difficulty in being integrated. He also says that there is a need for change, and that it is good that it is now recognized that something must be done.
Politiken 12 February 2010 (in Danish)
Socialist People's Party copies the Danish People's Party's strategy
Out of the 79 proposals presented by the Socialist People's Party during the last six months within the area of integration, only the proposed burqa ban was accepted and implemented. Therefore, Astrid Kragh (Socialist People's Party) will now bring more of the Party's proposals to the Danish Parliament. One of the concrete proposals that she will submit is that refugees with psychological trauma must be treated faster than today and that existing residential areas with ghetto character must be rebuilt and renovated, so that it will be more attractive to live there. The burqa ban was originally presented by the Danish People's Party, but Astrid Krag and the Socialist People's Party copied it.
Jyllands-Posten 12 February 2010 (in Danish)
Latvia
Number of persons interested in resettlement to Russia grew threefold
493 persons resettled from Latvia to Russia in 2009. According to the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov, the number of persons interested in resettlement grew threefold and more than 4,700 persons received information in the Embassy about resettlement to Russia.
Integration and Minority Information Service 15 February 2010 (in English)
Lithuania
Decision on Sri Lankan refugees in Lithuania may take 6 months
It may take up to six months for Lithuania's Migration Department to decide the fate of 14 refugees from Sri Lanka who arrived in the country in December, says Gintaras Valiulis, deputy head of the department's Refugee Affairs Division. After the department managed to find interpreters to assist specialists in communication in the Tamil language, interrogation of the refugees is currently in progress. Nevertheless, the interviews may take a long time, thus putting off the decision on granting asylum to the 14 Sri Lankan persons. The refugees were detained in Belgium last October after local authorities established they had received Schengen visas in Lithuania's consulate in India after presenting forged documents.
Baltic News Service 14 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
Norway
Political grassroots revolt is spreading
It all started in Sogn and Fjordane with an internal party revolt against the immigration policy of the government since elected members of the Socialis Left Party believed that children suffer as a result of the government's strict immigration policies. The revolt had, at first, no effect on other local groups. Now, the revolt has spread to local branches of other government parties. Heidi Kathrin Osland (Socialist Left Party), who started the revolt, and is now flanked by government colleagues Nils Gjerland and Jorunn Eide Kirketeigen from the Center Party and the Labor Party. Nils Gjerland in Førde believes asylum children suffer as a result of the Government's asylum policy, and Labor Party politician Brigt Samdal believes that there are many who think that children rights are not taken care of in a good way and must promoted. This weekend, Socialist Left Party leader Kristin Halvorsen met with critics during the annual meeting of the Socialist Left Party in Sogn and Fjordane. She said that the immigration policy that is reflected in the government declarations is a result of the election, wihen asylum and refugee friendly parties lost votes.
NRK 13 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
NRK 12 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 16 February to Wednesday 17 February 2010
Denmark
DF dismisses Conservative criticism
The Danish People's Party (DF) has dismissed the criticism from seven prominent Conservatives who claim that their own party's integration polices are too closely tied to DF's. Seven rebels have come out against their Party's efforts to ban the Burqa, forbid prayer rooms in schools, and stop anyone who is found guilty of social fraud of becoming a Danish citizen, but DF's Peter Skaarup said that he does not understand the criticism. Skaarup said that they have tightened the immigration policy in conjunction with the Conservatives and that these rebels should realize that their party would not even be part of the government if it was not for DF. He is adding that the criticism is not beneficial to cooperation between the two parties.
Jyllands-Posten 16 February 2010 p:8 (in Danish)
Early retirement for immigrants
The number of female immigrants on early retirement in Aarhus municipality has increased by 43 per cent in two years. There are now more female immigrants on early retirement in Aarhus than in Copenhagen, even though almost three times as many immigrant working age women are living in the capital. Hans Halvorsen points out that the refugee and immigrant women in Aarhus are particularly strained where 60 per cent comes, according to a report from consulting firm LG Insight, from war zones, while the number is only 36 per cent nationwide. Halvorsen says that it would have been nice if these women could contribute to society by being part of the labor force, but that a number of them are deeply traumatized. The increase in the number of early women migrant retirees over the past two years is four times as high in Aarhus as it is in Copenhagen, and 50 per cent higher than the national average.
Jyllands-Posten 16 February 2010 (in Danish)
Finland
A more comprehensive age assessment for children
The Ombudsman for Children Maria Kaisa Aula says the age of asylum-seeking children should be assessed more comprehensively. The assessment has been based mainly on X-ray images from the teeth or wrists. The Finnish Parliament is currently discussing a law proposal on how to define the age of immigrant children. The proposal, however, is based on medical evidence only. According to Aula, the proposal needs to be corrected so that interviews, the child's own report and the assessment of puberty, growth and behavior would be included in the assessment. The European Ombudsman for Children network ENOC and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child have also recommended a more comprehensive age assessment for children. The age of nearly one hundred unaccompanied minors was assessed in Finland last year.
YLE 15 February 2010 (in Finnish)
Norway
Five asylum-seekers escaped from Trandum
The five asylum-seekers who on Monday night escaped from Trandum pre-departure detention center in Ullensaker in Akershus, are arrested. The asylum-seekers escaped in connection with the evacuation after a fire in one of the rooms at the Center. Four of the five were found in the area around the camp. The last man was found on Tuesday. When the police found the last person he tried to escape again, but was later captured. No one was injured in the fire, and the fire was extinguished before the fire department arrived at the Center. A total of 35 persons were evacuated. Trandum pre-departure detention center is operated by the Police Immigration Unit. It is used as a holding facility for persons that are to be sent out of the country, and for persons Norwegian authorities do not know the identity of.
Verdens Gang 16 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 16 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Neighbors pay to get rid of refugees
Children who were settled in Lørenskog must find themselves a new house. The neighbors of the planned refugee home in Lørenskog have been very skeptical of the municipality's plans. Together they raised four million NOK to buy the house themselves. The municipality accepted the money and chose to find another place for the four refugee children. Per Nordli, manager of the property, says that they saw a potential problem with the refugees having such negative neighbors. Several municipal politicians were shocked when they were informed of the agreement on Wednesday afternoon. Nina Hanssen (Labour Party) says that it is outrageous that minor children would have to be protected against adults in Lørenskog. Ann-Marie Oppegaard (Progress Party) agrees and says that it is unacceptable that children should have to move because they are unwanted in the neighborhood. Finn Erik Kalnæs, who is one of the neighbors to the refugee housing, defends the agreement by saying that the refugee housing does not fit into their environment.
Aftenposten 16 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Labour Party is pursuing Progress Party Policy
Rolf Reikvam, former Member of Parliament for the Socialist Left Party, believes that the Labour Party has adopted the same immigration policies as the Progress Party. Sogn and Fjordane has had several well-integrated children whose asylum-applications have been rejected. On Monday, several hundred inhabitants in Førde joined in a torchlight procession to protest against the government's asylum policy. Last autumn, it was decided that fewer asylum-seekers should be allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds. Lise Christoffersen (Labor) says that the idea of limiting the number of asylum-seekers is an advantage for those who really are in need of protection. She says that it does not seem like a Progress Party-like asylum policy.
NRK 17 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Returned refugees face hard camp conditions in Malta
Overcrowded camps, filth and despair await the unaccompanied refugee children deported from Malmö to Malta. Over the past two years, 30 unaccompanied children from Somalia have received an indication that they will be sent back to Malta. Only six have gone back. The vast majority, 18 children, have instead chosen to go underground. Fredrik Beijer from the Swedish Migration Board says that he is well aware that there are major problems in Malta, but that the Dublin Regulation must be followed and that the regulation is valid regardless of the conditions in Malta. Under the Dublin Regulation, rejected refugees should be returned to the EU country they first arrived to. According to Beijer, Malta is a small country with many refugees, and it simply lacks resources. Many African refugees travel to Europe via the island of Malta since it is located strategically on the route between North Africa and mainland Europe.
Sveriges Television 17 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Deficiencies in receiving unaccompanied refugee children
According to a survey conducted in seven municipalities in Östergötland, there are deficiencies in both receiving and introduction of unaccompanied refugee children. Among others, there are no guidelines for legal caretakers. According to the study the chief guardians lack resources to review and inform the legal caretakers about their assignments. To avoid misunderstandings, clearer responsibilities and improved cooperation between housing staff, legal caretakers, schools, social workers and health care is needed. Also the skills of housing staff and legal caretakers need to be broadened.
Dagens Nyheter 17 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Migration Board examines the rejection of Christian Iraqis
The Swedish Migration Board receives help from NGOs and different churches in the examination of 50 cases of rejected Christian Iraqis. Sweden has previously been criticized by the United Nations and international human rights organizations for deporting Christian Iraqis. A similar investigation conducted last year showed that in some cases authorities had been too hard in the assessment of Iraqi minority cases. It has been estimated that since 2003, over half of all Christians in Iraq have fled abroad because of what resembles a religious cleansing, in many cases attempted murder, fires and kidnappings.
Världen idag 15 February 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Criticized refugee camps in Kosovo to be closed
Some 500 Roma live under very difficult circumstances in lead-contaminated area in two refugee camps outside of Mitrovica in Kosovo. According to Francesco Ardisson, Senior Protection Officer at the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, two new construction projects are underway and the criticized camps will disappear. Ardisson says that the situation for Roma has become better in terms of security and human rights, and therefore he thinks the move to a new area overseen by the Kosovo authorities will go well. Nevertheless, Ardisson underlines that the total of 6,000 refugees that arrived last year is more than Kosovo is able to handle and that the challenge is too great. "We must be very cautious before we reject people, and be sure that they can be integrated, otherwise they will leave Kosovo again," says Francesco Ardisson. He also stresses the fact that by simply rejecting persons the real problem will not be solved.
Sveriges Radio 16 February 2010 (in Swedish)
Angelina Jolie meets with children at hospital in Haiti
Actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie met with children at a hospital for earthquake victims in Haiti. During her visit she asked the children about what they want to be when they grow up, if they want to work or go to school, and if they have any family members left. Angelina Jolie said that she thinks that the program helping children should be expanded. (Video clip was shown without commentary).
NRK Nett-TV "Angelina Jolie møter barn på sykehus i Haiti"
Refugees in Somalia
Most of the people that arrive in the refugee camps in Dadaab, Kenya, are fleeing from their war-thorn home-country because of the militia group al-Shabaab, al-Qaeda's extended arm in Somalia. When children arrive at the camp, they are tired, exhausted, and very weak. Some of them are sick and have diseases like diarrhea. Every month, 5,000 people cross the border of Somalia to Kenya where 300,000 Somali refugees are now. No one knows how many people that did not make it across. The refugees are trying to live as normal lives as possible, but even here they are not safe. Al-Shabaab have allies even inside the UN camps. The UN is trying to protect the refugees but is unable to. Young men are disappearing from the camps and are forced back to Somalia to fight for groups like al-Shabaab. According to refugees in the camp, al-Shabaab recruit young boys by force. If someone refuses to join their army, that person is killed. Richard Ackland, head of UNHCR's Dadaab office says; "We try to monitor the situation, but with the ratios that we've got of staff, and the ratios of police, it is totally impossible for us to keep under surveillance 300,000 people 24 hours per day". Both the police and the UN are concerned about the situation. Ackland says; "Refugee camps should be entirely civilian in their character. Anybody who joins an armed group of any sort can no longer be considered as a refugee".
NRK Søndagsrevyen 14 February 2010, "Somalia: Flyktninger" (in Norwegian)
Thursday 18 February to Friday 19 February 2010
Denmark
Get paid to return voluntarily
Interest in voluntary repatriation has been massive since the parties of the Danish Parliament negotiated the budget for 2010 and began the discussion about giving foreigners 100,000 DKK to go back. The parties now propose that a person that has lived in Denmark for more than 18 years should receive 116,954 DKK if he/she returns to his/her home-country. The amount offered today is 28,256 DKK. The suggested amount for foreigners that have stayed less than 18 years is 35,651 DKK. The amount offered today is 9,042 DKK. Vagn Larsen Klim at the Danish Refugee Council says that many persons are now postponing their decisions of repatriation until the rules are adopted. The Danish Parliament will make their final decision on the proposed amounts on 16 March.
Jyllands-Posten 18 February 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/article1983930.ece
Iceland
Haitians offered shelter in Iceland
In the coming weeks and months ten to 20 people from Haiti will arrive in Iceland, according to a request from the Icelandic Ministry of Social Affairs. All of these people have relatives in Iceland, which expedited their residence permits. The welfare division of Reykjavík City has agreed to cooperate with the Ministry on helping these people adjust to new living conditions.
Iceland Review 12 February 2010 (in English)
http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/search/news/Default.asp?ew_0_a_id=357706
Norway
Iranian ex-consul has received political asylum in Norway
The Iranian top diplomat Mohammed Reza Heydari has been granted political asylum in Norway. Heydari worked as a consul at the Iranian Embassy in Norway until the beginning of the year when he chose to terminate his position in protest against human rights violations and oppression in the country. In an interview with Dagbladet the diplomat said that the Iranian authorities refused to accept his resignation. According to Heydari, he was both threatened and lured to withdraw his resignation and the regime-critical statements about the sitting government in Iran. The Directorate of Immigration now confirms that Heydari and his family have been granted asylum. Heydari plans to use Norway as a base for efforts to shed light on the situation in Iran. He wants to focus on the extensive human rights violations in the country. In an official statement he writes that he will fight for the release of all political prisoners, for the defense of women's rights and for a free Iran.
Dagbladet 17 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/02/17/nyheter/innenriks/iran/mohammed_heydari/10449931/
Sweden
With 'Lex Vellinge' all municipalities would have to accept refugees
Luciano Astudillo and Anders Lago from the Social Democratic Party write in a presentation on the Party's new policy for integration that the law amendment 'Lex Vellinge' would make it compulsory for all municipalities to accept asylum-seekers and newly arrived refugees. It would no longer be possible to cite the lack of housing as a reason for not accepting refugees. The report, presented on Friday, also proposed a special responsibility bonus for municipalities receiving an unusually high proportion of asylum-seekers and newly arrived refugees. At the same time, municipalities with an unusually low proportion of asylum-seekers in their communities would get an economic incentive to accept more.
Dagens Nyheter 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/opinion/debatt/med-lex-vellinge-ska-alla-kommuner-ta-emot-flyktingar-1.1048125
Svenska Dagbladet 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/s-obligatoriskt-ta-emot-flyktingar_4290553.svd
Sveriges Radio 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3454112
Billström disregards demands by the Council of Europe
Sweden's Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, rejects international criticism of Sweden's decision to deport Roma refugees to Kosova. Billström said that no one doubts that the conditions faced by Roma refugees can be very difficult in eastern Europe, but that Swedish law does not allow him to interfere with decisions made by the Migration Board, which rules on deportations on a case by case basis. Billström says that, after Sweden changed the system of Migration Courts in 2006, it is no longer up to the government to decide which groups of people should or should not be allowed to stay in Sweden. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sweden deports the largest number of refugees to Kosovo, including children from the Roma minority, despite longstanding concerns over human rights violations in the country. Following a visit to northern Kosovo last week, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, called for a total halt to the deportations due to inhumane conditions in refugee camps. The Swedish Migration Board recently changed the rules for refugees from Afghanistan so that more people can stay in Sweden because it is so insecure in the country. According to Ekot there has not been a similar discussion on Kosovo.
Sveriges Radio 18 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3448402
Few refugees want to move
A Swedish government project focused on enticing refugees to leave problem-ridden areas in Sweden's big cities has failed to achieve its goals. After two years, just 286 people have made use of the scheme, according to figures released by the Swedish Migration Board. The Minister of Integration Nyamko Sabuni says that there are certainly many more people that would benefit from moving, but that it is very difficult once you get rooted. The Migration Board received 6 million kronor ($830,000) over the course of 2008 and 2009 to stimulate outward movement from areas with heavy refugee populations, housing shortages, and high unemployment. In 2008, 125 persons moved, and 161 persons have so far been registered during 2009. When the Migration Board reports to the government later this spring, the number for 2009 is estimated to increase to about 200.
Svenska Dagbladet 17 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/fa-flyktingar-vill-flytta-vidare_4281321.svd
The Local 17 February 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25056/20100217/
Discrimination against minor refugee children
An investigation conducted on behalf of the Regional Federation Östsam and the provincial government in Östergötland shows that unaccompanied minor refugee children are discriminated against in Östergötland municipality. Housing staff interviewed in the survey give testimonies of a discriminatory treatment from clinics and the public dental service. For example, a clinic in Boxholm refused to order interpreters for refugee children. In Norrköping, the housing staff found it difficult to get an appointment with the health center, even though the matters were urgent. In Motala a clinic denied access to a child because his symptoms were too vague. In many municipalities, especially Finspång and Linköping, there have also been problems with discrimination and racism in schools. Unaccompanied minor refugee children from Boxholm have experienced harassment from other kids and are scared of adults and older people in the municipality. The study is based on interviews with managers and staff accommodation at the seven group residences in Östergötland and the responsible social secretary.
SVT Östnytt 17 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://mobil.svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=52463&a=1893138
Malmö awaiting load alleviation
The pressure on the four municipalities that receive the majority of the unaccompanied minor refugee children continues to be strong. Despite the promise of new homes for 800 refugee cildren in Sweden, the Malmö municipality is still responsible for more than 300 minors. Last fall, the government and the Migration Board issued a statement saying that the reception system for unaccompanied minor refugee children was about to collapse due to an unusually large influx of young asylum-seekers. The minors primarily sought asylum in Malmö and three other reception municipalities - Mölndal, Sigtuna and Solna. There are now hundreds of children in temporary transit sites just waiting to be transferred to a more permanent accommodation. Therefore, the pressure remains on the four municipalities where the majority of the refugee children arrive. The 300 refugee children that are in Malmö are now living in six different municipalities and fifteen different homes. This Monday, Malmö opened another shelter for unaccompanied refugee children, this time in the Dal-köpinge in Trelleborg municipality.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 18 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sydsvenskan.se/malmo/article630892/Malmo-vantar-pa-avlastning.html
Saturday 20 February to Monday 22 February 2010
Finland
Undocumented immigrants hope for Baltic entry
Russian border and migration officials estimate that there are about 20,000 illegal immigrants near Estonian and Latvian borders whose destination is Finland or other Scandinavian countries and who attempt to get there through the Baltic states. They say that if Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania wish to keep those illegal immigrants outside their borders they need to close all loopholes that they may use for illegal border crossing. The Estonian police and border guard board agrees that Estonia is becoming an important transit point for smuggling illegal immigrants, especially Afghans, Syrians and Palestinians to Scandinavia. In a matter of some months, border guard officers have caught about thirty illegal immigrants from Central Asia who were on their way to Finland. According to informed sources, illegal immigrants pay up to 15,000 US dollars per person to get to the West.
Helsinkitimes 18 February 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/finland-in-the-world-press/9918-undocumented-immigrants-hope-for-baltic-entry.html
Norway
Fear that funding of EU project contributes to asylum-seeker mistreatment
Organizations working with asylum-seekers are skeptical to Norway's participation in the EU project that aims to improve border control in the Schengen area. The Antiracist Center fears that the funds will contribute to the mistreatment of asylum-seekers. The government decided on Friday that Norway will contribute with NOK 329 million to the EU's external border fund. The fund provides financial support to countries that have the greatest influx of asylum-seekers in the Schengen area. Antiracist Center Director Rune Berglund Steen believes that Norway now has a direct responsibility for how border guards in countries that receive funds from the project treat asylum-seekers. Acting Secretary General Sylo Taraku from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) believes that the money should have gone to something other than stricter border control. He says that it would for example have been possible to build reception centers in Greece with the money. Bjorn Svenungsen at the Foreign Ministry points out that the funds will go to equipment and training of border personnel and believes that it falls on its own absurdity to claim that Norway is financing the mistreatment of asylum-seekers.
Verdens Gang 22 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/eu/artikkel.php?artid=593594
Asylum police refuse to work overtime
The deportation of asylum-seekers is affected by the conflict between the employees of the Police Immigration Unit and their supervisors. Odd Asbjørn Johansen, union representative of the Police Immigration Unit, says that they will not work for free for the State. According to Johansen, the deportations are based on that idea that they will work voluntary overtime, and they refuse to do this now. So far, 28 deportations have been cancelled this year. However, according to the Police Immigration Unit management, this is not only due to the conflict, but also that those who were supposed to be deported were missing or that the departure dates were changed. Roar Hanssen, head of information at the Police Immigration Unit, says that it was only in a few cases that the deportation was cancelled due to a lack of personnel. The number of deportations increased from 2,891 in 2008 to 4,359 in 2009 and overtime is therefore required. Police Forum writes that several employees of the Police Immigration Unit worked up to 500 hours of overtime last year. Some had over 1,000 hours of overtime. The reason why the immigration police now refuse to spend more of their spare time, is due to a disagreement about the interpretation of the employment contract between the joint Federal Police and the Police Directorate. The agreement says that the staff must be with the person who is about to be deported for at least 12 hours before they are entitled to accommodation. If the escort takes less than 12 hours they have wait at the airport or fly back to Norway without rest. In addition, they react against the fact that their return travel to Norway does not count as working time. The Police Directorate disagrees with the staff's interpretation of the agreement and believes the guidelines are reasonable.
Aftenposten 19 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3527751.ece
NRK 20 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7004341
Sweden
Tobias Billström on "Lex Vellinge"
A working group of the Social Democrat Party suggests that a law amendment called "Lex Vellinge" would make it mandatory for municipalities to receive asylum-seekers and persons granted with residence permits. Sweden has already tried a similar system and a study shows that the system has obvious weaknesses. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström rejects the proposal, and calls it pointless. He says that the proposal would not change the fact that people do not want to move to certain areas of the country.
Sveriges Radio 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/ekot/artikel.asp?Artikel=3454933
Dagens Nyheter 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/valet2010/forskare-samre-integration-om-kommuner-tvingas-ta-emot-flyktingar-1.1048605
Sveriges Raddio 19 February 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3455371
A Government proposal would make it easier to apply for residence
The Government proposes that asylum-seekers who have children with a Swedish citizen will not have to return to their home country in order to submit a new application for residence. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says that the Government will deliver a bill to Parliament and that these new rules could come into force from 1 July this year. The guidelines in the proposal are predominantly for families that threaten to split for more than a month.
Sveriges Radio 19 February 2010
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3456155
New ruling opens for more asylum-seekers
The number of asylum-seekers coming to Sweden from Somalia has increased considerably following the turnaround ruling by the Migration Court of Appeal in October 2009, which stated that three Somali men from Mogadishu would be able to stay in Sweden on the basis of the current armed conflict in Somalia. Immediately after the ruling the Migration Board made an inventory of on-going armed conflicts in the world, and has assessed that those in Somalia, parts of Afghanistan and Congo-Kinshasa are so serious that the board has revised its forecast for the number of asylum-seekers that may come to Sweden during 2010. The Migration Board is currently studying the security situation in more parts of Congo-Kinshasa, in Cabinda (in Angola), Yemen, Sudan and northern Caucasus.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 February p:12 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television 20 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1898173/ny_syn_pa_krig_-_fler_far_asyl
Folders on how to survive
The Social Democrats in charge of refugee affairs now react to the booklet distributed to Afgans who are being deported from Sweden. The country is considered safe - however, the refugees receive a folder from UNHCR on how to survive when they return. Magdalena Streijffert (S) says that it is tragic that people are sent back. According to the Migration Board, there are currently armed conflicts in 10 of 34 provinces. Other serious conflicts exist in another 18 provinces, including Kabul. According to Streijffert, Swedish troops are there to protect the population and thinks that it is tragic that at that stage actually send people back there.
Sveriges Radio 19 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/sjuharad/nyheter/artikel.asp?artikel=3456165
Tuesday 23 February to Wednesday 24 February 2010
Denmark
Activists arrested at Copenhagen Airport
On Tuesday, 41 activists were arrested by the police at Copenhagen Airport, where they, without success, protested against the deportation of two Iraqi asylum-seekers. The activists refused to follow police orders to leave, and were therefore arrested. The plane with the two Iraqis onboard left Danish soil as scheduled. Another four Iraqi asylum-seekers are, according to Said Parvin from the refugee group ´Asylret´, facing immediate deportation. The 41 activists were driven by bus to Bellahøj Station, where they were questioned and later released.
Jyllands-Posten 23 February 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGk0EW
Jyllands-Posten 24 February 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGl0EX
Finland
National Coalition Party divided on Finnish immigration policy
Wille Rydman, the President of the National Coalition Party's youth organization, says that the present principle to emphasize multiculturalism in Finland's immigration policy is wrong. According to Rydman, problems are bound to emerge if immigrants are placed in large groups close to each other, which is why they do not integrate into Finnish society. In Rydman's opinion, Finland should abandon its annual resettlement quota. Taru Tujunen, the National Coalition Party Secretary, says the National Coalition Party recommends that Finland should stick to its international agreements, even those concerning humanitarian aid. According to Tujunen, Rydman's views differ from those of the National Coalition Party in this matter. Rydman's statement has raised a debate whether this is the major parties' way of flirting with the voters who are attracted by the True Finns, or the Change 2011, a movement even more critical towards immigration. The Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen (Finnish Centre Party) has participated in the debate by suggesting that Finland should receive less quota refugees in the future.
Helsingin Sanomat 24 February 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGm0EY
YLE 23 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGn0EZ
Latvia
Many persons in Latvia still hold only Soviet passports
Almost 20 years after the restoration of Latvia's independence, many persons in the country still hold only passports issued by the former Soviet authorities. Vilnis Jekabsons, head of the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), says that some 100 people with such passports turn up at PMLP every year. According to Jekabsons, in some cases their national identity cannot be determined at all and PMLP makes a decision on granting them a stateless person's status. In 2009, a total of 127 people wanted to change their invalid Soviet passports - 67 of them obtained Latvian citizens' passports and 60 were assigned a non-citizen status. Jekabsons explains further that these were mostly persons who lived in rural areas, and that locals had known them for many years and they never really needed the Latvian passport. But at one point they realized they were eligible for old-age pensions or other benefits, which they could only receive if they had a valid passport.
Baltic News Service 23 February 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
71 asylum-seeking children disappeared last year
PRESS - Save the Children Youth and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimate that 100,000 unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 have come to Western Europe since 2001. Not all are asylum-seekers. A good number of them live under ground, and / or are victims of trafficking. Figures from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) show that 71 asylum-seeking children disappeared in Norway last year. PRESS believes that the missing children may be potential victims of human trafficking. In a press release, PRESS - Save the Children Youth demand that asylum children are to be given the same care provision by child welfare services that Norwegian orphans receive. They also emphasize the importance of good follow-up of cases when children disappear, and that the cases are properly investigated. Save the Children estimates that a total of 600 asylum children have disappeared since 2000. Immigration report at the same time that the number of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers in Norway has fallen by 60 percent compared to January last year. In January 71 asylum-seekers arrived in Norway as unaccompanied minors, i.e. under 18 and not accompanied by parents or others with parental responsibilities. In particular, there are fewer children from Afghanistan that arrive on their own. In addition to Afghanistan, most unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers come from Somalia, Eritrea, Iraq and Ethiopia, according to UDI statistics.
Dagbladet 23 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGo0Ea
Must know that they are able complete their studies
Young asylum-seekers that are enrolled in the educational system can be deported on their 18th birthday. The education is withdrawn, and the student will not receive any documentation on what he or she has learnt in Norway. Teachers at Nygård school in Bergen have asked the politicians to review this policy, and the teachers get support from local politicans from the Christiand Democratic and Socialist Left parties, as believe that the students' motivation will disappear if they do not know, with absolute certainty, that they will be able to finish their studies. Since Norway is covered by the UN Children's Convention, anything done in relation to children should be with the child's best interests at heart.
NRK 23 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGp0Eb
Sweden
The age of children refugees often unclear
According to the Swedish Migration Board a majority of refugee children arriving in Sweden through Italy have already been recorded as adults there. Many of them might have indicated that they are adults because they have heard that this way they will be given more freedom, for example to work. But age rarely plays any role in Sweden - if the applicant has already had his case tried in another EU country, the person is sent back to that country in almost all cases, whether a child or an adult. Hanne Mathisen, spokeswoman for the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, says that if there are ambiguities about the age, the key is to ensure the child's best interest. If Swedish authorities suspect that the person in question in fact is a child, it should be considered whether it is in the child's best interest to be returned to Italy; Italy is not likely to reverse its earlier age-determination.
Sveriges Radio 22 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGq0Ec
Refugee housing in Gotland receives criticism
Gotland Municipality receives criticism by the Swedish Work Environment Authority for deficiencies in the municipal housing for unaccompanied refugee children in Visby. Criticism stems from situations involving violence or threats, spreading of diseases and lack of supervisors around the clock. Gotland Municipality has now two months to overcome the problems, otherwise the Swedish Work Environment Authority will decide on enforcing an injunction.
Sveriges Radio 23 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGr0Ed
Sveriges Television 23 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGs0Ee
Dagens Samhälle 23 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCa530ZqnfK0aYE0DzGt0Ef
Thursday 25 February to Friday 26 February 2010
Finland
Debate over quota refugees
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen (Centre Party) said on Tuesday that Finland's annuall quota for taking refugees should be reduced from the current 750, and that Finland might instead support the UN Refugee Agency in other ways. The quota system has remained largely unchanged since 1986, when a decision on the first refugee quota was made. In addition, Minister Väyrynen suggested that the quota for Congolese refugees should be abandoned, because in his opinion, the Congolese refugees have had great difficulties to integrate into Finnish society. The proposal has received strong criticism from the Green Party and the Left Alliance and experts working with refugee issues. Väyrynen's statement is seen to be prompted by the attitude of local authorities towards refugees. The Centre Party speaks for local authorities, and attitudes in Finland's municipalities have become increasingly critical towards quota refugees and immigrants in general. The debate was sparked at the weekend, when Wille Rydman, the President of the National Coalition Party's youth organization, said that Finland should abandon its annual resettlement quota.
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUg0EH
YLE 24 February 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUh0EI
Helsingin Sanomat 24 February 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Vihreät+ja+vasemmistoliitto+suuttuivat+Väyrysen+pakolaispuheista/1135253211200
Helsingin Sanomat 26 February 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUi0EJ
Cutting number of quota refugees may increase human trafficking
According to an answer relating to Finland's refugee quota given to Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen (Centre Party) by Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors (Swedish People's Party) and Divisional Director Arja Kekkonen from the Migration Department of the Ministry of the Interior, if refugees cannot come to Finland on the official route as quota refugees based on a contract between Finland and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), they will try to get here by fair means or foul - even if it means that they fall into the hands of human smugglers. According to Kekkonen, the resettling of refugees is the most essential contribution that UNHCR hopes Finland to make. She notes further that because quota refugees come to Finland under the protection of the United Nations and other countries, this is bound to prevent human trafficking. Over the past three years, a total of some 450 quota refugees from Congo have been taken by Finland. Thors and Kekkonen are surprised at Väyrynen's assertion that the Congolese have integrated poorly, as so far, not a single study has been made on the matter.
Helsingin Sanomat 24 February 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUj0EK
Norway
Sending genitals to Knut Storberget
Leader for the Anti-Racism Center, Kari Helene Partapuoli, believes that it is extremely humiliating and also in violation of human rights to test the age of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers by examining their genitals. Partapuoli says that age testing as such is reasonable, but that it must be conducted with respect for the individual. The Anti-Racisism Center is now sending one thousand postcards with the slogan; "Do you want to see sex organs - look at mine!" to the Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget (Labour). The postcards have pictures of adult male and female genitals. Partapuoli says that the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has expressed strong concern over Norway's treatment of unaccompanied minors.
Dagbladet 24 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUk0EL
Nine Iraqis deported
Nine Iraqis were forcibly returned on Tuesday. This was the third time since December last year that the Norwegian authorities have been using chartered planes to return asylum-seekers to Iraq. In December, 30 Iraqi men were deported, and in January 13 Iraqis were sent back to Iraq. According to Roar Hanssen at the Police Immigration Unit (PU), the flight was conducted in cooperation with Sweden. The accompanying officials have not yet returned to Norway, but according to Hanssen, everything went according to plan. In total, around 80 persons have been deported to Iraq since May last year when the return agreement between Norway and Iraq was signed.
Verdens Gang 24 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUl0EM
Sweden
Malmström on EU border control
Yesterday the EU Commission approved Cecilia Malmström's, the Home Affairs Commissioner, proposals for a new legal framework for Frontex, the EU's border management agency. Member states shall provide more equipment and personnel available to the Agency, all border guards shall be trained in international refugee law, and representatives of voluntary organizations such as the Red Cross can be present during joint return operations. Cecilia Malmström says that the strengthening of Frontex does not mean more repressive policies. The Agency has been criticized for having returned people who have entered the European waters or transit countries without giving them a chance to apply for asylum - a right that all persons have, under the Geneva Conventions.
Svenska Dagbladet 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUm0EN
Sveriges Radio 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUn0EO
Dagens Nyheter 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUo0EP
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUp0EQ
Number of unaccompanied minors coming to Sweden increasing
Approximately 3000 children without a guardian are expected to seek asylum in Sweden this year, a sharp increase from the Migration Board's previous forecast. Last year, 2,250 children and adolescents under 18 years came to Sweden to seek asylum without a guardian, which was an increase from 1,510 children a year earlier. Of these children 63 per cent were given asylum. The Director-General of the Migration Board, Dan Eliasson, says that the main cause of the increase in the influx of asylum-seekers is the situation in Afghanistan and Somalia. It is estimated that a total of 28,000 people will seek asylum in Sweden this year, compared to 24,000 in the previous forecast. Meanwhile, the proportion of approved asylum applications is expected to grow from 37 per cent to 43 per cent.
Dagens Nyheter 25 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUo0EP
Sveriges Radio 25 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUq0ER
Stockholm News 25 February 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUr0ES
Dagens Samhälle 25 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUs0ET
Four of Stockholm's municipalities receive 75 per cent of county's refugees
Stockholm, Södertälje, Huddinge and Botkyrka have together received more than 75 per cent of the county's refugees since 1994. Meanwhile, the three medium-sized municipalities Täby, Danderyd and Tyresö have received only two per cent or a total of 900 persons. Södertälje is the municipality in Stockholm County which in relation to its population has received most asylum-seekers since 1994, a total of 6670 persons. During the Iraq war's most intense years Södertälje, which has over 84,000 inhabitants, received more refugees from Iraq than the whole of North America. In total, Stockholm County has received 44,800 refugees since 1994. Commissioner Anders Lago (The Social Democratic Party) is critical towards the Swedish asylum system, which he says puts too great a burden on a few municipalities. He also stresses that the situation in Södertälje is getting out of control.
Dagens Nyheter 25 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCbR80ZqnfK0aYE0DzUt0EU
Saturday 27 February to Monday 1 March 2010
Finland
Police investigate Facebook threats against Migration Minister
Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors (Swedish People's Party) has asked the police to investigate threats of violence made against her on Facebook. Minister Thors has decided to press charges saying the comments can no longer be justified as free speech. Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero promised to determine who was responsible for the threats, after which the police would decide what action to take. The tabloid newspaper Ilta Sanomat claimed a councilor in the province of Häme operates the Facebook group responsible for the threats, while some other newspapers reported that he is also a member of the True Finns Party. Minister of Culture and Sport, the Swedish People's Party Leader Stefan Wallin requires that all party leaders condemn the death threats that Minister Thors was subjected to on Facebook.
YLE 26 February 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/police_investigate_facebook_threats_against_migration_minister_1486475.html
Iltasanomat 26 February 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=1993363
Turun Sanomat 28 February 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/114873.html
MTV3 28 February 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2010/02/1067283
Hufvudstadsbladet 28 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/2/28/w43765.php
Ålandstidningen 27 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.alandstidningen.ax/article.con?id=21386&iPage=7
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sveriges Radio 26 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3472459
Sharp rise in asylum-seekers
The Finnish Immigration Service reports a sharp increase in the number asylum-seekers last year. Some 6,000 applications were received representing a rise of 48 percent. However, the number of unaccompanied minors declined with some 557 cases. Most asylum-seekers came from Iraq and Somalia in line with the previous year's trend. The number of applicants from Bulgaria doubled in comparison to 2008. The Finnish Immigration Service made a total of 4,335 decisions relating to asylum applications. Some 1,373 applicants were allowed to stay. So-called "Dublin cases", where the applicant is returned to another EU country amounted to 1,488. Approximately 21,000 persons applied for a residence permit in Finland in 2009, a drop of nine per cent over the previous year. Those with family connections rose while work-related applications dropped almost by half. A total of 4,417 foreign residents applied for Finnish citizenship with Russians, Somalis and Iraqis topping the list. About half of the applications were successful.
YLE 1 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/sharp_rise_in_asylum_seekers_1493982.html
YLE 1 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/turvapaikkaa_hakevien_maara_nousi_roimasti_1493410.html
Sanomat24 1 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://sanomat24.fi/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13155&Itemid=164
MTV3 1 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2010/03/1067697
Latvia
Latvian nationalist site call on Russian speakers to leave the country
A Latvian nationalist internet site www.braucmajas.lv (meaning "go home") collected more than 8,000 signatures or comments which call "disloyal" Russian speaking residents of Latvia to leave the country. Some of the comments call to kill Russian speakers.
Integration and Minority Information Service 1 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.humanrights.org.lv/html/25501.html
Norway
Seven persons escaped from asylum holding facility
Seven men escaped from Trandum pre-departure detention center close to Gardermoen Airport at around 4 am on Sunday. One and a half hours later they were all arrested and placed behind bars. According to Bjørn Jahr, operations manager at Romerike Police District, military guards found the men when they crossed the railway tracks just north of the airport. The Police Immigration Unit will now look into how the seven were able to get out.
Aftenposten 28 February 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3541827.ece
Sweden
Local authorities and refugee children
The government has tasked Björn Eriksson, former county governor, to encourage more local authorities to temporarily house unaccompanied refugee children arriving in Sweden. As a result, between 800 and 1,000 new places are to be provided in the near
future at local authorities around the country. This means almost twice as many places as there are today. However, despite this positive result, Tobias Billström, Minister of Migration, does not rule out legislation in order to force local authorities to house these refugee children. According to Billström, the previous system has outlived itself. He believes that there will need to be a change in the system to get local authorities to show solidarity. Europe is seeing a higher than ever influx of refugee children, notably adolescent boys from Afghanistan and Somalia, arriving alone. The Swedish Migration Board forecasts that up to 60 children per week will seek asylum in Sweden during 2010.
Svenska Dagbladet 27 February 2010 I: 6-7 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 27 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/fler-kommuner-far-flyktingbarn_4338965.svd
'Stop deportation of Roma refugees'
Sweden should stop the deportation of Roma refugees to Kosovo where they risk being placed in camps in lead-contaminated areas, says Social Democratic MP Björn von Sydow. von Sydow has just completed a trip to the former Serbian province, and will report his findings to the European Council. According to von Sydow, the security situation in Kosovo has improved since his trip to the country at the start of 2009, but one major problem facing the country is corruption. There are still some 10,000 KFOR troops in Kosovo and in reality it is the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo that makes many of the most important decisions. When asked when he believes Kosovo will be able to stand on its own, von Sydow says that a deciding factor is that the neighboring countries Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia become members of the EU, or come closer to the EU. He believes that Kosovo will then also be pulled into the process, both economically and politically.
Svenska Dagbladet 27 February 2010 I:23 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 26 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/sluta-skicka-tillbaka-romska-flyktingar_4339019.svd
Hate crimes on the rise
According to the police in Skåne, hate crimes against Jews in Malmö have doubled in the past year and many Jews in the area are considering to move since they do not feel safe. Hate crimes have risen in other parts of the country as well, and it is not just Jews who are the target of these crimes. Close to 50 per cent of all hate crimes in 2008 targeted Muslims. In addition, many crimes are not reported. According to Helena Benaouda, chair of the Muslim Council of Sweden (SMR), people are so used to this that they do not go to the police. The issue seems hard to tackle: police in Malmö encourage anyone who is the victim of a hate crime to report the matter, but few crimes are actually solved. In 2008 there were very few suspects for the hate crimes committed. A spokeswoman for the Malmö police says the courts need to be better at applying stiffer sentences for hate crimes. Meanwhile, Lena Posner Körösi, president of the Central Jewish Council in Sweden, would like SMR to disassociate itself from hate crimes. Posner Körösi wishes that they would go out and clearly state that they do not accept that there are, among them, groups that behave in an anti-democratic fashion and attack people of a different religion.
Svenska Dagbladet 28 February 2010 I:20 (in Swedish)
Staff protest against the deportation of refugee children
Thousands of teachers, doctors and others who work with the approximately 300 unaccompanied refugee children in Malmö are now protesting against the deportation of these children, especially to countries like Malta, Greece and Italy, where children are often said to be treated badly. According to staff working with these children, some children will stop eating, cut themselves, or have bad dreams when they received their notice of deportation. Nearly 3,000 people have signed a petition against the deportation. Within a week the petition will be sent to Billström and the Migration Board.
Skånskan 1 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100301/NYHETER/100309990/0/svedala/*/personal-i-upprop-for-flyktingbarn
UNHCR in the news
UN: More unaccompanied minor refugee children
According to the UN, the number of unaccompanied minors who come to Europe to seek asylum is increasing rapidly. The latest figures from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) shows that last year, the number of Afghan unaccompanied minors that arrived increased by 60 per cent compared to the year before. In total, more than 6,000 children under the age of 18 sought asylum across Europe. The UN believes that the latest figures are, in reality, only showing the tip of the iceberg and that many children do not report themselves to the authorities for fear of being detained and deported.
DR København 1 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Udland/2010/03/01/113916.htm
Tuesday 2 March to Wednesday 3 March 2010
Denmark
Århus will house persecuted writer
After receiving a grant of DKK 300,000 from the National Arts Council's Literature Committee on Monday, Århus is able to accept a persecuted foreign writer under the Friby scheme. The other municipalities that join the scheme are Odense, Frederiksberg and Fano. Culture councilman Marc Perera Christensen (K) says that he pleased that they with this initiative can say that Århus is a city of free speech, and that it is wonderful to see that one of the first things Per Stig Møller (K) did as Minister of Culture was to ensure that help to persecuted writers are put into practice. Perera Christensen stresses that it is up to the writer to decide whether he will take an active part in the debate or will remain in hiding after moving to Århus. It is the organization Icorn, International Cities of Refugee Network, with headquarters in Stavanger, who coordinates the work of selecting a persecuted writer - author, journalist, playwright, etc. - who will move to Århus. The name of the writer is, for now, not revealed, but Perera Christensen says that the author has neither spouse nor children.
Jyllands-Posten 1 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/aar/kultur/article1996419.ece
Aarhus.dk 2 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.aarhus.dk/default.asp?Id=251&AjrDcmntId=18188
Former military camp will be converted to asylum center
A year ago, the Danish Immigration Service and the Danish Red Cross visited the former military camp in Auderød to assess whether it could be used as a temporary reception center for the growing number of asylum-seeking refugees. Mayor Helge Friis (S) sees no problems with the municipality setting up a reception center as long as it is only temporary and thus gives the municipality a possibility to, in the future, use the area for tourism and recreation. The camp will initially accommodate up to 300 refugees, but it will, according to the Ministry of Integration, be possible to increase the capacity to 600 if needed. The camp is expected to be ready before Easter.
Netavisen Nordkysten 2 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.nordkysten.nu/?Id=14528
Estonia
Council of Europeurges Estoniato increase integration efforts
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), an independent body of the Council of Europe, finds that Estoniahas made progress in combating racism and intolerance, but also expresses concern about the large number of stateless persons, the limited contact between Russian-speakers and ethnic Estonians, high unemployment among minority groups and discrimination against Roma.The key recommendations concern improvement of the quality of education offered to Russian-speaking children, reduction of the number of persons without citizenship and tackling of the undue placement of Roma children in special schools and their reintegration in mainstream schools. The authors of the report note that Roma are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice, and that in the field of education Roma pupils are far more likely to drop out of school and they continue to be overrepresented in schools for mentally disabled children.
Baltic News Service 2 March 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
'Trandum is a danger to life and health'
Trandum in Akershus, Norway's only pre-departure detention center, is the last stop for asylum-seekers without legal residency. In recent weeks, the holding facility has been so low on staff that there has been danger to their life and health. Within two weeks, a total of 12 asylum-seekers have escaped from Trandum. The Labor Inspectorate believes there are too few employees working in Trandum, and the Police Immigration Unit service is increasing its number of staff after a critical report. In recent weeks, the main protection Ombudsman received disturbing messages from the staff at the holding facility. According to the main protection ombudsman Einar Saglie, the employees believe that the conditions there are not safe enough, and that their safety is sometimes put at risk. After an inspection by the Labor Inspectorate after the fire at the holding facility, the Labor Inspectorate writes in a report that there is an imminent danger to the safety of the employees, and that they are considering to close the pre-departure detention center. Amnesty International is now investigating Trandum, and Peder Engenæs, Secretary General of Amnesty International Norway, says that they are shocked that it has gone so far that the Labor Inspectorate is considering closing the entire operation. He says that if it is dangerous for the employees, Amnesty is also very concerned about the safety and welfare of those who are detained there.
NRK 1 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7018292
Paperless get health care
The Government is introducing new policies to regulate health care for up to 30,000 persons who are staying illegally in Norway. The Minister of Justice, Knut Storberget, and the Minister of Health and Careservices, Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, have agreed to clearly define the rights of several groups of paperless persons, and change the regulations that apply to people who are staying illegally in Norway. Paperless persons are today only entitled to emergency care and it varies from hospital to hospital if they receive assistance beyond this. The Government is now committed to making sure that children are entitled to virtually the same healthcare as children with legal residence, that paperless pregnant women get full access to health care, that women without residence permit who want to do an abortion have the right to it, and that mentally unstable persons have the right to receive psychiatric treatment. According to Storberget, this has been a challenging issue that has been discussed for a long time. He says that it was demanding to find the balance between giving a decent amount of help and at the same time protect the welfare provision which in itself can attract persons who want to stay in Norway. The Government also offers all paperless the right to health care that cannot wait. This implies a formal extension of the current regulations which only ensures paperless persons emergency care.
Aftenposten 2 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3544449.ece
Resigns from Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board
Terje Einarsen, who is an expert on refugee law, is resigning from his posts at the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) in protest against UNE-director Terje Sjeggestad. Sjeggestad has publicly called Einarsen "a person working against his colleagues" and an "unprofessional" because he expressed his opinion on a controversial decision that the UNE took in February. The decision regarded the deportation of asylum-seekers to Greece two years after the UNE itself had stopped deportations to Greece after receiving information about possible violations of the human rights of asylum-seekers. Einarsen has chosen not to comment on his resignation, but NRK reported that Einarsen withdrew because he felt that his freedom of speech was violated. Sjeggestad still believes that Einarsen was working against his colleagues, since Einarsen was the only one out of seven board members who voted against the decision. Einarsen said the decision could lead to violations of the UN Refugee Convention. Sjeggestad believes that it was unprofessional of Einarsen to a make statement on the decision and to publicly criticize his colleagues.
Verdens Gang 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=593809
Aftenposten 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3546410.ece
NRK 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7020343
Aarvik excluded
On Tuesday, the Board of Sør-Trøndelag Progress Party decided to exclude municipal representative Ole Elling Aarvik in Skaun Progress Party from the party because of his racist remarks. During a meeting of the Executive Committee of Health, Upbringing and Culture in Skaun on 2 February, Aarvik made certain statements that other politicians considered racist. Aarvik also made several comments to the newspaper Sør-Trøndelag after the meeting, which were considered racist. The Board of Skaun Progress Party regarded the statements as so serious that they sent the matter on to the County Board. The County Board states that Ole Elling Aarvik has acted in a way that has damaged the party in Skaun. They also reach the conclusion that Aarvik has used a clearly racist language in his discussion regarding potential settlement of refugees in Skaun municipality.
Sør-Trøndelag 2 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.avisa-st.no/arkiv/skaun/article1252870.ece
NRK 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_trondelag/1.7020542
Trønderbladet 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.tronderbladet.no/nyheter/article1252877.ece
Sweden
Child Convention and right to complain
The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was ratified by Sweden in 1990, but as in many other countries, it has yet to become part of Swedish law. Instead Sweden tries to adapt Swedish law to the Convention. According to Unicef's Swedish branch, the government is in violation of at least seven articles in the convention. Among other things, Unicef criticizes the fact that paperless children in Sweden have only been eligible to receive emergency treatment and must pay for it themselves. Anita Goh, representative of several voluntary organizations in Geneva, is currently visiting Stockholm to try to convince the Swedish government to take a leading role in a campaign to give individual children, whose rights have been violated, a means by which they can have their complaints heard and dealt with.
Svenska Dagbladet 3 March 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Persecution of Christians in Iraq
Violence against the Christian minority in Northern Iraq has worsened again before the elections that take place next week. Human Rights Watch reports on seven targeted killings against Christians in recent days and warns that the situation of 2008 could be repeated. In 2008 Christians in the city of Mosul faced extensive violence with the obvious aim of spreading terror among the Christian minority forcing Christians to flee. A significant proportion of Christians who have fled Iraq reside in Sweden, especially in Södertälje municipality and the district of Skärholmen. In recent years the Swedish authorities deemed it was safe for Christian refugees to return to Iraq. Sweden has been one of the few European countries that have applied a policy of forced returns of Christian Iraqis. The policy has been very controversial, and Sweden has been strongly criticized by UNHCR in particular.
Trelleborgs Allehanda 1 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://trelleborgsallehanda.se/opinion/article634446/Forfoljelse-av-kristna-i-Irak.html
Kristianstadsbladet 1 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.kristianstadsbladet.se/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100301/OPINION/703019792/1909/&/Forfoljelse-av-kristna-i-Irak
Immigration critical parties register interest for elections
Forty-five parties have registered interest in standing in the general election to be held this autumn, 12 of which are entirely new. The Svenskarnas parti, an old neo-Nazi party with a new façade, says only persons who belong to the western genetic and cultural heritage can be Swedish citizens and non-Swedes should not be allowed to have positions of power in the Swedish society. Another immigration critical party the Sweden Democrats Party has, according to opinion polls, a support of more than 4 per cent, which is required to achieve a place in the parliament. The party enjoys its strongest support in Southern Sweden, where in some areas it has received a support of over 20 per cent.
Dagens Nyheter 1 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/valet2010/nya-partier-staller-upp-i-valet-1.1054250
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Satakunnan Kansa 2 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.satakunnankansa.fi/cs/Satellite/Ulkomaat/1194637880423/artikkeli/siirtolaisvastainen+puolue+kiilaamassa+ruotsin+valtiopaiville.html
Itä-Savo 2 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ita-savo.fi/Etusivu/siirtolaisvastaiset_pyrkiv%C3%A4t_ruotsin_valtiop%C3%A4iville_9989670.html
Kauppalehti 2 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/stt/uutinen.jsp?selected=ulkomaat&oid=48481215
Thursday 4 March to Friday 5 March 2010
Denmark
Asylum-seekers arrested
Three women in the age between 20-50 years and two men, 21 and 42 years old respectively, were arrested at the temporary Reception Center in Karrebaeksminde when the police, in a raid, found a music system and five laptops from different burglaries and thefts that have taken place in Copenhagen, Solrød Beach and Nykøbing Falster. The gang of thieves were exposed when they were caught stealing sweets from a local grocery store in Karrebaeksminde. Surveillance tapes from the candy theft led police to the nearby Center where the Serbs lived as asylum-seekers. The Red Cross has now transferred the Serbian asylum group to the Sandholm camp.
Jyllands-Posten 4 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Al0Er
Finland
Some communities still have difficulties accepting asylum-seekers
Last year, Finland rushed to set up some 20 new refugee reception centers to deal with a surge in asylum-seekers. Many locals have had difficulties accepting their new neighbors. For instance, the refugee reception centre in Paimio, Southwest Finland, has had its share of problems. Currently 130 people live at the centre. The majority are men from Bulgaria, Iraq and Iran. One problem plaguing the centre is a shortage of interpreters. Police have been called to intervene when tempers flare. However Ilona Dorij, the deputy director of the centre, says that friction between locals and asylum-seekers has eased over the past four months. Meanwhile officials are seeking the rapid adoption of a new law that would allow Finland to quickly deport asylum-seekers with dubious claims. "In contrast to what some people are saying, we are working to pass the law as quickly as possible," says the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. From 2008 to 2009, the number of asylum-seekers in Finland grew by 48 per cent to nearly 6,000.
YLE 3 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Am0Es
YLE 3 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1An0Et
Latvia
Latvia expands the right to education
On Thursday, the Latvian parliament backed major amendments to the Education Law, expanding the range of persons who are eligible for obtaining education in Latvia. Under these amendments, the right to obtain education in Latvia is granted to Latvian citizens and non-citizens, EU citizens, as well as residents of other countries, who have residence permits in Latvia. Stateless persons with valid travel documents, refugees and children of asylum-seekers will also be granted such rights. Children of persons who have no legal basis for staying in Latvia will also be eligible for obtaining education in Latvia until the time they must depart from the country.
Baltic News Service 4 March 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
SV will not let Storberget see asylum children's genitals
Heikki Holmås, member of parliament and leader of the Oslo Socialist Left Party (SV), urges Knut Storberget to drop the proposal of examination of asylum-seeking children's breasts and testicles to determine their age. Last week, the Antiracist Center sent thousands of postcards to Storberget with the slogan "Do you want to see sex organs – take a look at mine!" and pictures of adult male and female genitalia. Gunnar A. Johansen, communications manager at the Ministry of Justice, says that they have not yet concluded on the matter. Holmås says that it is important to treat the unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers in a way that does not violate their human dignity. Holmås says that although it is important to find good methods for age determination, one should not enter into a human rights gray zone to do so.
Dagbladet 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Ao0Eu
Asylum case creates a diplomatic crisis between Norway and Iran
Norway's granting of political asylum to the former Iranian top diplomat Mohammed Reza Heydari has led to a diplomatic crisis between Norway and Iran. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian ambassador in Tehran was summoned to a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Ministry in late February. Ambassador Roald Næss was handed a letter in which Iran protests against the fact that Heydari was granted asylum in Norway. The Foreign Ministry of Iran now also requires the Norwegian diplomat to leave Iran. This demand has stirred up strong reactions in Norway. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, says that this is a completely unacceptable response from the Iranian side. He says that the right to seek political asylum is in line with international conventions. On Monday, the embassy in Teheran had to close after a demonstration where protesters threw objects at the building and the facade of the embassy was damaged. Heydari worked as a consul at the Iranian Embassy in Norway until the beginning of the year when he chose to terminate his position in protest against the human rights violations and the oppression in Iran. In an interview with Dagbladet the diplomat said that the Iranian authorities refused to accept his resignation. According to Heydari, he was both threatened and lured into withdrawing his resignation and his regime-critical statements about the sitting government in Iran. He feared for his life if he returned to Iran and decided to seek political asylum in Norway. The asylum application was granted in mid-February.
Dagbladet 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Ap0Ev
Aftenposten 3 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Aq0Ew
Norway requests Iranian diplomat to leave
Norway has reacted strongly to the Iranian authorities' request that a Norwegian diplomat should leave Teheran because of an asylum matter in Norway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repudiated Iran's protests in a note and a letter to the Iranian Foreign Minister, as well as at a meeting with the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Oslo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also requested that the Iranian diplomat should leave Norway.
The Norway Post 5 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Ar0Ex
Fewer minor asylum-seekers
There has been a decrease in number of asylum-seekers in Norway, and the decline is greater for minor asylum seekers than for adults, according to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). In January, 71 minor asylum-seekers came to Norway, which is a decrease of 60 percent compared to January 2009. Bente Engesland, communications director of the UDI, says that they have reason to believe that the decrease has to do with the government's tightened immigration policy. Many asylum-seekers are staying in other countries in Europe before coming here, and have seen the signals that they must have justified needs for protection to stay in Norway. In September 2008, the government tightened the asylum policies on several points. In connection with the re-election of the government in the autumn of 2009, further tightening of immigration policies were announced in the Soria Moria Declaration II. Engesland says that the fall in the number of underage asylum-seekers are part of a general tendency. Sylo Taraku, Acting Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), also thinks that it is difficult to answer why there are fewer minor asylum-seekers, but says that the fact that the Dublin Regulation previously did not apply to minor asylum-seekers could be one contributing factor. He also points out that several minor asylum-seekers get temporary residence permits, but must leave Norway when they turn 18.
Aftenposten 4 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1As0Ey
'Must assist persons who have been forced to return'
On Thursday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, came to the Afghan capital Kabul for meetings with President Hamid Karzai and members of the government. Follow-up discussions of the London Conference on Afghanistan in January dominated the meeting, but Støre also mentioned the subject of Afghan asylum-seekers who have been forcibly returned. Støre said that he stressed to the Afghan authorities that Norway expects them to pave the way for organized return from Norway of asylum-seekers who have had their asylum applications rejected. The Norwegian government will make annual contributions to care centers for unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers in Afghanistan. During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zalmay Rassoul, assured Støre that he personally would contribute to the establishment of a tripartite agreement between Norway, Afghanistan and the International Migration Organization (IOM). Rassoul also said that Afghan authorities will contribute to the establishment of care centers.
NRK 4 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1At0Ez
Asylum applications are processed more quickly
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has introduced a 48-hour processing of asylum applications from persons from Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro. The purpose is to prevent a large number of asylum applications from persons from these countries that do not have the right to protection. According to Hanne Jendal, Director of UDI's asylum department, they consider Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro to be safe countries, where applicants from these countries very rarely are in need of protection in Norway. After citizens from the three countries received visa access to all Schengen states in December 2009, there has been a sharp increase in the number of asylum-seekers from these countries to several countries in Europe. Applicants who fall under the 48-hour procedure get a short asylum interview with UDI, and the police investigate their travel itinerary. If an asylum application is rejected, the Police Immigration Unit immediately transports the applicant out of Norway.
NRK 4 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Au0E1
Refugee Program is a good investment
According to Statistics Norway (SSB) the introduction program for newly arrived refugees is a good investment. In 2004, the program was made mandatory for all refugees, as well as their families, who were granted residence permits in Norway. SSB has now, for the third consecutive year, evaluated the progress of those participants who completed their training. The results from fall 2008 is now ready and show that the around 959 million NOK that are used every year is a good investment. According to Statistics Norway's figures, 63 per cent were either in ordinary work or higher education one year after they finished the program. 13 percent were unemployed, while 24 percent had other or no registration. The proportion work/education was equally high for the first two evaluation periods. The first class has now been followed for three years, and it turns out that women in particular have increased their professional association over time. One year after completing the program, 55 percent of the newly arrived refugees were employed.
Verdens Gang 5 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Av0E2
Stavanger municipality gets new advisor
Stavanger municipality creates a new position at the Department for Social Welfare. The person who is hired will work with integration and diversity matters, including issues concerning forced marriages. These are tasks that, until now, have been divided between several people in different departments. The new adviser's tasks will include follow-up on project plans for integration, prepare reception of refugees and follow up on refugees at reception centers. The municipality has already received about 30 applications for the position.
Stavanger Aftenblad 4 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Aw0E3
Sweden
Swedish cultural orientation proposed
A commission of inquiry proposes a cultural orientation programme for newly arrived refugees. The focus will be on health care, the welfare state and daily life in Sweden as well as issues such as equal opportunities and gay rights. The commission also proposes that those refugees who refuse to take part in the programme should not receive any start-up benefits. From the first of December the Swedish local councils will have to offer new immigrants a 60 hour course about the Swedish society. According to the study ordered by the Minister of Integration, those who finish the course will receive a certificate, while those who do not, risk loosing the specific benefit that the government wants to introduce for newly arrived immigrants. The study recommends that the courses are offered at the universities, since they require highly qualified teachers. The study also suggests that the course does not have to be in Swedish, but could be offered in the language of those newly arrived.
Sveriges Radio 4 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Ax0E4
Dagens Nyheter 4 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Ay0E5
Svenska Dagbladet 5 March 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
More social welfare paid out
Local authorities paid 20 per cent more in social welfare benefits last year, compared with the year before, not including support to asylum-seekers. The main reason for the increase is thought to be the higher number of unemployed persons. Meanwhile, start-up benefits for refugees increased by five per cent in 2009, reaching 2.3 billion crowns. The largest increase in social welfare benefits occurred in Tranemo municipality, where the financial assistance, excluding benefits for refugees, increased by 105 per cent in 2009 compared to the previous year.
Sveriges Radio 3 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1Az0E6
Dagens Nyheter 4 March 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Influx of Roma to Sweden
This year alone, there have been approximately 1000 Roma, mainly from Serbia, who have come to Sweden by bus. They are tricked into believing that they are entitled to Swedish social benefits and residence permit, but hardly anyone is allowed to stay. The Director of the Swedish Migration Board, Dan Eliasson, says that these persons are living in difficult social situations and perhaps are even being discriminated against, but that does not entitle them to receive protection in Sweden. Although the vast majority of Roma comes from Serbia, there are also persons coming from Montenegro and Macedonia. The Roma minority in Serbia is significantly poorer than the members of the Serb community. Occasionally there are reports of violations against Roma in both Serbia and Kosovo, and recently also in Italy.
Svenska Dagbladet 4 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A10Es
Dagens Nyheter 4 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A20Et
Sveriges Television 4 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A30Eu
Skånskan 4 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A40Ev
UNHCR in the news
Sanitary conditions in Dadaab refugee camp
2.5 billion persons worldwide lack access to toilets. Lack of toilets is one of the reasons why 5 million persons each year die from diarrhea, which is more than deaths caused by HIV and malaria. There are simple and inexpensive solutions like soap, and sugar and salt solution (SSS), to manage the problem in the most vulnerable areas of the world. Yet very little money is spent on improving sanitation in developing countries. World's largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, suffers from difficult sanitary conditions. There are some 300 000 refugees residing in the camp, most of them Somalis. The camp lacks latrines and has problems with contaminated water. The most common disease in the camp is diarrhea, among both children and adults. Among children diarrhea is the second cause of death after respiratory diseases. Tuberculosis, HIV and malaria are other major diseases, though diarrhea is leading to more deaths and to more illness among children. Diarrhea causes dehydration, which is especially dangerous for children. The camp suffers also from a recent cholera outbreak, which is affecting both adults and children. In order to reduce contamination and spread of infections, Doctors Without Borders are providing health education on hygiene issues to the community. Nevertheless, the lack of sanitation, polluted rivers and contaminated drinking water is not just a problem that occurs in developing countries. Paris, London, New York and other major cities often have ancient drainage systems where rainwater and wastewater are mixed.
SVT Play 'Korrespondenterna' 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A50Ew
Sveriges Television 24 February 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCcgb0ZqnfK0aYE0D1A60Ex
NB. This story was a result of a press trip organised by UNHCR ROBNC
Saturday 6 March to Monday 8 March 2010
Finland
Thors: Finland has not loosened its immigration policy
Minister of Immigration and European Affairs Astrid Thors does not want to admit that the Finnish immigration policy has become looser under her ministerial term. According to Thors Finland still grants asylum on the same grounds as in the past. She also says that the exceptionally strong criticism she has been subjected to may be a result of her being a woman and Finnish Swede.
MTV3 7 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2010/03/1072473
Quota refugees go through an in-depth examination
Following last week's demands by Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, to decrease the number of quota refugees, Susanne Tengman, Finnish Immigration Service, explains that all quota refugees are carefully chosen as it is. According to Tengman, UNHCR preselects eligible families, after which the Immigration Service goes through the families' data carefully and interviews them on the spot. The selection grounds are primarily the families' need for protection and resettlement. Language skills and integration potentiality are also relevant. According to Tengman, Finland does not receive only "elite refugees".
Suomen Kuvalehti 6 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://suomenkuvalehti.fi/jutut/kotimaa/maahanmuuttovirasto-pakolaiset-valitaan-jo-harkiten
Uusi Suomi 5 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/86747-nain-pakolaiset-valitaan-suomeen-%E2%80%9Dperusteellinen-syyni%E2%80%9D
Norway
Dim future for Iraqi refugees
The security situation in Iraq has improved, but for the millions of refugees in the country the prospect of a life in security is still far away, according to a report from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). It appears that fewer persons flee from Iraq or flee internally in the country than before, however, very few Iraqi refugees return home. Iraq is still in the middle of one of the most comprehensive refugee crises in the world where 2.8 million people have fled within Iraq and around 1.8 million refugees have fled to other countries, particularly Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson of the Norwegian Refugee Council says that the humanitarian need will continue to be large for a long time to come. The report points out that the security situation is still the main obstacle for efforts to reach civilians in need of help. The many internally displaced persons have few prospects for durable solutions for their situation,and Iraq has a very limited capacity to receive and care for those who have fled to other countries, if these countries start to forcibly return Iraqis.
Stavanger Aftenblad 7 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenbladet.no/utenriks/1171664/-__Dyster_framtid_for_irakiske_flyktninger.html
PRESS wants asylum-seeker ombudsman
Save the Children youth organization, PRESS, believes that a special ombudsman should be created to ensure asylum-seekers' rights. The organization believes that the Immigration Appeals Board, which handles appeals for rejected asylum applications, does not have legitimacy as an independent body. PRESS leader Kirsten Kvalø says that one needs to think about what mechanisms we have to protect the rights of those who come here and seek protection. She wants an ombudsman with the legal mandate to monitor that the refugee-convention is followed.
NRK 5 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7025557
Gahr Støre promises stricter asylum policy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre promises that the Labour Party will pursue strict but fair immigration policies and a consistent and active integration policy. Støre is appointed to lead the party's recently appointed integration committee. At the Rogaland municipality's annual Labour Party meeting, Støre said that if they are not perceived as consistent and strict in their asylum policy, they will lose people's confidence that they can keep the order in society. He also emphasized the fact that Norway must have an asylum policy that matches the policies of the neighboring countries. He said that differences in policy will quickly be exploited by human smugglers who will try to send streams of refugees to Norway.
Stavanger Aftenblad 6 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenbladet.no/innenriks/politikk/1171417/Gahr_Stoere_lover_streng_asylpolitikk.html
Sweden
Refugees lie about age to avoid deportation
Unaccompanied minor refugee asylum-seekers who come to Sweden are not always as young as they claim, according to workers at several different refugee housing facilities. Sometimes the difference can be up to ten years, leading to problems with schooling, medical care, and housing. It is easier for underage asylum-seekers to get a residence permit, and they are less likely to be deported. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates that child refugees cannot be sent back to their home countries unless someone there can take care of them. The exact number of persons who lie about their age is hard to determine. In Norway, a study using dental tests showed that 9 out of 10 underage refugee children were actually older than 18. More and more unaccompanied child refugees arrived in Sweden last year, the number was 2,250 and it is estimated to grow this year.
Sveriges Radio 5 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3488668
Sveriges Radio 7 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/orebro/nyheter/arkiv.asp?ProgramID=221&Min=2001-10-10&PeriodStart=2010-03-07&Period=2&Artikel=3491113
Sveriges Radio 5 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?Artikel=3488151
New programme for quota refugees
The Swedish Migration Board has launched a new programme for quota refugees who are about to come to Sweden. According to Johan Harald the aim of the programme is to give refugees an idea about what their lives will be like in their new home country. The one-week training is conducted by a delegation consisting of leaders from the Migration Board, community representatives and former quota refugees, and it starts a few weeks after the selection of quota refugees has taken place. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, gives priority to refugees from Somalia and Sudan. The Migration Board will shortly arrange the resettlement of 300 Somali refugees from a refugee camp in Kenya to Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 5 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?Artikel=3487619
Thousands of Iraqis voted in Sweden
At least 26,000 Iraqis living in Sweden cast their absentee ballots during the weekend, ahead of the Iraqi general elections on Sunday. Voting in Sweden was spread over three days, beginning on Friday and concluding on Sunday. Iraqi expatriates living in Norway and Finland had to travel great distances to vote in Sweden. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR estimates that around two million Iraqis are living abroad, with an estimated 80,000 or more living in Sweden. At the height of the Iraqi War, Sweden liberalized regulations to ease Iraqi immigration into the country.
Sveriges Radio 6 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3490251
The Local 7 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25388/20100307/
Refugee spy sentenced to prison
A 62-year-old man who spied on his Uighur compatriots on behalf of the Chinese regime, was sentenced to prison for one year and four months for illegal intelligence activities. The man collected data from January 2008 to June 2009 on personal circumstances of Uighurs living in exile, including information on their travels, health and political activities. A number of these Uighurs have been politically active both in Sweden and internationally.
Svenska Dagbladet 8 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/flyktingspion-domd-till-fangelse_4396467.svd
UNHCR in the news
UNCHR sends help to Uganda
The Ugandan government minister told the news agency Reuters that about 300 people are still missing after a landslide caused by heavy raining. The torrential rain began on Monday evening last week in Bududan in the eastern part of Uganda, and continued on Tuesday throughout the day in some parts of the area. The UN refugee agency UNHCR announced on Wednesday last week that the organization is sending 5,000 tents to persons who have become homeless. - We fear that the number of homeless survivors, as well as the number of deceased, is going to rise when government-led assessment teams can access the region, says the Secretary-General of UNHCR Antonio Guterres.
YLE 3 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/2010/03/ugandan_maanvyoryn_uhrimaara_jo_yli_90_1499684.html
Tuesday 9 March to Wednesday 10 March 2010
Denmark
Iraq: Don't let us down
Iraq's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari has questioned Minister of Development Aid Søren Pind's statement last week that Denmark has no 'moral obligation' to help Iraq, despite being part of the international coalition since 2003. Zebari said that Iraq obviously still needs foreign aid and that it is only natural that those countries that started the war have a moral obligation to keep paying. At the same time he stressed that the repatriation agreement between the governments in Copenhagen and Baghdad does not give Denmark the automatic right to deport Iraqi asylum-seekers who have not been granted residency in Denmark. Zebari said that it is a mutual agreement concerning voluntary repatriation, not forced deportation. He said that Denmark therefore has an obligation to help these people in accordance with international human rights standards and that help can be in the form of repatriation and assistance when they arrive home, but not deportation.
Politiken 10 March 2010 p:4 (in Danish)
Refugees poured into poverty statistics
Figures from the Labor Movement shows that long-term poverty is a growing problem among immigrants. While only 0.6 per cent of the Danes are poor, students omitted, 5.4 per cent of immigrants from less developed countries - including many refugees – are poor. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) considers the current legislation in the social sector to be the major problem behind this. Mette Blauenfeldt, head of the Center for Vulnerable Refugees in Danish Refugee Council, says that reduced benefits, putting a cap on cash assistance and reducing help for spouses, among other things, have affected ethnic minorities and refugees. Blauenfeldt also says that the DRC fears for the children who grow up in these families and questions how they will be able to cope in the future when their parents have not been able to afford to give them a proper childhood. The new figures show that the proportion of long term poor migrants from less developed countries has doubled from 2001 to 2007.
Berlingske Tidende 9 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/danmark/flygtninge-fylder-i-fattigdomsstatistik-0
DR 9 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/09/184425.htm
Refugees and immigrants often subjected to coercion
A study published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia shows that mentally ill refugees and immigrants are hospitalized by force more frequently and are exposed to more coercive measures during their hospitalization at the psychiatric ward than their Danish counterparts. Especially vulnerable are men who have come to Denmark as refugees. The survey was conducted by PhD Marie Nørredam from the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen. She believes that there are several possible explanations for the findings. Refugees and immigrants may indeed be more sick than the Danes due to stress or trauma experienced in their home countries. Other explanations may be that patients with refugee and immigrant backgrounds become sick because they do not contact health professionals in time. A total of 312,300 individuals, both immigrants, refugees and Danish control persons, participated in the study.
Dagens Medicin 8 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dagensmedicin.dk//nyheder/2010/03/08/flygtninge-og-indvandrere-/index.xml
Finland
Police start investigation into threats against Migration Minister
Police have begun investigating threats made on the internet against the Minister of Migration and European Affiairs, Astrid Thors. Senior Police Commissioner Göran Wennqvist of the National Bureau of Investigation says the case is being treated as an illegal threat. Police are separately investigating a Facebook group falsely opened in the minister's name as a case of slander. Wennqvist adds a suspect has been questioned and has admitted guilt. Two weeks ago, Astrid Thors asked the police to investigate threats of violence made against her on Facebook saying the comments can no longer be justified as free speech. The National Bureau of Investigation is also examining an online hate site that calls for the murder of leading Finnish politicians as well as immigrants. The Finnish-language site is registered to a long-time American neo-Nazi.
YLE 8 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/police_start_investigation_into_threats_against_migration_minister_1513202.html
YLE 8 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/etela-karjala/2010/03/ministeri_thorsin_tappouhasta_rikostutkinta_1512830.html
Decisions on asylum applications take longer
Asylum-seekers in Finland have to wait for decisions on their asylum applications longer than before. For example, asylum-seekers at a reception center in Kemi municipality receive their decisions in 20 months, while last year the decisions arrived in one year. One family at the Kemi reception center has waited for their asylum decisions since December 2008. After receiving decisions on their asylum applications the asylum-seekers at the Kemi reception center still have to wait for months for their so-called municipal placements, which can be obtained in Kemi, Rovaniemi and Tornio municipalities.
YLE 8 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/alueet/perameri/2010/03/turvapaikkapaatoksen_saaminen_vie_pitkaan_1511067.html
Finnish Supreme Court dismisses two appeals
The Supreme Administrative Court on Monday ruled against two elderly women who wanted to stay in Finland with their families. Egyptian citizen Eveline Fadayel and Russian citizen Irina Antonova will not be granted residence permits in Finland. This means that there are no legal obstacles to their expulsion from Finland. With no family in Egypt, Ms Fadayel, 65, has lived with her sons in Vantaa in southern Finland for almost three years. Under Finnish law, grandparents are not considered part of the nuclear family in a way that would entitle them to benefit from family unification. The court also refused to make an exception for humanitarian reasons. Antonova has been living with her daughter after coming to Finland in 2008 on a visitor's visa.
Helsinki Times 8 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10168-finnish-top-court-dismisses-eveline-fadayels-appeal-.html
Helsingin Sanomat 9 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Two+grandmothers+to+be+deported/1135253545954
YLE 8 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/helsinki/helsinki/2010/03/egyptilaisen_isoaidin_oleskelulupavalitus_hylattiin_1513219.html
Latvia
Illegal transportation of migrants to EU through Latvia
Illegal transportation of migrants from developing countries to the EU countries trough Latvia grows every year. Migrants from African and Asian countries arrive to Latvia from Russia, get fake documents and are transported further to Finland, Germany, and Holland. Persons who organize illegal migration earn around EUR 20,000 for each migrant.
Integration and Minority Information Service 10 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.humanrights.org.lv/html/25501.html
Integration and Minority Information Service 9 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.humanrights.org.lv/html/25501.html
Norway
Far fewer asylum-seekers in Norway
So far this year, there have been 1,552 asylum-applications registered in Norway, which is 39 per cent less for the same period last year. Most asylum-seekers come from Eritrea, Afghanistan and Somalia. According to new figures from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), four out of ten asylum-seekers come from one of these three countries.
NRK 9 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7029712
UNE broke the law
Two new verdicts in the Oslo District Court shows that the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) broke the law when they tried to evict two families who had been staying in Norway for a long time. In 2006, a majority of the members of Parliament decided that it was important to take the well-being of the children into consideration when deciding if asylum-seeking families should be allowed to stay in Norway or not. According to attorney Arild Humlen, the two latest verdicts show that the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board's decisions did not match the Parliament's intentions and that the UNE have been too strict when assessing cases. Director of the Immigration Appeals Board, Terje Sjeggestad, says that the criticism is uncalled for and that the UNE is considering to appeal the two new verdicts.
NRK 10 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7029485
Rygge settlement of refugees delayed
In the end of 2009, Rygge municipality was housing ten underage unaccompanied refugees - two in foster care and the rest divided among two ordinary homes in the Ekholt area. Finn A. Jensen (KrF) believed that there must be a goal for Rygge municipality to accept five to seven new refugees in 2010, while Jon Aga (SV) wanted to settle 15 people. However, they received little support for their proposals. The Socialist Left Party and the Christian Democratic Party tried, but the majority of the council in Rygge municipality wanted to postpone the work of refugee settlement. Frode Klemp (FRP) believed that the housing of refugees is far too expensive.
Moss Avis 10 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.moss-avis.no/nyheter/rygge-droyer-med-bosetting-av-flyktninger-1.4769446
Sweden
China rejects spy case findings
China has strongly denied allegations that it illegally gathered information on members of the Uighur community after a Swedish court jailed a man for spying. Babur Maihesuti, a 62-year-old Uighur man who had been living in Sweden for 13 years as a political refugee, was sentenced by a Stockholm court to 16 months in prison on Monday for spying on expatriates from the mainly Muslim minority. He had given the data to a Chinese diplomat and journalist who, on assignment from the nation's intelligence service, carried out operations in Sweden for Beijing, the court said.
The Local 9 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25428/20100309/
Sveriges Radio 9 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3495827
Dagens Nyheter 9 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/kina-kritiserar-svensk-spiondom-1.1058180
Dagbladet 9 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://dagbladet.se/nyheter/inrikes/1.1870441-kinesisk-kritik-mot-svensk-spiondom
Hundreds of refugee children gone into hiding in Sweden
Hundreds of children have escaped from the Swedish refugee reception centers during the recent years. Some of the children flee to other countries, but many still reside in Sweden, hidden, and without a family. Over 700 unaccompanied refugee children have gone into hiding in Sweden since 2005. The Migration Board does not know where they have gone, and the National Board of Health and Welfare say they do not bear any responsibility over the hidden children. In Malmö, the Social Services have no track at all on the children. According to Christina Heilborn, Children Rights lawyer at UNICEF, this appears to be the case also in several other municipalities. According to Heilborn, it is important that the Social Services can help these children and that there is no obligation to notify the police.
Sveriges Radio 9 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/sida/artikel.aspx?ProgramId=1646&Artikel=3494759
Sweden loses case in Strasbourg
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ruled that Sweden would be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights were it to deport an Iranian dissident. The Iranian man applied for asylum in Sweden in 2003, claiming that he had taken part in a demonstration against the Iranian regime in 2001, and that he had been arrested, tortured and imprisoned for two years before managing to flee the prison and the country. In 2007 a Swedish Migration Court decided to put its decision to send the man back to Iran on hold. The European Court finds the man's story credible and believes that the statement from the man's doctor supports the torture claims. If the Swedish authorities doubt this, they should have asked for expert advice, according to the European court. If the man is deported to Iran he could face inhuman treatment, the Court says.
Dagens Nyheter 10 March 2010 p:10 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 9 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3496438
Sveriges Radio 9 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3496297
Sveriges Television 9 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1920520/sverige_forlorade_i_europadomstolen
Gender-based violence no obvious reason for asylum
Each year, there are women who come to Sweden to seek for protection from gender-based violence. In order to investigate the situation in Northern Iraq, the Swedish Migration Board, the Swedish Red Cross and the Swedish Refugee Advice Center conducted a joint trip to the Kurdish-controlled parts of Iraq in April 2009. The Migration Board indicates that the number of honour killings in the area decreased by 60 percent between 2007 and 2008. In 2008, 117 women were murdered. According to Anna-Pia Beier, lawyer at the Swedish Refugee Advice Center, the situation in the area has improved, but women still lack protection. She believes that women at risk for honour-related violence should be granted a residence permit in Sweden and not be returned to Northern Iraq. In order to get asylum in Sweden, it is generally required that the asylum-seeker can prove that she has sought protection through agencies or organizations in Kurdistan and that she has been unable to obtain such protection.
Göteborgs Fria Tidning 8 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.goteborgsfria.nu/artikel/82794
Thursday 11 March to Friday 12 March 2010
Finland
Finland is once again accepting quota refugees from Afghanistan
Finland's refugee quota will remain the same as last year, 750 refugees. Finland has not accepted Afghan quota refugees since 2005, as the situation in the country was thought to have improved rapidly. Now the conditions in Afghanistan and Iran have become more difficult, and many refugees are not able to return home. On Thursday, the group of Ministers that is responsible for immigration issues supported the Ministry of Interior's proposal, according to which Finland will receive 200 Iraqi refugees from Syria, 150 Burmese refugees from Thailand, 150 Congolese refugees from Rwanda and 150 Afghan refugees from Iran. In addition, Finland is prepared to take 100 refugees requiring urgent placement.
Helsingin Sanomat 11 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lD0En
YLE 11 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lE0Eo
Latvia
Reform of the Naturalization Board
The head of the Naturalization Board (NB) Igors Gorbunovs believes that reform of the NB and its merger with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs have not hindered the examination of applications for naturalization. According to Gorbunovs, there is a small increase in the number of applicants for naturalization. A new tendency is that a majority of the applicants are men, while during the previous years there were more women applicants. Also, some applicants want to receive naturalization in order to leave the country.
Integration and Minority Information Service 11 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0Ey
Norway
Northern Iraq will not accept forcibly returned asylum-seekers
The authorities in the Kurdish north of Iraq refuse to let chartered aircrafts with deported asylum-seekers land, despite the fact that Norwegian authorities have made a return agreement with the central government in Baghdad. Northern Iraqi authorities believe that the agreement is in violation of human rights. Kaveh Mahmoud, a spokesman for the Kurdish regional government, says that they have sent a message to the airports in the area asking that them not to accept refugees who have been sent back involuntarily. Mahmoud agrees with the UN's assessment that the area is not secure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is surprised that the northern Iraqi government refuses to accept Norwegian aircrafts. Norwegian police, who are responsible for the deportations confirms that they know that the Norwegian charters with forcibly returned asylum-seekers are unwanted in the area. The deportations to Northern Iraq will continued in a more anonymous way through regular scheduled flights.
NRK 11 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lF0Ep
Verdens Gang 11 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lG0Eq
Sweden
Lack of control in housing solutions for refugee children
According to a new study, the reception of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children has major flaws. In most cases, when a child is placed in a foster family, homes are investigated in advance by the social services. However, in the case of refugee children, the best case scenario is that this is done retrospectively. Municipalities will now face stricter regulations. The most acute cases are when children are placed with relatives or friends immediately upon arrival, or that they are already in a home when they register as asylum-seekers. Often, these are families that already are living under tough conditions, and who may feel forced to take in the children.
Dagens Nyheter 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lH0Er
Sharp reaction to Billström's statements
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, reacted sharply to the statements made by the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström in the TV-programme Konflikt on Saturday. According to Hammarberg, Sweden does not have to comply with the Dublin Regulations and return underage asylum-seekers to inhuman conditions in Malta. Hammarberg stressed that Sweden should follow the UN refugee agency UNHCR's recommendations on the handling of asylum cases. In the programme, Billström said that Sweden, under the so-called Dublin Regulation, has returned unaccompanied refugee children into the first country they have sought asylum in, although some countries are in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and do not meet human rights standards.
Sveriges Radio 10 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lI0Es
Family reunification rules tightened
The Riksdag voted 152-144 in favour of a proposal that says that anyone living in Sweden and wishing to bring relatives from another country to live there, must be able to support the relatives and provide housing of adequate standard. The change will come into effect on 15 February. The opposition voted against the proposal. A number of exemptions will be made. These include: children, individuals with refugee status or in specific need of protection, individuals who have been permanent residents in Sweden for a minimum of four years. The aim with the change is to encourage more immigrants to live in areas where there are jobs and housing.
Dagens Nyheter 11 March 2010 p:9 (in Swedish)
Tightened family reunification requirements for Somalis
From now on it will be more difficult for Somalis to reunite with their families in Sweden. On Thursday the Migration Board made a decision on how applications from relatives of Somalis who have been granted asylum in Sweden should be handled. The decision is a consequence of two rulings of the Migration Court of Appeal in January. For applicants from Somalia it is sufficient if they can prove their identity, but for family reunification, the asylum-seekers relatives need to possess a valid passport. In Somalia, where one of the world's worst civil wars has raged since 1991, there are no proper passports. Before the new rulings the Swedish authorities had lower identity requirements for family members of asylum-seekers. Somalis are the largest group of asylum-seekers in Sweden. Last year, 5,874 Somalis sought asylum in Sweden and the number of family reunifications amounted to 9,562.
Dagens Nyheter 11 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/krigsdrabbade-somaliers-flykt-stryps-1.1059454
Ambassador concerned over sudden Roma influx
Sweden's ambassador in Belgrade Krister Bringeus has expressed concern over the number of Serbian citizens seeking asylum in Sweden in the wake of a recent relaxation of visa restrictions. According to Ambassador Bringeus there are currently 770 Serbian citizens in Sweden, most of whom are Roma, who are requesting political asylum. He notes further that all 770 persons came to Sweden in the last two months. He believes that none of them will be granted asylum and that all will be sent back home in the coming days. Travel agents are suspected to have set up bus tours to EU countries luring locals with stories that they would get political asylum, a job and a house there. Macedonia and Serbia have agreed to investigate the possibility of prosecuting the organizers of the bus lines.
The Local 11 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lK0Eu
Sveriges Radio 11 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lL0Ev
Crowded at a reception centre in Gävle
Within two weeks, about 1,000 persons from the Balkans have come to Sweden to seek for asylum. The majority of them have come by bus via the Öresund Bridge and the ports of Malmö and Gothenburg. In order to help the Migration Board Units in Southern Sweden, the Asylum Procedures Unit in Gävle received nearly 200 of these persons last week, which is significantly more than during a normal week. In December, the visa requirements for Serbs who want to travel to an EU country were dropped, which is seen as a likely cause to the increased influx of refugees from that area. According to information provided to the Migration Board, there are organized bus trips from the Balkans to Sweden.
Gefle Dagblad 10 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lM0Ew
Arbetarbladet 10 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lN0Ex
Iraqi refugees in a nationwide action
A nationwide operation "Aktion 2010" will bring together hidden Iraqi refugees to write new asylum applications. These persons are primarily from Iraq's minority communities. Lena Blom from the Swedish Church estimates that there are nearly 3,500 Iraqis living in hiding in Sweden. She believes that many of them will join the campaign. Figures provided by the Police show that approximately 9,000 persons have gone into hiding in Sweden after having received negative decisions on their asylum applications. A large proportion of them are Iraqis.
Sveriges Radio 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lO0Ey
UNHCR in the news
Cycling to South Africa for refugee awareness
The world's refugees are getting support from a Norwegian footballer's World Cup travel plan. This year's FIFA World Cup will be the first one to be held in Africa, and former footballer Bjørn Heidenstrøm is doing his best to make his trip to South Africa a memorable one. The Norwegian is cycling and hitchhiking to the tournament from Oslo in an effort to raise awareness of refugee issues, using the generosity of what he enthusiastically refers to as "the football family" to help smooth his path. When Helsinki Times caught up with Heidenstrøm he was in the Sudanese capital Khartoum plotting his next move with the experience of a man who has already passed through three continents on his epic journey. Heidenstrøm explains that UNHCR will help him from Sudan to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and introduce some of the organizations work to him.
Helsinki Times 10 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCdtM0ZqnfK0aYE0D1lP0Ez
Saturday 13 March to Monday 15 March 2009
Denmark
Large number of refugee children
The immigration authorities and NGOs are experiencing difficulties in keeping up with the increasing number of unaccompanied refugee children. 469 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers arrived in Denmark last year, of whom 337 were Afghans. This is twice as many as during 2008. According to the Border police in Southern Jutland, many are transported by human smugglers. A Red Cross spokesman says many of the children claim to have fled from Afghanistan out of fear for the Taliban and the prospect of being forced to become suicide bombers. The Liberal Party's spokesperson on integration, Karsten Lauritzen, said that Denmark has a duty to accept the children 'with open arms'. According to UNHCR, more than 6.000 Afghan children arrived in Europe in 2009 an increase of more than 64 per cent compared 3.800 applications by minors in Europe in 2008.
Politiken 13 March 2010 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 13 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/article2008881.ece
Danmarks Radio 12 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/12/223036.htm
Danmarks Radio 13 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Regioner/Nordvestsjaelland/Nyheder/Holbaek/2010/03/13/103609.htm
Finland
Majority of Finns reject increase in immigration
Finns are adopting a more critical attitude towards immigration, reports Helsingin Sanomat. A survey commissioned by the major daily newspaper and carried out by Gallup suggests that nearly 60 per cent of Finns do not want to see more foreigners in Finland. Only a few years ago, in 2007, half of Finns were ready to welcome more immigrants. Heikki Ervasti, a professor of Social Policy at the University of Turku, says that the survey marked a reversal of a trend of rising tolerance that had begun in the 1980s. He also points out that relatively few people actually have contact with immigrants. According to Said Aden, chair of the Finnish Somali League, the outcome of the survey was hardly surprising during a recession. One thousand persons were interviewed in the survey.
YLE 15 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/survey_finns_less_welcoming_of_immigrants_1530369.html
Helsinki Times 15 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10260-majority-of-finnish-public-rejects-increase-in-immigration-.html
Helsingin Sanomat 15 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/L%C3%A4hes+60+prosenttia+ei+ottaisi+lis%C3%A4%C3%A4+maahanmuuttajia/1135254407014?ref=rss
Turun Sanomat 15 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/118102.html
Aamulehti 15 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/hs-suomalaisten-maahanmuuttoasenteet-jyrkentyneet/173274
Hufvudstadbladet 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/3/15/w44362.php
Maryam Rajavi seeks Finnish support for refugee camp
Iran's underground opposition leader Maryam Rajavi calls for Finland to to support Camp Asrafin, an Iranian refugee camp in Iraq. There are some 3 400 members of the Iranian resistance group residing in the camp under difficult circumstances. Rajavi, who on Friday visited the town of Turku in Finland, spoke about the Iranians' situation with Archbishop Jukka Paarma. Rajavi leads the organization of Iranian exiles, NCRI, in Paris. Archbishop Paarma said he had plans to talk about the issue with some ministers during the weekend.
Turun Sanomat 12 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/117676.html
Norway
Directorate of Immigration closes down two reception centers
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) closed down two reception centers for unaccompanied minors in Buskerud and Akershus. According to department director Siri Rustad at UDI, they are unable to keep empty reception centers running. She says that the reception system in Norway has to be flexible and that they have a responsibility of adapting capacity to demand. In this year's first two months, 151 asylum applications by unaccompanied minors were registered. That is less than half of the number of applications received during the same period last year. The closing of the centers is part of a planned reduction of about 250 transit seats for unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers in Eastern Norway.
Verdens Gang 12 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=591714
78 asylum-seekers deported
On Saturday, the Police Immigration Unit (PU) deported 78 persons from Serbia and Macedonia who had had their asylum applications rejected. All were taken to a plane at Gardemoen, specifically chartered for this occasion. The deportation is the biggest in the history of PU. Information Officer Roar Hanssen at the PU said that they were rejected according to the so-called 48-hour rule and had not spent much time in Norway before they were deported. Police said that they have received a large number of asylum-seekers from Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia recently. A potential explanation for this is the abolition of these countries' visa requirements for Schengen countries.
Aftenposten 13 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3563113.ece
Sweden
"Make an exception for refugee children"
Archbishop Anders Wejryd, Swedish Red Cross chairman Bengt Westerberg and President of UNICEF Sweden, Birgitta Dahl, demand in an op-ed in Svenska Dagbladet that Sweden must assume its responsibility and stop returning unaccompanied refugee children to EU countries where they face inhumane treatment. They mention Malta as an example. Children who come to Sweden via Malta have testified about substandard living conditions and violence and abuses by government agents. According to EU legislation, refugees' asylum applications should be handled in the EU country they first came to, but the Dublin Regulations allow governments to make exceptions. Sweden is making a general exception for unaccompanied children who have arrived via Greece, but according to the debaters there are several countries that fail to meet the EU and international law requirements.
Svenska Dagbladet 14 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/opinion/brannpunkt/sverige-blundar-for-barns-basta_4421363.svd
Dagens Nyheter 14 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/gor-undantag-for-flyktingbarnen-1.1060832
Municipalities may be forced to accept refugee children
Government coordinator for unaccompanied children Björn Eriksson says, together with Tobias Billström, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, that unless municipalities voluntarily accept refugee children, a legislation forcing them to do so may be appropriate. According to Eriksson, Sweden is receiving many more unaccompanied refugee children than expected. Approximately 2500 children arrive annually, while the system is structured to accommodate between 300 and 400 children. Negotiations on 850 places more are underway in several municipalities, while 60 new children arrive every week. Municipalities have been reluctant to accept unaccompanied minors. Björn Eriksson says that municipalities fear that the children will cost money and pose problems, although they could help change public attitudes.
Sveriges Radio 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?Artikel=3505267
Sveriges Television 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33831/1.1924667/brister_i_mottagandet_av_ensamma_flyktingbarn?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1924667
Ombudsman backs police on pepper spray at refugee wedding
The Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman (Justitieombudsmannen) has ruled that there is no case to answer for the police officers who interrupted a wedding to arrest a 24-year-old groom at Malmö city hall, using pepper spray on him in the process. The man's wedding on Saturday December 19th in Malmö in southern Sweden was brought to an abrupt halt as police arrested the man, a refugee from Afghanistan wanted by the police after his application for asylum was rejected. The 24-year-old had remained on the run to avoid deportation and resisted arrest, aided by other guests at the wedding. The police officers then used pepper spray to disperse the crowd, which by then included the man's bride. The Swedish Migration Board has since confirmed that preventing the wedding was unnecessary as marriage to a Swedish citizen would not have any effect on the man's deportation as the decision had already been made.
The Local 12 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25496/20100312/
Somalis concerned over new requirements for family reunification
Somalis are concerned about the strict requirements the Swedish Migration Board has put in place for their compatriots who want to be reunited with relatives in Sweden. According to the Migration Board the new passport requirements for relatives of Somalis already residing in Sweden are a mandatory consequence of two rulings of the Migration Court of Appeal. Somali passports are not accepted in Sweden, but exceptions have been made in reunification cases. Now the Migration Board makes rulings based on the interpretation that these exemptions could be removed. Farah Abdisamed Farah, Chairman of the Swedish Somali League (Somaliska riksförbundet), says that the disruption of reunifications is contrary to international law. He is also surprised by the fact that Sweden does not accept Somali passports, while several other Western countries do.
Skånskan 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100312/TTINRIKES/103129871/0/kavlinge/*/somalisk-oro-over-svenskt-flyktstopp
Arbetarbladet 12 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://arbetarbladet.se/nyheter/inrikes/1.1880750-somalisk-oro-over-svenskt-flyktstopp
UNHCR in the news
100.000 forced to flee in Somalia
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, over 100,000 Somalis have been forced to flee the fighting in the war-torn country since the beginning of the year. The refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, is already overcrowded, with 270.000 inhabitants. UNHCR now fears that even more refugees will seek shelter in the camps due to the fighting in Somalia. Spokesman Andrej Mahecic said that UNHCR is extremely concerned by the deteriorating situation for civilians in Somalia, who again are exposed to fierce fighting in Mogadishu and elsewhere in the country. He also said that humanitarian aid organizations are unable to help many of the internally displaced because of fighting between rebels and government troops. A total of 1,4 million Somalis have been forced to flee, and 560,000 have sought refuge in other countries.
NRK 12 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7035793
Mayor wants to vacate the capital
Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor urges all residents of the Somali capital Mogadishu to leave the city because of an imminent, long-awaited, military action by government troops. He says that all civilians should flee from the city's battle zones and move at least two kilometers away from town, so that civilian casualties can be avoided. About half of Mogadishu's residents have already left the city after two decades of conflict. According to the UN Refugee Agency, about 33,000 persons have been driven away from their homes during the past six weeks. There are now approximately 1.5 million people displaced within the country. For several months, government leaders and the military talked about an upcoming strike to regain full control over Mogadishu. A BBC reporter says there are few civilians left in the high-risk combat areas, but that a large number of civilians are still in areas controlled by rebels. The Danish Foreign Ministry has long advised against all travel to Somalia.
Politiken 12 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/udland/article922902.ece
Tuesday 16 March to Wednesday 17 March 2010
Denmark
Active immigrants will receive permits faster
One of the elements in the new immigration agreement between the government and the Danish People's Party is that refugees and immigrants should be able to obtain permanent residence in Denmark after four years if they make an active effort to become integrated. Today, it takes seven years. Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn-Hornbech says that the agreement offers improved possibilities for immigrants, who are making an effort in Denmark, to receive permanent residence permits faster. Under the new agreement, you will points based on how you perform in the labor market and how quickly you learn Danish. But you can also get points for engaging in Danish clubs and societies. However, there are also constraints in the new immigration agreement. If a refugee travels back to their home country after he is granted asylum, without obtaining government permission, he or she will have his residence permit suspended for the next 10 years. Also, someone who wants to marry a woman or man from their country of origin, must have been able to support themselves for the past three years. Foreigners' right to vote in local elections will also change. Today, one is able to vote in local elections after three years in Denmark. Under the new agreement, you can only vote after four years.
Danmarks Radio 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/03/16/054609.htm
Berlingske Tidende 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/vko-enig-om-ny-udlaendingeaftale
Jyllands-Posten 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2010929.ece
Politiken 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/politikfakta/article924741.ece
Politiken 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article924758.ece
NB. This story was also covered in Norway, Sweden and Finland
Sveriges Radio 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3560187
Skånskan 16 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100315/TTUTRIKES/100319801/0/trelleborgvellinge/*/tuffare-for-utlanningar
Dagbladet 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://dagbladet.se/nyheter/utrikes/1.1886922-danmark-stramar-at-for-utlanningar
Dagens Nyheter 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/danmark-stramar-at-for-utlanningar-1.1061841
Dagbladet 15 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/03/15/nyheter/utenriks/politikk/danmark/innvandring/10871820/
NRK 15 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7039924
Stavanger Avisen 16 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.stavangeravisen.com/art.asp?id=54766
MTV3 16 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat.shtml/arkistot/ulkomaat/2010/03/1079402
Rønn-Hornbech comments on immigration agreement
Refugees and immigrants who want a residence permit for an indefinite period in Denmark must now meet new requirements. Minister of Integration, Birthe Rønn-Hornbech, does not believe that the presented rules are tighter than before. However, one of the changes is that refugees who travel to their home country may have their permits suspended for ten years. Rønn says that if you are a refugee in Denmark, you will get a note in your passport saying that you should not go home. If you leave for your home country anyway, according to Rønn, you simply may not a refugee, and so you will lose your residence permit. At the same time, unaccompanied refugee children are wanted out of Denmark. Afghan and Iraqi minors will be placed in orphanages in their home country instead. Rønn-Hornbech says that it is not good for young people to be relocated to a new country. She also says that they know - or believe - that many of them are not genuine refugees. Rønn says that the law proposal may be put forward this year.
Berlingske Tidende 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/roenn-sorterer-i-opholdstilladelser
RCT: "Immigration agreement will affect torture victims"
Coordinator Tue Magnussen at the Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT), and Andreas Kamm at the Danish Refugee Council, say that the new rules do not take into account torture victims and other traumatized refugees. Magnussen says that many torture victims have, as a result of torture, difficulties in learning new languages, and can often not work to the same extent as other immigrants. RCT believes that politicians forget that cash benefits and other social services work as compensation for torture victims and other disabled refugees who are unable to work and provide for themselves. Magnussen says that they would have liked for torture victims and other disabled traumatized refugees to explicitly be excluded from to the tougher rules.
Politiken 15 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article924786.ece
Berlingske Tidende 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/organisation-aftale-straffer-svage-flygtninge
Social Liberals' criticism of immigration agreement divides the red block
The government's new immigration agreement with the Danish People's Party separates the Social Liberals from the Social Democrats (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF). While both Ole Sohn (SF) and Henrik Dam Kristensen (S) welcomes the scoring system, the Social Liberal's integration spokesperson, Marianne Jelved, describes the agreement as inhumane. She says that the ones that are the losers in this agreement are those refugees who have traumatic experiences in their past and therefore never will be able to meet the scoring system's requirements. The Unity List's spokesperson Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen says that those who are unable to gain points in the government's point system for permanent residency will be the ones that are the weakest; those who are sick or those who have been scarred by war trauma. Schmidt-Nielsen also comments on the limitations to the participation in general elections, and says that excluding persons from participation in democratic elections, and therefore also excluding them from the community, is the dumbest thing one can do if you want to promote integration.
Politiken 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article925014.ece
Jyllands-Posten 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2011282.ece
Berlingske Tidende 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/r-udlaendingeaftale-er-diskriminerende
Danmarks Radio 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/P3/P3Nyheder/2010/03/16/080142.htm
"Excellent balance in immigration agreement"
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen (V) believes that the new agreement emphasizes a person's own responsibility in the integration process. He says that the agreement means that you quickly obtain a residence permit if you show a desire and an ability to contribute to the Danish society. The prime minister says that the Liberal-Conservative government is the first government that seriously deals with integration.
Jyllands-Posten 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2011439.ece
Every fifth refugee will be excluded
Gerhard Korbo, Danish Refugee Council, says that as result of the new immigration agreement, every fifth refugee will never be able to obtain a permanent residence permit in Denmark. Korbo says that every fifth refugee is illiterate when they arrive in Denmark, and that it is a challenge just to make them learn how to read and write in the first place. It is highly unlikely that they, with that background, will be able to pass 'Test in Danish 2', which is equivalent to Danish in the 9th grade.
Danmarks Radio 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/16/132800.htm
DF wants to deport refugees
Danish People's Party (DF) hopes to be able to deport many refugees with temporary residence permits, especially from Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as part of the new immigration agreement. The party now investigates if the situation in Kosovo, as well as in other countries, is stable enough for Denmark to be allowed, under international conventions, to send asylum-seekers as well as refugees with temporary residence permits home. Danish People's Party's legal draftsman Peter Skaarup says that they will put extra focus on Kosovar Albanians. Skaarup says that there is peace in Kosovo now, and it was never the intention to let the refugees stay in Denmark forever.
Politiken 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article925526.ece
Danmarks Radio 16 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/03/16/175347.htm
Finland
"Angel of Grozny's," asylum application rejected
Finnish immigration officials have rejected the applications for asylum made by Xhadizhat Gataeva and her husband Malik Gataev, known as benefactors of orphans of the war in Chechnya. According to a group supporting the couple, the Gataevs intend to appeal to the Helsinki Administrative Court, and to apply for an interruption of deportation. Xhadizhat Gataeva, also known as the "Angel of Grozny", and her spouse are seeking political asylum in Finland alleging persecution by the Lithuanian security officials and saying that the charges made against them were politically motivated. They had been sentenced by a Lithuanian court to prison terms of a year and a half for allegedly abusing their foster children. The two were apprehended in the Helsinki region in January on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant. In January, the Helsinki District Court refused to extradite the couple to Lithuania as their asylum applications were still pending. The prosecutor appealed against the decision to the Supreme Court, which in turn is waiting for a definition of policy from the European Court of Justice.
YLE 16 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Angel+of+Grozny+to+be+deported/1135254453458
YLE 15 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/tukiryhmagroznyin_enkelin_turvapaikkahakemus_hylatty_1531505.html
Hufvudstadsbladet 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/3/15/w44414.php
Vantaa to suspend the granting or municipal places
The City of Vantaa plans to suspend the granting of municipal places for asylum-seekers for a period of two years citing a lack of resources. Over the past two years, a total of almost 350 asylum-seekers moved to Vantaa, an increase of 70 per cent. According to Anna Cantell-Forsbom, Service Manger, Psychosocial Services at the City of Vantaa, the city is not preventing the move of asylum-seekers to the area. The number of asylum-seekers moving independently to the city rose by over 20 percent last year. Cantell-Forsbom stresses that the number of asylum-seekers has increased dramatically in recent years. Limiting the number of municipal places is the only way to guarantee the provision of integration services for existing residents.
YLE 16 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/vantaa_no_new_municipal_asylum_seeker_places_for_two_years_1533911.html
YLE 16 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/helsinki/helsinki/2010/03/vantaa_keskeyttaa_pakolaisten_vastaanoton_1533800.html
Helsingin Sanomat 16 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/artikkeli/Pääkaupunkiseutu+sulki+ovet+kiintiöpakolaisilta/1135254469071
Aamulehti 16 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/ei-sanoi-vantaa-kiintiopakolaisille/173456
Housing shortage might lead to interruptions in reception of refugees
The Ministry of Interior's Migration Department fears the lack of resources leads to interruptions in the reception of quota refugees in several municipalities. Finding housing in particular has proved to be difficult for municipalities. According to the Ministry of Migration Department senior inspector Tiina Pesonen, the decision of the city of Vantaa is unfortunate, but it was to be expected. She adds that the debate in larger municipalities in the metropolitan area has concentrated specifically on the adequacy of housing. The reception of refugees is voluntary for municipalities.
YLE 17 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/alueet/helsinki/helsinki/2010/03/asuntopula_jarruttaa_pakolaisten_vastaanottoa_1535527.html
Thors: Several municipalities are considering receiving refugees
The Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors (Swedish People's Party) does not think that other municipalities have taken the same direction in their immigration policies as Vantaa. According to Minister Thors, several small municipalities are currently considering receiving refugees. Above all, Thors hopes that municipalities would appreciate what a resource it is to receive new inhabitants in this way.
YLE 17 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/thors_monet_kunnat_harkitsevat_pakolaisten_vastaanottoa_1535619.html
Border Guard thwarted 3,200 illegal entries
The Finnish Border Guard says it prevented 3,200 attempts of illegal immigration last year. Nearly every attempt originated from Russia. Immigration officials say that as a rule, people who come to Finland illegally are either victims of human trafficking, or they intend to commit crimes in Finland or elsewhere in Europe. In addition to pre-emptive measures taken abroad, the Border Guard says it stops hundreds of illegal immigrants at border crossings. South-eastern border checkpoints seize hundreds of forged documents which are used to try and enter Finland.
YLE 17 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/border_guard_thwarted_3200_illegal_entries_1535803.html
Sweden
Continued custody for asylum-seekers
Last year over 250 asylum-seekers were placed in custody in Sweden even though they had not committed any crime. If an asylum-seeker is deemed to be a security risk, the Migration Board decides to have the person placed in custody. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service, which is forced to place asylum-seekers in custody cells, is critical. Sweden has also been criticized by the UN Committee against Torture and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Last autumn the Migration Board calculated that 128 asylum-seekers were placed in custody for security reasons during the first half of 2009. Migration Board staff maintained that new routines were under way that would lead to fewer asylum-seekers being placed in custody. New figures show, however, that 131 asylum-seekers were placed in custody for security reasons in the last half of 2009. A report on the situation was to be presented to the government this year but is now likely to be delayed until next year.
Dagens Nyheter 16 March 2010 p:8-9 (in Swedish)
Hidden refugees delivering papers
News reports claim that more and more illegal refugees and immigrants who are paid very low wages are being used to deliver morning newspapers - as the hired workers meant to do the job receive full salaries. Distributors in western Sweden last year fired 50 persons who let other persons deliver the papers for them. It is not known how many of these persons used immigrants without permission to work in Sweden or refugees who have gone underground after their request for asylum was rejected. The solution is to set up more manned distribution centers so that face-to-face contact can be maintained with the deliverers.
Sveriges Radio 16 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?nyheter=1&programid=2054&artikel=3509413
Sveriges Radio 15 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/goteborg/nyheter/arkiv.asp?ProgramID=212&Min=2001-05-15&PeriodStart=2010-03-16&Period=2&Artikel=3508483
Sweden a safe haven for opponents of Hamas
On Monday the Swedish Migration Board stated that there are prevailing tensions in Hamas controlled areas of the Gaza strip, and Hamas authorities do not always guarantee the safety of Gaza inhabitants. The statement means that more Palestinians from the Gaza strip could receive asylum in Sweden, according to Mikael Ribbenvik, head of legal affairs at the Migration Board. In its statement, the board also refers to reports about arbitrary detention, the torture of political prisoners, and summary executions of people accused of collaborating with Israel. In 2009, 912 stateless refugees sought asylum in Sweden. Many of these were Palestinians, but the Migration Board has no definite figures. The Board also maintains that it is fully possible to return persons to the Gaza strip following a deportation order.
Dagens Nyheter 16 March 2010 p:12 (in Swedish)
Söderhamn municipality criticizes the Swedish Migration Board
The political leadership in Söderhamn municipality critizices the Migration Board for misusing municipal solidarity by sending too many asylum-seekers to Söderhamn. In order to receive all asylum-seekers Söderhamn municipality has had to accommodate refugees at a campsite. In mid-January there were 582 asylum-seekers in Söderhamn. Municipal leaders in Söderhamn say that if all local authorities took their responsibilities, Söderhamn would have to receive only 80 - 90 refugees per year and these refugees would get a better reception. On Friday, municipal leaders will meet with the Migration Board to discuss the situation.
Dagens Nyheter 16 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/soderhamn-far-for-manga-asylsokande-1.1061896
Sveriges Television 16 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33557/1.1929013/kommunen_kritisk_till_migrationsverket?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1929013
Sweden Democrats still state refugee issues as priority
Svenska Dagbladet's interview with the top 25 Sweden Democrats' candidates standing in the election shows that immigration and refugee issues are still at the forefront of the party's agenda. Even those who give priority to criminal and elderly policy will generally make it with a clear link to immigration and integration. The party's main task is to limit immigration and pursue a policy of assimilation, believes the vast majority of the 25 top names of the parliamentary list. The study also shows that half of Sweden Democrats' candidates standing in the election have either been active members of the Moderate Party or previously voted for the party.
Svenska Dagladet 16 Mars 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/sds-partitopp-hamtas-fran-m_4428903.svd
Sweden offers refuge to exiled Iranian activist
Iranian journalist and women's rights activist Parvin Ardalan has accepted Sweden's offer of refuge. Ardalan, who has been sentenced to several jail terms in Iran on charges of seeking to harm national security, won the 2007 Olof Palme Prize in Sweden for her work to promote women's rights in her home country. Teheran's refusal to allow her to attend the ceremony in March 2008 caused outrage in the Scandinavian country.
The Local 16 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25548/20100316/
Göran Holm on Vellinge local council's decision to receive refugees
The local council in Vellinge agreed late last autumn to allow the municipality to receive unaccompanied refugee children, thus reversing its long standing position on the issue. The decision was followed by a stormy debate in both Vellinge and the rest of the country. In a Sveriges Television programme, "Uppdrag Granskning", the moderate politician Göran Holm gives two different versions for reasons behind the decision. In front of the camera he says it was a very easy decision to make, since the municipality receives full financial compensation from the state. Unaware of a hidden microphone, he expresses himself differently and says that if Vellinge had not signed an agreement to receive three to five refugee children, the town would have had to follow a legislation according to which the number would have been 30 to 50 instead.
Sveriges Television 17 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/vellinge-svangde-under-piskan_4435927.svd
Skånskan 17 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100317/TRELLEBORGVELLINGE/100319737/0/*/*/vellinge-svangde-under-piskan
Thursday 18 March to Friday 19 March 2010
Denmark
Deporting asylum-seeking children to orphanages
Last year, 469 unaccompanied minors sought asylum in Denmark, the vast majority came from Afghanistan and Iraq. The government and the Danish People's Party believe that this number is too large. In their new immigration agreement, it has been decided that asylum-seeking children should be sent to orphanages in northern Iraq and Afghanistan. However, according to some experts and interest groups, such deportations are in violations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Claes Juul, legal advisor at Amnesty International, says that they are responsible for any child on Danish territory and are committed to giving them a life without violence, whereas now these children are deported to countries where it will be extremely hard to ensure that they do not become victims of violence. The organisation Save the Children states that several of the proposals are contrary to international conventions and that politicians, in their attempts to tighten immigration laws, forget that they are dealing with children.
Jyllands-Posten 17 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/aar/politik/article2013646.ece
Berlingske Tidende 17 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/asylboern-skal-blive-i-hjemlandet
Danmarks Radio 18 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/17/234941.htm
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Stavanger Avisen 18 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.stavangeravisen.com/art.asp?id=54802
Local SF politicians: No to immigration agreement
53 per cent of the Socialist People's Party (SF) local presidents have declared themselves to partly agree or strongly agree with the Social Liberals (RV) spokesperson, Marianne Jelved, who has described the new scoring system in the immigration agreement as "inhuman" and "xenophobic". 23 per cent say that they partially disagree with the Social Liberals, while no one says that they strongly disagree. Although SF has yet to decide whether to vote yes or no to the overall agreement, it is nevertheless clear that they will vote as the Social Democrats do in order to cement the two parties' close cooperation.
Jyllands-Posten 17 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2013623.ece
Arms dealers benefit from Danish aid
In a UN report published on Tuesday, SAACID, which is the Danish Refugee Council's main partner in the Somali capital Mogadishu, along with a transportation company, is accused of being involved in several incidences of fraud over the past few years. Danish Refugee Council's Director General, Andreas Kamm, stresses that the organization monitors that relief reaches the right people, and that if they find a disingenuous partner, they will of course not continue to work with them.
Politiken 17 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/udland/article926462.ece
Danmarks Radio 17 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Udland/2010/03/17/182915.htm
Burmese quota refugees to Denmark
156 Burmese refugees are coming to Denmark under the UN's refugee quota scheme. UNHCR's criteria for refugee status gives people who are persecuted in their homeland the right to seek asylum in other countries. The vast majority of refugees from Myanmar are from one of the country's many ethnic groups who for years has been in armed conflict with the military junta, because they do not have the same rights as ethnic Burmese. The persecution of ethnic minorities has worsened in recent years. According to Yante Ismail from UNHCR's (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) office in Kuala Lumpur, Denmark is one of the ten key countries that resettle Burmese refugees. Ismail says that considering Denmark's size, they accept a relatively large number. In September, Minister of Integration, Birthe Rønn Hornbech was criticized for choosing Burmese over Iraqi refugees. She then said that one of the reasons for this was because they have good experience from integrating quota refugees from Burma.
Kristeligt Dagblad 19 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/359997:Danmark--Burmesere-flygter-til-Danmark
Finland
Thors: there are many ways to help refugees
Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors is skeptical towards the proposal of the Left Youth to help hide refugees. She is pleased that citizens take the refugees' side, but points out the risks of breaking the law. Thors fears that assisting refugees illegally can help strengthen the conflicts surrounding immigration. She refers to other European countries where it has become an offense to help refugees. Thors prefers to highlight positive examples where immigrants have received assistance within the framework of law. She mentions collaboration with the refugee center at Uudenmaankatu in Helsinki that resulted in joint snow shoveling in the city. "Friend families" is another example of how citizens can help support immigrants, according to Minister Thors.
YLE 18 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=181994
Egyptian grandmother to be deported
The Immigration Police has ordered Eveline Fadayel, an Egyptian grandmother who has fought to stay in Finland with her sons, to leave Finland by March 29. Her family members in Finland say she is unable to live on her own in Egypt, where she has no relatives. As a Coptic Christian, she also faces persecution there. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, Evangelical Lutheran Archbishop Jukka Paarma and Finnish Orthodox Archbishop Leo have all earlier urged the government and the courts to let her stay in Finland. The relatives of Irina Antonova, a Russian grandmother, have also submitted a new application for a residence permit. Both Fadayel's and Antonova's applications were rejected because Finnish law does not consider grandparents to be part of the immediate family, and therefore they do not have the same right of residence as parents of minors, for example.
YLE 18 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/egyptian_grandmother_to_be_deported_1538639.html
YLE 17 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/ulkomaalaispoliisi_tylyna_egyptilaismummolle_1537925.html
YLE 18 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/venalaisisoaidilta_uusi_oleskelulupahakemus_1540796.html
Migration Minister wants to discuss conditions of residence permits
The Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors will invite representatives of parliamentary groups to discus the issue of core family as a condition for residence permits. She would like to discuss whether the current interpretation of the Aliens act is reasonable. The debate will take place in early April.
YLE 19 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/talous_ja_politiikka/2010/03/thors_haluaa_keskustelua_isovanhempien_oleskeluluvista_1543506.html
Aamulehti 19 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/maahanmuuttopolitiikka-thors-kutsuu-eduskuntaryhmat-isoaitikeskusteluun/173745
Foreign Minister Stubb defends immigration and multiculturalism
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party), Finland's current debate on immigration has taken on a negative slant. In his view, the problem with the immigration debate in Finland is that the various nuances of immigration are not distinguished; people come to Finland for work, as asylum-seekers, as refugees, and as quota refugees. He denounces the linkage of asylum-seekers with abuse of social welfare as low-brow populism. While emphasizing the benefits of multiculturalism and internationalism, Stubb also feels that an open debate is necessary when it comes to problems in connection with immigration. Minister Stubb says that it is his personal opinion that two foreign grandmothers, Egyptian citizen Eveline Fadayel, and Russian citizen Irina Antonova should not be deported from Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 19 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Foreign+Minister+Stubb+defends+immigration+and+multiculturalism/1135254813307
YLE 19 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=182107
The Ministry of the Interior wants to place refugees more evenly
Because of Vantaa's decision to suspend the reception of quota refugees, the Ministry of the Interior wants to locate refugees more evenly in municipalities in the capital area. In the beginning of the year the state increased the compensation municipalities receive for taking refugees by ten per cent. Municipalities receive nearly 7,000 euros per year for a refugee under seven years old and more than 2,000 euros for a refugee who is older than seven years.
YLE 17 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/helsinki/helsinki/2010/03/ministerio_haluaa_pakolaiset_tasaisemmin_kuntiin_1537177.html
North Karelia receives illegal immigrants
The Border Guard and the North Karelia Regional Police have revealed a case of illegal immigration, where at least a dozen persons came to North Karelia on false travel documents and birth certificates in 2008 - 2009. According to the authorities the asylum-seekers who claimed to be Sri Lankans where in fact Indian citizens and organized crime is suspected to have been involved. The asylum-seekers came to Finland via Russia.
YLE3 18 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/rikos.shtml/arkistot/rikos/2010/03/1081719
Norway
Wants to reduce number of asylum-seekers with the help of EU
Minister of Justice Knut Storberget will adopt EU regulations in hope that it then will be easier to reduce the the number of asylum-seekers. Storberget said that it is wrong to believe that Norway can stand alone in the asylum field in Europe. He said that it is important to inform oneself about what is happening in the EU if Norway wants to be able to achieve a lasting reduction of asylum-seekers with unfounded applications. However, the changing of the rules could increase the legal safeguards of asylum-seekers coming to Norway. Researcher and sociologist Jan-Paul Brekke believes that a closer harmonization with EU regulations will be positive for asylum seekers. He said that Norway would no longer be able to violate EU's minimum standards.
NRK 19 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7045946
Verdens Gang 19 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/norsk-politikk/artikkel.php?artid=591857
Sweden
Norway tightens rules for refugee children
Norway received over 2,400 unaccompanied refugee children last year, an increase of 75 per cent from the previous year. This year the number is expected to reduce dramatically since Norway has recently tightened its refugee legislation. Previously, unaccompanied minors received a permanent residence permit in Norway, but now they are granted a time-limited residence permit that is valid until they are 18 years old. Norway is also planning to build an orphanage in the Afghan capital Kabul and in Baghdad in Iraq in order to return unaccompanied children there. According to Hanne Mathisen, Spokeswoman for the UNHCR Regional Office in Stockholm, the new law has already had an effect, since there is a clear reduction in the number of unaccompanied children who have come to Norway in early 2010. "Authorities say this means that the measures are working", Mathisen says, and stresses that it should be examined whether it is in the best interest of a child to be sent to Kabul, if the child does not have any family, or the family is living in one of the neighboring countries, Iran or Pakistan. She also adds that UNHCR is currently discussing the situation with the Norwegian authorities, and that there are arguments against Norway's plans.
Sveriges Radio 18 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3565178
Sweden fears camps will grow permanent
After visiting the Al Salaam refugee camp on Wednesday, Gunilla Carlsson, the Minister for International Development Cooperation, expressed concerns that many of the displaced persons in Darfur's camps would not return to their villages when peace returns to the region. According to the UN, only one-third of the 2.7 million displaced persons intend to return home. Ms Carlsson says there is a risk that the camps will become permanent. She goes on to say that the main responsibility lies with the Sudanese government to allow the displaced persons to return home, and that Sweden will support this.
Dagens Nyheter 18 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/sverige-fruktar-att-lagren-blir-permanenta-1.1063351
Maltese deportations are "shocking"
Sweden's deportation of child refugees to Malta has aroused substantial criticism from organizations like Save the Children and the Red Cross, which accuse the Migration Board of sending back refugees to dangerous, unhealthy conditions. Joseph Cassar, head of Jesuit Refugee Service, an organization that helps the steadily increasing influx of refugees deported to Malta, calls the government's actions "shocking." Cassar says that there are no separate facilities for children and that children are kept with the adults and they have the same conditions as the adults. The priest says that he is surprised that Sweden sends people there at all, as the Maltese justice minister has said that the refugee camps are meant to act as "a deterrent."
Sveriges Radio 17 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3563698
Vellinge's top politician distances himself from Holm's statements
The moderate politician in Vellinge Lars-Ingvar Ljungman distances himself from Göran Holm's statements in SVT's programme Uppdrag Granskning. "I strongly disagree with Göran Holm's statements," writes Ljungman and wants to make clear that the decision to accept unaccompanied refugee children originated in his own initiative, as a result of the public opinion in Sweden and because he realized that the refugee reception in Sweden would collapse without more local authorities assuming their respnsibilities.
Skånskan 17 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100317/TRELLEBORGVELLINGE/100319725/1057
Asylum-seekers unable to receive ID cards
It has become more difficult for refugees to obtain identity cards in Sweden.
According to the Migration Board, it is very common that asylum-seekers come to Sweden without identity papers. Previously, municipal officials could certify the identity of an asylum-seeker in collaboration with the Migration Board. But since 2009 the Swedish Tax Agency, in principle, does not approve the investigation done by the Migration Board. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) believes that it is not the municipalities' responsibility to identify the identity of individuals and therefore it has urged the government to solve the problem. It is unclear how many persons can not get ID cards at the moment, but SKL estimates that the number could be as many as 20,000 persons.
Arbetarbladet 19 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://arbetarbladet.se/nyheter/gavle/1.1895303-id-kort-ingen-sjalvklarhet-for-flyktingar
UNHCR in the news
The influx of refugees from Somalia to Yemen has increased dramatically
The influx of persons fleeing from Somalia's civil war and poverty to Yemen has sharply increased in recent years. Hundreds of new refugees arrive at Yemen's largest refugee camp al-Kharaz every day. There are some 17,000 persons living permanently in difficult conditions in the camp, most of them have arrived from Somalia over the Gulf of Aden. Somalis arrive in Yemen along two main pathways: from Bossasso over the Gulf of Aden or from Djibouti over the Red Sea. The sea route from Bossasso takes longer but costs less. According to Rocco Nuri from the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR in Aden, there is a regional network of smuggling behind, and he adds that it is big business. The traffickers are Somalis and Ethiopians, but some Yemenis might be also involved.
Helsingin Sanomat 18 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/Pakolaisvirta+Somaliasta+Jemeniin+on+kiihtynyt+rajusti/1135254801146
Turkey an uncertain transit country for asylum-seekers
Millions travel to Turkey every year and according to unofficial sources, there are some 300,000 persons without documentation residing in the country. Some persons come on visas that expire after a few weeks, while others are dumped at a beach in the middle of the night from the fragile smuggling ships crossing the Mediterranean Sea. They stay in Turkey for many years while waiting for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR to find a country of asylum for them, or until they manage to get into the EU through the Greek coast. 16,000 -18,000 refugees and asylum-seekers are currently waiting for a residence permit in a third country. The asylum-seekers come mainly from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and around ten per cent come from Africa.
Svenska Dagbladet 18 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/turkiet-osaker-mark-for-afrikaflyktingar_4439107.svd
Saturday 20 March to Monday 22 March 2010
Denmark
Unclear immigration agreement to be changed
In the new immigration agreement, which the government has signed with the Danish People's Party, refugees who have lived in Denmark for several years are risking to lose their permits if they visit their home country. Secretary-General Andreas Kamm at the Danish Refugee Council immediately called the Ministry of Justice to clarify the rule that, in its current form, would mean that many refugees with permanent residence permits who have lived in Denmark for many years, would be deported. According to the Liberals, the wording in the agreement is too vague. They say the that rule does not apply to refugees who have lived in Denmark for more than a decade. The Conservative's Integration Rapporteur Naser Khader also admits that the rule in the immigration agreement is poorly drafted, and says that the rule will be clarified in Parliament during the next week.
Danmarks Radio 19 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/03/19/115223.htm
Warning against ten year punishment for refugees
The new immigration agreement says that refugees who travel to their home country risk having their residence permit revoked for 10 years, even if they in the meantime have a permanent residence permit. But the UN Refugee Convention is clear. Lawyers say that refugees can only be returned to their home country if there is peace there again. Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, lawyer at the Danish Institute for International Studies, says that one cannot deprive people of their refugee status without making a thorough and individual evaluation of the present situation in their homeland. Line Bøgsted who is a lawyer at the Danish Refugee Council says that Denmark - or others - cannot repatriate refugees simply because they have been on holidays. She says that if you withdraw a person's asylum permit, the reasons listed in the Refugee Convention must be met.
Avisen 20 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://avisen.dk/advarsel-mod-tiaarsstraf-til-flygtninge_124663.aspx
Finland
President Halonen: deportation decision "unreasonable"
President Tarja Halonen says a recent court decision to deport two foreign grandmothers from Finland seems unreasonable. However, she fell short of criticizing the court and did not comment on changing the law. Halonen said she had discussed the situation with the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. She added that it is not the job of the President to comment on possible changes in the legislation. Finland's Supreme Administrative Court recently rejected the appeals of two foreign grandmothers to reside in Finland. The decision to deport the women has aroused fierce opposition in Finland, including from religious leaders. On Friday hundreds of persons demonstrated on behalf of the two grandmothers in Helsinki, saying grandparents are an integral part of the family.
YLE 19 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/halonen_deportation_decision_quotunreasonablequot_1544870.html
YLE 19 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/teksti/kotimaa/2010/03/halonen_kaannytyspaatokset_tuntuvat_kohtuuttomilta_1544150.html
YLE 19 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/helsinki/helsinki/2010/03/sadat_osoittivat_mieltaan_egyptilaisisoaidin_puolesta_1544330.html
Turun Sanomat 19 March (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/119075.html
PM Vanhanen: the whole government supports Thors
In an interview given to YLE on Sunday, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen reiterated the support of his entire administration to the policy pursued by the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors, who has received death threats in recent weeks. Vanhanen said he was ready to discuss reform of immigration legislation in the light of recent furor over deportation orders. However, he said the doors could not be opened to take in all non-immediate family members. He did not comment on the recent cases concerning the deportation orders on an Egyptian and a Russian grandmother. He noted that in Finland, interpreting the law was the function of the Supreme Administrative Court, not politicians.
YLE 21 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/pm_vanhanen_zero_tolerance_on_racialism_1547207.html
YLE 21 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=182244
MTV3 21 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2010/03/1083424
Aamulehti 21 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/vanhanen-koko-hallitus-tukee-uhkailtua-thorsia/173908
Hufvudstadsbladet 21 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/3/21/w44644.php
Finnish Migration Minister urges parties to denounce populism
Astrid Thors, the Minister of Migration and European Affairs, said Friday that she would like to see parties putting clear water between themselves and populist strands of the immigration debate. She is confident that the whole government takes a serious view of a surge in racist threats. Death threats against Thors herself have been posted on Facebook, and similar threats have been made against a number of researchers. Ms Thors went on to thank Alexander Stubb, the Foreign Minister, for his support following death threats posted on the internet.
Helsinki Times 19 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/politics/10344-finnish-immigration-minister-urges-parties-to-denounce-populism-.html
YLE 19 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/thors_government_takes_racist_threats_seriously_1543246.html
Finnish population surged in 2009
The Finnish population grew last year by about 25,000 people. Increased immigration is one of the factors involved, but the birthrate has also grown in many areas. The greatest number of foreign citizens lived in Helsinki (41,700), Espoo (15,300), Vantaa (11,900), Turku (8,200) and Tampere (7,400).
Helsingin Sanomat 19 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnish+population+surged+in+2009/1135254813157
Norway
- The quality of asylum lawyers not always good enough
Last week Norwegian newspapers reported that Fathia Ahmed Omar and her son (6) were deported to Italy, in accordance with the Dublin regulation, and are ow living on the streets of Genova. The deportation occurred despite the fact that Fathia has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following rape and was undergoing extensive medical treatment. This information was not made available during her appeal case. Director of the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE), Terje Skjeggestad, confirms that the quality of asylum lawyers are not always good enough. Skjeggestad says that it is quite obvious from UNE's experience that lawyers differ in terms of quality of their work. Asylum-seekers are only entitled to two hours of legal assistance, and head of the Bar Association, Merete Smith, says that it in very many cases it is not sufficient to do a good job. State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Paul Lønseth, says that in general, he is not under the impression that the system is not working properly.
Verdens Gang 21 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=584199
Aftenposten 21 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3573916.ece
Aftenposten 20 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3572353.ece
Aftenposten 21 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article3574328.ece
Blacklisted lawyers
Acting Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) Sylo Taraku requires that the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) remove asylum lawyers who are doing a poor job and take advantage of their clients. UDI says that they already have done this. Norwegian People's Aid and Self Help for Immigrants and Refugees (SEIF) are also aware that some asylum lawyers do not respect the asylum-seekers' basic needs for legal assistance. The Immigration Directorate (UDI) has a special arrangement with lawyers in Norway who want to assist asylum-seekers. There is no ceiling on how many clients an asylum lawyer can take on, and they are paid on a per client basis, not by how many hours they work. Internally, NOAS has a blacklist of lawyers they believe do not care for their clients. NOAS has notified the UDI of several of these lawyers. Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, acknowledges that the asylum lawyers have a significant responsibility for the asylum applicant's argumentation, but that he has not received any information about lawyers doing a poor job for their clients.
Dagsavisen 20 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagsavisen.no/innenriks/article476495.ece
Sweden
"Malta should not evade responsibility"
Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, writes in the Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet that the issue of Malta's detention camps for asylum-seekers has again become a topic of discussion. According to Minister Billström, the Dublin Regulation has helped to resolve the problem of asylum-seekers being transferred between countries that did not wish to consider their applications. Under the Regulation, individuals must make their application in the first EU country they enter. Billström states that member states that do not deal with asylum-seekers in the proper way should not be allowed to evade responsibility. He criticizes the government of Malta and concludes that the issue must be raised with the European Commission, which is responsible for putting pressure on Malta to improve its substandard reception of asylum-seekers.
Svenska Dagbladet 20 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/opinion/brannpunkt/malta-ska-inte-fa-smita-undan-ansvar_4452051.svd
No concrete response from Minister Billström
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström met members of the Jewish community of Malmö on Friday. Billström described the hate crimes against Jews in Malmö as "quite appalling". Billström did not have concrete answers for Malmö municipality's request for a hate crimes unit to Malmö and the Jewish Community's wish to be reimbursed for expenses they faced when strengthening their own protection and security.
Sydsvenskan 19 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sydsvenskan.se/malmo/article639535/Inga-konkreta-svar-fran-Billstrom.html
Psychiatric care for asylum-seekers
Many asylum-seekers and refugees need psychiatric help. Health professionals are trying to help sick asylum-seekers while the deportation threat itself can influence the patients' mental condition. On Sunday Swedish Television broadcasted the first part of the documentary film "Sluten avdelning", filmed at St George's Hospital in Stockholm, where Dr. Rickard Flodin is working: - Unfortunately this kind of cases are not rare. At times it is difficult to see how a negative decision is reconcilable with a humanitarian perspective.
Dagens Nyheter 22 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/insidan/overlakaren-manga-flyktingar-behover-psykiatrisk-vard-1.1065276
Tuesday 23 March to Wednesday 24 March 2010
Finland
Development Minister: reduce refugee quota
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen says Finland should reduce its refugee quota. Within its refugee quota, Finland accepts persons who are defined as refugees by UNHCR. Speaking on a YLE current affairs programme on Monday evening, Väyrynen said the money Finland would save by accepting fewer refugees could be channeled directly into crisis areas. Väyrynen has previously rejected proposals to double Finland's quota of 750 refugees.
YLE 23 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iB0EU
YLE 22 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iC0EV
The Supreme Administrative Court supports Thors
The Supreme Administrative Court President Pekka Hallberg supports the initiative of the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors to launch an examination to amend the Aliens Act. Minister Thors and Hallberg discussed the matter on Wednesday. The debate on core family as a condition for residence permits has been stimulated by the recent decisions to deport an Egyptian and a Russian grandmother.
YLE 24 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iD0EW
Lithuania
Lithuania's Supreme Court reopens hearing of Chechen couple case
A Kaunas court reopens the case of Chechen couple Malik and Xhadizhat Gataev, also known as the Angels of Grozny. Lithuania's Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the Justice Ministry should decide on cancellation of the European arrest warrant for the couple. The Gataev couple has applied for political asylum in Finland after being sentenced in Lithuania for violent treatment of their foster children. The couple has been refusing to return to Lithuania due to fear of persecution.
Baltic News Service 23 March 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
Storberget: - Happy that so many show their commitment
The Minister of Justice, Knut Storberget, has received many e-mails about Fathia Ahmed Omar, an asylum-seeker who was returned to Italy even though she was going through extensive physical and psychological treatment in Norway. Storberget now opens up for changes in the regulations. Storberget says that people usually write that Norway must reduce the number of asylum-seekers, and that he now is happy that people are moving in another direction and that they react when they feel that something unfair has taken place. He says that he is happy that the Immigration Appeals Board UNE has decided to reopen the case. Although he will not comment about the individual case of Fathia Ahmed Omar, he says that it is important to pay attention to individual cases for there to be changes in the system.
Aftenposten 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iE0EX
Increased expenditure on asylum lawyers
Last year, the government paid over 40 million NOK in fees to asylum lawyers. It is almost twice as much as in the previous year, and eight times as much as in 2007. During the same time, there was a sharp increase in the number of cases, from 6,528 in 2007 to 17,226 in 2009. In 2005, a law was passed where the maximum amount of cases an asylum lawyer was allowed to take on was limited to 150 per year. Refugees that fall under the Dublin Regulation are entitled to two hours free of charge with a lawyer, unaccompanied minors and deported refugees are entitled to five hours, and asylum-seekers who have had their applications rejected are entitled to five hours. The Bar Association believes that this is not enough time for the lawyers to be able to do a good job on a specific case.
Aftenposten 23 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iF0EY
Verdens Gang 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iG0EZ
Afraid that Fathia will go into hiding
On Tuesday, Fathia Ahmed Omar's former doctor Ulf Hørlyk traveled to Italy to help his patient. He is concerned that the Somali woman will go into hiding out of fear for the Italian authorities if the proceedings of the Immigration Appeals Board takes more time than it already has. He says that they have spoken with a human rights lawyer today, who says that Fathia under no circumstances can get in touch with Italian authorities. Since she is regarded as an illegal refugee, she can simply be sent back to Somalia. Hørlyk also says that if the Italian government discovers how sick she is, she can be separated from her son. Hørlyk emphasizes that the Immigration Appeals Board did nothing wrong when Fathia Ahmed Omar was sent out of Norway since they were not aware of her situation. But now, when they have gotten more information, the doctor hopes that the UNE will allow his patient to return to Norway and complete the treatment that was initiated there.
Aftenposten 23 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iH0Ea
Aftenposten 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iI0Eb
NOAS supports Rohde
Police inspector Hanne Kristin Rohde is happy about the massive support that she has received for her controversial proposal to lock up foreigners who are convicted of serious crimes, pending their deportation. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) is positive to an arrangement where asylum-seekers and other foreigners who have served their sentences and are about to be deported are kept in closed detention centers if the court believes that there is a serious risk of them committing new serious crimes. Sylo Taraku, acting Secretary General at NAOS says that even asylum-seekers react against those few who are taking advantage of the asylum system to commit crimes in Norway. Taraku says that it damages the victims, all other asylum-seekers and undermines the asylum system.
Dagsavisen 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iJ0Ec
Record number of asylum and residence permit applications last year
UDI Director Ida Børresen says that the Directorate of Immigration processed a record number of 101,000 applications for asylum and residence permits during 2009. She believes that the most important task in 2010 is to continue to reduce the processing time of applications. 17,200 persons applied for asylum last year. In two years, the number of asylum applications has increased by 160 per cent. Most applications came from countries of war and conflict. Børresen says that asylum cases often receive much attention in the media, but for UDI there are other things that make up the large volumes, like applications for family reunification and work permit applications.
Verdens Gang 23 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iK0Ed
Sweden
Tightened legislation for unaccompanied minors in Norway
After Norway recently tightened its legislation for unaccompanied refugee children, there have been far fewer unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Norway. Hanne Mathisen, spokeswoman for the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, says that the Norwegian Government believes that the decrease is due to the temporary residence permits introduced for children who are more than sixteen years old. When these children turn eighteen they will be deported from the country. The Norwegian government is also planning to build an orphanage in the Afghan capital Kabul and in Erbil in Iraq. Children who do not have grounds for asylum and whose families cannot be found, can be sent to these so-called care centers funded by Norway. Hanne Mathisen says the prospect is that the families of these children would find and pick them up from the care centers, but notes further that UNHCR is less convinced that this will happen. According to Mathisen, the question is whether the best interest of the child is taken into consideration. Another controversial Norwegian proposal is to examine children's genitalia to determine their age. The idea has been criticized by humanitarian organizations, the UN and also politically.
Sydsvenskan 24 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iL0Ee
SD tightens immigration policy
At a party conference to be held this weekend the Sweden Democrats (SD) will be drawing up guidelines for immigration policy. As "a first step", the party wants to reduce immigration to Sweden to the same level as in Finland and Denmark. Björn Söder (SD), a local government politician in southern Sweden, has reacted strongly against other parties' decisions to give free medical treatment to paperless refugees. SD calls for a ban on this. According to Söder, as soon as paperless refugees have received emergency treatment they should be moved to secure accommodation from which they cannot flee. He adds that measures should then be taken to ensure that those who have no right to stay in Sweden are deported.
Dagens Nyheter 23 March 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Fewer unaccompanied children seeking asylum
The influx of unaccompanied children to Sweden has somewhat decreased in recent months. So far 525 unaccompanied children - six per day - have sought asylum in Sweden this year. Nevertheless, the total number of asylum-seekers continues to increase - largely due to the unrest in Somalia and Afghanistan. The proportion of unaccompanied minors of the total number of asylum-seekers has decreased.
Sydsvenskan 24 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iM0Ef
Criticism after decision to deport a fatally ill girl
The Migration Board has come under fire for its decision to deport a fatally ill girl to Lebanon. The two-year-old girl suffers from a rare condition which makes it impossible for her body to digest food. At present, she weighs five kilograms. But according to a report by the local newspaper Nerikes Allehanda the authority has now signalized it would consider another adjournment of the deportation if the girl proves to be as ill as reported by the media.
Sveriges Radio 23 March 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iN0Eg
Nerikens Allehanda 23 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iO0Eh
Sveriges Television 23 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iP0Ei
UNHCR in the news
UN: Rising numbers of refugees a myth
On Tuesday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, said that the notion that there is a flood of asylum-seekers into richer countries is a myth. Recent statistics show no increase in the number of asylum applications. Guterres said that contrary to what some populist argue, UNHCR's data shows that the number of asylum-seekers has remained stable. Several Western countries have recently tightened their rules for accepting asylum-seekers. The refugee issue has also become a central issue in elections in for example Sweden where the xenophobic right-wing parties have seen an increase in support. According to UNHCR's latest figures, 377,200 people applied for asylum in 44 industrialized countries in Europe, North America and Asia in 2009. Almost half of them came from the Middle East, and three out of four wanted to go to Europe. The Nordic countries received 51,100 new asylum-seekers, which is the highest figure in six years and an increase of 13 percent from 2008. Out of the 51,100, 17,200 came to Norway and 24,200 came to Sweden. UNHCR said that more and more people are fleeing from Afghanistan. The Afghans were the single largest ethnic group among those who last year found their way to developed countries.
NRK 23 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iQ0Ej
Hamar Arbeiderblad 23 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iR0Ek
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 23 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iS0El
South Korea gives citizenship to a refugee
South Korea has for the first time given citizenship to a refugee. The 38-year-old Ethiopian fled persecution from his homeland in 2001 and got his Korean citizenship on 19 March 2010, according to UNHCR. UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming termed the incident as "a very special milestone in Asia", where few countries have signed the Refugee Convention, and where even fewer have offered citizenship to refugees. In Korea, the government has recognized 175 refugees since the country for the first time received asylum applications in 1994. The Philippines is the only other country in Asia that has given citizenship to refugees, according to UNHCR.
Dagens Nyheter 23 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iT0Em
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
Danmarks Radio 23 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iU0En
Jyllands-Posten 23 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCfvv0ZqnfK0aYE0D2iV0Eo
Thursday 25 March to Friday 26 March 2010
Denmark
Government rushes the passing of the new immigrant bill
Minister of integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) has been accused of compromising her own principles by trying to rush through the immigration legislation without giving stakeholders enough time to consider the consequences. Rønn Hornbech has previously stated that the optimal consultation period for a new bill is four weeks, but despite saying that all interest organizations should always be given sufficient time to discuss new bills, she will today submit the new integration proposals to hearings with a 13-day time limit, where the four-day Easter break is included. Professor in public administration at Aarhus University, Jørgen Grønnegaard Christensen, called the short turnaround 'a democratic problem' and says that it is designed to give the impression that all the decisions have already been made and there is no need to discuss the content with others. He also said that that the usual practice in Danish legal procedure is to hear all views and review all information before Parliament makes its decision since this legitimizes the new law. In response to criticism from the Danish Refugee Council and Amnesty International, Rønn Hornbech said it was 'unfortunate' that the hearings phase is so short, but that it is necessary if the bill is to be passed before the summer.
Politiken 26 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article933278.ece
Jyllands-Posten 26 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2022437.ece
Finland
Police suspend deportation of grandmothers
The two elderly foreign women - Egyptian Eveline Fadayel and Russian Irina Antonova - who were to be deported are now getting another opportunity to stay in Finland with their families. Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero told YLE the decision was made because of indications that legislation governing residence permits might soon be changed. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) said on Wednesday that the government has agreed that the Aliens Act would be amended to allow for greater discretion in cases that require a humanitarian perspective, although he noted the law will not change how Finland perceives the concept of core family. PM Vanhanen said also that the bill could pass before Parliament's summer recess. On Wednesday Vanhanen met with the families of the elderly women awaiting deportation.
YLE 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/police_suspend_deportation_of_grandmothers_1557937.html
Helsingin Sanomat 26 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Two+grandmothers+awaiting+deportation+to+be+given+a+second+opportunity/1135254948073
Helsingin Sanomat 25 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Iso%C3%A4itien+k%C3%A4%C3%A4nnytyst%C3%A4+viiv%C3%A4stytet%C3%A4%C3%A4n/1135254948780
Helsinki Times 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10434-finnish-police-allow-women-denied-residence-permits-to-stay.html
YLE 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/police_review_grandmothers_deportation_cases_1557937.html
YLE 24 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=182525
YLE 24 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/finnish_leadership_mulls_changes_to_aliens_act_1557283.html
Government plans to limit rights of asylum-seekers from the EU
The government plans to abolish cash benefits for asylum-seekers from EU countries. According to a government proposal asylum-seekers from EU countries would not be entitled to accommodation and income supplements after having received a negative decision from the Immigration Service. At present, applicants are entitled to these rights for up to 30 days following a negative decision. The Board's proposal is based on the increased number of asylum applications from EU citizens. Finland considers EU countries to be safe and applications for asylum from EU citizens, therefore, unfounded.
YLE 25 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/eun_sisalta_tulevien_turvapaikanhakijoiden_oikeuksia_halutaan_rajata_1560128.html
Man stabs himself over negative asylum decision
An Iranian man stabbed himself in the stomach in Tampere in southern Finland on Wednesday after learning that he had been denied asylum. The police said the man had not threatened bystanders. The man was taken to hospital.
Helsinki Times 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10401-man-stabs-himself-over-denied-asylum-in-finland-.html
Lithuania
Head of Lithuanian Foreigners Registration Center: Illegal immigrants were preparing a riot
According to the director of the Foreigners' Registration Center in Pabrade, Lithuania, illegal immigrants at the center could have been preparing for a riot. Staff at the center found and seized mobile telephones, sticks and ropes. The director said the persons in question do not want to be deported from Lithuania but, instead, proceed to Europe. Lithuania's Foreigners Registration Center currently hosts 96 illegal immigrants including 34 who are waiting for deportation.
Baltic News Service 25 March 2010 (in English) (subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
Fear the president's informers
One of the largest groups of refugees and asylum-seekers in Norway are Eritreans. In 2008, 1,799 persons from Eritrea applied for asylum, and in 2009 the number had increased to 2,667. Over 90 per cent of them were granted either asylum, international protection or residence permits on humanitarian grounds. They should be safe in Norway, but instead they afraid of the home country's extended arms and informers, and feel persecuted in Norway. 190 resettlement refugees from Eritrea were selected in cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2009. The number of underage asylum-seekers as well as family reunifications from Eritrea has increased.
NRK 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7053155
Only accepts Burmese refugees
In the last municipal council meeting in Spydeberg, the Progress Party proposed to formally request that refugees or asylum-seekers that are accommodated in the municipality are from Burma, saying that they have good experiences with this group and that they are more easily integrated than others. The proposal had the support of three Conservative seats in the municipal council, but it was not enough so the proposal was not accepted. Refugee Officer in Spydeberg, Gro Pettersen, says that there simply are not that many Burmese refugees who come to Norway, and that they must help others, too.
NRK 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostfold/1.7054520
Smaalenenes Avis 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.smaalenene.no/nyheter/article5039276.ece
Trandum: Employees and inmates live in fear
This week, Police inspector Hanne Kristin Rohde proposed that foreigners who have committed serious crime should be locked up after their sentence is served and they are waiting to be deported. At the same time, the situation in the country's only detention center has been out of control for a long time. A police officer said that they need to handle the situation in Trandum before considering to expand. Over the last five weeks there has been a fire, escapes, riots and threatening situations. Until last week, a record number of persons, around one hundred, had been kept locked up in Trandum. After an inspection where the Labor Inspection Authority found that there was danger to the life and health of the employees of Trandum, they limited the number of inmates at Trandum to 45 persons. Therefore, 10 foreigners were released.
Verdens Gang 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=595046
Aftenposten 26 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3581945.ece
One out of four municipalities say no to minor asylum-seekers
Around 280 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers who have been granted a residence permit in Norway, are waiting to get settled in a municipality. During 2010, the government expects that up to 1,800 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers will need to find municipalities where they can stay. Out of the approximately 180 municipalities that have been asked by the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDI) to settle them, 71 have now said yes, and 44 no, while the rest have not yet responded.
Verdens Gang 26 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=595112
Fathia's doctor enraged at UNE
Two weeks have passed since Fathia Ahmed Omar (25) and her son Munir (6) were sent out of Norway, despite the fact that she was still recovering from surgery and that both had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Because their health information was not included when they were deported, the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) asked the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) to look into the matter again. But UNE did not begin the processing of the case until Monday this week, and on Wednesday night it had still not made a decision. Fathia Omars doctor, Ulf Hørlyk, is furious at the way the UNE has handled the case. He traveled to Genoa on Monday to help his patient, and described communications with UNE as difficult and that the proceedings are very slow. Hørlyk says that he is not interested in immigration policies as such, but that if one does not allow a sick person to go back to Norway for treatment, he has lost his respect for the system. He says that delays can be life threatening for his patients.
Aftenposten 24 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3579668.ece
Fathia not allowed to return to Norway
Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has rejected a request to re-open Omar's case again since she has already received international protection in Italy. On Thursday night, the Immigration Appeals Board said that Fathia Omar (25) will not be allowed to return to Norway. They refer to her asylum status in Italy and believes she can get health care there. UNE says the woman has previously received treatment for physical and mental health problems in Italy and that she did not appear to suffer from such problems when she applied for asylum in Norway. She applied stating reasons such as economic problems and lack of education for her son in Italy. UNE-director Terje Sjeggestad also pointed out that she, in Italy, indicated that she was from Eritrea, while she entered Somalia as country of origin in her Norwegian application. The Norwegian authorities do not recognize Omar's marriage to Omar Sabriye in Bergen since it, according to Sjeggestad, was conducted over the phone while both of them were in European countries. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) has provided legal assistance to the woman's husband in Bergen and has therefore a good knowledge of the matter. Acting Director Sylo Taraku is highly critical of UNE's decision. He believes that the UNE should have been more concerned with the human aspect of this case rather than the bureaucratic procedures.
Dagbladet 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/03/25/nyheter/innenriks/utenriks/asyl/11023573/
Verdens Gang 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=595082
Aftenposten 26 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3581862.ece
UNE Director: 'Aftenposten should review their own operations'
Director of the Immigration Appeals Board, Terje Sjeggestad, denies that the decision in the Fathia-matter is against the Dublin Regulation. Leader of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), Sylo Taraku, believes that the Dublin Regulation clearly states that persons in vulnerable situations should not be deported. According to the Dublin Regulation, asylum-seekers should have their applications processed in the first European country they came to. In Fathia Omars case this country was Italy. Sjeggestad says that they have been informed by Italian authorities that she has obtained refugee status and legal residence permit in Italy now. He says that Aftenposten has been the leading channel for the erroneous image that has been created on the contents of the case, and that their coverage has been the basis of strong reactions and characteristics from a variety of stakeholders, including the UNE. Sjeggestad says that Aftenposten needs to review their own journalistic operations.
Aftenposten 26 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3581869.ece
Sweden
Sweden plans children's homes in Afghanistan
Unaccompanied refugee children arriving in Sweden and seeking asylum will be sent back to their home countries and live in specially designed care centres which the government will fund. The government proposal means that children who today would be able to stay in Sweden will in the future be deported. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says it is better that the children come to some form of housing in their own country while efforts are made to locate parents or relatives. The plan has already raised criticism in the media. During 2009, 2,250 unaccompanied children under the age of 18 came to Sweden and applied for asylum. Most of them come from Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq.
The Local 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/25722/20100325/
Dagens Nyheter 25 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/regeringen-vill-ha-flyktingbarnhem-1.1067207
Dagens Nyheter 26 March 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 25 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sydsvenskan.se/sverige/article640898/Regeringen-vill-bygga-barnhem.html
Sydsvenskan 26 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sydsvenskan.se/sverige/article641338/Barnhem-splittrar-regeringen.html
Sveriges Radio 25 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sr.se/ekot/artikel.asp?artikel=3581833
Sveriges Radio 25 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/international/artikel.asp?ProgramID=166&Nyheter=1&artikel=3582367
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Verdens Gang 25 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=594996
Migration Board's custody receives criticism
National Board of Health and Welfare criticizes the Migration Board for health services for asylum-seekers at the repository in Örkelljunga in southwest Sweden. The National Board of Health and Welfare requires that the Migration Board presents the measures taken or to be taken to correct the deficiencies no later than 17 April.
Sveriges Television 25 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33782/1.1940704/migrationsverkets_forvar_far_kritik?lid=senasteNytt_1851294&lpos=rubrik_1940704
Saturday 27 March to Monday 29 March 2010
Denmark
Immigration Act tightened every 8 months
The Immigration Act has been changed 14 times under the current government coalition. Critics believe that the Immigration Act is changed so often that it creates legal uncertainty for those who are affected by the law. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, says that the uncertainty is a flaw in a community where citizens should have some sense of which rules they live by. Danish People's Party spokesman Peter Skaarup says that it is hard to please everyone.
Berlingske Tidende 28 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/danmark/udlaendingeloven-strammes-hver-8.-maaned
Danmarks Radio 29 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/03/29/064248.htm
Finland
Courts restore many residence permit applications rejected on suspicion of sham marriage
A significant proportion of suspicions of sham marriages, up to 40 per cent, brought forth by the Finnish Immigration Service and the Police are rejected by the courts. The courts often adopt a stance that differs from that of the Immigration Service and the police. This is due to the fact that additional evidence to prove that a marriage is genuine often is produced, or the couple have had a child, or moved into the same home. The Finnish Immigration Service rejects between 100 and 200 residence permit applications each year because they suspect that the marriage the application is based on is not genuine. In 2009, the Immigration Service granted 1,700 permits based on marriage, and rejected 300. The greatest number of positive responses was for Russian citizens.
YLE 28 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/courts_restore_significant_proportion_of_residence_permit_applications_rejected_on_suspicion_of_sham_marriage_1566907.html
YLE 28 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/oikeus_kumoaa_suuren_osan_valeliittoepailyista_1566339.html
Turun Sanomat 28 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/120861.html
Immigration platform make-over for political parties
Finland's political parties are toughening their positions on immigration ahead of parliamentary elections. The stiffer line on immigration policies resembles the nationalistic tenor of the True Finns, who say the updated platforms are all about vote chasing. The National Coalition Party finalized its election platform at the end of 2009. Working group chairman, MP Arto Satonen, said the program contained more conservative stances on issues such as immigration on the basis of family ties. The National Coalition Party is also in favour of age tests, which may be used to turn away adult asylum-seekers posing as unaccompanied minors. The slip, in which the Social Democratic Party's chair Jutta Urpilainen echoed the True Finns position, shows that SDP too is moving closer to the True Finns on this sensitive question. The Christian Democrats are also reworking their immigration platform. On the other hand, the Swedish Peoples' Party and the Green League have remained constant to their fundamental positions on immigration.
YLE 26 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/immigration_platform_make-over_for_political_parties_1564083.html
Finnish Supreme Court orders Gatayevs' release
Finland's Supreme Court on Friday ordered the police to release Hadijat Gatayeva, a Chechen humanitarian activist, and her husband, Malik, after Lithuania dropped an extradition request and a European arrest warrant on the Gatayevs. The Helsinki district court rejected Lithuania's extradition plea in January as the Gatayevs had applied for asylum in Finland. Earlier last week, Lithuania's Supreme Court ordered charges against the Gatayevs to be re-examined. The Gatayevs have run orphanages in Chechnya and Lithuania. They have been handed 18-month prison sentences in Lithuania.
Helsinki Times 26 March 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10442-finnish-supreme-court-orders-gatayevs-release-.html
Norway
In safety in Genoa
The Italian authorities are now taking care of Fathia Ahmed Omar (25) and her son Munir (6). Somali-Italian lawyer Alessandra Ballerini says that they are doing well and that they now have a place where they can temporarily stay in Genoa.
Aftenposten 28 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3584315.ece
Asylum-seekers are prohibited to work for free
The Directorate of Immigration denies asylum-seekers the right to perform volunteer work since it is interpreted in the same way as paid work. In the Immigration Act, volunteer work is included in the definition of work, the broad definition set to prevent undeclared work. The Red Cross believes that this is very unfortunate. Parliament member Erik Sivertsen of the Labor Party says that he understands that many people react to this, but that it is important to prevent asylum-seekers from taking a shortcut into the workplace. The Immigration Act, both the old one and the present, requires that a person has a residence permit in order to take a paid or unpaid work.
NRK 26 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nordland/1.7056942
Sweden
The dream - a ticket to Sweden
In Somalia, the bloody fighting continues. Close to 300,000 refugees live in the overcrowded refugee camps outside of Dadaab in Kenya. Almost all of the refugees in the camp are Somali. Some arrived as early as in the beginning of 90s when the civil war in Somalia began. Many have been born in the camps, where half are under 18 years. Now, a Swedish delegation led by Johan Harald from the Migration Board is there with the purpose of selecting the 300 Somali quota refugees who all want a ticket away from the hopelessness. Sweden will receive 1,900 quota refugees in 2010. It is the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) that presents cases for Swedish consideration. Posters are put up in the camps with the names of those that UNHCR has selected for interviews with the Swedes. The buses then transport them to a simple office where families are interviewed, data is double checked, and the Swedish delegation assesses the protection needs are sufficient for the Aliens Act. In some cases, the Swedish assessment is tougher than the UN's, and some are rejected. Dan Eliasson at the Migration is disappointed that not more EU countries are accepting quota refugees. Denmark selects quota refugees on the basis of "integration potential". Dan Eliasson says that Sweden's only determining factor is the need for protection.
Svenska Dagbladet 27 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/drommen-en-biljett-till-sverige_4492029.svd
More hidden Iraqis to be deported
The number of forced returns of Iraqi asylum-seekers whose applications have been denied will double during this spring, from 30 to 55 a month. According to UNHCR, it is still too early to see how the situation in Iraq will develop after the elections. Sweden was the first country in Europe to write an agreement with Iraq which made it possible to arrange forcible returns of Iraqis. Sweden has, against the guidelines of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, deported persons to Baghdad, Kirkuk and Mosul where death rates still are high. The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says that Iraq has now finished its second free elections and the situation must be judged as completely different from what it was a couple of years earlier, when Iraq was on the brink of civil war. In Parliamentary debates the Green Party and the Left Party have been strongly critical towards deportations of Iraqis. The Swedish Church has fought the hardest for Iraqis facing deportations. After Easter the Church will hand out some 3,000 so called inhibition applications to the Migration Board. According to the Swedish Church, the aim is to show the unreasonableness of the Iraqi deportations.
Dagens Nyheter 28 March 2010 p:6 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
More refugees pick Sweden over southern Europe
According to UNHCR statistics, 377,200 people applied for asylum in Europe, North America and Asia last year. Sweden received 24,190 asylum applications - almost the same number as in 2008. The increase was particularly strong in Denmark (+59 percent), Finland (+47) and Norway (+19 percent). In 2007 Sweden was the European country that received the largest number of asylum-seekers. Last year, the Swedish asylum figures exceeded those of France, Britain and Germany. Norway has emerged as Europe's sixth largest country of asylum. Looking at the number of asylum-seekers on a per capita basis, Sweden ranks third in Europe, after Cyprus and Malta, receiving fourteen asylum-seekers per capita. According to UNHCR, there are five large asylum-seeking groups in the world. They are, in order, Afghans, Iraqis, Somalis, Russians and Chinese. Afghans seek asylum in Norway (3,900 people last year), the Iraqis in Germany (6,300 persons), Somalis in Sweden and the Netherlands (5,900 persons each), the Russians in Poland (6,000), while more than half of all asylum-seeking Chinese seek refuge in the U.S. (11,600 persons last year). According to UNHCR, there are four factors that currently influence why more asylum-seekers come to the Nordic countries: fair asylum procedures, good reception of refugees, the existence of persons from their home country in Sweden which serves as a social network, and a belief among those fleeing their homelands that some countries are more likely to grant asylum than others. The Migration Board estimates that 28,000 people will seek asylum in 2010, which is an increase in 16 percent. The expected increase is due to the fact that Sweden now considers large parts of Somalia and Afghanistan to be war zones, and therefore will not reject asylum-seekers from those areas.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 29 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sydsvenskan.se/sverige/article642109/Fler-flyktingar-valjer-Norden-fore-Sydeuropa.html
Differences between EU countries' assessments of asylum claims
A report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees shows that there are great differences between EU countries' assessments of asylum claims. UNHCR has examined 1000 asylum processes in 12 different member states. According to Judith Kumin, UNHCR's Director for Europe, an asylum-seeker must have the same possibilities regardless of which EU country the application was submitted in. She also notes that this is not the case at present. Differences in assessment of asylum claims create a market for smugglers, who sell travels between Southern and Northern Europe. There has also been discussion about loosening of the rules according to which an asylum application should be made in the first EU country a person comes to. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström stresses that for humanitarian reasons, Sweden can refrain from returning asylum-seekers to another country.
Dagens Nyheter 27 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/synen-pa-asyl-skiljer-sig-mellan-eu-lander-1.1068808
Tuesday 30 March to Wednesday 31 March 2010
Denmark
Nice words will not result in better integration
Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn says that a written policy on integration in municipalities, which the conservative politicians want, will not guarantee better integration. Erik Nielsen (S), mayor in Rødovre, says that municipalities should be allowed to work rather than to be imposed with standards for the already prioritized integration work. An investigation conducted by the Liberals shows that 37 out of the country's 98 municipalities have not adopted a policy of integration.
NordJyske 30 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://nordjyske.dk/indland/forside.aspx?ctrl=10&data=2%2c3534275%2c5%2c4
RCT wants to be consulted on legislative reform
The Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims (RCT) criticizes Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) for failing to consult the RCT in the latest revision of the Immigration Agreement. Coordinator Tue Magnussen at the RCT says that given that the RCT have openly criticized the Immigration Agreement, he believes that it would only be natural if the bill had been sent for consultation to the RCT. The Minister of Integration has previously been accused by other organizations for rushing the bill. There will only be a period of 13 days, including the Easter holidays, available for those who wish to comment on the legislation draft.
Kristeligt Dagblad 30 March 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/361136:Danmark--Anti-torturcenter-vil-hoeres-om-lovaendring
Finland
Finland ill prepared for illiterate asylum-seekers
Finland is not prepared for the needs of illiterate asylum-seekers, who often need basic education before they can begin to learn Finnish. For example, 85 to 90 per cent of Somalis, including children, are illiterate when they come to Finland, according to the Finnish Immigration Service. 15-16 year-olds have a particularly difficult time. The youth belong to the comprehensive education system in Finland. However, in practice they are often left behind. Jarno Ruotsalainen of the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development says that current funding for language education ought to be reformed. He says job training becomes nothing more than language studies. Illiterate immigrants coming to Finland receive 200 days of basic education. The integration plan includes 40 credits of Finnish or Swedish, which is not enough for those who want to enter study or work programmes.
Aamulehti 31 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/suomi-ei-ole-valmistautunut-lukutaidottomien-maahanmuuttajien-vyoryyn/174817
Yle Uutiset 31 March 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/03/finland_not_prepared_for_illiterate_asylum_seekers_1573137.html
Yle Uutiset 31 March (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/teksti/kotimaa/2010/03/suomi_ei_ole_valmistautunut_lukutaidottomiin_maahanmuuttajiin_1573012.html
The Finns want tougher immigration rules
According to a recently conducted survey, three out of five Finns believe that the immigration policy is not strict enough. Out of the respondents, 91 per cent believe that aliens who have committed crimes should be deported more easily than now. Nearly half of the respondents want to make it more difficult for resettled refugees and persons granted asylum to be reunited with their families in Finland. Those who move to Finland to work are still welcome: only 13 percent want to complicate the work-related immigration. More than half would accept having a refugee reception centre near their homes. The survey was conducted by Taloustutkimus for the immigration critical association Homma. Jussi Halla-aho of the True Finns is a driving power of Homma, and the survey also showed that persons who vote for the True Finns are the most critical towards immigration.
Hufvudstadsbladet 31 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/3/31/w45118.php
Helsingin Sanomat 31 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Yli+puolet+suomalaisista+tiukentaisi+maahanmuuttopolitiikkaa/1135255774989
Yle Uutiset 31 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/03/suomalaiset_haluavat_maahanmuuttajista_hyotya_yhteiskunnalle_1573199.html
Aamulehti 31 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/kysely-yli-puolet-tiukentaisi-maahanmuuttoa/174824
Legal experts think that age tests violate basic rights
The Government's proposition to include age tests of young asylum-seekers into legislation is met with conflicting responses. According to Tuomas Ojanen, professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Helsinki, the tests violate several basic rights, prolong the asylum process and are expensive. The Immigration Service and the Hjelt insitute, that conducts the tests, are both in favour of the tests. Helena Ranta, professor and forensic dentist, stresses that these are not tests but approximate results, and the margin of error is 1.5 to 2 years. Age testing has been done in Finland for a long time, but the tests were suspended last year. Sweden does not age test young asylum-seekers. Last year, 557 minor asylum-seekers came to Finland, 137 were tested.
Helsingin Sanomat 30 March 2010 (in Finnish)
http://m.hs.fi/inf/infomo?site=hstxt&view=latestchild&feed:a=hs.fi&feed:c=news&feed:i=1135255749198
Norway
Somalis without a residence permit must leave Norway
Persons from southern Somalia who have not received asylum in Norway have until now been allowed to stay even if they do not have legal residence permits. This will now change after the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) changed its praxis in the matter. According to UNE, the security situation in southern Somalia, including Mogadishu, is no longer, by itself, basis for refugee status. The decision to revoke the suspension of the obligation to leave the country, which was introduced for Somalia in November 2006 because of the major regional conflict in the Horn of Africa, means that the south Somalis now are obligated to leave Norway. It also means that police can start implementing returns to south Somalia. About 3,000 Somalis can be affected by the decision. UNE Director Terje Sjeggestad says that they are aware that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees do not recommend returns to south Somalia, but points out that this is a five year old decision. Sjeggestad says that UNHCR's views dates back to 2005 and are of a general nature. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, NOAS, reacts strongly against UNE's decision. The organization believes that it is totally irresponsible to send the Somalis back to the war-torn area. Acting Secretary General of NAOS, Sylo Taraku, says that the Somali situation is characterized by high levels of violence, and that you risk being killed if you return.
Dagbladet 30 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/03/30/nyheter/utlendingsnemda/asylsokere/somalia/utenriks/11090416/
Verdens Gang 30 March 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=595346
Sweden
Faster processing of asylum applications
A new approach will reduce the processing time of asylum applications from six to three months. The model was introduced in Malmö last week. The Migration Board hopes that the new approach will be introduced throughout the country at the end of the year. The model was tested in Gothenburg, Solna, and Boden last year. The Migration Board describes it as "the largest investment to date to make sure that the applicant for asylum receives a fast and just decision". The approach is based on early intervention when a person is seeking asylum. It is about working in teams, problem solving, ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement in their daily work.
Skånskan.se 29 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20100329/MALMO/703299747/0/trelleborgvellinge/*/snabbare-asylbesked
Fewer Swedes are poor
According to a report from the National Board of Health and Welfare, fewer Swedes are living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, inequality has become greater, and a larger proportion of the poor are immigrants. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt says that the previous government's line was too focused on caretaking of asylum-seekers and refugees, and that his government is working on speeding up the integration of immigrants into the job market.
Sveriges Radio 30 March 2010 (in English)
http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/international/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?nyheter=1&programid=2054&artikel=3592881
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Hufvudstadsbladet 29 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/utrikes/2010/3/29/w45050.php
Health care for asylum-seekers criticized
The National Board for Health and Welfare is now strongly criticizing the Migration Board for the medical services in the Reception Center in Örkelljunga. A doctor has made two-hour visits, once every two months, to the center. According to the National Board for Health and Welfare, the healthcare provided at the center is not sufficient. Among other things, there is no manager for the healthcare facility, and in addition to this, they say that the neither staff or facilities needed to provide good healthcare do not exist.
SVT 31 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33782/1.1947613/vard_for_asylsokande_kritiseras?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1947613
Thursday 1 April to Wednesday 7 April 2010
Denmark
War criminal staying in Denmark on tolerated stay
Bosnian citizen Refic Saric, who has sentenced to eight years in prison and consequent deportation for committing crimes of war against fellow muslims in 1995 is still living in Denmark under so-called tolerated stay. Tolerated stay is applied in cases where deportations of sentenced criminals cannot take place due to for example difficult circumstances in their home country. At the moment there are 34 persons on tolerated stay. Saric claims that he has a heart condition that requires treatment in Denmark. Integration Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech (Liberals) says that it is unsatisfying that the deportation cannot take place, but that it is a decision taken by the the Refugee Appeals Board. The fact that Saric remains in Denmark is critized by The Danish People's Party, among others.
Jyllands-Posten 7 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dE0Ev
Jyllands-Posten 7 April 2010 (English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dF0Ew
Finland
More and more Roma are found begging in Helsinki
The number of Romanian Roma have risen again after decrease during the winter's coldest months. Currently, there are around 120 Roma in the Helsinki region, and the number is increasing. The cause of the Roma migration is the same as before, and that is the bottomless poverty in their home country Romania. According to Roma who is in Finland, the Romanian State is currently unable to pay out social assistance and child allowances.
YLE 31 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dG0Ex
Finland will give 47.3 million euros in humanitarian aid
Finland will give 47.3 million euros in humanitarian aid to victims of world crises and natural disasters. The total budget Finland's humanitarian assistance for 2010 is 69.7 million euros. Finland's humanitarian assistance is based on the joint appeal by several UN agencies. The geographical focus is on Africa, but other serious crises which are now supported are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. The major channels of the aid is the United Nations Refugee Agency (15 million euros) and the World Food Programme (4.2 million).
Kauppalehti 1 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dH0Ey
Finland to slash number of asylum-seekers
Last year, officials rushed to set up housing for a sudden influx of asylum-seekers. Around 6,000 asylum-seekers came to Finland in 2009. Now the Finnish Immigration Service plans to slash that number to 4,000. Officials say the cuts will save millions of euros. However, Finland's refugee quota will remain unchanged. Last year, Finland spent around 130 million euros on refugee reception centers. Officials want to cut that number in half.
YLE 6 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dI0Ez
Aamulehti 6 April (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dJ0E1
Norway
Somali asylum-seekers may be returned to southern Somalia
The Immigration Appeals Board UNE opens up for the possibility of sending asylum-seekers back to southern Somalia. I Norway, 3,000 persons that have applied for asylum can be affected by the decision. Refugees from the southern part of Somalia, including the capital Mogadishu, have, since 2006, not been returnable to their country of origin. Terje Sjeggestad, director of UNE, says that the decision to return persons to Somalia is possible given that a thorough individual evaluation of the individual case is done. The highest decision making entity believes that the security situation in southern Somalia and Mogadishu as such is not reason enough for granting of refugee status. UNHCR does not believe that refugees should be returned to Somalia, but this position is five years old. Terje Sjeggestad says that UN's statement is five years old and is of a general character. UNE's director denies the accusations that the UNE decision is the result of political pressure " This has nothing to do with political pressure. UNE is not receiving instructions from politicians, only from the legal framework. The situation in Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia is without a doubt difficult, and that that is why the highest decision making entity has highlighted the need and the importance of thorough individual assessments of each case."
In parts of Somalia where the militia is fighting for power, it is war, and in parts where they already are in power, crimes against humanity take place. The militia controls up to 80 per cent of the southern and central parts of Somalia, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) is strongly opposed to returns to these areas.
Roberta Russo, UNHCR's spokesperson in Somalia: - UNHCR strongly believes that this decision by Norway to return people to the south and central areas of Somalia is disturbing simply because it puts the lives of asylum-seekers at risk.
The country has been without a central power for 20 years, and the situation is close to anarchy. 1,5 million persons are internally displaced at the same time as many relief organizations are pulling out because of the security situation.
Roberta Russo: -The situation is extremely insecure. Many people die every day because they are caught in the fighting between the different fighting parties. Civilians do not have access to water, health facilities, to shelter facilities, and the situation is simply desperate.
The Norwegian Organization for Asylum-seekers, NOAS, reacts strongly against UNE's decision. They believe that it is indefensible to return persons to the war thorn country. Sylo Taraku, Secretary General of NOAS: - The situation is violent, the humanitarian situation is troublesome, and one is risking to be killed when returned.
Mali Steiro Tronsm, leader of the Socialist Youth League of Norway says that it is a scandal that the UNE disregards the UN High Commissioner. She believes that Norway undermines the UN, and that refugees in Norway are unable to expect legal security. - UNE should be replaced with a refugee court.
NRK Dagsrevyen 30 March 2010 'Somaliske asylsøkere' (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dK0E2
Return of Somalis
Return of asylum-seekers to southern Somalia is supported by the Government, even though certain political parties do not agree with the decision. Three year ago, the Socialist Left Party (SV) was pleased to hear that UNE's highest decision making entity would deal with cases of principle. Today, they are criticizing UNE. Bard Vegar Solhjell, Parliamentarian leader of SV, says that he wants the Minister of Justice to explain why UNE reaches a completely different conclusion in the matter than the UN does. He says that as long as they have the system that they have, it is important that the government respects the decision by UNE, but that it is important to dig deeper into the underlying arguments behind the decision. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Department of Justice, says that the highest decision making entity is a politically independent organ that interprets the law, and leaves no room for influence from the government. Even though many criticize UNE, they have a large number of politicians on their side. Per-Willy Amundsen, spokesperson for immigration politics (FrP) says that if it is possible to carry out a return, it is important to do so.
NRK Dagsrevyen 31 March 2010 'Retur av somaliere' (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dL0E3
Mentally ill 17-year-old detained
A 17-year-old is imprisoned at Trandum holding facility for the fourth day in a row is described as extremely mentally ill. Before he was sent to Trandum, he tried to commit suicide twice. According to a doctor, he suffers from a "very serious personality disorder" and has "huge post-traumatic disorder" because of violence and murder of close family members in Iraq. The boy is now in solitary confinement in the security department at Trandum. The boy came to Norway as a 14-year-old, but his application for asylum was rejected. In August last year, he was permanently expelled from the country. However, the boy returned because his stepfather threatened to kill him. Roar Hanssen at the Police's Deportation Unit (PU) says that the boy has a long record for his young age, and that he has just finished serving a sentence for drugs. Hanssen says that it is on the basis of his criminal past that he is to be expelled from Norway, and that it is the reason to why he is at Trandum.
Aftenposten 2 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dM0E4
Iceland
Ramses Family Can Stay in Iceland
The Directorate of Immigration decided last week to grant residence permits to Kenyan refugee Paul Ramses, his wife Rosemary Atieno and their son Fídel Smári. The permits were granted on the grounds that they might be persecuted in their home country. In July 2008, Ramses was sent to Italy on the basis of the Dublin Agreement and was made to leave his wife and son behind. He was later allowed to return after the decision to deport him was protested in Iceland. The family first applied for residence permits in February that year. During the two years that the application of the Ramses family has been assessed, they have been living outside the system to a certain extent. Fídel Smári could not go to kindergarten and Atieno could not obtain a driver's license, for example.
Iceland Revew 3 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dN0E5
Sweden
Wants to fire suspected police officer
The police forces of Västra Götaland wants to fire a border police officer that is suspected of serious misconduct. The police officer has in interrogation admitted that he committed crimes when he worked with rejected asylum-seekers, where he executed the deportation orders of asylum-seekers. The border police officer is accused of having asked for sexual favors from women that are under threat of being deported, in exchange for sending them further back in the processing line. Johnny Calvin, lawyer at the police department of Västra Götaland, says that the police officer decided to confess when they presented their evidence against him.
Skånskan.se 31 March 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dO0E6
Sveriges Radio 1 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dP0E7
Unaccompanied minor refugee children will receive an ambassador
The unaccompanied minor refugee children in Gävle will get their own ambassadors.
The Inheritance Fund (Allmänna Arvsfonden) has granted close to a million SEK to the project. The aim of the project is to increase the possibilities of refugee children, who come alone to Sweden, to be better integrated in society. Right now possible ambassadors who are supposed to serve as the refugee children's right hand and work as mentors or role models for the children are reviewed. The money from the Inheritance Fund will also be used to create a film that will be used for discussions on refugee children's situation. A team will go to Africa to record a movie on Somalia.
Gefle Dagblad 1 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dQ0E8
Gaza children can stay in Sweden
Children and parents from Gaza, who against all odds get to Sweden, now have a very good chance to be allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds. The Migration Board's legal advisor Michael Ribbenvik concluded in a decision on Thursday that it, from a humanitarian perspective, would be "offensive" to return children to the Palestinian territory. Since the Migration Board is reluctant to separate family members, this decision will also apply to the children's parents. Ribbenvik says that the situation has worsened since the war with Israel ended just over a year ago. Since Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory remains, and the terror-stamped Hamas still is in control, assistance does not reach the people in need. There is a lack of food, medicine, water and electricity.
Dagens Nyheter 1 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dR0EA
Dagbladet 1 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dS0EB
Unaccompanied minor child took his own life
The National Board of Health and Welfare is critical to the fact that the information transfer did not work when an unaccompanied refugee child took his life after having been refused asylum. The boy was in contact with Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, BUP, because he also was deeply depressed. According to his doctor, institutional care was the only option, but the doctor's information to the youth housing did not reach the personnel in charge. If it had, it is according to the National Board of Health and Welfare possible that the young man was not put in the institution.
Sveriges Radio P4 3 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dT0EC
Refugee children receive poor quality education
According to Bunar Nihad, Associate Professor of Sociology at Stockholm University, the knowledge of how to best to take care of refugees are poor in many places. He says that it is a lottery for the kids. If they are lucky, they receive dedicated teachers and principals. If they are not, they will end up in a kind of forced isolation. A report from the School Inspection published last year, indicates, among other things, that schools often does not bother to find out what knowledge the children and young people already possess. They often get too little tutoring in subjects other than Swedish and mathematics, and all too rarely get help in their native language.
SVT 4 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dU0ED
Fast-track asylum processes to be reviewed
The Migration Board's new approach is expected to halve the processing time for asylum cases. But the new approach may mean that investigations are inadequate and that the work is shifted to the Migration Court instead, and this will now be investigated by the Court. Refugee lawyer Hans Bredberg is critical to the Migration Board's new approach with quick decisions. He says that the biggest problem is that some asylum-seekers may not be able to meet with a lawyer.
Dagbladet 6 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dV0EE
Svenska Dagbladet 6 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dW0EF
Sveriges Radio 6 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dX0EG
UNHCR in the news
Brangelina visit refugees
During Easter, Angelina Jolie together with her husband Brad Pitt traveled to Sarajevo. They arrived late Sunday amid great secrecy and discretion, but photographers and reporters still managed to track their position down on Monday when the couple visited the refugees in a UN-run refugee camp in the town of Gorazde in the east of the country.
Metro Xpress 5 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dY0EH
Verdens Gang 6 April (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCiHG0ZqnfK0aYC0D3dZ0EI
Thursday 8 April to Friday 9 April 2010
Denmark
Man dies in asylum centre brawl
Mounting tensions in an overcrowded asylum centre, Sandholm, spilled over into a brawl involving up to 100 persons, some of them armed with knives. The main victim has been identified as a 30-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker who died from a stab wound to the chest. A 26-year-old man from Kosovo was charged with murder and five other men were charged with accessory to murder. The murder is the latest in a long line of incidents caused by tension at the centre in recent months. According to the Danish Red Cross' Secretary General Anders Ladekarl the Sandholm asylum centre, which houses both new asylum applicants and those who are awaiting deportation having been refused asylum, is overpopulated.
Jyllands-Posten 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qC0EL
Jyllands-Posten 8 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qD0EM
Berlinske Tidende 7 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qE0EN
Influx of refugees to Denmark
The number of asylum-seekers coming to Denmark increased by nearly 60 per cent last year. According to the Danish Immigration Service, 3,819 asylum-seekers came to Denmark in 2009, which is 58 per cent more than the year before. The Danish Immigration Service has opened a new reception center in Auderød in North Sjaelland. After the riots on Wednesday at the Sandholm asylum centre, which led to the killing of a 30-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker, the Danish Red Cross decided that all new asylum-seekers should be sent to the Center in Auderød.
Politiken 8 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qF0EO
Discrimination hotline launched
Copenhagen City Council is launching an anti-discrimination hotline in response to worrying figures of widespread discrimination, particularly among immigrants. A recent council study showed that 60,000 Copenhagen residents last year felt discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation, disability, gender, religion, age, ethnic background or nationality. Refugees and immigrants in particular feel they have been the subject of discrimination – 22 per cent of them, according to the council's study.
The Copenhagen Online Post 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qG0EP
Finland
Migration Minister considers consequences of amending residence permit law
On Wednesday, The Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors met with the Parliament's Administration Committee to discuss the pressure to amend the Aliens Act, which was prompted by the cases of the two grandmothers who were not given residence permits. They came to a conclusion that the Ministry of the Interior should examine the matter further, and the Minister and the Administration Committee will revert to the subject in mid-May. Thors added that there were no major differences in opinions at this point because parties have not taken a final stand on the matter. She said the meeting was important because changing the law would require broad support from parliament.
Helsingin Sanomat 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qH0EQ
YLE 7 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qI0ER
YLE 7 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qJ0ES
Amendment to Aliens Act would open doors to hundreds of grandparents
Currently some 20 elderly persons from countries of the former Soviet Union are waiting for Finnish residence permits. Proposed amendments to the Aliens Act could allow hundreds of elderly persons to move into Finland from Russia every year, estimates the Finnish Immigration Service. The most important spur encouraging aged persons to move to Finland would be Russia's significantly weaker level of social services and health care compared with that of Finland, as well as the applicants' children who live in Finland. Russians comprise the largest group of immigrants in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qH0EQ
Iltalehti 8 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qK0ET
Finland follows the EU's most lenient family reunification policy
Finland and Sweden are the most lenient countries in the EU to accept family reunification of asylum-seekers without subsistence requirements. In family reunification cases, Finland requires that a family member living in Finland has received a residence permit on the basis of international protection. Sweden is the only Nordic country that does not pose any requirements for the applicant's financial support. Finland is the only EU country that pays the flights of family members to Finland.
Aamulehti 9 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qL0EU
Latvia
Criticism towards proposal to grant citizenship to all non-citizens
Ex-head of the Naturalization Board, deputy of the Riga City Council Eizenija Aldermane does not support the proposal to grant Latvian citizenship to all non-citizens. Mrs. Aldermane states that citizenship is freely available through naturalization process. At the same time, she believes that naturalization process could be simplified for graduates of those minority schools where most of the subjects are taught in the state language and for the elderly persons who are not able to go trough examinations.
Integration and Minority Information Service 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0EQ
Norway
Proposal for a reformed appeals board in Norway
On Wednesday, a commission led by a former Labour state secretary presented its proposal for a reformed appeals board system in Norway which gives Ministry of Justice right to instruct UNE, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board. Minister Storberget says political instruction over appeal will lead to more efficiency and humanitarianism. Amnesty refutes. The Socialist Left party would like a court system to ensure independence and rule of law. The Progress Party and the Conservative Party agree with the new proposal "We cannot have an independent appeals system which develops asylum policy. Who is granted the right to stay in Norway is above all a political question" says Conservative Party Leader Erna Solberg.
NRK Nett-tv "UNE" 7 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qM0EV
NRK Nett-tv 7 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qN0EW
A new reception center to be opened in Oslo after the end of the year
The Løren reception center in Sinsen area in Oslo will be the new national transit center for all asylum-seekers coming to Norway after the end of the year. The decision was taken before Easter, and it has aroused sharp reactions in the district of Bjerke in Oslo. The Directorate of Immigration has for several years struggled to find facilities that can take over when Tanum transit center in Bærum closes at the end of the year.
NRK 7 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qO0EX
Sweden
Less asylum-seekers investigated by SÄPO
Last year the Swedish Security Service, SÄPO, investigated 176 persons seeking asylum or applying for residency in Sweden for possible links with terrorism. This is a reduction of 65% compared with the 489 persons SÄPO investigated in 2008, and 485 the year before. SÄPO is currently analyzing why fewer cases are being investigated, but Magnus Ranstorp, expert on terrorism, thinks that the security situation in Iraq is one reason. According to Mr Ranstorp there are a handful of persons in Sweden who are of special interest for SÄPO. Both Amnesty and legal experts have criticized Sweden's handling of security cases as being legally uncertain. The reason for this is that the requirements for evidence are much lower than in other criminal cases and that the evidence is often classified.
Svenska Dagbladet 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qP0EY
Dagens Nyheter 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qQ0EZ
Sveriges Radio 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qR0Ea
Churches help asylum-seekers
On Thursday Archbishop Julius Abdulahad Shabo of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Sweden, and Henrik Törnqvist, a vicar in the Church of Sweden, presented a box containing 3,000 applications for asylum in Sweden by Iraqis, who are under threat of deportation, to the Swedish Migration Board. Among the 3,000 Iraqis who are applying to have their deportation orders overturned there are 360 families with young children. The majority of them belong to the afflicted Christian minority. According to Michael Ribbenvik, head of legal affairs at the Migration Board, there has not been any major change in Iraq to suggest there is a new situation. He adds that there have to be new individual reasons for the board to consider overturning a deportation order.
Dagens Nyheter 9 April 2010 p:11 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qS0Eb
Dagen 9 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qT0Ec
Deportations to Kyrgyzstan stopped
The Swedish Migration Board announced on Thursday that all planned deportations to Kyrgyzstan are suspended due to the uncertain situation in the country. According to the Migration Board, at the moment there are around forty persons in Sweden waiting to be expelled to Kyrgyzstan.
Dagens Nyheter 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qU0Ed
Nyhetskanalen 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qV0Ee
Asylum decisions speeded up
The waiting times for decisions on asylum-seekers have halved due to changes in working practices at Sweden's Migration Board. Two years ago an asylum-seeker would have to wait on average nine months for a decision but according to the board's asylum chief, Jan-Olov Wallin, that waiting time is now four and a half months. Refugee lawyer Hans Bredberg is critical, though, of the quicker process arguing that the biggest problem is that many asylum-seekers do not have a lawyer to represent them.
Sveriges Radio 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qW0Ef
Immigration and Social Welfare key election issues
As the September election date draws nearer, local politicians are battling for voter support in the local and national elections. Beyond traditional issues, such as how to bring new companies and jobs to town, or building new sports arenas or shopping centers, there are conflicting views between parties over refugees and other immigrants. Parts of southern Sweden are especially noted for strong anti-immigrant feelings.
Sveriges Radio 8 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qX0Eg
Man arrested over Kosovo war crimes
On Tuesday Swedish police arrested a man in western Sweden, on suspicion of involvement in a massacre in Cuska, Kosovo, in which 44 civilian Kosovo Albanians were killed. The police have had the man under surveillance for some time, and have also had the assistance of police colleagues abroad. The arrested man is the second suspected war criminal to stand trial in Sweden. In January the police arrested a Bosnian man suspected of the murder and torture of Bosnian Serbs in the Dretelj camp.
Sveriges Radio 7 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qY0Eh
Dagens Nyheter 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qZ0Ei
Svenska Dagbladet 8 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qa0Ep
The Local 7 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCib80ZqnfK0aYE0D3qb0Eq
Saturday 10 April to Monday 12 April 2010
Denmark
Iraqi man with dementia is granted residence permit
After years of proceedings and numerous refusals, the 72-year-old Hassan and his wife Gardie Gulizar Gardie has now received residence permit in Denmark. In a new decision, the Ministry of Integration writes that it has placed emphasis on new medical studies in that state that Hassan Gardie has been diagnosed with a so-called organic dementia. Hassan Gardie's disease makes him unable to make it on his own. The Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims (RCT) is pleased that Hassan Gardie received a residence permit on humanitarian grounds after years of waiting.
Jyllands-Posten 10 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3up0EI
Finland
NBI concluding Thors death threat case
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says it has identified one main suspect in a case involving internet threats made against Migration Minister Astrid Thors. Thors filed a criminal complaint over threats of violence in February, including death threats, made against her on Facebook. Göran Wennqvist from the National Bureau of Investigation says the Police are likely to complete their preliminary investigation within a month.
YLE 9 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uq0EJ
YLE 9 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3ur0EK
Astrid Thors: online hatred hampers integration
The Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors (Swedish People's Party), warns that xenophobic groups in Finland could go from words to action as a result of the excited discussions on the web. Although direct racist terms are not used, Minister Thors notes that the discussion has transformed to xenophobia, which is based on the assumption that some immigrant groups cannot integrate in Finland. According to Minister Thors, persons who do not want to see good relations between the old and the new Finns manage to impede immigrants' access to working life and education and thus make it difficult for them to integrate into the Finnish society. Minister Thors believes that Finland's biggest problem is the lengthy processing of asylum decisions. In her view, this causes frustration to the applicants and costs to the society.
YLE 10 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3us0EL
YLE 10 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3ut0EM
Finland to withdraw troops from Chad
Finland is withdrawing its peacekeepers from Chad. A government committee and President Tarja Halonen made the final decision on the matter on Friday. The operation was tasked with protecting thousands of refugees and promoting aid work. Finland has around 80 peacekeepers in the eastern part of Chad. They are stationed there as part of an Irish-led mission. Ireland made a similar decision to withdraw troops last week.
YLE 9 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uu0EN
Helsinki Times 9 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uv0EO
Norway
Entered into an agreement on the return of Afghan asylum-seekers
On Sunday, Minister of Justice, Knut Storberget, signed an agreement with Afghanistan and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regarding the return of Afghan asylum-seekers who have been refused residence in Norway. The agreement applies to both forced and voluntary return. According to NRK, the Norwegian government put pressure on the Afghan authorities to establish the agreement. Afghan authorities said to NRK that they believe that it is not safe to send the refugees back. The agreement is also about Norwegian support to the establishment of care centers for minor asylum-seekers in Afghanistan. The centers will be a place where minor asylum-seekers can get the care that they need and aid to education. Storberget says that he has always believed that it is important that they get a good start in life when they return, rather than staying illegally in Norway. Both Afghan and Norwegian authorities said that voluntary return is the best solution for Afghans who do not have a residence permit in Norway. Storberget believes that the agreement will encourage voluntary returns since they for example will receive money as they return. Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson of the Norwegian Refugee Council is very critical towards the agreement.
Verdens Gang 11 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uw0EP
NRK 11 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3ux0EQ
Trønder-Avisa 11 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uy0ER
Ombudsman shaken after visiting Trandum
During Easter, Aftenposten.no reported that a boy (17) with major mental problems was kept imprisoned in the crisis-ridden holding facility Trandum in anticipation of his 18th birthday. Only then, on 6 of May, the police will forcibly return him to Iraq. The story made the Ombudsman for Children, Reidar Hjermann, react. On Thursday, he visited Trandum to see how minors are treated. He says that Trandum is a symptom of how bad it can get. The Ombudsman believes that the imprisonment of children at Trandum is "very troubling". After the visit Thursday he is particularly critical of the fact that the children do not receive follow-up mental health care.
Hjermann says that as long as they are on Norwegian soil, these children should have the same rights as Norwegian children.
Aftenposten 9 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3uz0ES
Sweden
Ready to take on Sweden Democrats
Ahead of the previous general elections in 2006, four of the major parties' youth organizations refused to take part in debates together with the xenophobic Sweden Democrats, but now they have changed their mind. The youth organizations of the Social Democrats, the Green Party and the Christian Democrats are willing to take on their peers of the Sweden Democrats in public debates. The reason for their reversal lies in the risen support the Sweden Democrats received in the opinion polls, the heads of the youth organizations explain. Only the youth organization of the Left Party continues refusing public debates with the xenophobic parties.
Sveriges Radio 11 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3u10EF
Refugee children were subjected to collective punishment
Since 2007, Östersund municipality has received around 60 unaccompanied refugee children. Now several of the municipality's employees testify of cases of mistreatment. The municipality is namely practicing a pedagogy which has resulted in a practice where several refugee children were subjected to collective punishment. For example, if one child had misbehaved, all children could be left without food. The Area Director at Östersund Municipality Ingemar Edström says he has never received any reports of collective punishment used in the municipality.
Nyheter24 10 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3u20EG
UNHCR in the news
Over 200,000 displaced in Pakistan
Since November last year, over 200,000 civilians have fled their homes in the Pakistan tribal areas along the Afghan border, where the army leads an offensive against the Taliban militias. According to the UN refugee agency UNHCR most persons are fleeing from the tribal areas Orakzai and Kurram. Since November 2009, over 35,000 families, which according to a standardized calculation method corresponds to approximately 210,000 individuals, have registered as internally displaced persons.
Dagens Nyheter 9 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3u30EH
Svenska Dagbladet 9 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCi5m0ZqnfK0aYE0D3u40EI
Tuesday 13 April to Wednesday 14 April 2010
Denmark
Organizations succumbed to Rønn's whip
When the amendment of the Immigration Act is first treated in parliament hall on Monday, it will be without input from several of the organizations and authorities affected by the changes. Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) gave her consulting partners 13 days to review the 150-page long law proposal for the Immigration Act. The 13 days included the Easter holiday, so in reality it was a consultation period of 5-6 days. Since given such a short time to comment on the law proposal, several organizations did not have time to respond. Out of 25 consulting partners that politiken.dk called, ten were unable to meet the deadline.
Politiken 12 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article945598.ece
Finland
Eveline Fadayel's residence application rejected once again
The Finnish Immigration Service has rejected Egyptian grandmother Eveline Fadayel's most recent application for a residence permit. The Finnish Immigration Service and the various court instances justify the rejection and the deportation ruling by saying that according to Finnish legislation, Fadayel is not regarded as part of the nuclear family. The cases of Fadayel and of another grandmother facing deportation have prompted widespread discussion and even demonstrations on behalf of the two women. According to Finland's President Tarja Halonen, the deportation order does not square well with the sense of justice of ordinary citizens.
Helsingin Sanomat 13 April 2010 (in English)
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Eveline+Fadayel's+residence+application+rejected+once+again/1135256058153
Helsingin Sanomat 12 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/artikkeli/Eveline+Fadayel+sai+taas+kielteisen+päätöksen/1135256045624
PM Vanhanen disassociates himself from the views of the True Finns party
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre Party) disassociated himself dramatically from the views of the True Finns on refugee and development issues in the parliamentary debate on a budgetary framework on Tuesday. Pirkko Ruohonen-Lerner (True Finns) spoke of asylum tourism and said the current form of development aid must be driven down. PM Vanhanen said he did not like the way concepts and even false images were used in context of the immigration debate, and that these false images were inciting people to xenophobia.
Aamulehti 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/vanhanen-sanoutui-irti-perussuomalaisten-pakolaisnakemyksista/175916
Turun Sanomat 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/124462.html
Ilta-Sanomat 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=2090838&pos=hl-au-3
Uusi Suomi 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/89824-vanhanen-tama-on-yllytysta-ulkomaalaisia-vastaan
Pohjolan Sanomat 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.pohjolansanomat.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194640863768/artikkeli/vanhanen+runttasi+perussuomalaisten+pakolaisnakemykset.html
The Immigration Service deported four Romanians due to petty theft
The Finnish Immigration Service deported four Romanians who pilfered in Hämeenlinna last Thursday. Kanta-Häme District Court sentenced the four Romanians to pay 40 day fines for petty theft on Tuesday. The Immigration Service deported the two Romanian men and women back to Romania after a request from the Kanta-Häme Police Department.
Aamulehti 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/maahanmuuttovirasto-kaannytti-romanialaisnapistelijat/175918
Ilta-Sanomat 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/uutinen.asp?id=2090802&pos=hl-ul-3
YLE 13 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/hame/2010/04/napistelevat_romanialaiset_saivat_lahtopassit_1602517.html
Centre's chairmanship candidates differ on Finnish immigration policy
The candidates in the Centre Party's chairmanship race emphasize different aspects of Finnish immigration policy, a Finnish News Agency (STT) survey revealed on Wednesday. The large number of asylum-seekers from other EU countries was the biggest grievance for Mauri Pekkarinen, Minister of Economic Affairs. Mari Kiviniemi, Minister of Public Administration and Local Government, suggested more cooperation
between the Nordic countries to discourage shopping for asylum places. Paavo Väyrynen, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, was concerned that the public did not seem to think that theasylum policy was under control. However, for Timo Kaunisto, MP, the inconsistencies in implementing immigration policy were of greater concern than public opinion.
NewsRoom 14 April 2010 (in English)
http://newsroom.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?app=803&newsid=24335
Maaseudun Tulevaisuus 14 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.maaseuduntulevaisuus.fi/uutiset/online_uutiset/15/fi_FI/keskustan_pjehdokkaat_eri_linjoilla_maahanmuuton_pulmista/
Norway
Storberget delighted over fewer asylum-seekers
Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget is pleased that the number of asylum-seekers in Norway is now falling. In the first quarter of the year, 2,448 came to Norway, compared to the 3,837 asylum-seekers that arrived during the same period last year. That is a decline of 36 per cent. According to the Directorate of Immigration's figures the decline is even bigger when it comes to unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. 221 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers arrived in the first three months, which is a decrease of 58 per cent from the 520 applicants who came during last year's first quarter. Storberget believes that the decline is due to the government's tightening policy, and says that the Government has initiated efforts to return more of those who do not have permission to stay in Norway. Storberget says that faster processing and effective search are key reasons behind the reduction they see in arrivals of asylum-seekers. UDI director Frode Forfang believes that Norway is now being perceived as a relatively less attractive place to seek asylum in than it was a few months ago. He points out that while the number of asylum-seekers in Norway declines, there is an increase in Sweden and Denmark.
Aftenposten 12 april 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3602684.ece
RingeriksAvisa 12 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.ringeriksporten.no/lokalavisa/index.php/component/content/article/36-riksnyheter/1003-36-faerre-asylsokere-til-norge
Asylum decline from the Balkans after tightening
According to figures from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the Government's strict line in immigration policy has produced results. After the mid-March forced deportation of 78 persons from Serbia and Macedonia, which was closely followed by the introduction of the '48-hour processing of asylum applications' from people from Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, only nine persons from Serbia and Macedonia has applied for asylum. Applicants who fall under the 48-hour procedure get a short asylum interview with the UDI. If the asylum application is rejected, the Police Immigration Unit transports the applicant out of Norway. Secretary of State Paul Lønseth at the Ministry of Justice says that the procedure sends out an important signal to applicants from Serbia and Macedonia with unfounded reasons for applying for asylum.
Aftenposten 13 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3602359.ece
Verdens Gang 14 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10000606
Minor asylum-seeker isolated at Ila
A mentally ill and suicidal child is put behind bars at Ila prison since the police fear that he will escape before his 18th birthday when he will be deported. He will be at Ila until May 11, five days after he turns 18 on May 6. The 17 year old has previously served a sentence for a crime of violence. Integration spokesperson of the Progress Party, Per-Willy Amundsen, says that since this person has committed crimes in the past and turns 18 in a month, he believes that the situation is unproblematic and not of political interest. He says that it is only natural that criminals are deported. According to the UN's Children's Convention, children who are imprisoned should be kept separate from adults, which is not the case at Ila. According to the Children's Ombudsman, Reidar Hjermann, this case shows how bad it can really get when the UDI is responsible for unaccompanied minor refugee children. Member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Pary, Geir Bekkevold, criticizes the Government since they previously promised that the Child Welfare should be responsible for all 15 to 18 year old asylum-seekers, but that this never happened. He says that children are first and foremost children, and deserve only the best. The Ministry of Justice and the Police comments that it was not possible to include 15 to 18 year in the Child Welfare because of the large influx of unaccompanied minors in recent years.
NRK Nett-TV 13 April 2010 'Mindreårig asylsøker isolert på Ila' (in Norwegian)
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/209078
Aftenposten 13 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3603786.ece
Forced return of Afghan asylum-seekers
Norway has entered into an agreement on forced return of Afghan asylum-seekers. NRK believes that the Government has put pressure on Afghan authorities to sign the agreement. The Afghan Government believes that it is to unsafe to return refugees. Last week, the Afghan Minister for Refugee and Integration asked that the Norwegian Government would not to force the Afghans to go back. But that is what the Norwegian government wants. Two days after NRK's interview with the Afghan Minister, he caved into the pressure from the Norwegians and signed an agreement with Norway and the UN on forced returns. Unaccompanied minors are also included in the agreement. Norwegian Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, says that the agreement is very important to them. He says that they have entered into an agreement of return of those who come from Afghanistan to Norway and apply for asylum, but who are not allowed to stay. In these cases, they need to make practical arrangements for the return of these persons. The arrangements will, among other things, mean that Norwegian money will be spent on care centers for unaccompanied minors in Afghanistan. The Afghan Minister says that they are able to receive persons who arrive from other countries at the airport, and keep them in a guesthouse for some time. If they are vulnerable persons, he says that they will offer them assistance. Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, ask Storberget what kind of protection guarantees he is able to offer these children. She says that she doubts that Storberget would send his own children to Kabul by themselves today.
NRK Nett-TV 10 April 2010 'Tvangsretur av afghanske asylsøkere' (in Norwegian)
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/208575
Sweden
Few want to accept asylum-seekers
Söderhamn has distinguished itself as the municipality in the country that receives the largest number of refugees. The municipality will receive 700 refugees. But now, the limit of what the municipality can handle is soon reached, and there is a weak interest in relieving the pressure on Söderhamn. Lars Ulander who is head of the Immigration Service in Söderhamn wrote a letter to all municipalities in the country and asked them to help them with housing for 30 to 50 asylum-seekers in order to reduce the pressure on the municipality. The letter was sent to municipalities over three weeks ago. To date, no municipality has offered to accept these refugees. Only one municipality, Hudiksvall, has shown interest in helping.
SVT 14 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.126217/1.1962933/fa_vill_ta_emot_asylsokande?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1962933
Premiere for photo exhibition in Södertälje
On Monday, the photo exhibit "Invisible In The City: the Lives of Urban Refugees' world premiered in Södertälje Hall. The exhibition's ambition is to depict everyday life through the eyes of refugees.
Lokala Nyheter Stockholm 12 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://stockholm.lny.se/premiar-for-fotoustallning-i-sodertalje-171067/
Lisa Ovesen praised for reportage
Sydnytt's reporter Lisa Ovesen Botwid received a prestigious honorable mention for her reportage series on unaccompanied refugee children at the Prix Circom Regional, a competition for regionally produced television in Europe. Contributions from 25 countries competed in a number of categories. Lisa Ovesen received an honorable mention in the category 'Vivre l'Europe' for her reportage on the stories of a number of children who fled to southern Sweden.
SVT 13 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://mobil.svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=52493&a=1961811
Sweden will send children to camps
Unaccompanied refugee children who are returned to Malta from Sweden face difficult conditions. Hangars, tent camps and other camps were initially ad hoc solutions, but they have become permanent and now work as a reminder of the fact that the integration of refugees in Malta is inadequate. The head of the UN Refugee Agency in Malta, Norwegian Jon Hoisaeter, has repeatedly criticized the refugees' conditions on the island. He says that the worst part of the hangars and the tent caps is the lack of possibilities for those who live there; it creates apathy and makes the integration of refugees worse than it already is. The background to the situation is a political game in which Malta has an interest in appearing as a victim of the tide of refugees arriving since they want other EU member states to share the burden that Malta believes that the refugees are. Bugri Ahmed is the head of one of Malta's major refugee centers, which is run by a Christian NGO. He says that it is obvious that the politicians in Malta use hangars and tent camps to get help from other EU countries, but that it does not change the reality for those forced to live there. He says that the situation is appalling and must be resolved and says that he ultimately believes that the solution is to improve conditions for Malta refugees and create opportunities for integration. He says that it also might be necessary to transfer refugees to other EU countries so that the number of refugees on the island decreases. For the unaccompanied refugee children, he sees only one solution - that they are allowed to stay in the country where they have sought asylum. Ahmed says that the criticism directed towards Sweden for sending children back to Malta is still valid since the Maltese society is a closed door for refugees in general, and vulnerable children in particular. He says that there is no future for them in Malta.
Svenska Dagbladet 13 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/sverige-skickar-barn-till-lager_4562225.svd
Roma and Kosovo Albanians to Söderhamn
Close to 2,000 Roma and Kosovo Albanians have come to Sweden during the last two months. The Migration Board has experienced major problems when trying to find places for the refugees in different municipalities. 200 of the refugees will be housed in Söderhamn.
SVT 13 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.126217/1.1962079/romer_och_kosovoalbaner_till_soderhamn?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1962079
Sick man deported to Kosovo
On Tuesday, the police began to enforce the deportation of the 32-year-old man from Kosovo whose kidneys have stopped working and who needs dialysis every two days. The man was picked up by police in connection with his dialysis at the Central Hospital in Kristianstad. He was then transferred to the detention center in Malmö. According to his doctor, he is in need of a new kidney. According to the 32-year-old himself, he fears that the Kosovo health care will not be able to provide adequate care for him, and fears that he will die if he is deported. According to the Migration Board, the health care in Kosovo is as good as it is in Sweden.
Norra Skåne 13 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.nsk.se/article/20100413/KRISTIANSTAD/100419881/0/FORSIDE/*/njursjuk-utvisas-till-kosovo
Infant orphaned when father is deported
A four months old baby's mother refuses to take care of her and her father is now deported since he applied for residency in the wrong way. He will therefore have to return to Pakistan to apply again. The father is now begging the Migration Board to let him stay. When he is deported the child will be looked after by the Social Services in Örebro. They believe that a deportation of the father would be disastrous for the little girl and also believe that the decision is contrary to the UN's Children's Convention.
SVT 13 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1962364/spadbarn_foraldralost_nar_pappan_utvisas?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_1962364
Infant's dad can stay
On Wednesday, the Migration Board decided that the father of the four month old infant's case will be re-investigated. They will determine whether he has grounds for asylum. While the investigation is under way, the father is allowed to stay in Sweden.
SVT 14 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33831/1.1963239/spadbarns_pappa_far_stanna?lid=senasteNytt_1861793&lpos=rubrik_1963239
Thursday 15 April to Friday 16 April 2010
Denmark
No to new immigration laws
The Social Democrats and Social People's Party are ready to vote against some of the most central parts of the new immigration laws to be presented in Parliament by the government and the Danish People's Party. Among these is the system that awards points to immigrants integrating faster. Henrik Dam Kristensen (Social Democrats) is concerned that the system favours those who are more academically gifted over those who are not. Lawyers, doctors, social workers and The Danish Refugee Council warn that the new tightening of immigration laws is in violation of the UN and EU conventions.
Berlingske Tidende 16 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K10E3
Jyllands-Posten 16 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K20E4
Children denied asylum due to imprecise test
Children risk being denied asylum in Denmark based on a test deemed imprecise by those performing it. Last year 120 young persons were tested, 71 of these were transferred to the adult group based solely on the test. Adults are under stricter rules than children.
Politiken 16 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/indland/article948343.ece
Finland
Deportations conducted more effectively
The Aliens Police in Helsinki have become quicker in removing deported foreigners from the country. In 2008, it took an average of 75 days before the foreigner had left Finland. In 2009, this took only 51 days. One of the reasons for this is the Aliens Police's ongoing project to speed up the process. The project, which began in August last year and continues throughout this year, aims at controlling immigration and combating illegal immigration.
YLE 15 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K40E6
New internet site gives facts on immigration
Finland's Ministry of the Interior has unveiled a new internet site aimed at promoting facts and discussion on issues relating to immigration. Questions and articles on the subject can be posted on the site. However, the site does not have a discussion forum. Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Interior Ministry, Ritva Viljanen believes it is essential to respond to the recent spate of hate postings on the internet. She considers the new site to be one avenue of approach. She notes that inciting hatred via the net cannot represent the reality in Finland and that a majority of people are definitely not opposed to immigration.
YLE 14 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K50E7
YLE 14 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K60E8
Reforms hoped to take reactionary edge off immigration debate
Politicians, researchers and officials view the public discussion on immigration as a field of misconceptions and populism. The critics of immigration view matters differently: the number of immigrants is growing steeply and municipal resources are under strain. In the coming months the Parliament will consider several proposals aimed at reducing unfounded applications for asylum. The Parliament is currently looking at changes to the Aliens Act which would limit asylum seekers' right to work and immigration based on family reunification. In the future an asylum-seeker will be forced to wait longer for a work permit if he is unable to prove his identity. The asylum-seeker's family members may also be denied a residence permit if he has given incorrect information about his family. In addition, age tests for young asylum-seekers will be enshrined in law.
Helsinki Times 15 April 2010 (in English)
http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/general/10605-reforms-hoped-to-take-reactionary-edge-off-immigration-debate-.html
Latvia
The number of applicants for naturalization increased
According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), the number of applicants for naturalization grew after the takeover of the Naturalization Board's functions. Representatives of the OCMA explain that the increase in the number of applicants is caused by the fact that the OCMA has more regional branches all over Latvia. The biggest group of naturalization applicants is persons between 18-30 years old. At the same time, there are almost no applicants over the age of 50.
Integration and Minority Service 15 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0E3
Norway
Fire in Kvadraturen reception centre might have been arson
The police have confirmed that the fire that took place a month ago in a reception centre in Kvadraturen, Kristiansand, might have been arson. Eleven asylum-seekers managed to get out of the burning building without injuries. Nobody has been arrested after the fire.
NRK 16 April 2010(in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4K80EB
Red-Greens in Hordaland criticize government's asylum policy
The Labour Party, the Centre Party and the Socialist Left Party in Hordaland County criticize the government's asylum policy. Local parties reacted strongly to the fact that unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers must leave Norway on the day they turn 18. The practice allows, among other things, that young asylum-seekers have to cancel their education and they are sent home without any certificate or other verification of the education they have received in Norway. Joril Christensen from the Hordaland Labour Party believes the practice is contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and threatens to have the case tried in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
NRK 15 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LA0EL
UDI forecast: less asylum-seekers coming to Norway
The immigration authorities believe that there will be 5,000 fewer asylum-seekers coming to Norway this year than previously thought. The forecast is adjusted down from 18,500 to 13,500 applicants. According to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), Norway will receive 13,500 asylum-seekers this year and 1,300 of these are expected to be unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. The reason behind the reduced forecast is that so far this year, there have been 36 per cent less asylum-seekers arriving in Norway compared to the same period in 2009.
Verdens Gang 16 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LB0EM
Unclear how the EU's asylum system will affect Norway
Ministry of Justice would not speculate how the EU's common asylum system will affect Norway. The Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) annual report shows that the Norwegian authorities must increasingly deal with the EU's asylum policy. According to the report, UDI will in the future work more closely both with other countries' immigration authorities and the European Union. UDI also outlines the EU's goal to implement a common European asylum system (CEAS). The new asylum system is enshrined as one of the points in the Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on 1 December last year.
Nettavisen 15 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LC0EN
Trandum reception centre emptied
The senior safety representative of the Police Immigration Unit (PU) decided to close the Trandum reception centre on Wednesday, and move the centre's asylum-seekers elsewhere, some of them to police custody. The reason for this was poor air quality due to a closed ventilation system after a fire last weekend. There have been several fires in the centre recently. Earlier on Wednesday evening Amnesty International Norway said that they are strongly critical towards the placing of asylum-seekers in police custody. Trandum reception centre is operated by the Police Immigration Unit. Asylum-seekers at Trandum have been denied residence in Norway and are waiting for deportation. The centre is also used for persons Norwegian authorities do not know the identity of.
NRK 14 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LD0EO
NRK 14 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LE0EP
Aftenposten 14 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LF0EQ
Liberals want more immigrants
The Liberals want to reverse the Norwegian immigration policy and open the country to a substantial increase in labor migration. In addition, the party wants to allow asylum-seekers, whose application for asylum will be rejected, register as job seekers instead. According to Helge Solum Larsen, a Libelar Party politician, it is controversial that Norway lacks work force while there are many persons living in Norway who do not have permission to work. The Liberals would also make it easier for employers to bring foreign workers into the country.
Aftenposten 15 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LG0ER
Sweden
Housing and work new requirements for family reunification
The requirements for family reunification have been tightened. Persons with residence permits who wish to bring relatives to Sweden must have a minimum of 4,549 crowns remaining after tax and rent is paid. In addition, the housing has to be of a certain size and standard, though the details of those rules have yet to be decided upon. The maintenance requirements have faced criticism from several organizations and opposition parties. This is why families with children and several groups of refugees are not affected by the new rules. The Migration Board has estimated that about 3,000 persons a year could be affected by the new requirements.
Dagens Nyheter 15 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LH0ES
Sveriges Radio 15 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LI0ET
Migration board launches online citizenship form
The Swedish Migration Board has announced the launch of an online citizenship application service. The new service officially opened for business on Tuesday and it is hoped that it will speed up and simplify the process. Migration Board director-general Dan Eliasson said in a statement on Tuesday that the Migration Board has carried out a broad development of services and by the end of 2011 it will have the most expedient citizenship application process in Europe. The Migration Board has issued a warning to potential applicants against seeking Swedish citizenship prior to eligibility, which normally requires five years of residency in Sweden.
The Local 14 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LJ0EU
Review of practices
Foreign women are "imported" on a large scale into Sweden by men who offer marriage and a good life, including a residence permit for Sweden. In some cases the women end up in a vulnerable position in which they are exploited and abused physically and mentally. ROKS, the national organization for women's shelters, has looked at the problem and found that in 2008 over 500 women sought their help after being exploited. The Migration Board will now initiate a survey to find out how extensive the problem is. Fredrik Martinsson, spokesman at the Migration Board says this way the Board can develop its practice and get better at applying the legislation that already exists.
Nyheter24 14 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LK0EV
Svenska Dagbladet 14 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LL0EW
Group punishments of refugee children to be investigated
Östersund Municipality will now fast examine the treatment of unaccompanied refugee children that are said to have been subjected to collective punishment. The report should be ready in May. Also a study presented in 2008 revealed several deficiencies in the treatment of refugee children in the municipality. Already on Friday Östersund Municipality will complete an external investigation conducted by an investigator who is not connected to the municipality.
Länstidningen Östersund 15 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LM0EX
SVT 15 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LN0EY
Sweden's population to top 10 million
Sweden's population will top 10 million by 2021 as a result of high levels of immigration and a high birth rate, says Statistics Sweden. Since 2006 there has been annually a record high immigration to Sweden. This year is expected to be another record year with 103,000 immigrants coming to Sweden. Primarily, the number of refugees and foreign students is expected to increase over the previous year.
Svenska Dagbladet 16 April p:20 (in Swedish)
Webfinanser 15 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCjlS0ZqnfK0aYE0D4LO0EZ
Saturday 17 to Monday 19 April 2010
Norway
Outdated stereotypes of refugees in schoolbooks
Åse Røthing at the University of Oslo says that today's schoolbooks confirms myths about asylum-seekers and have an outdated "us and them" - attitude. She says that some of them reproduce stereotypes. Røthing bring up an example from one of the books where it is said that some apply for asylum even if they are not persecuted, because they are hoping for a better life. Røthing says that asylum-seekers are portrayed as liars and cheats who come to Norway without being entitled to do so.
NRK 17 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/migrapolis/1.7083150
UNHCR in the news
162 000 refugees became citizens of Tanzania
Tanzania has naturalized 162,000 refugees from Burundi. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls it a historic decision and encourages others to follow suit. According to UNHCR, no country has previously offered so many foreigners citizenship at once. The decision covers the vast majority of Burundians who have fled to the larger neighboring country since 1972, and their children. Most of them are Hutus who fled from ethnic violence in Burundi, and most of them are already integrated into Tanzanian society. The UNHCR said in a statement that the High Commissioner calls on other countries with refugee populations that have been living in the country for a long time to follow Tanzania's example. In Tanzania, there are still around 97,000 refugees, mainly from Burundi and the DRC, in camps.
Dagens Nyheter 16 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkGp0ZqnfK0aYC0D4OE0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 16 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkGp0ZqnfK0aYC0D4OF0EK
South Sudanese still living in exile
The agreement between northern and southern Sudan that was signed five years ago ended the conflict in the country that lasted for 22 years. The referendum that will be conducted in January 2010 might turn southern Sudan into an independent state. But after five years of peace, tens of thousands of Sudanese are still in exile, afraid to return to their home country. In the refugee camp Kakuma in Kenya, the food rationing for a family of seven for two weeks consists of a sack of corn flour, a sack of beans, and cooking oil. A family interviewed would like to return to their home country Sudan, but since they are afraid to do so the refugee camp continues to be their home. Of the 60,000 refugees in the camp, nearly 20,000 come from Sudan. One refugee says that she sees no alternative to staying in the camp since she and her children are dependent on the food rations they receive from the UN. 2,500 Sudanese were killed in tribal disputed during 2009. Many say that it is the lack of security and access to food are the reasons as to why many Sudanese in exile are not returning to Sudan. The access to food is more important than the upcoming referendum and election in Sudan.
NRK Nett-TV 12 April 2010 'Urix: Eksil-sudanere' (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkGp0ZqnfK0aYC0D4OG0EL
NB. This story was produced on an annual press trip facilitated by UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, in December 2009.
Tuesday 20 April to Wednesday 21 April 2010
Denmark
More cooperation within the EU on justice and asylum policy
The EU Commission wants to make the EU "a common area of justice and security". But the Danish legal prejudice is keeping Denmark out of most of the new proposals. European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, says that the new proposal is a roadmap to a free and secure Europe and an opportunity for the EU to move closer to its citizens. In 2014, the European Commission plans to establish a common asylum system across Europe with "a strong focus on solidarity." Here, all asylum applications are processed in common ways, and all asylum decisions must be recognized throughout the EU. Most proposals in the Action Plan will collide with the Danish legislation, so Denmark will in the starting phase opt out from new rules and areas of cooperation.
Berlingske Tidende 20 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/mere-eu-samarbejde-om-rets-og-asylpolitik
Singing pensioners escape with fine
The approximately 30 members of 'Bedstreforældre for Asyl' (Grandparents for Asylum) started to sing during a debate on deportation in parliament on Monday. The protest singers were released from police station Bellahøj later that same day, and are to expect fines for their actions. The activists themselves were satisfied with what they did. One member said that they repeatedly have tried to get the government and the politicians to take action, and that this is another way to show response – emotional response. The group believes that the Danish society abandons asylum children and society's vulnerable refugees.
Poltitiken 19 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4aY0Ex
Kristeligt Dagblad 19 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4aZ0Ey
Arbejderen 20 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4aa0E6
Finland
State pays refugees´ rent deposits
Some refugee reception centres have started to provide the deposit rents of refugees who on their own accord move to their own apartments, in cases where the municpality is unwilling to pay the deposit. This is less expensive than keeping the refugees in the centres. Around 400 persons who already have residence permits are awaiting proper homes in the municipalities.
Hufvudstadsbladet 20 April 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4ab0E7
Aamulehti 20 April 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4ac0E8
Norway
Too scared to seek help
The organization Self Help for Immigrants and Refugees (Seif) fears that young people who are in danger of being forced into marriage may be too afraid to seek help. The government is planning to start gathering information on cases of forced marriage and keep it in a national registry, but Seif thinks that this might stop people from seeking help in the first place.
NRK 20 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4ag0ED
Sweden
Refugee children will learn about the forest
The Forest Service believes that since forests are a natural part of Medelpad, unaccompanied refugee children who arrive in the municipality should be introduced to the Swedish forests. The municipality has applied for 135,000 SEK in grants to launch a local conservation project. Jukka Kuivaniemi says that the majority of the young people come from countries where there is not much forest. They therefore wants to show them what it is and how the forest can be a resource. The program will be part of the integration efforts of the municipality.
Dagbladet 21 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4ah0EE
Exemption rules for asylum are investigated
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström (Moderates) has asked Court of Appeals judge Eva Lönqvist to map out how the Aliens Act's exemption rules on particularly distressing circumstances as the basis of residence, especially to children, works. The application of the rule at both the Migration Board, the Migration Courts, and guiding decisions by the Migration Court of Appeal are to be reviewed. Billström says in a statement that if it should turn out that the provision of particularly distressing circumstances had a different effect than the legislature intended, the government is prepared to take the necessary measures to change it. The mapping is supposed to be completed on 30 April 2011.
Dagens Nyheter 20 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4ai0EF
Few places for refugee children in Skåne
Skåne municipalities were asked to find 150 seats for unaccompanied minor refugees. So far, few of these are in place. The seats would be presented within two months, but the deadline has long passed. So far, four municipalities have agreed to settle 41 minors. At least 39 seats are underway in other municipalities. Seven municipalities will not accept any children at all.
SVT 21 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkcV0ZqnfK0aYC0D4aj0EG
Thursday 22 April to Friday 23 April 2010
Denmark
UN: Aliens Act must be changed
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says in their comments that the new tightening of the Danish Aliens Act violates the UN Refugee Convention. This particularly applies the possibility to expel refugees who have committed for example benefit fraud, as well as the fact that refugees who are deported because of crimes committed will lose their refugee status. In UNHCR's comment to the new law, it says that the bill is in conflict with the 1951 Convention. UNHCR also believes that the proposed scoring system would be too rigid for fragile refugees, and that these fragile refugees therefore should be exempted from the rules - even if they do not fall under the so called Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. UNHCR also criticizes that the law proposal includes the possibility of revoking a refugee's residence permit if he or she visits his or her country of origin for a short period of time, for example for a vacation or a family visit. The Refugee Agency also criticized the fact that the rules on family reunification are tightened, so that you no longer can bring your spouse or children to Denmark if you receive social benefits.
The UN says that these rules should not apply to refugees. UN stresses that its recommendations apply to both refugees covered by the Convention, and others in need of international protection, for example asylum-seekers who have been granted residence permits on humanitarian grounds. UNHCR notes that the organization in the EU contexts recommends that refugees are to be granted permanent residency after three years of residence to avoid that the uncertainty will have a negative influence on the "person's sense of belonging and motivation to integrate". The government and Danish People's Party's law proposal was designed to make it easier for resourceful immigrants and refugees, "who have demonstrated ability to integrate", to obtain permanent residency and thus later Danish citizenship. The proposed scoring system will not make exceptions for personal reasons or specific vulnerabilities. According to the UNHCR this would probably not be in conformity with the Convention. The UNHCR delivered its law comments this week, which is two weeks after the deadline and also after the law proposal was a first read in parliament. Like dozens of Danish organizations, UNHCR finds it regrettable that the consultation period of less than two weeks was so short.
Berlingske Tidende 23 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4no0EB
Immigrants will demonstrate at SF's national congress
A group of refugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers have had enough of SF's shift to the right in their foreign policy. They will therefore demonstrate on Saturday at the Socialist Peoples Partys (SF) national congress. The group will focus on the 24-year rule, which is a rule that prevents a Danish citizen and a foreign national to get married before the age of 24. The 24-year rule was created to prevent forced marriages. The immigration group's spokeswoman Farhiya Khalid says that it may very well be that there are some women who are forced to get married, but that a 24-year restriction violates human rights.
Politiken 23 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4np0EC
Finland
Parliament's deputy ombudsman reprimands Finnish Immigration Service
Maija Sakslin, the Parliament's deputy ombudsman, reprimands the Finnish Immigration Service for excessive delay in processing a certain family reunification application. According to the deputy ombudsman the fact that the Immigration Service had not even started to address the issue was of particular concern. The application in question was processed for almost two years and four months, although the maximum processing time according to the Aliens' Act is nine months. The Immigration Service and the Minister of the Interior are expected to provide an account by mid August on the measures that have been taken as a consequence of the reprimand.
22 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nq0ED
Helsingin Sanomat 22 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nr0EE
YLE 22 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4ns0EF
Law on age assessments too vague
Finnish Parliamentary Constitutional Law Committee says the law on asylum-seekers' age assessments should be clearer than the government suggests. According to the committee the law should clearly state that the assessment can be done only if there are obvious reasons to doubt the reliability of the information received. The Committee describes the Government's view as too vague.
Helsingin Sanomat 22 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nt0EG
Finland plans to deal with illegal entrants already in the countries of origin
Finnish authorities are trying to prevent future illegal immigration in advance already in the departure and transit countries. Intervention at a later state is more expensive. An action plan which contains about 30 recommendations has now been made for various authorities. Illegal entry is increasingly linked to organized crime, and it concerns authorities as the Police, the Border Protection, the Immigration Service, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Immigration. Annually around half a million persons are caught residing illegally in the EU. In Finland, almost 7 000 such persons were found last year.
Iltalehti 21 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nu0EH
Gay man faces imprisonment – Finland rejects asylum claim
The Manifesto for Free Movement- network, Seta, the Association for Sexual Equality, and Finnish Amnesty criticize Finland for rejecting the asylum application of a young Gambian gay man, who has been persecuted for his sexual orientation and is facing 14 years imprisonment for homosexual acts in Gambia. Katja Tuominen from the Manifesto for Free Movement- network notes that according to UNHCR persons who are attacked, subjected to inhumane treatment or serious discrimination because of their homosexuality, and whose governments are unable or unwilling to protect them, should be granted refugee status.
Uusi Suomi 21 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nv0EI
Ilta-Sanomat 22 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nw0EJ
Kurdish refugees continue hunger strike
Six Kurdish asylum-seekers started a hunger strike last Sunday at the reception centre in Oravais. Their state of health has deteriorated and two strikers were hospitalized because of low blood sugar. The asylum-seekers protest against a negative asylum decision from the Immigration Service. They face deportation to Iran and because the two men in the group have been both politically and also militarily active against the government of Iran they believe that the deportation threatens their lives.
YLE 21 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nx0EK
YLE 22 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4ny0EL
YLE 22 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4nz0EM
Norway
Taught refugee children to say "Hello, hello. How are you? Just fine"
Gustav Lorentzen died of cardiac arrest in Bergen on Wednesday. The Ombudsman for Children Reidar Hjermann says that Gustav Lorentzen was an ambassador for children in difficult life situations. He is very grateful for the various projects Lorentzen was engaged in - whether that was in Norway or in Africa. Refugee Children from Afghanistan and Kosovo met Lorentzen in discussion groups. The song "Hello, hello" is one of Knutsen & Ludvigsen classics, and for many refugee children the first Norwegian words they learned were "Hello, hello. How are you? Just fine." The Ombudsman says that Lorentzen had a unique ability to communicate with these children. Lorentzen also wrote the book "Groups for refugee families" together with psychologists Magne Raundalen and Atle Dyregrov.
Dagbladet 22 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n10E8
Dagsavisen 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n20EA
Fears of refugee disaster
A new report from the Norwegian Refugee Council NRC's monitoring centre for internally displaced persons (IDMC) that was published last week shows that since the US-led military offensive against the Taliban in Helmand province began in February, more than 30,000 civilian Afghans have been forced to flee from the Marjah district. Secretary General of the NRC, Elisabeth Rasmusson, says that they are seriously concerned about the increase in fleeing civilians in the wake of military operations, and that the NRC fears that the number of refugees will increase during this summer when ISAF forces are stepping up the fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. A quarter of a million Afghans have been driven from their homes during the last three years because of fighting between international troops and the Taliban and insurgent groups. This is in addition to the approximately 2.8 million Afghans living in refugee camps in Pakistan and Iran. NRC emphasizes that it is difficult to get exact numbers on internally displaced persons in Afghanistan since the country is very inaccessible. Rasmusson says that they only have access to 50 per cent of the country and the security situation makes it challenging to get the overall view of emergency needs.
Dagsavisen 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n30EB
Working together for refugees
Bodø municipality and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) have entered into a partnership to improve conditions for refugees and immigrants. Regional manager Dulo Dizdrarevic at IMDi North says that Bodø is the first municipality in northern Norway to enter into such an agreement. The duration of the agreement is three years, and will contribute to knowledge on the situation of immigrants in the Norwegian municipalities. Dizdarevic believes that increased focus on immigrants and refugees will help to bring out the duties and responsibilities of the immigrants that have to be integrated into the Norwegian society. IMDi looks forward to cooperation, and says that Bodø is a community that has come a long way in their integration efforts.
Avisa Bodø 22 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n40EC
Record number of asylum-seekers chooses voluntary return
A record high number of asylum-seekers have chosen to return home voluntarily this year. During the first three months of this year, 352 persons have returned home with help from the Norwegian authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It is the highest number since the voluntary return program began in 2002. The majority of those who chose voluntary return are refugees from Iraq, Kosovo and Serbia. Jon Ole Martinsen from Self-help for Immigrants and Refugees (SEIF) is concerned that the number of so-called voluntary returns increases to areas in Iraq that UNHCR does not consider as safe and adds that many Iraqis may feel pressured to return voluntarily.
Utrop 22 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n50ED
Simon and his father deported
The ten year old refugee Simon from Eritrea and his father has once again been deported from Norway. The two of them were picked up by police in their home in Flore and transported to the airport. The mayor in Flora municipality, Bente Frøyen Steindal says that it is tragic and sad that authorities are unable to show consideration of a young boy. In August last year, the boy and his father were deported for the first time from Norway. They were then forced to live outside in a park in Bari, Italy. Their case has been used as an example in the debate on Norwegian asylum policy. In november last year they were back in Flora and applied for asylum again, but the UDI deported them while reviewing their case. Bente Engesland, Communications Director at UDI says that it is easy to understand why so many people are involved in Simons case, but that Simon and his father have been granted asylum in Italiy. She therefore advises them to get in contact with the Italian authorities to receive the assistance they are entitled to. When asked why they are forced to leave Norway while UDI is reviewing their case, she says that it takes a lot, like for example serious illness, for that to happen. She also says that it is important to remember that UDI has reviewed their case twice, and that they have been denied asylum twice. The Dublin Regulation says that you have to apply for asylum in the first European country you arrive in. For Simon and his dad, this was Italy, where they now have been granted asylum. A representative from the Support group of Simon says that Italy does not treat children in accordance with the UNs Children Convention. The representative says that since the Norwegian government once again deported Simon to a country where he has not received any help at all from the authorities, they are now responsible for what happens to him in Italy.
NRK Nett-TV Simon og far sendes ut 14 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n60EE
Sweden
Billström and Astudillo in a debate on immigration policy
The introduction of stricter rules for family reunification became a hot topic when the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström (Moderate Party) and the Social Democratic Luciano Astudillo discussed integration policy in Sveriges Television's programme "Debate" on Thursday. Luciano Astudillo was critical towards the new family reunification rules, according to which persons with resident permits in Sweden must have income and housing before they can bring their relatives to live the country. Billström accused Luciano Astudillo of changing the party line while Luciano Astudillo defended himself by talking about the importance of lex Vellinge which means that all municipalities have to contribute to refugee reception.
SVT 22 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n70EF
Expressen 22 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4n80EG
Immigrants denied identification papers
Since 1 June last year, the Swedish Tax Agency has had the overall responsibility for issuing ID cards in Sweden. The requirements for obtaining an ID card have become stricter. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) estimates that there might be some 10 000 persons in Sweden who cannot obtain identity cards despite they are allowed to stay in the country. The Swedish Tax Agency is afraid that the value of a Swedish ID card could decrease if the high standards are not maintained.
SVT Uppdrag granskning 21 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4oA0EQ
Trial against man who set himself alight
On Wednesday began the trial against a man who a year ago set himself on fire in a Migration Board centre in Alvesta. The triggering event was a discussion where he was told that his deportation order was permanent and would be enforced by the police if he refused to follow it. The prosecutor argues that the man was indifferent to the fact that the fire could have spread to other parts of the detention centre.
Sveriges Television 21 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCkxd0ZqnfK0aYE0D4oB0ER
Saturday 24 April to Monday 26 April 2010
Denmark
Debate: Cheating in refugee emergencies
Several researchers and experts who deal with refugees and migration in the Middle East, have recently questioned the actual number of Iraqi refugees in neighboring areas. It is now argued that some states, politicians and various international humanitarian organizations deliberately manipulate the number of refugees to support their own agendas. The Norwegian research institution Fafo published a report in 2007 in collaboration with the Jordanian authorities in which they initially estimated that the number of Iraqis in Jordan to be significantly lower than official numbers, but did, apparently under pressure from the Jordanians, later change their original conclusion about the number. The Jordanian and Syrian authorities as well as some international organizations maintain that the many Iraqi refugees are there, but for various reasons they simply have not been registered. The author says that it should be added that the UN and other humanitarian organizations to some extent have to accept and abide by the official statistics used by the countries in which the organization operates. If they would use completely different numbers and statistics than the official figures, this would quickly be expected to create more diplomatic difficulties which might have a negative impact on their future humanitarian work. For UNHCR, it is therefore a balancing act between cooperating with the countries in which they work, while maintaining their credibility and integrity in relation to donors, media and the general population. In the case of Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan, it seems as the organization has gone very far to follow the host countries' statistics. For UNHCR and other international humanitarian organizations, it seems short-sighted to play on the host countries' dubious high number of refugees to ensure international media coverage, more funding and a wider political support to the organization's other policy objectives and agenda. In the case of Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, the author believes that it seems to be evident that the UNHCR puts their credibility at stake.
Politiken 20 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/article949455.ece
Rønn attacks the UN
In their law comments, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) proposed a number of ways in which the Danish government should change their new Aliens Act. Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) says that there is absolutely no reason to change anything in the law. Rønn Hornbech says that UNHCR is constantly trying to interfere with Danish legislation, but that they are speaking to deaf ears. UNHCR wishes to exclude refugees and others in need of international protection from a number of areas in new tightened Aliens Act. Rønn Hornbech says that UNHCR has a political agenda that goes far beyond the Refugee Convention framework, and that she has told the UNHCR this several times. She emphasizes that Denmark will continue to respect all conventions and international obligations. She says that all deportations in Denmark must be settled by the courts, and that the UNHCR does not know the case law. She concludes by saying that is no reason to change the law proposal.
Berlinske Tidende 23 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/politik/roenn-vil-blaese-paa-fn
Avisen 23 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://avisen.dk/dansk-udlaendingelov-moeder-skarp-kritik-fra-fn_126473.aspx
Danmarks Radio 23 April 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/04/23/175932.htm
Finland
Heinäluoma outlines hardened SDP position on immigration
The opposition Social Democratic Party has started sketching a hardline platform against employment-based immigration. In an interview with the Swedish mainstream daily Hufvudstadsbladet, SDP Parliamentary Group Chairman Eero Heinäluoma said that government policy on work-based immigration is dangerous in light of the current unemployment situation. To support his position, Heinäluoma pointed to draft legislation that would allow workers from outside the EU to enter Finland without a support means analysis.
YLE 24 April 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/04/henaluoma_outlines_hardened_sdp_position_on_immigration_1630454.html
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/4/24/w46137.php
YLE 24 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/talous_ja_politiikka/2010/04/heinaluoma_kovensi_demarien_linjaa_tyoperaisesta_maahanmuutosta_1629745.html
Politicians react in immigrant worker debate
Statements by SDP MP Eero Heinäluoma opposing employment-based immigration have stirred up a minor political storm, with politicians on all sides clarifying their party positions on the sensitive issue. For instance, responding to the emerging SDP platform on employment-based immigration, Centre Party Chair and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said that the statements made by the SDP's Eero Heinäluoma were offensive. Green League Chair and Labour Minister Sinnemäki said that the recent hard line positions on immigration championed by SDP Chair Jutta Urpilainen and Eero Heinäluoma indicate that the party has adopted an immigration rhetoric practiced by the True Finns.
YLE 24 April 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/04/politicians_react_in_immigrant_workers_debate_1630508.html
Aamulehti 24 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/vanhanen-pitaa-heinaluoman-lausuntoa-vastenmielisena/177108
YLE 24 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/talous_ja_politiikka/2010/04/sinnemaki_sdp_perussuomalaisten_linjoilla_1629981.html
YLE 24 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/alueet/keski-pohjanmaa/2010/04/urpilainen_heinaluoman_linjoilla_1630283.html
Turun Sanomat 24 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/127064.html
Norway
Ministry of Justice: Progress Party's policy results in more asylum-seekers
At the same time as the Progress Party's national convention was held last weekend, the Ministry of Justice argued that the Progress Party's policy would lead to opposite results of what the party wants. The Progress Party's budget proposal for 2010 would more than halve the funds to the Directorate of Immigration and nearly halve funds for the Immigration Appeals Board, which administers the asylum applications in Norway. The Ministry believes that this would lead to an increase in the number of asylum applicants that would be granted residence. Secretary of State Paul Lønseth says that if you cut down on personnel there will be less opportunity to process applications, and that the careless treatment of applications will lead to more people being alloewed to stay. Lønseth also believes that the Progress Party's strict asylum policy would result in more crime and lack of places in custody, since less money for the reception centers would result in more asylum-seekers being left without shelter. The Progress Party's immigration spokesman, Per Willy Amundsen, dismisses the allegations. He says that since the budget is much stricter than the previous ones far fewer will come and seek asylum.
Aftenposten 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3620747.ece
Adresseavisen 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/innenriks/article1474524.ece
Final rejection for 10-year-old Simon
On Friday, the Immigration Appeals Board decided that ten-year-old Simon and his father will not be allowed to return to Norway and Florø. Simon and his father are now in a camp outside of Rome with about four hundred other asylum-seekers. The two have sought asylum in Norway twice. In September last year they were deported from Norway and sent back to Italy. They then came back to Florø before Christmas, and lived in a church for three weeks before the Norwegian authorities agreed to let them submit a new asylum application. Leif Kåre Hollevik from Simon's support group has not given up. He says that they have asked Simon's father, Fkadu, to keep a daily log to document everything that happens in Italy. He says that this log will in time show that they are not receiving any assistance in Italy. Deputy Director of the Immigration Appeals Board, Jon Arne Jensen, says that it is Italy that is responsibility for the case now. The final decision can not be appealed.
NRK 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_sogn_og_fjordane/1.7093989
Sweden
Malmström on xenophobic parties in Europe
Half of the EU countries' parliaments have more or less xenophobic parties. Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs and responsible for immigration and asylum issues, finds this very worrying. Although she thinks that every country has its own specific prerequisites, she names the economic crisis as the biggest common cause for xenophobic parties in most of the countries. Many Member States have expressed their wishes to form a common EU policy on immigration and asylum based on European values. In order to accomplish this, Malmström says that all parties sharing this desire should act together. She notes that many European countries will soon be in need of work-based immigration. According to Malmström her difficult duty is to work against xenophobic opinions and make it easier for those who are in need of asylum to enter Europe and receive the help they are entitled to according to international agreements. In her opinion, there is no immediate solution to the situation especially due to the economic crisis. She adds that fighting xenophobia will not be easy and will acquire leadership, alliances and real arguments. It is a big challenge for the already existing political parties to accomplish the values that the EU countries stand for.
SVT Play "Agenda" 25 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svtplay.se/v/1977941/agenda/del_13_av_19?sb,p103431,1,f,-1
Hidden persons' right to health care to be investigated
The ambiguity surrounding the care and treatment of hidden undocumented persons in Sweden will now be examined, despite the divided opinions in the government. Erna Zelmin, director general of the National Board of Forensic Medicine, was today appointed as responsible for the investigation. The Minisiter for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström has signaled that only those who reside in Sweden legally are entitled to health care.
Sveriges Television 23 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1975484/gomdas_ratt_till_vard_ska_utredas
SD member leaves the party
Kenneth Sandberg, chairman of the Sweden Democrats in Kävlinge, has chosen to leave the party. He feels that the Sweden Democrats' immigration policy is not restrictive enough. Now he and several other Sweden Democrats in Kävlinge have formed a new party that will stand in the autumn's municipal elections. Sven-Olof Sällström, party's press secretary says that the fact that Sandberg is leaving the party will only have a short term impact locally and it will not affect the Sweden Democrats nationally.
Sveriges Radio 25 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=101&artikel=3652156
Svenska Dagbladet 24 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/politik/sd-profil-hoppar-av_4612903.svd
Svenska Dagbladet 25 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/sd-avhoppet-en-lokal-fraga_4616383.svd
UNHCR in the news
UN: - Assaults in Congo
The civilian population in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are constantly exposed to new injustices. The UN says that the government in Kinshasa shows no willingness to prevent assults or to set the perpetrators to justice. From some Congolese areas there are an average of 14 serious sexual assaults reported each day. But, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, the real figure could be far higher, since many of the victims are reluctant to report the assaults. A report by UNHCR published last Friday said that over the past ten years, about 200,000 rapes have been officially reported in the DRC. A third of these have happened in the war-torn provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Aftenbladet 23 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenbladet.no/utenriks/1194629/FN_-__Stadig_nye_overgrep_i_Kongo.html
Finland
Attitudes towards immigrants divide SDP
Social Democratic Party chairman Eero Heinäluoma's comments about immigration have generated a lively debate within the SDP. Some think it was good that Heinäluoma raised the problem of the hundreds of thousands of unemployed Finns while the government wants to attract workers from abroad. Other Social Democrats find it very unpleasant that the party which previously emphasized solidarity and internationalism now abandons its values and lets the True Finns lead the immigration debate in Finland. Eero Heinäluoma was surprised over the reactions to his statements. He says that his statements were rather meant as criticism towards work-based immigration than racism or intolerance.
Hufvudstadsbladet 26 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48Q0EO
Norway
Terrified Chechens have to hide their faces
When the Russian president drove by Oslo Plaza, a group of about 30 Chechens protested against the Russian president and how he dealt with the Chechnya conflict. The Chechen protesters fear that someone may kill, harass, or persecute their families at home if they show their discontent against President Dmitry Medvedev. They therefore hid their faces. Russia has long been in conflict with Chechnya, and thousands of people have been tortured and killed. Several thousand Chechens have been granted residence permits in Norway as a result.
Verdens Gang 26 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48R0EP
Former resident suspected of asylum-center arson
A former resident is suspected of starting the fire in an asylum center in Kristiansand. The suspect has previously lived in the reception center. The police have concluded that a flammable liquid was used in connection with the fire. Superintendent Hans Petter Sandell at Kristiansand police says that they are questioning an asylum-seeker in his 20's. The asylum-seeker denies having caused the fire. None of the eleven residents were injured when a fire broke out at the center on March 21st, but several of them had to jump from the second floor in order to get out of the building. The large wooden building was completely destroyed in the fire.
NRK 26 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48S0EQ
Aftenposten 26 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48T0ER
Half of all refugees move
According to figures from Statistics Norway, Sogn og Fjordane is one of the municipalities in the country that has the greatest depopulation of refugees. Statistics Norway have mapped where all the refugees, who were settled in 2003, lived in 2008. Most moved to their relatives in the east. Sølve Sætre from the Directorate of Integration and Diversity says that although the chances of getting a job and living a good life in Sogn og Fjordane are good, many are drawn to Oslo, Østfold and the Swedish border. 200 refugees will be settled in Sogn og Fjordane this year.
NRK 28 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48U0ES
Sweden
Regulating immigration in Europe
This week Cecilia Malmström, European Home Affairs commissioner, will visit Malta, which struggles with an influx of refugees coming by sea from Africa. Opinion is divided among EU member states as to how the refugee influx should be handled. Italy, for example, wants tougher controls to stop and to return the illegal migrants. To date the EU has agreed to open its borders to a well-educated workforce, which has been criticized by poor countries. Malmström will shortly present proposals for the regulation of unskilled seasonal workers for seasonal labour for six-month periods.
Dagens Nyheter 27 April 2010 p:15 (in Swedish)
Municipalities in Skåne arrange more places for refugee children
Last winter, the municipalities in Skåne set a goal of arranging 150 new places for unaccompanied refugee children. At a meeting in Malmö on Tuesday they presented a report which shows that almost all places are found. The Migration Board expects that there may be more than 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children coming to Sweden this year. Last year Sweden received 2,250. Many children have to stay in temporary accommodations in Malmö, Stockholm, Sigtuna and Mölndal, because there are not enough places in other municipalities.
Sveriges Radio 27 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48V0ET
Sweden Democrats: "Children are never threatened"
An advertisement for the Sweden Democrats in a local newspaper Spegel in Skåne has raised strong reactions from readers. The advertisement says that Sweden should not accept unaccompanied refugee children because "children are never exposed to the threat of death and persecution". Lars-Anders Espert, chairman of the SD in Burlöv who was behind the ad says that children are never threatened in principle but admits that if an entire ethnic group is persecuted, it affects everybody.
Fria Tidningen 27 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48W0EU
Assaulted Chinese woman risks deportation
The Swedish Migration Board has decided to deport a Chinese woman who lost her residency permit when her Swedish husband filed for divorce in revenge for her reporting his repeated assaults. The divorce meant that the woman and her children no longer had any connection to Sweden and had no legal right to remain in the country.
The Local 27 April 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/26320/20100427/'
Dagens Nyheter 27 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCloU0ZqnfK0aYE0D48X0EV
Thursday 29 April to Friday 30 April 2010
Finland
Halonen regrets nuances of racism in the immigration debate
President Tarja Halonen thinks it is regrettable that there are racist overtones in the immigration debate in Finland. The president remarks that racism and general intolerance usually is spread during economically difficult times. In President Tarja Halonen's view, people should not be treated as mere labor and immigrants should be seen in a more humane light.
YLE 29 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5K80EX
Heinäluoma defended his immigration statements
Eero Heinäluoma, chairman of the Social Democratic Party parliamentary group, defended his controversial statements about immigration. During the parliamentary hearing he said that labor migration is necessary and rational if there is work in Finland that otherwise would not be performed. Heinäluoma pointed out that there is still much to be done to improve the working conditions of foreign workers in Finland.
Vasabladet 29 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LA0Eh
Turun Sanomat 29 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LB0Ei
Romanian Roma seeking asylum in Finland
Romanian Roma have begun seeking asylum in Finland. According to the Police, there have been 53 asylum applications in April lodged by asylum-seekers from Romania at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Some of the Romanian Roma have just arrived in the country, others have stated that they have already been in Finland for three weeks. The number of applicants from Romania in April amounts to as many as the Immigration Service recorded throughout last year. Reception centers in Helsinki are currently accommodating 41 asylum-seekers from Romania.
YLE 28 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LC0Ej
Latvia
Number of illegal immigrants detained in Latvia doubled last year
Last week the Latvian security police opened a criminal investigation into the alleged smuggling of nine illegal Afghan immigrants into Latvia. Two suspects have already been held in connection with the case, and a search is on to find a third suspect. The group of traffickers had allegedly helped organize the trip of the illegal immigrants from the Central Asian state to Europe through Russia.
Baltic News Service 27 April 2010 (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Population decline due to long-term migration
According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau, population decline due to long-term migration intensified in Latvia during 2009: 2,688 persons immigrated (22.4% fewer than in 2008), while 7,388 persons emigrated (23% more than in 2008). As a result of migration, the number of ethnic Latvians declined by 1950, ethnic Russians by 1826, Ukrainians by 348 and Byelorussians by 181, while the number of Romanians increased by 60, Swedes by 47, Germans by 40. Among emigrants in 2009, Latvian citizens constituted 53%, Latvian non-citizens – 13.5%, other EU nationals – 10.6%, foreigners – 22.9%. Among immigrants in 2009, Latvian citizens constituted 19.4%, Latvian non-citizens – 0.2%, other EU nationals – 40.4%, foreigners - 40%. Comparing to 2008 data, migration increased to the UK (twice) and Russia (1.3 times), while declined to Ireland (2.1 times).
Integration and Minority Information Service 28 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LD0Ek
Sweden
Xenophobia on the rise in Finland
Public opinions towards refugees in Finland are becoming more negative. Wille Rydman, the President of the National Coalition Party's youth organization, said in a (Swedish-language daily) Hufvudstadsbladet interview a few weeks ago that Finland should receive fewer quota refugees and fewer foreigners in general. Finland's current refugee quota is 750 per year. Rydman also expressed his wishes that Finland should do what ever it can to avoid becoming a multicultural society and named Sweden's immigration policy as a warning example. When interviewed by Svenska Dagbladet, Rydman claimed that a multicultural society might prohibit individuals becoming a part of the society. In his opinion those who do not integrate in the Finnish culture can move away, but he also thinks that those who already reside in Finland actually like living in the country. Opinion polls show that the immigration critical party True Finns enjoys an increasing support in Finland. According to Rydman, the True Finns are not pursuing a responsible policy and the National Coalition and Centre parties express the peoples' opinions on immigration issues better than the True Finns. The Minister for Foreign Aid and Development Paavo Väyrynen expressed his support to Rydman's statements on refugee quotas and multiculturalism by saying that Finland could indeed decrease its refugee quota. But Minister of Labour Anni Sinnemäki strongly disagreed by saying that especially women and children, which she thought were the most vulnerable ones, would suffer from a reduced refugee quota and reminded that these are persons who have been granted a refugee status by UNHCR. Last week the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Eero Heinäluoma argued that Finland should decrease work-based immigration due to the country's high unemployment rate. He received support from the SDP Chair Jutta Urpilainen.
Svenska Dagbladet 28 April 2010 p:14-15 (in Swedish)
Malmström visits Malta on Friday
Cecilia Malmström, the European commissioner for home affairs, is to visit the much criticized refugee camps in Malta on Friday and meet Maltese politicians. Malmström has already said that Malta is breaching EU regulations on the reception of asylum seeking minors. Sweden is sometimes criticized for returning minors to Malta and the commissioner says that current rules do not actually force Sweden to return these minors.
Dagens Nyheter 30 April 2010 p:10 (in Swedish)
Great interest to help refugee children
The interest in becoming a contact person or a foster family for unaccompanied refugee children was great when the City of Stockholm arranged for the first time an information meeting on the subject in Kulturhuset on Wednesday. In total, hundreds came to the briefing and 95 persons registered their interest to receive more information.
Webfinanser 28 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LE0El
Swedish editor resigns in 'racist' press subsidy row
Martin Ahlquist, editor-in-chief of Swedish news weekly Fokus, has resigned his post on the Press Subsidies Council (Presstödsnämnden) after a decision to award state funds to an extreme-right newspaper. The decision to award 2.3 million kronor ($319,000) in state press subsidies to the openly xenophobic National Democrats' newspaper Nationell Idag ('National Today'), has prompted Ahlquist to call for a change in guidelines governing support. The National Democrat party, which enjoys very little support among the electorate, blames the majority of Sweden's modern day problems on immigration, as it explains on its website.
The Local 23 April 2010 (in Engish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LF0Em
Dagens Nyheter 23 April 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LG0En
NB. This story was also covered in Iceland
IceNews 28 April 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LH0Eo
UNHCR in the news
Starvation catastrophe in South Sudan
Four million people, a third of the population, in South Sudan are threatened by starvation in the coming months, a drastic deteroriation of the current situation. This is partly due to irregularities in rain patterns. Due to a very rudimental infrastructure, reaching those in need is difficult in South Sudan. Many of the concerned are internally displaced following the civil war that lasted for more than 20 years and that ended in 2005. According to UNHCR, 320.000 refugees have returned to South Sudan since 2005. Incidents of unrest still occur and the need for help is acute.
Aftenposten 30 April 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCmAT0ZqnfK0aYE0D5LI0Ep
Saturday 1 May to Monday 3 May 2010
Finland
Migration Minister calls for crackdown on chat sites
Minister Thors says she is shocked by the insults and bullying circulating on the internet and says online message boards should be monitored more closely. For instance, she pointed to some discussions on the popular Finnish social networking website, Suomi24. Last month Thors told YLE she was extremely concerned about spreading xenophobia on the internet. She called for immediate condemnation of the hostile rhetoric before it escalates into violence.
YLE 3 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QA0Et
YLE 3 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QB0Eu
YLE 3 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QC0Ev
Finland chooses quota refugees on dossier basis only
The Finnish Immigration Service's Director General Jorma Vuorio has decided that Finland will not travel to Rwanda this year to interview the 150 Congolese refugees who Finland intends to receive. The decision was made in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior's Immigration Department. This is the first time Finland has selected quota refugees on dossier basis only. Decision was made after the Finnish Security Police (SUPO) announced that it would not attend the selection mission. According to SUPO, Congolese women and children do not pose a threat to the Finnish national security. Another reason is that the Immigration Service lacks resources. Third reason is that during the previous years, Finland has received refugees from the same area and their situation and history are well known to the selection officials. Quota refugees are refugees who have been granted a refugee status by UNHCR. Internationally, the policy Finland has chosen to follow is not exceptional. Sweden selects half of its quota refugees on dossier basis only.
Helsingin Sanomat 30 April 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QD0Ew
Sweden
Paperless boy found on boat
A twelve-year-old boy without both passport and money was found on board the German Stena Line ferry in Gothenburg. The boy claims he is from Iraq but the boat personnel say that he probably comes from Morocco. The boy says he wants to seek asylum in Sweden and has now been transferred to the Migration Board facilities.
Nyheter24 2 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QE0Ex
SVT 2 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QF0Ey
No to Högsby municipality's requirements
Högsby municipality will not receive state compensation for hosting refugees. The municipality requested SEK 1.9 million for compensation for a group of persons who came from Liberia in 2006. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says no to the municipality's requirements, saying that the government should not determine how a court will judge.
Sveriges Radio 3 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCme70ZqnfK0aYE0D5QG0Ez
Tuesday 4 May to Wednesday 5 May 2010
Finland
Roma deportations conducted faster than before
Asylum-seekers from the EU are deported faster than before. The time that the Bulgarian and Romanian asylum-seekers reside in Finland has been reduced by several weeks after the Finnish authorities started using fast-track procedures last month. The experiment continues until the end of May. Finland has received over 3,700 applications for asylum from Bulgarian and Romanian Roma during the past ten years. None of them has been successful.
Helsingin Sanomat 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Romanien+turvapaikkahakemusten+k%C3%A4sittely+lyheni+viikoilla/1135256567463
Aamulehti 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/romanit-kaannytetaan-suomesta-viikkoja-aiempaa-nopeammin/177940
YLE 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/05/eu-kansalaisten_kaannyttaminen_suomesta_nopeutui_viikoilla_1652906.html
Turun Sanomat 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/129039.html
Asylum-seeker avoided deportation order
A Gambian asylum-seeker has succeeded to resist his expulsion. The police tried to deport the Gambian but he resisted strongly. The man might face a new deportation, since the Administrative Court has not abolished the deportation order. The Immigration Service rejected his asylum request although the man says he is persecuted in his home country due to his homosexuality and will face prison or even death if deported.
Helsingin Sanomat 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://m.hs.fi/inf/infomo?site=hstxt&view=news_kaupunki_child&feed:a=hs.fi&feed:c=news&feed:i=1135256586469
Aamulehti 4 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/178032.shtml
Norway
More will be sent out of Norway
The government will spend 90 million DKK to get more criminals and unwanted asylum-seekers deported or detained. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says that in his experience, an increased number of deportations reduces the number of asylum applications from people without the need for protection. Figures on the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Norway from the Directorate of Immigration shows a decrease of 36 percent in the first quarter of 2010. He says that people who are not entitled to stay in Norway shall not stay here. Minister of Justice Knut Storberget agrees and says that it is important to preserve the trust for, and basis for, the asylum policy. However, on Monday a ruling from the Supreme Court came that clearly undermines their efforts. A 22 year old man from Ghana was arrested after trying to sell the three grams of hashish. Both the Court and the Court of Appeal concluded that the asylum-seeker undermined the politics behind asylum and sentenced him to imprisonment. The Supreme Court changed the verdict and said that he and other asylum-seekers are equal before the law and should be treated just like Norwegians would be treated. The Progress Party's leader Siv Jensen criticizes the government for not proposing legislative amendments, and says that setting aside more funds for voluntary and involuntary returns will not help. She says that the only thing that will get the Supreme Court to act in line with the governments is changes in legislation. Storberget responds that the Court decides on the sentence, but that the government will decide on whether to deport these criminals when they have served their sentence or not. Many are deported to Greece, and Peter Eide, Secretary General of the Norwegian People's Aid, is criticizing the government for doing this since the asylum-seekers are not receiving any assistance or help there. Jensen responds that Greece is a EU country with an asylum system in place, and that Norway therefore should continue to return asylum-seekers to the first EU country they arrived in in accordance with the Dublin Convention. Out of the 90 million DKK, the government plans to distribute 37 million to strengthen the work on voluntary return, 22 million to strengthen the police's deportations efforts, and 33 million to 50 new spots at Trandum detention center. As a result, the government's targeted number of returns in 2010, including both voluntary returns and returns by force, is increased from 4900 to 5900.
NRK 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7109958
Aftenposten 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3636844.ece
Dagbladet 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/05/04/nyheter/innenriks/politikk/innvandring/asylpolitikk/11578261/
NRK Nett-TV 'Asylsøkere – utkastelse' 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/212154
NRK Nett-TV 'Strengere asylpolitikk' 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/212165
Refugees living in Norway with secret identities
Of the 6,000 refugees that received residence permits in Norwaylast year, 59 received protected identities. Figures that TV 2 has obtained from the Directorate of Immigration show that there are 490 refugees in Norway that have protected identities in total. Personal information on these refugees are kept secret by the UDI. The Directorate for Integration and Diversity (IMDi) that settles refugees must apply for access to these cases. According IMDI one of the reasons as to why these people are living with hidden identities in Norwegian municipalities is the fear of assassination by foreign intelligence services. Another reason is that some are exposed to violence and threats. The UDI determines whether a refugee should be hidden in the data register or not.
TV2 Nyhetene 4 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/flyktninger-lever-i-norge-med-hemmelig-identitet-3196754.html
Sweden
Sudden cease of refugee boats to Malta
In recent years the EU's smallest member country Malta has received an influx of refugees arriving on boat from Africa. But since September, there have not been new boat arrivals to Malta. Jon Hoisaeter from UNHCR Malta notes that more than 10,000 refugees have come to Malta but now the influx of refugees has ceased. Hoisaeter adds that there is some reason behind this fact and it worries him. One reason for the sudden cease of refugees to Malta is believed to be Libya's measures to stop the boats before they set course northwards to Europe. This is something that worries human rights organizations since although Malta's refugee camps are known to have difficult conditions the situation is even worse in Libya. EU commissioner Cecilia Malmström visited Malta recently and says that the EU will now try to establish a dialog with Libya and aim at closer cooperation in migration issues.
Sveriges Television 4 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22584/1.1989840/plotsligt_slut_pa_nya_flyktingbatar_oroar
More asylum-seekers in the EU
Figures from Eurostat, the European Commission's statistical information service, show that more than 260,000 asylum seekers registered with the authorities in the EU countries last year. The highest number of asylum-seekers registered with the authorities in France. The total number of asylum-seekers increased by 20,000 compared with 2008. The majority of persons applying for asylum in the EU come from Afghanistan, Russia, Somalia and Iraq. Most of the 19,100 Somali refugees who sought for asylum registered with the authorities in the Netherlands or in Sweden.
Dagbladet 4 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://dagbladet.se/nyheter/utrikes/1.2003295-fler-soker-asyl-i-eu-lander
Policeman who requested sex from asylum-seeker fired
An officer employed within the Swedish border police in Västra Götaland has been fired after offering a female asylum-seeker assistance in return for sex. The man now risks up to six years in prison. The man, who is in his sixties, has had his employment terminated with immediate effect following a decision by the National Swedish Police Disciplinary Board.
The Local 5 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/26460/20100505/
Svenska Dagbladet 4 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/polis-begarde-sex-sparkas_4663855.svd
Iranians protest outside the Migration Board in Kållered
On Tuesday some 20 Iranians protested outside the Migration Board in Kållered. The goal was to stop the forcible returns of Iranians who are critical towards the regime. Tofigh Mohammadi from the national organization for Iranian refugees said in a statement that those who have participated in demonstrations against the government during last year are likely to be imprisoned, tortured or executed if they return.
Göteborgs Fria Tidning 4 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.goteborgsfria.nu/artikel/83645
UNHCR in the news
Insecurity hampers the work of UNHCR in Afghanistan
The High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres says that the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in recent times. UNHCR has to use local workers and Afghan organizations to reach the thousands of refugees the organization is trying to help. Guterres said in Geneva that international aid workers now have access to only half of the area where UNHCR staff previously has worked. According to Guterres, aid workers have been subjected to violence partly because the difference between the humanitarian and military personnel is becoming increasingly blurred. Both seek to attain the confidence of the local population for example by building bridges and digging wells, but Afghans find it difficult to know who represents what. UNHCR has renewed its working methods by sending administrative personnel to Bangkok and by acquiring a strong security system. Guterres notes, however, that barbed wires, protection against explosion or armed guards are not enough to convince Afghans that relief organizations differ from foreign soldiers.
YLE 5 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/2010/05/turvattomuus_haittaa_avustusjarjestoja_afganistanissa_1658139.html
Thursday 6 May to Friday 7 May 2010
Denmark
Human rights organization will respond to new immigration law
The Institute for Human Rights (IMR) has dropped its boycott of Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) and agreed to respond to the government's bill for new immigration legislation. IMR had originally declined to comment, claiming that the government was trying to rush the new legislation, but has now had a change of heart after Ms Hornbech promised that any response would be studied carefully. Head of IMR Jonas Christoffersen says that since the minister assured them that their input is invaluable they will do all they can to live up to their share of responsibility. He also says that the proposed legislation contains substantial changes, with very significant consequences for human rights, that they need to shed light on. The bill was given its first reading on 19 April and the IMR has to respond before the second reading on 20 May.
NordJyske 6 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qZ0ED
Estonia
Trafficking in Estonian women on the rise
According to Tiina Jokst, Consul at the Estonian Embassy in Athens, fictitious marriages between Estonian women and illegal immigrants living in Greece and Cyprus have become a serious problem during recent years. The reason behind the growing number of fictitious marriages is a recent ruling that provides immigrants with a better chance of getting a residence permit if they are married to citizens of the EU. According to various sources the sum paid to girls for marrying an illegal immigrant is up to 6,000 euros.
Baltic News Service 6 May 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.news
Finland
Refugees remain in limbo far too long
Refugees have to wait far too long for a decision on asylum, according to Ritva Viljanen, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of the Interior. Viljanen was speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Finnish Red Cross in Turku on Thursday. Viljanen urged municipalities to take in refugees who have been granted residence permits. She added that expenses increase when holders of residence permits are forced to live at refugee reception centres. Furthermore, she said it prohibits the integration process. Currently about 500 refugees who have been granted residence permits remain in limbo at reception centres. According to the UNHCR, there are over 15 million refugees worldwide. The number rises to over 42 million when including internally displaced people.
YLE 6 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qa0EK
YLE 6 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qb0EL
Refugees top the list of unemployed immigrants in Finland
There are significant differences in the employment situation for immigrants of different nationalities in Finland. The highest rates of unemployment are found among Somalis, Iraqis and Afghans who have arrived as refugees. For example, the rate of unemployment for Somalis, Iraqis and Afghans is over 50%.The Director of Immigration Affairs for the City of Helsinki, Annika Forsander, is dismayed by the position of Somalis in the Finnish capital. In other countries, Somali immigrants have integrated well into society. Language skills are often an excuse used by employers to turn down foreign job applicants.
YLE 7 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qc0EM
YLE 7 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qd0EN
Gambian gay man not to be deported
Helsinki Administrative Court has overturned the deportation order of a Gambian man who is persecuted in his home country due to his homosexuality. The man has sought asylum in Finland because of his sexual orientation. In Gambia, homosexuality can lead to 14 years imprisonment. The Immigration Service issued a negative decision in March.
Aamulehti 6 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qe0EO
Norway
Drops asylum proposal
In September 2008, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg proposed 13 restrictive measures to decrease the number of asylum-seekers. The government has now decided to drop one of the proposals, a requirement of four years of working as a prerequisite to allow family reunification of refugees. The proposal was meant to apply both persons who have the right to stay on humanitarian grounds, as well as those with refugee status. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) has criticized the proposal and says that they consider such a strategy to reduce the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Norway to be very disturbing. The Red Cross was also against the proposal, since they believe that each case should be individually evaluated. The Progress Party believes that the government's turnaround is a sad day for the Norwegian asylum policy. The Progress Party's spokesperson Per-Willy Amundsen says that Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is adopting the Socialist Left Party's naive politics.
Dagsavisen 6 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qf0EP
TV2 Nyhetene 6 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qg0EQ
Halden Dagblad 6 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qh0ER
Lowest number of asylum applications in three years
A total of 3,029 applications for asylum have been registered so far this year. According to the UDI, that is a decrease of 41 per cent compared to same period last year. UDI Deputy Director Frode Forfang says that the decline in April continues the trend that they have seen in recent months, but that it is still too early to say with certainty whether this is a lasting trend or not. For unaccompanied minors, the decline is even bigger with 62 per cent fewer applicants so far this year. The decline will lead to a decline in the number of reception places needed, but no reception centers are currently being closed. The situation will be evaluated throughout the year.
NRK 7 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qi0ES
Sweden
Malmström: Guardian for all unaccompanied minors
On Thursday Cecilia Malmström, the European Commissioner for home affairs, announced an action plan attempting to create a common European approach to the estimated 100,000 unaccompanied minors who arrive in Europe every year. The plan includes a proposal to provide all unaccompanied minors who come to the EU with a guardian and legal representation in the country in which they arrive, and to return in a dignified manner those without grounds for protection. The majority of unaccompanied minors arrive in Europe from Afghanistan, Iraq and some African countries. Most of them are boys between 16 and 18 years old. In order to reduce the influx of unaccompanied minors to the EU, Malmström suggests information campaigns to be held in the countries of origin. However, she does not want to propose a common methodology for age assessment, which several countries have demanded. She refers to the fact that there is no sure method to assess age at the moment. Instead, Malmström emphasizes the importance of increasing training on age assessment and develop common guidelines in the long term. At the same time as Malmström announced her plan, a report by the European Migration Network was published showing that different countries use very different methods to assess the age of unaccompanied minors.
Sveriges Television 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qj0ET
Expressen 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qk0EU
Sveriges Radio 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5ql0EV
Sveriges Radio 6 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qm0EW
Nyhetskanalen.se 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qn0EX
Sweden wants to send back more unaccompanied minors
Tobias Billström, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, has tasked the Swedish Migration Board to find suitable care centres in Iraq and Afghanistan as a first step in the efforts to send back unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers who are not in need of protection. The Migration Board is due to visit Baghdad and Kabul this month. The centres will be opened already this summer. The biggest group of unaccompanied minors coming to Sweden is Somali boys, who have a strong need for protection and are usually allowed to stay. In May, the Migration Board will return 158 unaccompanied minors, of which 75 to Iraq and 12 to Afghanistan. Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK have all made plans to establish care centres for unaccompanied minors in the countries of origin. According to Dan Eliasson, Director of the Migration Board, children who are returned back will be provided with housing and secure access to education and health care. Save the Children Sweden criticizes these plans saying many of the children will try to come to Europe again, and that the care centres could attract traffickers.
Dagens Nyheter 6 May 2010 p:14 (in Swedish)
UN criticizes Sweden for treatment of asylum-seekers
On Friday for the first time, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will hold a hearing on the human rights situation in Sweden. The UN criticizes Sweden for lack of respect for human rights and says the country does not follow the major UN conventions. In a report the UN writes that hate crimes and diffusion of white power music and propaganda in Sweden are on the rise. The report also mentions that children of ethnic minorities and asylum-seekers are subjected to disturbing xenophobia and racist attitudes. Some asylum-seekers face long detention periods, or deportation because their case is pending. The UN also criticizes Sweden for the treatment of unaccompanied minors, and writes that a worrying number of these children disappear from the reception centres. In addition, the report mentions that undocumented children in Sweden are entitled to emergency treatment only, which violates the children's rights.
Svenska Dagbladet 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qo0EY
Sveriges Radio 7 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qp0EZ
Sweden increases refugee forecast again
The Swedish Migration Board has increased its forecast to 31,000 for the number of persons expected to seek asylum this year. It has also requested an additional 60 million kronor ($7.86 million) in 2010 to cope with the increased pressure. Previously, the Migration Board estimated that there would be 25,000 asylum-seekers in 2010, but in February, it increased its forecast to 28,000 and asked for an additional 50 million kronor for its budget. It has also increased its projection for next year by 1,000 to 28,000. The increase in the number of asylum-seekers is largely due to more persons from Serbia and Kosovo seeking refugee status following the abolition of visa requirements.
The Local 6 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qq0Ea
Blekinge Läns Tidning 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qr0Eb
Dagbladet 6 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qs0Ec
Asylum-seeker freed from arson charges
The 28-year-old asylum-seeker who was charged with arson was acquitted on Wednesday. The man set himself on fire in April last year inside the Migration Board offices in Alvesta after having been told that he could not stay in Sweden. The man himself says he only intended to hurt himself. The 28-year-old has now a temporary residence permit in Sweden which allows him to stay in the country until the summer.
Sveriges Television 5 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCnOa0ZqnfK0aYE0D5qt0Ed
Saturday 8 May to Monday 10 May 2010
Finland
Thors on hate crimes
Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors spoke at the Swedish People's Party's Youth Congress (SU) in Pargas on Saturday. Minister Thors said that the current racist discussion on the internet affects the morale of the society. She also said that on May Day there was a peak of violent racist crimes which she thinks are connected to the explosion of racist writings on the internet. Minister Thors wants that hate crimes, even on the internet, should have a more independent role in the legislation so that the society can intervene before a crime happens.
Hufvudstadsbladet 8 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/5/8/w46717.php
Norway
Plans to establish care centre in Kabul
Norwegian authorities want to stop the flow of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers to Norway. Most of the children are Afghans, and therefore efforts to establish a care center in Kabul has been started. Norway uses the Netherlands' experience with a care center in Angola as a good example of such care centers, where only one minor applicant has been returned to the center since it was established in 2003. 168 others were also returned to Angola, but they were picked up by relatives. Dutch Justice Ministry sources they were surprised that relatives suddenly appeared, but that they "know" that the children were not obtained by unauthorized persons. The number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers from Angola to the Netherlands decreased considerably after the care center was established. The Norwegian Centre in Kabul will have 100 seats, of which 50 will be reserved for the return of young asylum-seekers coming to Norway. The plan is that the center will be completed this fall. There are also plans for a center in northern Iraq. State secretary K. Pal Lønseth says he is fairly certain that a care center in Kabul will lead to fewer unaccompanied minors from Afghanistan seeking asylum. Manizha Bakhtari, Afghanistan's ambassador in Oslo begs the Norwegian authorities to not return the young asylum-seekers by force. Human rights organisations have critized the plans.
Aftenposten 8 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3643510.ece
Stopped deportation of asylum-seekers in the 11th hour
Just hours before the 29-year-old from Afghanistan was to be sent out of Norway, a judge in Strasbourg stepped in and stopped the Norwegian process. On Friday, Asylum lawyer Arild Humlen contacted the Greek judge Christos Rozakis in the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg who put a put a full stop to the planned deportation at 6 am Saturday morning. Humlen says that the judge was brave to do so since there is a very strong political push in Europe to send asylum-seekers back. But according to the international standards that many countries have, this should be a legal and not a political issue. The Immigration Police Unit (PU) confirms that the planned deportation is stopped. The man is still in prison, and he will not be released even if the deportation case has been put on hold.
Verdens Gang 7 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10005629
UDI denies the Red Cross access to information
The Directorate for Immigration (UDI) will not grant the Red Cross access to their tracing services that could help determine whether persons who are reported missing by their family live in Norway. President of the Norwegian Red Cross, Sven Mollekleiv, is dissatisfied with UDI's refusal and says that for them this is vital work. He says that all they are asking for is to be able to help people find their nearest. Last year more than 200 people asked for help to find relatives they believed were staying in Norway. UDI's rejection is based on legal grounds, but also justified by policy considerations, resources, and practical and security reasons. According to the UDI so-called refugee espionage, which means that foreign actors engage refugees to gather intelligence on their own citizens or citizens of other countries, occurs in Norway.
NRK 10 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7118049
Sweden
UN Committee Against Torture slams Sweden
The UN Committee Against Torture has said that Sweden breached the rights of an Egyptian man when it deported him to his home country where he was later tortured. The Committee had already criticized Sweden in 2005 for having expelled Ahmed Agiza, together with another man, Mohammad Alzery, in 2001. The two were suspected of involvement in an extremist organization with links to al-Qaeda.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 May 2010 p:12 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/fn-fel-att-avvisa-egyptier_4686175.svd
Sweden receives criticism from the UN Human Rights Council
At a review by the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, many countries criticized Sweden for growing discrimination of asylum-seekers, immigrants and refugees and for more hate crimes against ethnic minorities and racist crimes. The leader of the US delegation stressed that Sweden must do more to integrate immigration groups. Fredrik Belfrage, leader of the Swedish delegation, said afterwards that Sweden had received a generally positive assessment. Belfrage admitted that Sweden faces significant challenges such as hate crimes, anti-Semitism and discrimination of ethnic minorities and that these challenges are taken extremely seriously and will be dealt with.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/fn-lander-stallde-sverige-till-svars_4686093.svd
Investigation on health care for paperless refugees
Asylum-seekers' and paperless refugees' right to health care are currently being investigated. Parts of the study have received criticism. According to a committee directive issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs the proposals of the study must not contribute to more persons remaining illegally in Sweden. Anita Dorazio from the Asylum Committee (Asylkommittén) is very critical towards the directive, saying that the discussion is about health care and not about individual asylum cases. Minister for Health and Social Affairs Göran Hägglund believes research and examples from other countries show that free health care to paperless persons has no negative impact on migration policy and that the exact wording of the directive will not make any difference.
Sveriges Radio 7 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=103&artikel=3682652
Firm sues Sweden over dislodged Muslim lawyer
A law firm is suing the Swedish state for discrimination after one if its lawyers, a Muslim woman, was removed from a case following a complaint from a Christian asylum-seeker. The lawyer was appointed last autumn by the Migration Board to represent an Egyptian man seeking asylum in Sweden. The man, a Christian, said he and his family were seeking asylum on grounds of persecution by Muslims in their home country.
The Local 8 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/26528/20100508/
Tuesday 11 May to Wednesday 12 May 2010
Denmark
Danish People's Party want to introduce asylum stop
Refugees from certain countries could for periods of up to one year be excluded from the possibility of seeking asylum in Denmark. The Danish People's Party believes that this is the way to curb the rising number of asylum-seekers coming to the country. The Danish People's Party are now asking Minister of Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) to consider their proposal. Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, a researcher in refugee law at the Danish Institute for International Studies believes that an asylum-stop would probably be in violation of both the Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. He says that both the conventions state that there is a responsibility not to send people back if they are in risk of being persecuted or tortured. Gammeltoft-Hansen says that in practice this means that Denmark must let everyone apply for asylum.
Kristeligt Dagblad 11 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/365820:Danmark--Dansk-Folkeparti-vil-indfoere-asylstop
Sick refugees must still wait for help
According to the Danish Refugee Council, refugees traumatized by for instance torture are still waiting up to 18 months for treatment despite a two-month treatment guarantee in the psychiatric field. This is due to a lack of resources at the treatment centers. Traumas worsen over time when left untreated, and there is a risk that the traumas are transferred to the children when parents are unable to give them the emotional support and feeling of safety that they need. Danish Refugee Council has reviewed the waiting lists at 14 rehabilitation centers in Denmark. Only three met the healthcare guarantee.
Danmarks Radio 11 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/05/11/160015.htm
Jyllands-Posten 11 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/article2065187.ece
Berlingske Tidende 11 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.berlingske.dk/danmark/regioner-beklager-flygtningerod
Jyllands-Posten 11 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/article2065303.ece
Thinned group of rejected Iraqis
One year after the government signed a repatriation agreement with Iraq, the group of rejected Iraqis has thinned out considerably. When the agreement was signed in May last year, there were 280 Iraqis who had been refused asylum in Denmark. 76 of them have now left. Some have left voluntarily, and others have been forcibly returned to Baghdad. A total of 88 Iraqis are waiting to be sent back to Iraq in the near future.
Politiken 12 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/indland/article969156.ece
Norway
Will move asylum registration from the police to the UDI
Today the Police Immigration Unit (PU) is responsible for registering new asylum-seekers that come to Norway, but the Justice Department wants to transfer this responsibility to the Directorate for Immigration (UDI). The government wants the police immigration unit to spend more time on evicting people without residence permits. Moving the registration of asylum-seekers to the UDI is not uncontroversial. Sources in the PU says that it is crucial that the professional police personnel carry out the initial registration of newly arrived asylum-seekers since they, among other things, are experts at exposing lies and false identification papers. The Department of Justice will not comment on the matter until they have talked with representatives from the police on Tuesday.
Aftenposten 11 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3646189.ece
TV2 Nyhetene 10 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/politikk/vil-flytte-asylregistreringen-til-udi-3205314.html
Sweden
Refugee lawyer critical towards deportations of beggars
The number of EU citizens who beg on the streets of Sweden has risen sharply in recent years. But despite the fact that begging is not illegal in Sweden, the police have increasingly begun to directly deport beggars to their home countries – in most cases to Eastern Europe. Refugee lawyer Hans Bredberg believes that the police do not often have legal grounds for the expulsions, and says it is doubtful that the police can take such decisions. He adds that an EU citizen cannot be deported on the basis of begging.
Sveriges Television 11 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.1998135/tiggare_direktavvisas_av_polisen
UNHCR in the news
UN calls on countries to take more refugees from Somalia
The UN refugee agency UNHCR urged its member countries on Tuesday to provide asylum for refugees from Somalia, even if they do not meet all formal requirements. The organization says that it has changed its recommendations because persons fleeing from central and southern Somalia are in need of international protection. UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming says the circumstances in Somalia have deteriorated steadily and the situation in the country's southern and central parts is acute. The Islamist militias have waged a war against Somalia's weak government since 2007. The militias are in control of most of southern and central Somalia. Around 1.4 million persons have been forced to flee the fighting to calmer parts of the country. Over half a million Somalis have fled to Somalia's neighboring countries.
Vasabladet 11 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.vasabladet.fi/Story/WireStory.aspx?storyID=19452
Keskisuomalainen 11 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.ksml.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/yk-kehotti-ottamaan-lis%C3%A4%C3%A4-pakolaisia-somaliasta/560203
Thursday 13 May to Monday 17 May 2010
Denmark
Human Rights institute criticizes government's new immigration laws
The Danish Institute for Human Rights criticizes the Government's new immigration laws that are based on a points system, allowing immigrants to gain permanent residency in four years if they get enough points through both paid and voluntary work and other signs of integration. They warn that the system will in effect exclude immigrants from the Danish society, scare away qualified foreign labour and lead to violations of human rights unless exceptions are made. Large groups of immigrants are not able to live up to the demands which include passing a test in the Danish language, having full-time employment for 2½ out of 3 years and not having received any type of public aid in the same period. With demands this high, the Institute fears that many will not even try. The Danish People's Party denies that demands are too high.
Berlingske Tidende 13 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cF0E3
The Copenhagen Post 14 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cG0E4
Fewer Iraqi asylum-seekers coming to Denmark
There has been a clear decrease in the influx of Iraqi asylum-seekers coming to Denmark after the country signed an agreement on forced returns of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. In 2009, 305 Iraqis sought asylum in Denmark compared with 1,071 in 2007 and 562 in 2008. This year the figure will continue decreasing. The improved security situation in Iraq is thought to be one of the reasons behind the decrease in Iraqi asylum-seekers. Today, 71 rejected Iraqis are waiting for a deportation from Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 13 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cH0E5
Families are split when one parent is deported
There are several foreign citizens with Danish permanent residencies who are living as sole parents because the Danish authorities have decided to deport the other parent, splitting the families. The motivation is that the couple has a stronger connection to the country of origin than to Denmark, which is why the application for family reunification has been denied. The Liberals have commented on one case, saying that it is not a right to lead one's family life in the country one happens to be in. The Social Liberals have commented on some other specific cases that it is "unreasonble" to expect that persons with certain backgrounds could go back to Iraq and resume family life there. The Socialist People's Part says that the Convention on the Rights of the Child always must be followed, but that it is also important to be consistent when it comes to asylum, and if an application is denied it is denied for a reason.
Politiken 17 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cI0E6
Estonia
Majority of stateless live in the capital and in the country's northeast
Of the 103,800 stateless persons living in Estonia with a residence permit or residence right the overwhelming majority lives in the capital Tallinn and in East-Viru County in the country's northeast. Stateless residents younger than 15 years of age number 2,065. The number of stateless residents decreased by 5,502 last year, from 110,315 on January 2009 to 104,813 on January this year.
Baltic News Service 13 May 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Naturalization of new citizens decreasing
The naturalization of new citizens has been on a downward trend in Estonia in recent years. Only 1,670 persons became Estonian citizens during 2009, the smallest number since the country regained its independence. Estonia granted citizenship to 2,124 persons in 2008, to 4,228 in 2007 and to 4,753 in 2006. During this decade the number of Estonian citizens increased the most in 2005 when the government granted citizenship to 7,072 persons. The peak time of granting Estonian citizenship was in the mid-1990s, with 22,773 persons granted Estonian citizenship in 1996. The proportion of stateless has constantly contracted after the restoration of Estonian independence. In 1992 the percentage of stateless was 32, in 1999 13 per cent and at present less than 9 per cent of the population.
Baltic News Service 13 May 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Finland
Parliament wants report on benefits for immigrants and asylum-seekers
The Finnish Parliament is asking the government for a broad clarification of matters related to family unification. The Parliament's Administrative Committee is interested in how Finnish rules and benefits compare with those in other European Union countries and Nordic Countries. The committee also wants to know if there is something about the Finnish rules which would make Finland a particularly attractive country for asylum-seekers.
Helsingin Sanomat 17 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cJ0E7
Committee wants to prevent adult children of refugees from moving to Finland
The Parliament's Administrative Committee wants to make it more difficult for the children of refugees to be granted residence permits. The committee, which is working to change Finland's Aliens Act, is proposing that refugees' children be granted residence permits only if they are minors when officials make the decision. Currently, these children can receive a residence permit if they come to Finland as minors but turn 18 by the time their applications are processed. The group is also proposing that officials be allowed to use certain biological evidence if they suspect a child's documented age is false. For instance, if an applicant claims to be a minor but is able to grow a beard, this could be used as evidence against him. Finland had given up using such evidence to determine an individual's age in the past after officials said the methods had no legal basis.
YLE 12 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cK0E8
EU asylum-seekers' applications on fast track
The Finnish Immigration Service intends to continue the speedy processing of asylum-seekers' applications from the EU. In April, the agency began the quick processing on a trial basis. The trial period is to end by the end of May this year. Since launching of the trial, officials have noted a drop in the number of asylum-seekers from Bulgaria. In April, the Immigration Service began making decisions on applications from EU citizens on the same day that applicants were interviewed by the police. Esko Repo, the director of the asylum unit at the Immigration Service, says the fast-track processing of applications from the EU will continue. He adds that the word of Finland's fast process will spread quickly among asylum-seekers in various countries. EU citizens cannot be granted asylum in Finland. However, they have the right to social benefits for as long as their applications are processed. It is expected that the number of EU citizens seeking asylum in Finland will taper off once they can no longer receive benefits.
YLE 12 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cL0EA
YLE 12 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cM0EB
Begging may be banned outright
Finland's Ministry of the Interior is studying the basis for an outright ban on begging. Begging has become more aggressive in nature, and more closely linked to criminal phenomena. For example, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation has uncovered traces of international human trafficking among the Romanian beggars arriving in Finland. In Helsinki alone, some estimates place the number of Romanian beggars at as high as a couple of hundred. The number is expected to rise as summer approaches. A ban on begging was already considered a couple of years ago. A working group at the time decided against proposing a change to the law, however. The group concluded that a ban would not prevent poor EU nationals from arriving in Finland.
Helsinki Times 14 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cN0EC
Local authorities worried about costs concerning asylum-seekers
If a proposed law amendment becomes reality, rejected asylum-seekers from the EU countries will have to leave reception centers as soon as they are rejected by the Immigration Service. The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities is concerned that asylum-seekers from other EU countries become clients of the municipal social services in the future, instead of being cared for by the state. The municipal costs would rise to half a million euros, estimates Jussi Merikallio, the associations Director of Social and Health Affairs. Expenditures would be composed of the asylum-seekers' social support, housing and health care costs.
YLE 15 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cO0ED
The capital area will tackle integration problems
The integration of immigrants in the metropolitan area will be made more effective. In a project funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the municipalities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa have tackled the shortcomings causing integration problems for immigrants. The capital Helsinki is concentrating on informing immigrants so that they know by whom, how and where they are cared for. Espoo will provide language classes for mothers and Vantaa will work with family reunification. The number of immigrants has doubled in recent years and the municipalities in the metropolitan area lack employees dealing with immigration issues.
YLE 14 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cP0EE
Norway
Norway's deportations in breach of UN recommendations
Norway returns asylum-seekers to some countries and regions which the UN does not consider safe. Greece and parts of Somalia and Iraq are examples of this. Several Human rights organisations including The Norwegian Association for Asylum-seekers (NOAS), Amnesty International, Save the Children and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have during the past winter been running a campaign called "Do as the UN says, Jens!". Sylo Taraku, Secretary General of NOAS, says that there has been an orientation towards a more restrictive interpretation of UN recommendations in the past years. State Secretary Pål K Lønseth at the Department of Justice denies that there has been a change of policy. UNHCR has understanding for the fact that Norway does not always follow UN recommendations when it comes to the returning of asylum-seekers. Hanne Mathisen, spokeswoman for the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, says that Norway does not ignore the UN recommendations, but studies them and refers to them when processing asylum applications. Hanne Mathisen notes that it is understandable that Norway comes to conclusions that are not in line with UNHCR's recommendations, and that the question is whether Norway could have done a bit more for some groups. She adds that it is not often that UNHCR comes with categorical recommendations against the return of persons to a country or a region. Mathisen says that it can be difficult to be the only country in Europe that does not conduct returns to Greece. She adds that UNHCR's criticism is not so much directed against Norway which is only following European standards, but that all European countries should be more restrictive when it comes to returning persons to Greece, since there is a risk that those in need of protection will be left without it.
Aftenposten 16 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cQ0EF
UDI denies police access to its archives
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will close its extensive archive from the police. 1.6 million persons who have sought or have gained a residence permit in Norway are registered in the system. The Police will no longer be able to use UDI's archives for investigation and criminal matters. UDI refers to privacy issues.
NRK 14 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cR0EG
Somalia risks facing starvation
According to the UN, 3.4 million Somalis, about 43 per cent of population, need food aid in order not to starve. The security situation in Somalia is becoming worse, and is particularly acute in central and southern parts of the country. UNHCR fears that food rations need to be reduced by June this year unless the international community provides the support that has been requested. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) urges the Norwegian government to follow UNHCR's recommendations and give refugees from Somalia protection in Norway. Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General of NRC, says that by returning persons to Somalia the Norwegian authorities contribute to more persons becoming internally displaced. Since January 2010, 336 Somalis have sought asylum in Norway.
NRK 17 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7122113'
Sweden
Iraqi journalist stabbed in Sweden
Ali Taleb, asylum seeking journalist and documentary filmmaker from Iraq, was stabbed by an unknown man on Sunday evening in Jakobsberg, north of Stockholm. Reporters Without Borders suspect that he was stabbed because of his journalistic work. In March this year Ali Taleb reported to All-Hurra from Sweden about Iraqi refugees who are forced to return to Iraq. After that, Ali Taleb and his family received death threats.
Sveriges Television 13 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cS0EH
UNHCR in the news
UN: over 300,000 Somali refugees
The UN refugee agency UNHCR estimates that 315,000 Somalis will have to leave the country as refugees this year. According to the UN the humanitarian crisis in Somalia has deteriorated. Already more than half a million Somalis have fled to neighboring countries and around 1.4 million live in Somalia as internal refugees. UNHCR has appealed to donors saying over 38 million dollars is needed to assist refugees. The Western countries support the government of Somalia, which fights against the Islamic militias dominating large areas of the country's central and southern parts.
YLE 12 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCo7T0ZqnfK0aYE0D6cT0EI
Tuesday 18 May to Wednesday 19 May 2010
Denmark
Fewer repatriate despite of increase in monetary bonuses
The latest figures from the Danish Refugee Council show a marked decline over the past few years in the number of refugees, along with those in the country per family reunification guidelines, who have returned to their native countries. Despite the considerable increase in the monetary bonuses offered to them by the state, only 70 have returned to their homelands so far this year. This is far fewer than the parties behind the government's repatriation programme expected. In November last year, the Liberal-Conservative government and the Danish People's Party (DF) passed a proposal to raise the amount accompanying repatriation from just over 28,000 kroner per person to up to 117,581 kroner during the period of 2010 to 2013. It was the DF that pushed for the change, arguing that it would inevitably save Danish society millions of kroner. But if the trend from the first four and half months remains consistent for the rest of the year, only about 200 foreigners will return home in 2010. That figure would be less than in previous years, with the exception of 2007.
Jyllands-Posten 17 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/48993-refugees-scoffing-at-home-return-bonus.html
TV2 Lorry 17 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.tv2lorry.dk/moduler/tv2nyheder/default.asp?id=30602926&
Every other granted asylum
Every other applicant is granted asylum in Denmark. A significantly larger number of those who are granted asylum are first-time applicants. The Danish People's Party (DF) integration spokesman Peter Skaarup wants an explanation for these figures from the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. In 2004 only 10 per cent were granted asylum, and the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech (Liberal Party) sees this as a sign that less apply if they do not really need asylum.
Danmarks Radio 18 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/05/18/055304.htm
Asylum approval level up
The Liberal-Conservative government's stricter immigration policies have not led to fewer applicants for asylum being granted legal residency, and the percentage of those being approved is at its highest level since 2001, according to figures from Immigration Service and the Ministry for Integration. In all, 44 percent of processed applications were approved by Immigration Service and a further 30 percent were approved on appeal to the Migration Court. Under the Social Democrat-led government in 2001, 53 percent of processed applications were approved by the Immigration Service. The following year under the new Liberal-led government, only 10 percent of applications were successful.
The Copenhagen Post 18 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.cphpost.dk/news/politics/90-politics/49005-asylum-approval-level-up.html
Norway
'Return to Greece immoral'
Director of the Health Directorate of Greece appeals to Norway not to return asylum-seekers to Greece under Dublin II. 1,500 asylum-seekers are pending such return from Norway. Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) is considering starting a reception center in Greece for unaccompanied minors. Secretary General Petter Eide of NPA says that returning to Greece means that Norway is renouncing its legal obligations and that this is very serious. State Secretary Paal Lønnseth stresses that we need common solutions and that Norway cannot do all alone. He also says that the country is only doing like the rest of Europe. Meanwhile Norway is advocating for a better burden sharing mechanism than what Dublin II allows for today. Geir J Baekkevoll from the Christian Democratic Party (KrF) notes that Norway is hiding behind the rest of Europe and that the situation is bound to get even worse in Greece. He adds that returning asylum-seekers to a country which lacks a functioning asylum system will result in rights not being met, which is immoral in his view.
NRK Radio P2 'Politisk kvarter' 12.5 kl 07.45 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/programmer/sider/politisk_kvarter/
Asks Støre for help to get around the Israeli blockade
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) asks Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for help to get around the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel threatens to halt an emergency shipment of Norwegian school gear that is now on its way. Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson writes in a letter to Støre that it is urgent to find alternative solutions to the current situation, and that the majority of the population of 1.5 million people continues to suffer due to acute shortage of food, drinking water, health care, education, electricity and shelter. NRC and other Norwegian aid organizations are not participating in the convoy of ships which are now on their way to the Gaza Strip, but would like to team up with Norwegian authorities and the UN before they challenge the Israeli blockade. Rasmusson recently visited the Gaza Strip and discussed this with the head of the UN relief organization for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), John Ginger. Rasmusson also discussed sea transport of supplies with the UN emergency relief coordinator John Holmes and several other key UN players.
Dagsavisen 18 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagsavisen.no/utenriks/article485970.ece
Nordbybråten reception center will be shut down
After many years of turbulence surrounding the reception center Nordbybråten, it will now be closed. After a series of violent episodes and thefts, it all culminated with the so-called Chechen fight in 2008. 23 people were seriously injured and more than 50 were indicted in the case that received major national attention. The center is closed since there has been a reduced need for places. Today there are about 70 persons staying at the reception center. These will move to other centers.
Moss Avis 19 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.moss-avis.no/nyheter/nordbybraten-transittmottak-legges-ned-1.5268898
Eritreans in Norway are forced to pay taxes to the country they fled from
All Eritreans have to pay an annual 2 per cent income tax to Eritrea. If they do not pay they are refused to repatriate or visit their families. There are also examples of incidences where relatives have been harassed and imprisoned when their relatives in Norway did not pay their tax. A representative of the Eritrean embassy in Scandinavia denies that there are any consequences for Eritreans who do not want to pay the 2 per cent tax.
NRK 18 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7128324
Sweden
Sweden orders return of 16-year-old to Malta
Yesterday the Swedish border police in Malmö remanded a 16-year-old asylum-seeking Somali boy in custody. The boy was to be deported to a refugee camp in Malta as of this morning. Cecilia Malmström, the EU commissioner for home affairs, considers that the conditions for asylum-seekers in Malta are appalling, and that the country is in breach of the rights that minor asylum-seekers have. Yesterday a fire broke out in the renowned airplane hangar where many underage asylum-seekers are placed. DN writes that the Swedish Migration Board has said that it would welcome a review by the Migration Court of Appeal to see if Sweden could make exemption to the so-called Dublin Regulation and allow the underage asylum-seekers to have their claims tried in Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 18 May 2010 p:13 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television 17 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22584/1.2005052/15-aring_avvisas_till_nedbrant_flyktinglager?lid=senasteNytt_1447662&lpos=rubrik_2005052
Continued criticism of deportations to Malta
On Tuesday, a 15-year-old Somali boy was sent back to Malta from Malmö. The deportation occurred despite the fact that the refugee camp had burned down, leaving 400 refugees homeless.
SVT 18 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33782/1.2006332/fortsatt_kritik_mot_maltaavvisningar?lid=senasteNytt_1851294&lpos=rubrik_2006332
Cooperation to stop SD
A study conducted by Sveriges Radio shows that three out of four politicians are willing to form a majority across block boundaries to stop the Sweden Democrats (SD). Nevertheless, 14 per cent of the respondents cannot imagine shutting out the Sweden Democrats this way. The study included more than 1,100 politicians.
Dagens Nyheter 17 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/valet2010/samarbete-for-att-stoppa-sd-1.1098803
Swedish Public Employment Service to take responsibility from municipalities
The municipalities in Sweden are in charge of the reception of newly arrived refugees. But now Parliament has decided that starting from this winter the Swedish Public Employment Service is to take the primary responsibility over newly arrived refugees. Municipalities will continue to work to find housing and with refugee children and young persons.
Sveriges Radio 17 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=161&artikel=3702919
Quota refugee policy
The European Parliament has approved a proposal whereby EU countries that receive quota refugees (people whom the UNHCR has mandated as being in particular need of help) are to be offered up to 6,000 euros per refugee from the common EU budget.
At the moment there are only some ten countries including Sweden that have programmes for the resettlement of quota refugees.
Svenska Dagbladet 19 May 2010 p:17 (in Swedish)
Missing girl apprehended
The ten-year old girl who was found Tuesday night after having been missing since Friday, has been taken into care by the social services. She refuses to say where she has been. The girl was found when she was coming out from a shop in Borås, and an employee of the shop recognized her from the newspaper pictures. She was then taken to the police station in Borås. The girl belongs to a refugee family who received their deportation order last week. Since the girl disappeared, the deportation has been postponed.
Sveriges Television 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2006785/aterfunnen_flicka_omhandertagen
Svenska Dagbladet 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/aterfunnen-flicka-omhandertagen_4734201.svd
Dagens Nyheter 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/forsvunnen-flicka-aterfunnen-1.1107723
Dahlström wants to terminate refugee agreement
To date, Katrineholm municipality has a contract with the Migration Board to receive 100 refugees per year. But Katrineholm receives more refugees than that and Mayor Goran Dahlström now wants to terminate the agreement. Dahlström says that they have received far more than they agreed, over 200 each year. At the municipal hearing on 26 May, he suggests that the municipality terminates the agreement. According to Dahlström, the main reasons for the Social Democrats in the municipality to terminate the agreement is the housing situation in Katrineholm and the high unemployment rate, as well as high pressure on social services and schools. Dahlström says that the municipality simply cannot offer refugees housing and jobs.
Katrineholms Kuriren 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://kkuriren.se/nyheter/katrineholm/1.705544
UNHCR in the news
Refugees going back to Afghanistan
More people are returning to Afghanistan from refugee camps in Pakistan. The situation in Afghanistan has not improved, but people are tired of waiting for peace. There are officially 1,7 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. These have arrived since the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Until recently, when the Pakistan authorities said that the refugees will be allowed to stay until 2012, their future in the country has been uncertain. Since UNHCR's center in Peshawar recently re-opened after the winter season, about one thousand persons have left Pakistan for Afghanistan each day. Babar Baloch, UNHCR's spokesperson in Pakistan, says that if this trend continues, more persons will return than in previous years. Some leave Pakistan because they believe that their life here has become more difficult. Both the inflation rate and unemployment rates have increased. The security situation in parts of Pakistan is so bad that some even believe that it is better on the other side of the border. The refugees receive 100 dollars per family member as a relocation allowance from the UN, but after that they are forced to make it one their own. Baloch says that refugees have to find jobs and homes after they return to Afghanistan. He says that most of the refugees go to urban areas, the province capitals and Kabul, where the opportunities are greater.
Aftenposten 15 May 2010 p:6 (in Norwegian)
Denmark
Grandparents nominated for UN Award
SOS Against Racism in Denmark has nominated Grandparents for Asylum (Bedsteforældre for Asyl) for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR's international award, the Nansen Award. A committee will decide who will receive the prize. The Nansen Award is given every year in October and consists of an honorary medal and $100,000. The money will be used to help asylum-seekers and refugees in cooperation with UNHCR. Nansen Award is given to a person or organization in recognition of an exceptional and dedicated assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers. SOS Against Racism says that the Grandparents for Asylum should receive the award since they, for example, on every Sunday for over two years have stood in front of the asylum centers Sandholm, Avnstrup and Kongelunden to protest against Denmark's treatment of asylum-seekers. The Grandparents for Asylum are moved by the nomination.
Sjællands Nyheder 20 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.sn.dk/Bedsteforaeldre-nomineret-til-FN-pris/Alleroed/artikel/62022
Sjællands Nyheder 21 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.sn.dk/Bedsteforaeldre-roert-over-indstilling/Alleroed/artikel/62120
Norway
Shut down Senjehesten reception center
Senjehesten reception center in Senja will be shut down because of the decreasing number of asylum-seekers that are coming to Norway, and because the Directorate of Immigration is not satisfied with the operator. The reception center has been criticized for poor living conditions and the very long distance to the nearest town.
NRK 19 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/troms_og_finnmark/1.7130638
Kritiansand the best on settlement and integration of refugees
Kristiansand is the winner of the Directorate for Integration and Diversity's (IMDi) 2010 settlement prize. Last year, Kristianstad distinguished themselves by helping unaccompanied minor refugees. Audun Lysbakken says that theye was an urgent need to settle unaccompanied minors last year, and Kristiansand developed new standard for flexibility in their settlement efforts. 606 unaccompanied children and young people were moving to municipalities last year. Kristiansand received 46 of them, and settled all within three months.
Agderavisen 20 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://agderavisen.com/article.php?story=20100520125331957
Sweden
Christian Iraqi to be deported
A 20-year-old Iraqi male who lives in Värmdö will be deported, even though UNHCR advices against deportations to Baghdad. Local municipality politicians across the policial field have come together to protest against the deportation. Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström said in a debate on Swedish radio that if the Migration Court rules that an individual does not have sufficient reasons for asylum, he should, regardless of where he comes from, be deported. The reporter commented that UNHCR does not think that Christian Iraqis should be deported to Baghdad or the central parts of Iraq, asking why Sweden makes a different assessment. Billström replied that UNHCR, following its mandate, can make broad collective assessments, whereas the Swedish system is based on a legally certain individual assessment. According to Billström, UNHCR can make a statement concerning a whole region, but the Swedish system is built on the opposite approach, i.e. the individual and the protection needs of the individual. He also said that he has visited Baghdad, and knows that some of the minorities experience great difficulties, which is why some Christian Iraqis are granted asylum.
Sveriges Radio 21 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1650&artikel=3712641
Stieg Larsson Prize awarded
The Stieg Larsson price of SEK 200,000 was awarded Anne Sjögren. The prize is the second Stieg Larsson Award and was awarded Sjögren for her earnest efforts to provide care for paperless refugees. The jury says that Sjögren has through her longstanding commitment to the Rosengrenska Foundation "shown great courage and vigorously defended human rights."
Norran 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://norran.se/nyheter/norrochvasterbotten/article1040329.ece
Sweden proposes immigrant orientation
The government has proposed that newly arrived immigrants should undergo courses in core values of society and be taught about how Swedish society works. Erik Amnå, professor of Political Science, says that without knowledge of fundamental societal values an important prerequisite to be able to live and work in Sweden is missing. Amnå, whose proposal has been presented to the integration minister Nyamko Sabuni, suggests that the courses should be divided into three key areas - values (the constitutional foundations), the welfare state (public institutions), and everyday life (practical applied knowledge of how the welfare state works). Erik Amnå proposes that municipalities should be instructed to offer 60 hours of schooling to each new immigrant or refugee.
SVT Rapport 20 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2009266/invandrare_ska_lara_sig_om_svenska_varderingar?lid=senasteNytt_275216&lpos=rubrik_2009266
The Local 20 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/26742/20100520/
The government criticizes the red-green migration policy
According to the government's calculations, the red-green's draft on migration policy costs up to four billions more than more than was stated in the autumn budget proposal. During the Green Party congress last weekend, it was decided that the party will go to the polls on the issue of amnesty for paperless refugees. This is an issue that the Left Party also sees as important. Migration Minister Billström says that the government does not want to see any amnesty reforms. He says that it would substantially undermine the policy and result in a system where people can come here and say 'hey, here I am and I want to stay here." He says that Sweden's asylum system should be open to the people who actually have a need for protection and not for persons with other reasons.
SVT 21 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.128339/1.2009737/regeringen_sagar_de_rodgronas_migrationspolitik
UNHCR in the news
Students on the run in Horndal
On Wednesday, students from Johan Olov School in Horndal got a small glimpse of what it is like to be a refugee who is forced to flee from war and persecution. Connexion, a three-year integration project at the school, organized role-playing game called "the Escape". The game is a reworked version of an role-playing game created by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. When fleeing from the war, the students were robbed by unknown criminals, one student was shot, and several refugees were abducted by paramilitary units that were raging in border areas. Staff from the Swedish United Nations Association, the Red Cross, the Swedish Church and the Home Guard participated in role play. A group of pupils at the school have been involved in preparing it, together with the project manager for Connexion. The project is funded by the Inheritance Fund.
SVT 19 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33557/1.2007909/elever_pa_flykt_i_horndal?lid=senasteNytt_1709147&lpos=rubrik_2007909
Saturday 22 May to Monday 24 May 2010
Denmark
DF will save money on quota refugees
Before going into negotiations with the government over the recovery plan where 24 billion Danish crowns has to be saved, the Danish People's Party said that Denmark can save money if the country stops accepting 500 quota refugees every year and instead focuses more on the refugees that are already in Denmark. According to Peter Skaarup from the Danish People's Party, the government will save billions in expenses that they are now spending on immigrants and refugees that do not work as much as the Danes.
Politiken 22 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article977788.ece
Danmarks Radio 22 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/05/22/133947.htm
DF will reduce pensions for refugees
On Monday's talk on the recovery plan, the Danish People's Party proposed to cut retirement opportunities for refugees. Today, refugees are automatically eligible for the maximum pension at retirement age, regardless of how long they have been living in Denmark. Others must have lived in Denmark for the last 40 years to receive the maximum amount. Otherwise you will be paid a fraction of your pension. Danish People's Party's social spokesperson Martin Henriksen says that refugees should be treated in the same way, and subject to the same rules, as the Danes and other immigrant groups are.
Jyllands-Posten 24 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2076774.ece
TV2 Lorry 24 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.tv2lorry.dk/moduler/tv2nyheder/Default.asp?id=%0D%0A%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%0930739534
Denmark pays for an empty house in Nigeria
Each year, Denmark pays thousands of dollars for a house in Nigeria, where victims of trafficking can hide. However, a so-called safe house in Benin City in Nigeria is completely deserted. According to the site's neighbors, it has been empty for a long time. A report from the Norwegian Research Institute for Working life and Welfare has previously suggested that there are no women in the houses, but Denmark continued to pay for it. Last year, Danish authorities identified 54 women who were victims of trafficking. Approximately half of these women come from Nigeria and were sent back either forcibly or voluntarily. The UN has previously adviced against the return of women to Nigeria since both integration authorities and the police there have problems with corruption. This means that a proportion of trafficked women who are sent to Nigeria will return to the hands of the traffickers.
TV2 Lorry 23 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.tv2lorry.dk/moduler/tv2nyheder/Default.asp?id=%0D%0A%09%09%09%09%09%09%09%0930663168
Finland
Fadayel is encouraged to travel back home
Eveline Fadayel, an Egyptian grandmother who has applied for a residence permit in Finland and has received two negative decisions, has been encouraged to buy a plane ticket and fly home. Her entire family lives in Finland, but she does not meet the requirements for family reunification according to the Finnish Aliens Act. She was to be deported earlier this year but the action was suspended since there was discussion on a potential change in the law that would have allowed her to stay.
Helsingin Sanomat 21 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/artikkeli/Poliisi+kehotti+egyptil%C3%A4isiso%C3%A4iti%C3%A4+ostamaan+menolipun/1135257066689
Hufvudstadsbladet 21 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2010/5/24/w47417.php
Sweden
Swedes more tolerant of immigrants
A newly released report from the SOM Institute at Gothenburg University indicates that Swedes have become more positive towards immigrants and and the reception of refugee over the years. The survey, conducted in the autumn of 2009, shows that 36% of Swedes think that there are too many foreigners living in Sweden. In 1993 the figure was 52%. Urbanites, women and young people are the ones that are the most positive towards immigrants. Professor Marie Demker says that sespite attempts by groups such as the Sweden Democrats to stir opposition to immigration, these groups are still a peripheral subculture. The survey has also shown that Moderate voters are the most skeptical towards foreigners (38%) while Green Party voters are the least skeptical (20%).
Dagens Nyheter 24 May 2010 p:4 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 24 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/svenskar-positivare-till-invandrare_4759139.svd
Sveriges Television 24 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2012654/svenskar_positivare_till_invandring?lid=senasteNytt_1765014&lpos=rubrik_2012654
NB. This item was also covered in Finland.
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/utrikes/2010/5/24/w47414.php
Iltalehti 24 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltalehti.fi/ulkomaat/2010052411721859_ul.shtml
Party ditches candidate over pro-immigrant views
The nationalist Sweden Democrat party has excluded a candidate from election to the local council in Ljusdal in eastern Sweden after the politician expressed support for a refugee reception center in the town. Fredrik Hansson was the Sweden Democrats' sole candidate for election to Ljusdal's council until his comments led local leaders in Gävleborg county to withdraw the party's candidacy in the town. Sweden Democrat's county chairman Roger Hedlund says that Hanssons remarks contradicts the party's programme. Fredrik Hansson says that the decision is ridiculous, and argues that further immigration is necessary if Sweden wants to cope with the problems associated with an ageing population.
The Local 22 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.thelocal.se/26794/20100522/
Svenska Dagbladet 22 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/sd-kandidat-petad-for-sina-asikter_4752487.svd
Södertälje - a society in society
In Södertälje, the ethnic segregation is so severe that there now is an Iraqi society within society. The municipality has long tried to encourage Iraqi refugees to move to other municipalities, but many of those who have done it moved back. Since the war in Iraq started in 2003, 7,000 Iraqis have moved to Södertälje. They live in the same areas, they often work together and they socialize mostly with each other. Evin Cetin, political secretary in Södertälje says that it creates a sense of exclusion, where people do not feel involved in the Swedish society, and that it creates a society where children do not meet a single ethnic Swede and it is enough that one can only speak Arabic.
SVT 21 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2004610/sodertalje_-_ett_samhalle_i_samhallet
Uzbek refugees are tortured after deportation
When being returned or returning to Uzbekistan, asylum-seekers are accused of and sentenced for having campaigned against the Uzbek regime and for seeking asylum. The Uzbek security services has engaged in extensive espionage of Uzbek refugees in Sweden. The espionage results in the imprisonment and the torture of the Uzbek asylum-seekers who return home or are deported.
Sveriges Radio 24 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://mobil.sr.se/site/index.aspx?artikel=3718029&unitid=83
Introduces bonus to SFI students
The controversial experiment to give bonuses to immigrants and refugees who quickly finish their studies in Swedish will now be implemented everywhere, despite the fact that it has been widely criticized and has not been be evaluated. The bonus system was tested in the SFI education in 13 municipalities.
Sveriges Radio 21 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=128&artikel=3715153
Tuesday 25 May to Wednesday 26 May 2010
Denmark
DF goes after foreigners in negotiations
Danish People's Party are in negotiations with the government over the savings plan that is supposed to strengthen the treasury by 24 billion Danish crowns. They propose that refugees should not automatically receive full state pension and that the pension should be calculated according to how long they have been in Denmark, that foreigners themselves must pay for interpreters in schools, hospitals and in municipalities, introducing fees on residence permits and visas, and that Denmark should stop receiving quota refugees. Danish People's Party's treasurer Kristian Thulesen Dahl rejects the accusations that the DF has launched a hunt to cut public benefits for foreigners, he merely believes that the proposal makes up for the fact that foreigners have previously received too much.
Jyllands-Posten 24 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2076995.ece
Medical Association: DF-proposal can have serious consequences
Mads Koch Hansen, chairman of the Medical Association fears that the Danish People's Party might be breaking the health law if they would deprive foreigners of free interpretation at hospitals and in municipalities. He says that the health law says that you must have easy and equal access to health care, and that by removing the interpreters, it may be a barrier, which means that you break the law. He also says that it is important that messages are understood correctly by the patient so that the doctor may say that there has been an informed consent. The proposal from the Danish People's Party is a part of the savings plan, which the government expects will be negotiated on Tuesday.
Politiken 24 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/article978719.ece
DF gets some of their wishes fulfilled
Danish People's Party (DF) has on many occasions proposed to cut foreign aid and child allowances. It is now a reality. Less aid to developing countries and a limit to the money for children will save 2.4 billion crowns in 2013. Since a majority of the families with non-Western parents have more children than families with two Danish parents, this change will mostly affect immigrants and refugees. DF also got its way with savings on interpreters, which should result in savings of 15 million crowns in 2013, as well as the possibility of health care fees for foreigners which would result in savings of 82 million crowns. DF also proposed that refugees would no longer automatically receive the full state pension. The pension should instead be given according to how many years the refugees has lived in Denmark. Evaluation work is now underway to look at the opportunity of changing the pensions for refugees. However, Peter Skaarup's wish of stopping the reception of quota refugees was rejected.
Jyllands-Posten 25 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2078090.ece
Jyllands-Posten 25 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2078018.ece
Finland
Groznyi Angel's asylum application will get new examination
The Immigration Service is to re-examine the case of the "Groznyi Angel" Khadizhat Gatajeva and her husband. The Gatajevs have applied for asylum in Finland claiming they are persecuted in Lithuania, where they have been indicted for crimes related to orphanages that they have been running in the Chechen capital Groznyi and in Lithuania. Human rights organisations suspect that the case has political motives. The Gatajevs' application was denied in March 2010, but now the Helsinki Administrative Court has ordered the case to be looked at again. The Immigration Service will either do this, or apply for a permit appeal. The decision is not public. Meanwhile, the Gatajevs' case is to be retried in Lithuania, but even if they are freed, they are not safe in the country, according to Teemu Matinpuro who is part of a support group for the couple.
YLE 25 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/05/quotgroznyin_enkelinquot_kielteinen_turvapaikkapaatos_kasitellaan_uudelleen_1710438.html
Police to go ahead with Grandmother deportations
National Police Commissioner Mikko Paatero believes that the highly-publicized deportation of an Egyptian grandmother, Eveline Fadayel, will go ahead as planned. Her deportation was suspended as the government considered amending immigration laws, but Paatero now says that authorities can wait no longer for reforms. The government has said it would consider reforms to legislation that would allow immigration officials to consider extenuating humanitarian circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Paatero says that if new legislation were to come before summer it may change the situation, but that this is unlikely. Paatero stressed that police have to obey the laws, and that not even the Supreme Police Command can overturn a deportation. Helsinki Police will also continue the implementation of a deportation order against Russian grandmother, Irina Antonova. Under current Finnish immigration laws, grandmothers cannot be granted residence permits as they are not classed as being part of the immediate family.
Minister for Immigration Astrid Thors admitted that any legal change would take time. Earlier she had hoped legislation could have been amended before this summer. Russian media has criticized Finland severely. The issue will probably be discussed as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits Finland later this week.
YLE 25 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/05/police_re-instate_deportation_of_egyptian_and_russian_grandmothers_1708213.html?print=true
YLE 25 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/05/russian_media_criticises_finland_over_deportation_1710756.html
Norway
UDI want to give work permits to asylum-seeker with undocumented identities
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) proposes new guidelines that would make it possible to grant work permits to asylum-seekers with undocumented identities in cases where the UDI and the police use more than three months to establish their identity. Director Svein Oppegaard of NHO says that in their view, it is not advisable for any employer to employ workers without knowing their identity. Attorney Kurt Westlien at the NHO says that they believe that the identity must be determined before starting work to make sure that you do not end up in a situation where people are starting to work with a fake identity, and the employer runs into problems with for example payment of salaries at a later stage. In UDI's proposal, it is up to the asylum-seekers who have received a final rejection to notify their workplace.
Verdens Gang 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10007409
Aftenposten 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3664372.ece
Conservative Party: Norway should consider cutting the aid to Eritrea
Eritreans protest today against the regime in Eritrea. Between 30 and 40 persons protested against the President Isaias Afwerki, who by experts in Eritrea is described as a dictator. He has imprisoned thousands persons for their political views without charges or trial. The protesters demands that the president should be prosecuted for war crimes. Eritreans in Norway are blackmailed into paying an annual 2 percent tax on all income, to the country they fled from. Family and friends in Eritrea are in risk of being fined or harassed if the tax is not paid. Torbjørn Røe Isaksen from the Conservative Party says that Norway should reconsider the aid of nearly 60 million that the government donates to Eritrea every year. Røe Isaksen says that it must be clear that if Norway can not demand that Eritrean authorities respect human rights and legal protection to people who stay in Norway, he says that he thinks it must also have consequences for development assistance to the country.
NRK 25 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.7138633
60 asylum-seekers live with mould in the ceiling and polluted drinking water
The persons in charge of Vaterholmen reception center in Verdal have been given a week to improve the living conditions at the center if they want to avoid fines or closure of it. There is mould in the ceilings and walls in the shower, the condition in the kitchen is unsanitary, the indoor air quality is very poor, and there is e-coli bacteria in the drinking water. These things were all pointed out in a report as early as in the beginning of April. A municipality doctor concludes that the old military barrack is unsuitable as a home for people. In March, the Directorate for Immigration (UDI) monitored the reception center in Verdal without visiting the controversial camp in Vaterholmen. After meetings with the employees, it was concluded that "the residents of the reception center are well taken care of." Acting Regional Director of UDI, Mette Moen Baatvik, does not believe a physical inspection would have made them reach different conclusions in the report.
Dagbladet 25 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/05/25/nyheter/asylmottak/innenriks/asylpolitikk/udi/11859719/
Sweden
16-year-old charged with arson
A 16-year-old boy has been charged in Värmland District Court for arson or alternative vandalism after having started a fire at a housing for unaccompanied minor refugees in Filipstad. The incident occurred in January when the boy set fire to his clothes in his room. The staff managed to evacuate the housing, so no one got hurt. The prosecutor, however, claims that the fire was endangering another's life and caused extensive destruction. The boy admitted that he started the fire.
Dagens Nyheter 24 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/16-aring-atalad-for-mordbrand-1.1110772
Thursday 27 May to Friday 28 May 2010
Denmark
Refugees sent back to Greece
A new Danish Red Cross study of 300 refugees shows that the rights of asylum-seekers are routinely violated in Greece. Despite this, Denmark sends asylum-seekers back to Greece if this was the first EU country they were registered in. Secretary General Anders Ladekarl says that their study clearly demonstrates that asylum-seekers are treated inhumanly in Greece and that Denmark therefore must immediately stop sending asylum-seekers back there. The Dublin Regulation gives Member States the right to handle asylum cases from applicants who first arrived in another EU country. In the case of Greece, the United Nations recommends the use of this opportunity not to send refugees back. But Denmark has since 2006 deported 20 refugees to Greece. On Wednesday afternoon, the Ministry of Integration announced that it will now automatically send asylum-seekers back to Greece, without first checking with Greek authorities, as has been the practice in the past. This has shocked the Danish Red Cross.
Danmarks Radio 27 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cB0EF
Danmarks Radio 27 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cC0EG
Researcher: Denmark disregarding human rights
Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, a researcher in refugee and EU asylum policy at the Danish Institute for International Studies says that Denmark could have violated the international conventions, notably the European Convention on Human Rights, by sending asylum-seekers back to Greece. He says that the Dublin Regulation is not something that ranks above human rights. Minister for Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech explains that the Danish immigration authorities simply follow the EU's quite normal practice.
Danmarks Radio 27 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cD0EH
Amnesty criticizes Denmark on several points
In 2009, torture occurred in 111 countries, 55 countries were accused of lack of rule of law and in 96 countries, severe limitations on freedom of expression occurred. In Amnesty's annual report, Denmark is criticized for undermining human rights and for failing to fulfill its international obligations towards vulnerable groups in the world. Denmark is criticized for disregarding UN recommendation by forcibly returning asylum-seekers to Iraq, even though UNHCR has said that asylum-seekers should not be sent back to central Iraq until the security situation has improved.
Politiken 27 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cE0EI
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Aftenposten 27 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cF0EJ
Aftenposten 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cG0EK
Finland
"Grandmother Laws" next year at the earliest
Changes to immigration laws that would include grandparents as part of the nuclear family will not come into force until next year at the earliest. This comes much too late for two elderly women who are being deported in June. Pentti Visanen, Director-General of the Migration Department at the Ministry of the Interior, says that as long as Parliament is given the bill for consideration by November, the law could come into force at the beginning of 2011. Earlier this year, the plight of two grandmothers, Eveline Fayadel and Irina Antonova, caught the sympathy of the public and many politicians. They were denied residence permits. Both grandmothers have families living in Finland, and no close relatives in their home country. Visanen says that grandmothers who are now returned back to their home countries could apply for a residence permit again when the amended legislation is in force.
YLE 27 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cH0EL
YLE 26 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cI0EM
YLE 27 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cJ0EN
Poll: Majority of Finns opposed to more immigrants
Nearly two thirds of Finns say Finland should not encourage more foreigners to move here, according to a YLE survey. A whopping 82 per cent of True Finns backers were of the same opinion. For Centre Party supporters the number was 70 per cent, while 68 per cent of Social Democratic backers felt the same way. Meanwhile, 45 per cent of backers of the conservative National Coalition Party said they supported more immigration while 53 per cent were opposed. One third of respondents said that immigration would play a significant or very significant role in their voting decisions in the next elections.
YLE 28 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cK0EO
YLE 28 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cL0EP
Aamulehti 28 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cM0EQ
YLE 28 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cN0ER
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sveriges Radio 28 May 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cO0ES
Integration programmes unsupervised and unequal
Finnish language and integration education offered to immigrants varies greatly and lacks any official oversight. Training programmes are technically the purview of both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture. Dual management has led to neither ministry taking responsibility for supervision. The National Board of Education drew up general guidelines for programmes to teach culture and language skills to immigrants, but the Board has no authority to oversee the educational institutions that offer these programmes. This means that every school has the power to broadly interpret what they offer, creating a number of parallel but unequal programmes. One major problem is that while the number of immigrants is increasing, the money earmarked for this area has stayed the same.
YLE 27 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cP0ET
Oulu Police reach out to refugees
Police in Oulu have launched a programme to reach out to new refugees, especially youth. Police officials admit it is something they should have started a long time ago. The idea is to invite young refugees to education sessions where police can explain some legal and social issues and the role of police. Chief Investigative Officer Jouko Autio says that at the lectures, the police simply go through Finnish life and laws, that is, how to live in Finland and how committing crimes could affect their residence and so forth. He adds that the police feel these training sessions are necessary and that it is important to explain to persons from different backgrounds for example what a sexual crime is and the position of women in Finland.
YLE 27 May 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cQ0EU
Norway
Progress Party: - To ease the identification requirement is stupid
In a new proposal, the UDI says that asylum-seekers should be able to obtain a work permit if it takes more that three months for UDI and the police to establish their identity. The Progress Party fears that foreign criminals and terrorists will take advantage of more liberal regulations. Acting Secretary General Sylo Taraku at the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers says that some are waiting for answers on their applications for years, and that although the police are not hundred per cent sure who someone is, it would be better if the applicant could provide for himself instead of living on government money during this time. The Secretary General of Amnesty International says that the possibility of working is one of the most important measures of countering passivity, poor mental / physical health, preventing the transition to the black labor market and other forms of illegal activity among asylum-seekers.
Aftenposten 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cR0EV
Aftenposten 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cS0EW
Storberget on Sinsen reception center
Knut Storberget does not believe that the new reception center at Sinsen becomes more troublesome for the community than the current transit reception center. Residents in the area have reacted very strongly against the decision to move the reception center from Tanum to Sinsen at end of the year. Storberget believes that the reception center should be centrally located in Oslo, since this will enable a faster processing of asylum applications. He also says that by moving the reception center, its proximity to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the police immigration unit will be ensured. The Progress Party's Christian Tybring-Gjedde wants Storberget to prevent the move of the reception center to Sinsen, saying that Tanum has been close enough to UDI and that the reception center has been successful.
NRK 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cT0EX
- Lack of rule of law in UNE
The Norwegian Bar Association's action and procedure group has assisted 19 rejected asylum-seekers through court cases, of which 12 rejections have been reversed. Leader of the action group, lawyer Arild Humlen, says the results so far show that UNE does not work from a legal perspective. He adds that there is an urgent need for strengthening the rule of law in UNE, and that the current situation is not satisfactory.
Aftenposten 26 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cU0EY
Oslo police harsh on asylum-seekers dealing drugs
Asylum-seekers who are engaged in crime in Norway damage the country's reputation, according to the Oslo police, which urge politicians to act. Kåre Stølen from the police says that these persons are abusing the Norwegian asylum system and ruin chances for others who really are in need of asylum. Since January, the Oslo police have caught 401 asylum-seekers for drug dealing. These account for over 650 cases. Stølen adds that the police have no means to keep these persons in custody and instead end up using resources on them which could be used for children and young persons in the area.
Verdens Gang 28 May 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cV0EZ
Sweden
Migration Board shortcomings in LGBT issues
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons seeking asylum in Sweden can receive different decisions on their asylum claims, depending on the person in charge of the case. Two reports show that the Migration Board lacks a clear picture of what the situation for LGBT persons looks like in different countries. There is a lack of quality information, and the information available is general, vague, and based on few and outdated sources.
Sveriges Radio 27 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cW0Ea
Dagens Nyheter 28 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cX0Eb
No collective punishment of refugee children used
According to an investigation by the social welfare board, there was no collective punishment used in the residences of unaccompanied minors in Östersund. However, the investigation shows that there is a confidence gap between the refugee children and the leadership, a gap the investigator Jan-Erik Nilsson believes is due to the children's changing situation. He notes that they have had adult roles in the countries they come from and now they become children again and have to adjust to a collective system.
Sveriges Television 26 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cY0Ec
Unemployment benefit – a carrot
Green Party member Mikaela Valtersson heads the working group that has been tasked by the government to study ways to facilitate circular migration, making it easier for non-EU migrant workers to move freely in and out of Sweden. The report proposes that migrant workers and persons who have been granted asylum in Sweden should be entitled to a larger share of the Swedish social security system, even if they return to their home countries.
Svenska Dagbladet 28 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7cZ0Ed
Proposal to waive visa requirement
The European Commission yesterday adopted proposals to enable citizens of Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina to travel with biometric passports to the Schengen countries without requiring visas. The proposal aims to simplify travel to EU countries (except the UK and Ireland) and to Switzerland, Norway and Iceland (non-EU members of the Schengen area). Last December the EU waived the visa requirement for citizens of Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro. However, visa requirements remained in place for citizens from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina as neither country met the criteria set by Brussels at that time. Since then significant progress has been made by both countries in improving passport security, strengthening border controls and reinforcing the institutional framework to fight organized crime and corruption.
Dagens Nyheter 28 May 2010 p:27 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
Jyllands-Posten 27 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCq3d0ZqnfK0aYE0D7ca0Ek
Saturday 29 May to Wednesday 2 June 2010
Denmark
5 million crowns to send refugee children home
The government and the Danish People's Party are preparing to contribute with 5 million DKK in development aid to a care centre in Kabul that will provide shelter for many of the unaccompanied Afghan and Iraqi asylum-seeking children who arrive in Denmark every year, only to be sent back home again. Denmark will help finance the Norwegian project, alongside Holland, Sweden and the UK. 542 unaccompanied minor refugee children arrived in Denmark last year, where 392 came from Afghanistan and 33 came from Iraq. Although many have been granted asylum, the government hopes to send those who were only given temporary humanitarian residency permits back to the care centre as soon as it is up and running.
Berlingske Tidende 29 May 2010 p:8 (in Danish)
Refugee children in asylum limbo
Right now, 75 youths and children who have fled to Denmark are waiting for their asylum procedure to be initiated. Unaccompanied minors must have a personal representative before the authorities begin considering an asylum case, and at the moment there are not enough of representatives. The persons are drawn from volunteers, and they are essential to the process, says project manager at the Danish Red Cross' asylum department, Karen-Inger Thorsen. Thorsen say that the representatives look after the interests and well-being of the child, and that when the minor is interviewed by the Danish Immigration Service and the Police, the representative's role is to ensure that the minor is heard and understood. The Danish Red Cross cannot keep up because there has been an explosive increase in the numbers of unaccompanied minors who seek asylum in Denmark. Last year, 529 unaccompanied minors sought asylum in Denmark. In 2007, that number was 93.
Danmarks Radio 31 May 2010 (in English)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Andre_sprog/English/2010/05/31/113010.htm
Danmarks Radio 28 May 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/05/28/203656.htm
Norway
Asylum-seeker had Securitas guards for DKK 14,000 a day
An unaccompanied minor asylum-seeker from a country in the Middle East was before Christmas considered to be so dangerous to himself and his surroundings that Torshov transit center hired security guards from Securitas. The Directorate of Immigration spent nearly NOK 400,000 on security for a month. Director Siri Rustad of UDI says that it is an expensive service when they use it, but that it is used on very few people. Rustad says that they are responsible for ensuring that the centers are a safe, quiet place for all who live there. In this case, the Torshov resident was eventually moved to a reinforced unit at a different center in a different region. In such units, they have additional staff and psychiatric nurses. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) believes that many European countries are better than the Norwegian authorities to identify asylum-seekers with special needs in an early stage. Acting Director General Sylo Taraku at NOAS says that you must ensure that such persons are sent for treatment or to the reinforced reception centers so that it does not become a burden for the other residents. Norwegian Directorate of Health says that the guidelines for health care for asylum-seekers are under revision.
Aftenposten 1 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article3673356.ece
Sweden
Prosecutor to investigate case of Mir Abbas
A year after his suicide, Mir Abbas Safari was finally laid to rest last Thursday in a churchyard in Gävle. Mir Abbas Safari, a homosexual from Afghanistan, who had sought asylum in Sweden but had his application rejected, committed
suicide whilst being held in custody in Gävle prior to deportation. He was held in custody even though he had a history of depression. The UN committee against torture has criticized Sweden several times for keeping people who are to be deported, but who are not suspected of having committed any crime, locked up in a cell 23 hours a day. Last week Amnesty criticized Sweden for the number of suicides committed by deportees who are held in custody. No one will accept any responsibility for the fact that Mir Abbas Safari was able to kill himself, and the case has now been handed over to the public prosecutor.
Dagens Nyheter 29 May 2010 p:36 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 29 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/nu-ska-aklagare-granska-fallet-1.1113763
Dagens Nyheter 29 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/mir-abbas-sista-resa-1.1113760
Sweden Democrats' shadow budget
The Sweden Democrats presented their first "shadow budget" in Landskrona on Monday. The party wants to save SEK 9.5 billion on aid by shrinking Sweden's aid budget to 0.7% of GDP, and SEK 12.4 billion on immigration in the first year, by reducing immigration for asylum-seekers and next-of-kin by 90% by 2012. This would mean that Sweden would have a lower number of immigrants than both Denmark and Finland.
Dagens Nyheter 1 June 2010 p:18 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 1 June 2010 p:14 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 31 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/sd-minska-bistandet-och-satsa-pa-forsvaret-1.1114575
Sveriges Radio 31 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=3741895
Swedish Imam accused of terrorist acts
An imam from Uzbekistan, who has lived in Sweden since he was granted refugee status by the UN, is accused by Uzbekistan's state television for financing and preparing terrorist acts in Uzbekistan. The documentary aired only days after the Swedish Public radio SR reported that the Uzbek secret service is spying on Uzbek refugees in Sweden, and that that the Uzbeks who are returned are imprisoned and tortured. The imam is on Interpol's wanted list.
Sveriges Radio 29 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=3304&grupp=6240&artikel=3737497
Sveriges Radio 30 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://mobil.sr.se/site/index.aspx?artikel=3737777&unitid=78&offset=0
Nyhetskanalen 28 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.nyhetskanalen.se/1.1657564/2010/05/28/uzbekistan_terrorplaner_i_sverige
SVT 28 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2020558/uzbekistan_terrorplanering_i_sverige?lid=senasteNytt_275224&lpos=rubrik_2020558
Future Ambassador critical of orphanage
Sweden's future ambassador to Afghanistan, Secretary General of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan Torbjörn Pettersson, is highly critical of the Minister of Migration's proposals of opening orphanages in Afghanistan where unaccompanied refugee children can be sent instead of staying in Sweden. The idea behind the orphanages is that children should be able to reunite with their parents, but Torbjörn Pettersson does not believe in this. He says that the problem is that the Afghan government can not ensure public safety, and that is why the refugees are fleeing. The idea that it will be possible to create care centers that would be able to guarantee the safety in this environment feels like a very big and difficult challenge.
Sveriges Radio 29 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=3304&grupp=6240&artikel=3737472
Deported Burundians are subjects to violence
Burundi in East Africa is a country characterized by violence and ethnic conflicts. Sweden has chosen to deport Burundians despite the fact that many of them get into serious trouble when they return to their home country. Fredrik Beijer, Director of the Asylum Procedures at the Migration Board, says that Burundi has improved on the political side, but that violence towards individuals still occurs. Beijer says that the new information that recently has emerged is worrying, and that the Migration Board will, with the help of embassies and UNHCR, try to get more information on the situation in Burundi. The Migration Board is currently granting residence permits to about 50 per cent of the persons from Burundi who apply for asylum in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 31 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1650&artikel=3739663
UNHCR in the news
Crises strike hardest among the poor
Maeve Murphy, UNHCR's field officer at the world's largest refugee camp on the border between Kenya and Somalia, says that the world's interest in Somali refugees is not very big. The 300,000 refugees in the camp have left the neighboring country that has been shaken by civil war for the last 20 years, and the camps are so overcrowded that they are about to collapse. But Murphy does not expect a lot of aid from the outside world since she believes that people are busy trying to save their houses from the bank. On Monday, the World Bank's yearly conference on Development Economics in Stockholm with the theme "Development Challenges in a Post Crisis World" starts.
Svenska Dagbladet 29 May 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/naringsliv/nyheter/kriser-slar-hardast-bland-de-fattigaste_4784435.svd
Thursday 3 June to Friday 4 June 2010
Finland
Antonova's deportation suspended
The deportation order for the Russian grandmother Irina Antonova has been suspended. According to Antonova's son-in-law, the deportation order taking effect on Thursday will not be enforced. Helsinki Police has confirmed the matter to be true. Meanwhile, they have not given an official reason for the suspension. Antonova's son-in-law said that the police stopped the deportation after they received a medical certificate confirming Antonova's poor health. The support group for Irina Antonova also heard from the police that adequate arrangements had not been made on the Russian end for receiving the grandmother.
YLE 2 June 2010 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/06/antonovas_deportation_suspended_1731154.html
Sweden
Malmö asks for help with unaccompanied minors
The city of Malmö wants to share the burden of receiving unaccompanied refugee children and says that individual municipalities should be obliged to receive these children. Today, only nine out of Skåne's 33 municipalities have signed contracts with the Migration Board to accept unaccompanied minors. At the same time, 3,000 new unaccompanied minors and young persons are expected to arrive in Sweden in 2010. The Moderate Party in Malmö even suggests a temporary halt for the reception of unaccompanied refugee children in Malmö. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström (Moderate Party) is very critical towards the Malmö Moderate Party's proposal. He also says that the vast majority of Skåne's municipalities have the ambition to start receiving unaccompanied minors which means 150 new locations. Contrary to the Moderate Party, the Green Party in Malmö wants the city to receive more unaccompanied minors than they do today.
Sveriges television 2 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://mobil.svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=52493&a=2026277
Sydsvenskan 4 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sydsvenskan.se/malmo/article891700/Tobias-Billstrom-kritisk-mot-Malmomoderaternas-utspel.html
Sydsvenskan 4 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.sydsvenskan.se/malmo/article891883/MP-vill-ta-emot-fler-flyktingbarn.html
Saturday 5 June to Monday 7 June 2010
Denmark
Iraq Centre must take their Plan B into use
Nearly seven months after the Iraq Center was founded, where rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers are employed to disseminate knowledge about the Iraqi situation for Danes, the center now has to take Plan B into use, and instead offer 15,000 crowns to the Iraqis who are deported from Denmark, since the Immigration Service refused to grant work permits. The purpose of the Iraq Center is to make it possible for Danish companies to recruit foreigners and refugees if they possess an expertise that is necessary for the company. The requirement was that they must have at least 32,000 crowns per month in salary. But the government perceived the initiative to be an attempt to achieve a political objective through a loophole in the law. When the new immigration law was launched this spring, there was therefore a rule included, making it impossible to run operations like the Iraq Center.
Politiken 7 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8B50Eh
Minister: Iraq Center is breaking the law
Minister of Employment Inger Støjberg says that the Iraq Center that recruits rejected asylum-seekers is discriminatory. The center's director says that this is nonsense. The Iraq Center was established in November last year with the goal of offering some of the rejected Iraqi asylum seekers jobs with a salary of at least 32,000 crowns. The earnings would guarantee them work and residence permits under the so-called 'beløbsordning' or sum rule. Støjberg says that the requirement that one must be of Iraqi origin, which means that all other nationalities are excluded from being considered for the job, is discriminatory.
Politiken 5 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8B60Ei
Finland
Antonova to leave Finland -support group
Russian grandmother Irina Antonova is to leave Finland voluntarily, according to her support group which says that the Russian officials have promised hospital care for Antonova, followed by a place in a nursing home. Antonova's family has fought fiercely and publicly against her deportation order by Finnish officials and last week her family submitted an appeal to the Chancellor of Justice against the immigration police, who made the deportation decision. The son-in-law is asking the authorities to investigate whether or not the police actions amounted to an assault on Antonova's human dignity, and charged that their behavior has been tantamount to torture. However, according to the support group the family has decided that Antonova is now to return to her original home country.
Helsinki Times 7 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8B70Ej
YLE 4 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8B80Ek
Change 2011 becoming a political party
The most immigration critical wing of the True Finns party, the Change 2011, is becoming an official political party. The party has gathered together the necessary 5,000 supporter cards required in order to become officially registered. The cards are shortly to be sent to the Ministry of Justice for review. The group's goal is to get "two or three MPs" in the next parliamentary elections.
Helsingin Sanomat 4 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CA0Eu
Aamulehti 4 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CB0Ev
Norway
Discusses the new asylum policy in Norway and Europe
Secretary General Bjarte Vandvik of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) says that one of the major countries in the EU must take the lead if the efforts of harmonizing the asylum policies in Europe should go faster. On Monday, he participated in an international conference in Oslo, where the main theme was the common challenges and measures to develop cooperation for a common asylum policy. Vandvik says that Germany serves as a powerful brake and will not change the system, although the Germans have traditionally seen themselves as leaders in migration and protection of refugees. He also says that leading French politicians are not good at following up on their own rhetoric, and that in the UK, politicians hardly mention migration and the EU in the same sentence because of their fear of losing votes. In recent years, states started to compete to send out negative signals to the refugees in the hope that they will not come. He points out that the solution for Norway is not to say that there are no armed conflicts or general violence in Mogadishu since that is just a political signal that there will be more Somalis. More than 300 professionals from across the spectrum of the migration field were participating in the conference, where, among others, Minister of Justice Knut Storberget (AP) and UDI - director Ida Børresen were on the speaker list.
Verdens Gang 6 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CC0Ew
ABC Nyheter 6 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CD0Ex
Processing of asylum cases from Mogadishu come to a halt
Around 200 asylum cases from Somalia are put on hold because bureaucrats disagree on whether the rejected asylum-seekers can be returned to Mogadishu or not. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) practices a stricter policy than the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) in its treatment of asylum cases from Somalia's capital Mogadishu. In a letter from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to the Ministry of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget on 28 April this year, the directorate is requesting for a clarification of guidelines, after a decision from the Grand Board of the Immigration Appeals Board in March. In the decision the board opened for the return of asylum-seekers to Mogadishu. According to the letter, the vast majority of asylum-seekers from the region were previously granted residence in Norway.
Aftenposten 4 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CE0Ey
Family deported after two years in the country
Nine-year-old Ilda and her family must return to Kosovo after two years in Førde. Their support group believes that the Norwegian authorities are going against the UN Child Convention.
NRK 4 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CF0Ez
So far a decrease in the number of asylum-seekers this year
In the first five months there have been 44 per cent fewer asylum applications compared to the same period last year. While 6,600 persons applied for asylum in Norway from January to May last year, the figure this year is 3,700, according to statistics from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The number of applicants from Afghanistan, which last year accounted for the largest group of asylum seekers to Norway, has decreased from 1,468 persons to 420 persons between January and May. Number of Russians applying has remained fairly stable. On 31st of May this year, UDI had granted residence permits to 2,086 persons, rejected 3,301 applications, and sent 1,310 persons back to the country they originally applied for asylum in.
Verdens Gang 7 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CG0E1
Storberget promises asylum response within 60 days
On Monday, Minister of Justice Knut Storberget visited the Directorate of Immigration's (UDI) spring conference. He spoke about how the Norwegian asylum policy will meet the challenges through the influence of EU asylum policy, but much of the time was also used to talk about how the UDI can be streamlined. He says that as part of the efforts to create a more humane policy for asylum-seekers, his goal is to reduce the processing time of asylum applications to 60 days.
Nettavisen 7 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CH0E2
Sweden
Dumped refugee demands compensation
A Ugandan man deported in 1995 from Sweden to Ghana demands compensation from the Swedish state after imprisonment and torture in Ghana. After his arrival to Sweden in 1993 a language test classified him as Ghanian. The Swedish officials had guaranteed him a return flight in the case he was not Ghanian, a promise never kept. The man is now demanding several million kronor in compensation from the Swedish state.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CI0E3
The Local 7 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CJ0E4
Man arrested after Migration Board hostage drama
In the midst of a demonstration against deportations to Iran, two persons were being taken hostage in the Migration Board detention centre in Ljungaskog in southern Sweden on Friday. Now a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in the hostage case. The arrested 44-year-old Iranian, whose stay in Sweden was due to end with a deportation last Friday, gave himself in after negotiations with the police.
The Local 4 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CK0E5
Dagbladet 4 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CL0E6
Dagens Nyheter 4 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CM0E7
YLE X3M 4 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CN0E8
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
NRK 4 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CO0EA
Verdens Gang 4 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CP0EB
Man ages 12 years after Swedish court decision
A Swedish court has ruled that a Cambodian man should be allowed to change his Tax Agency (Skatteverket) birth date records, thereby adding 12 years to his age. The man told the court that after 10 years in Sweden he felt sufficiently secure to register his correct date of birth and establish his true identity. The court was told that UNHCR had helped him to secure his release from the military prison in Cambodia where he had been interred as a political prisoner. The man fled to Thailand where UNHCR deemed him to be in acute need of leaving south-east Asia and arrangements were made for him to come to Sweden as a so-called quota refugee in 2000. The man explained to the court that he had decided to submit deliberately erroneous information to UNHCR in order to make it harder for the Cambodian authorities to track him and hinder the perceived threat of arrest by Thai police. The court found that the man had plausible grounds for wanting to hide his real identity details in the "Resettlement Registration Form" submitted to UNHCR in June 2000.
The Local 7 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCsmq0ZqnfK0aYE0D8CQ0EC
Tuesday 8 June to Wednesday 9 June 2010
Denmark
Denmark deports citizens of Nordic countries
The tough Danish stance on immigration does not only affect refugees and immigrants from other continents. New numbers from the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs reveal that since 2004 Denmark has deported 46 Nordic citizens because they received social benefits. Last year alone, ten Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Icelandic citizens were deported. Denmark is the only country to deport Nordic citizens solely because they are living on social benefits.
Danmarks Radio 7 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rh0E5
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 7 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Ri0E6
Finland
Lively Parliament discussion on asylum-seekers from the EU
The harshening treatment of asylum-seekers from other EU-countries was a hot topic in the Parliament on Tuesday. Ben Zyskowicz from the National Coalition Party said that the solution to the poverty of the Bulgarian Roma is not that they come to Finland from time to time to seek political asylum and financial support. The Left Alliance and the True Finns claim that any income support a rejected person is receiving prior to the implementation of the deportation order should be remunerated to the municipality by the state. Last year, there were 800 EU-country citizens seeking asylum in Finland. Asylum-seekers with unfounded applications often come from Romania and Bulgaria.
Helsingin Sanomat 8 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rj0E7
Norway
UNHCR and Amnesty International warn against Iraqi deportations
UNHCR and Amnesty have cautioned Norway against forcibly returning rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers to Baghdad. According to the organizations, a joint return by Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is going to take place during this week. UNHCR has stated that the organization's position and advice to governments is that Iraqi asylum-seekers from the governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa and Salah al-Din, as well as the Kirkuk province should continue to benefit from international protection and receive refugee status or another form of protection. The Norwegian immigration officials disagree with the statement by UNHCR and refer to making an individual assessment of each case. Amnesty International is disappointed that Norway continues to breach the recommendations of the UN.
Verdens gang 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rk0E8
Aftenposten 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rl0EA
Hamar Arbeiderblad 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rm0EB
NRK 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rn0EC
NRK Nett-TV 8 June 2010 "Dagsrevyn 21" (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Ro0ED
TV2 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rp0EE
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
The Local 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rq0EF
Sweden
Political parties want to stop deportations
The three red-green opposition parties as well as the Christian Democrats call for an end to deportations of unaccompanied refugee children to Malta. The parties believe that there is a risk that the best interest of the children is not met. If there are risks for this, then Sweden should be obliged not to send them back to Malta, according to Lars Gustafsson, The Christian Democrats' spokesperson for asylum and refugee issues. According to Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, the critique is not justified. Instead, the key issue is to ensure that Malta meets the requirements, and to stop deportations to Malta would give the wrong signal.
Sveriges Television 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rr0EG
Sveriges Radio 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rs0EH
Nyhetskanalen 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rt0EI
EU law prevents Sweden from halting deportations
EU legislation and the Dublin Regulation prevent Sweden from stopping the deportation of children and young persons to Malta. Exceptions can be made only if there are clear violations of the children's rights. According to a new study by researcher Anna Lundberg at Malmö University this is currently taking place. According to Lundberg, the children's most basic rights are overlooked and they are not assigned with guardians. According to the Migration Board, this is entirely new information, and it is possible that the Board will visit Malta to investigate the conditions there. Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, says there is a possibility to apply the rules and regulations more loosely when it comes to children. Fredrik Beijer, Head of Division for Asylum Examination at the Migration Board, says that the Migration Courts in Sweden have made a different interpretation, but that nothing is written in stone.
Sveriges Radio 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Ru0EJ
Children to be deported to Malta hiding
More than half of the unaccompanied refugee children waiting for deportation back to Malta are hiding, according to Migration Board figures. Meanwhile, new evidence shows that children and young persons who were deported to Malta are exposed to severe violations of their rights. In 2009 and 2010 thus far, the Migration Board decided to send 46 unaccompanied refugee children back to Malta. However, 26 of the children have instead decided to go into hiding. According to the Migration Board, the Swedish authorities are not aware that minors who are sent back from Sweden are exposed to bad treatment, which is why the deportations will continue.
Sveriges Radio 8 June 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rv0EK
Sveriges Television 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rw0EL
Asylum-seekers to work from day one
Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, writes in an op-ed in Dagens Nyheter that the opportunities for asylum-seekers to earn a living will be improved. Billström states that as of 1 August, the Government will make it possible for asylum-seekers to work from day one. He describes the Government's decision as yet another step in the policy to create more jobs, and as a way to boost integration. The new policy, combined with the government's priority to shorten the waiting time from application to decision for asylum-seekers, makes the policy on asylum more humane, according to Billström.
Sveriges Television 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rx0EM
Nyhetskanalen 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Ry0EN
Sveriges Radio 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8Rz0EO
Sveriges Radio Mobil 9 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R10EB
UNHCR in the world
Libya to throw out the local UNHCR office
The Libyan government has ordered UNHCR to conclude its activities in the country, in practice to close down the office and leave the country. Libya has not stated any reason why the UN body should be thrown out of the country. UNHCR has been active in Libya since 1991 and currently cares for over 12,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. Libya has not signed the Refugee Convention and has made no arrangements for the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers. The vacuum left by UNHCR may have negative effects. The role of UNHCR for refugees in Libya increased last year when Italy and Libya agreed that Italy may compel refugees in the Mediterranean to return to Libya. Human rights organizations have protested strongly against the agreement. Libya is a transit country for large numbers of African migrants trying to reach Europe.
YLE Uutiset 8 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R20EC
YLE svenska 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R30ED
Helsingin Sanomat 8 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R40EE
Uusi Suomi 8 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R50EF
Keskisuomalainen 8 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R60EG
Vasabladet 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R70EH
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden and Norway
Dagens Nyheter 8 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8R80EI
Verdens gang 8 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtAp0ZqnfK0aYE0D8SA0ES
Thursday 10 June to Friday 11 June 2010
Finland
Finnish government to ease citizenship requirements
The Finnish government has proposed to shorten the minimum residence period required for naturalization to five years. Currently non-citizens are required to have lived in Finland for at least six consecutive years before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship. According to the proposal, good command of either the Finnish or Swedish language would further reduce the minimum residency requirement to four years.
Helsinki Times 10 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g10EE
Lapin Kansa 10 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g20EF
Residence permit applications up by 8 per cent in Finland
The amount of residence permit applications increased by eight per cent year-on-year to around 6,200 in the January-March period, according to the Finnish Immigration Service on Thursday. Family and work reasons were the most common grounds for applying for a residence permit. The largest number of applications came from Somalia, Russia and India. Residence permits were granted to four out of five applicants.
Helsinki Times 10 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g30EG
Norway
New ruling discourages deportations to Mogadishu
A ruling by the Oslo District Court from 3 June discourages the return of asylum-seekers to Mogadishu. The ruling is in conflict with the decision taken by the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) earlier this year, which made the return of asylum-seekers to Mogadishu possible. The District Court chose to apply UN recommendations and concluded that the applicant should not be returned to Mogadishu. The Court argued that the 25-year-old asylum-seeker with a serious criminal background faces danger of being subjected to inhuman treatment if returned to Mogadishu. Instead, the asylum-seeker could be returned to Puntland. UNE will review the ruling, but says it will not have consequences for future decisions. According to the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), UNE should adjust their practices with the Court decision. Cathrine Grøndahl Pryser, the attorney of the asylum-seeker, says the ruling is an independent assessment of Norway's human rights obligations. Also, according to Kari Helene Partapuoli from the Anti-Racist Center, to forcibly return asylum-seekers to Mogadishu sends a message that one can start sending persons to any place in the world.
Aftenposten 9 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g40EH
Plans for reception-centre come to a halt
After massive protests, the government plans for a reception center in Furuset, Oslo have come to a halt. According to the Ministry of Justice, the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the City of Oslo will now have to find a new site for the reception center, preferably on the west side of the city. The criticism towards establishing a reception center in Furuset has come from many sides. Some thought that the concentration of immigrant services on the east side of the city is too high already, while others seemed to think that there already exist enough asylum centers in Oslo. Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, said earlier that he sees no problem with the new national temporary reception center for asylum-seekers located in the middle of Oslo. The neighbors to the reception center established an action group and collected nearly 1000 signatures. The local group of the Progress Party stated that is irresponsible of the government to allow the Directorate of Immigration override the municipality regarding where to place the reception center. On last Monday Minister Storberget promised to shorten the processing time of asylum applications from 240 to 60 days.
Nettavisen 10 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g50EI
Aftenposten 10 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g60EJ
Norway drops plans to check genitalia of asylum-seekers
The Norwegian government drops plans to examine genitalia in order to improve age determination of asylum-seekers. The Directorate of Immigration has wished to undertake such tests as current x-ray and dental tests are considered too imprecise. According to Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, for getting undressed and examined could be humiliating for many. Henki Holmaas, a Socialist Left Party MP, is happy that the plans are abandoned. For him, the asylum-seekers are a vulnerable group. To check genitalia of them would have left Norway as the only country in the world to undertake such drastic clinical genitalia tests of children.
NRK Nett-TV Dagsrevyen 9 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g70EK
NRK Nett-TV Dagsrevyen 9 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g70EK
Sweden
Sweden deports Iraqis despite UNHCR criticism
In a joint action, the governments of Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK deported 56 Iraqis to Baghdad in spite of criticism from UNHCR. According to UNHCR officials, the return of the rejected asylum-seeking Iraqis poses a risk to their lives. Melissa Fleming, spokesperson for UNHCR, stated that the refugee agency is concerned about the signal that forced returns from Europe gives to other host countries, particularly those neighbouring Iraq. Fleming argued that the Iraq governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa and Salah-al-Din as well as the Kirkuk province remain affected by high levels of violence, and that Iraqis from these parts should continue to benefit from international protection in the form of refugee status. She concluded that UNHCR's position reflects the unstable security situation and the still high level of prevailing violence, security incidents, and human rights violations taking place in these parts of Iraq. According to UNHCR in Stockholm, neither the identity of the Iraqis, nor to which part of Iraq they are being deported is known. "Neither the police nor the Migration Board have provided any information. We would have needed a fuller picture of the situation, not to be kept in the dark," says Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative. Fredrik Bengtsson, information officer at the Swedish Migration Board, says in reply to the criticism from UNHCR that the Migration Court of Appeal has assessed that it is possible to return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq, and this assessment forms the basis for the decision by the Migration Board. Neither Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, nor the Ministry of Justice are willing to comment on UNHCR's criticism. Edvard Unsgaard, political expert in the Ministry, instead refers to the Migration Board and the Migration Court of Appeal. He argues that if Sweden does not listen to the UN, Sweden cannot expect other countries to do so, concluding that Sweden does not ignore UN criticism, since Sweden has very generous asylum laws. However, as he states, the examination of individual cases is not made by the Ministry but by the relevant authorities and legal bodies.
Svenska Dagbladet 10 June 2010 p. 8 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8g80EL
Dagens Nyheter 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hA0EV
The Local 10 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hB0EW
Sveriges Radio Ekot 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hC0EX
Sveriges Radio Nyheter 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hD0EY
Dagens PS 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hE0EZ
Dagbladet 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hF0Ea
Fria Tidningen 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hG0Eb
Hallandsposten 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hH0Ec
Kristianstadsbladet 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hI0Ed
Nyheter Sweden 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hJ0Ee
Nyhetskanalen, Göta Kanal3 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hK0Ef
NB. This story was also covered in Norway and Finland
Aftenposten 9 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hL0Eg
NRK Nett-TV Kveldsnytt 9 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hM0Eh
Uusi Suomi 10 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hN0Ei
Politicians want to put an end for deportations to Iraq
UN criticism of the Swedish-led group expulsion of 56 Iraqis on Wednesday prompted several parliamentary parties to respond. The Left Party, the Liberal Party, the Social Democratic Party as well as the Green Party see UNHCR's criticism as justified, stating among other things that the actions undermine UN positions and give a bad image of Sweden abroad. The Centre Party disagrees, saying it has confidence in the decision by the Migration Board. The Moderate Party points out that Migration Board has made the decisions based on individual assessment.
Svenska Dagbladet 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hO0Ej
Man suspected of refugee espionage
A man from the Stockholm area is suspected of being involved in spying on refugees on the account of the Chinese government between 2008 and 2009. According to prosecutor Ronnie Jacobsson of the Administrative Court of Appeal, the man is suspected of crimes against Sweden's national security but there is no need for a detention at the moment. Similarly, a man was imprisoned in London in March for espionage against refugee Uighurs in Sweden, a case China firmly denied having any involvement with.
Dagens Nyheter 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hP0Ek
Nyhetsverket 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hQ0El
Lokala Nyheter Stockholm 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hR0Em
Folket 10 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hS0En
Rejected refugee children receive help to find parents
The Migration Board will change the procedures for returning rejected asylum-seeking children home. The majority of unaccompanied minors who seek asylum in Sweden are from Iraq and Afghanistan. Already in the summer the Migration Board will start sending the names of the children as well as the parents' names to authorities in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to ask for help with family reunifications. Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Swedish Migration Board, says that no child will be sent back without sufficient contact with the parents. He adds that children who are not entitled to protection in Sweden should return home. According to Eliasson it should be optional to receive help with family reunification. Those who do not wish to do this will continue the asylum and appeals processes in Sweden. He estimates that more children will now return home and says he is totally convinced that children residing in Sweden illegally would rather go home to their parents than live in Sweden under precarious conditions.
Sveriges Radio 11 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtVI0ZqnfK0aYE0D8hT0Eo
Saturday 12 June to Monday 14 June 2010
Finland
Thousands of Afghan children secretly smuggled to Europe
Almost 6,000 Afghan children were smuggled to Europe last year. According to a UN report published on Monday, more and more children escape from difficult circumstances in Afghanistan. The report suggests that the children's own parents advice them to travel to Europe with the smugglers. The parents want their children to find work in Europe so that they can send money to their homeland. The report also shows that last year, nearly half of the asylum applications lodged by minors, were made by children from Afghanistan. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR released the report on Monday.
YLE 14 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lG0EK
Asylum-seekers suffer from mental health problems
Mental health problems are common for those living in refugee reception centers. According to a survey conducted by the newspaper Karjalainen, depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and psychosomatic symptoms are common among asylum-seekers. Fourteen out of Finland's seventeen reception centers responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents said that affected asylum-seekers are given medicine, antidepressants or sleeping pills. The problems are often caused by the fact that refugees have experienced torture and violence in their country of origin. The long wait at reception centers while their asylum applications are being processed makes the situation worse.
Turun Sanomat 14 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lH0EL
Deportation deadline Sunday
Relatives of the Egyptian grandmother Eveline Fadayel say that she remains in hiding from the authorities despite Sunday being the deadline for her to leave the country according to a court-confirmed deportation order. Eveline Fadayel's family has not publicly said who, or what parties have provided assistance in hiding her. However, they are defiant that she will not be returning to Egypt. The Ministry of the Interior has announced it cannot intervene in the court decision on the issue. Under current immigration legislation, grandparents cannot be granted a residence permit, as they are not considered part of the immediate family.
YLE 13 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lI0EM
Refugee Woman of the Year picked up the National Coalition Party
According to the YLE news, Fatbardhe Hetemaj who was selected Refugee Woman of the Year in 2009, will be a candidate for the National Coalition Party in the parliamentary elections next spring. The Kosovo-born 24-year-old Hetemaj announced her candidacy in the Party conference in Jyväskylä. Hetemaj's family moved to Finland in 1992 and she became a Finnish citizen in 2004.
YLE 11 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lJ0EN
Turun Sanomat 11 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lK0EO
Sweden
Nine-month old baby's deportation to be reviewed
The Migration Board is now looking at possibilities for allowing two babies from Gaza to stay in Sweden after all. Baby "Pärla" had received a deportation order to Gaza, although the Migration Board recently stated that children should not be deported there due to the humanitarian situation. Both Mikael Ribbenvik, The Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board and Alexandra Segenstedt, lawyer at the Red Cross, find the situation strange. If the baby would seek asylum today, she may be able to stay, according to Ribbenvik. But, as she applied before the statement had been made, and since the Migration Court of Appeal already had given a ruling, the Migration Board could not change the decision. Michael Ribbenvik at the Migration Board does not want to criticize the system but grants that this specific situation has strange consequences. According to Alexandra Segenstedt the Migration Board should reconsider its decision when updated country information is available, which they now will do.
Dagens Nyheter 12 June 2010 p:20 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 11 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lL0EP
Stockholm News 11 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCtzL0ZqnfK0aYE0D8lM0EQ
Tuesday 15 June to Wednesday 16 June 2010
Denmark
Politicians want a shorter integration process
Eyvind Vesselbo from the Liberals would like to shorten the integration period for refugees from three years of Danish lessons to one year, saving the state 200 million DKK a year. The Conservatives are thrilled since a shorter integration time was part of the party's integration initiative in 2009. The matter was last discussed in March by the government and the Danish People's Party. The Danish People's Party deputy leader Peter Skaarup was in favour of the idea. The Liberal Party integration spokesman Karsten Lauritzen explains that municipalities today can teach refugees for up to three years, but those who learn quickly may start working earlier. He believes flexibility is important. The Danish Refugee Council's Secretary General, Andreas Kamm, warns about cutting down the integration period to one year.
Berlingske Tidende 15 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83s0Eb
Politik 15 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83t0Ec
Finland
Most human trafficking cases go unnoticed
Over the past five years, the Oulu Refugee Reception Centre has worked with at least 14 children who have fallen victim to human traffickers. Authorities believe the victims represent just the tip of the iceberg. Five years ago, the centre began working with police and border guard officials to help minors who are victims of human trafficking. Most of the victims are female. The youngest was nine years old. Finland is considered a transit country for the majority of victims found here. The victims are to be sent to other European countries, potentially to work as prostitutes. Currently, Finland has two reception centres that work with victims of human trafficking. The centre in Oulu works with minors. Another centre in Joutseno, in southeast Finland, deals with adults, families and groups.
YLE 14 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83u0Ed
Iraqi asylum-seekers flown back by Finnish airplanes
Last week's Iraqi deportations to Baghdad were again conducted by the Finnish airline Air Finland. The airline's 200-seat aircraft flew from Britain to Halmstad in Sweden where it continued its journey to Baghdad with 56 Iraqis on the plane. The UN and Amnesty have criticized the forced returns. According to UNHCR, last week's flight was organized by Sweden, Norway, the UK and the Netherlands. Air Finland confirmed that it had flown Iraqi asylum-seekers from Oslo to Baghdad already six months ago. The airline admits that this type of flights have been arranged, but does not wish to comment on the matter any further. Finland does not yet return asylum-seekers back to Iraq.
YLE 16 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83v0Ee
Finnish police search for Fadayel unsuccessfully
Finnish police said Monday that their search for Egyptian grandmother Eveline Fadayel, who was to be deported from Finland on Sunday, was unsuccessful, and they had been unable to locate the hiding place of the elderly woman or contact her relatives. Juha Hirvonen, the inspector in charge of the police investigation, said that it is not uncommon for people to hide from deportation, but the methods used by police are generally successful in locating the hiding place. Hiding may result in a fine. In the spring the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court dismissed Fadayel's appeal against the Immigration Service's decision to refuse her residence permit application. The ruling meant the ailing woman would have to be deported back to her native Egypt.
Helsinki Times 15 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83w0Ef
Hospital trip may delay deportation of Russian grandmother
Irina Antonova, the Russian grandmother who has been at the centre of a deportation row, has been admitted into hospital in Finland. The 82-year-old Antonova was taken to hospital on Tuesday morning. She was to leave Finland for Russia on Wednesday. Antonova's support group has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to prevent her deportation. According to Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the process might in practice delay the deportation for a long time, even years. Antonova faces deportation to Russia although her family resides in Finland, as Finnish courts determined that family unification legislation only applies to the nuclear family.
Helsinki Times 15 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83x0Eg
Murder threat of Minister Thors to prosecutors
A preliminary investigation of the murder threat against the Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, will be completed this week. The case goes on with the criminal description of illegal threat, aggravated defamation, hate speech and copyright infringement. The suspect is a True Finns' alternate member of the Municipal Council of Urjala. The National Bureau of Investigation has investigated the murder threat that was published as a Facebook group called "I'm ready to sit a few years in prison for killing Astrid Thors". The group had about a hundred members.
Hufvudstadsbladet 14 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83y0Eh
Turun Sanomat 14 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D83z0Ei
Keskisuomalainen 14 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8310EV
Savon Sanomat 14 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8320EW
Latvia
7,500 third country nationals in Latvia
There are more than 7,500 third country nationals in Latvia who have received temporary residence permits. One of the main reasons for immigration of non-EU citizens to Latvia is family bonds.
Integration and Minority Information Service 15 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0Ep
Norway
One in five will be an immigrant
The Progress Party in Norway is concerned about the growing numbers of immigrants and aims for a referendum on the issue. According to new forecasts by Statistics Norway (SSB), in about 50 years the Norwegian population will consist of 22 to 28 per cent immigrants. Today's figures show that there are 460,000 immigrants in Norway, but in 2060 the number can be between 1 and 1,8 million. The biggest growth will be among persons with a background in Eastern European countries. Per-Willy Amundsen, spokesperson for immigration policy in the Progress Party, expresses a wish for a referendum on Norway's immigration policy, saying that today's voters must decide whether or not they wish for the immigrant population to quadruple in 50 years.
Nettavisen 15 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8330EX
Neglected refugees in Yemen
New figures by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) show that there are 250,000 internally displaced persons in Yemen. The new NRC report has ranked Yemen as the world's most ignored refugee situation, with Ethiopia, India and Turkey, among others, following. For Richard Skretteberg, senior advisor of the NRC, Yemen's internally displaced persons face diverse difficulties with water, food, medicines, shelter and protection. According to Skretteberg, UNHCR receives very little funds for Yemen and in March it had to cut food rations. The sensitive and complicated political situation further hampers the situation of the refugees. In 2009, the number of internally displaced persons in Yemen more than doubled to around 175,000 individuals.
Verdens gang 14 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8340EY
Ilda will not give up on hope
After a rejection of her asylum application, 9-year-old Ilda with a Kosovar background travels to Oslo to meet with parliamentarians on the coming Friday. After two years in Førde municipality, her family must leave Norway by 25 June. However, Kosovo is a strange country for Ilda. In her attempt to stay in Norway, the little girl from Førde has become a symbol of the tightended asylum policy. In Oslo, Ilda is preliminarily meeting with Heikki Holmås and Aktar Chaudhry from the Socialist Left Party, but she also hopes to have a few minutes time to speak with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. If he were to offer her a letter permitting her family to stay in Norway, it would make her parents very happy, Ilda says.
NRK 15 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8350EZ
Sweden
UNICEF criticism on Sweden's refugee reception
Unaccompanied refugee children who seek asylum in Sweden, and stay with relatives or friends are subject to many risks. The Social Services often neglect to take a close look at the living conditions in these homes, which is against the law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, according to UNICEF Sweden who severely critizes the system in a new report. UNICEF considers asylum-seeking children to be in a crisis situation. Therefore they are at risk of being exploited or otherwise badly treated. The agency interviewed several municipalities and found major differences between them. According to Gunilla Olofsson from the Social Services in Stockholm, the capital considers itself to be a pioneer in the work with refugee children and has brought up the issue at the national level. Stockholm has set up a review system for approving the family homes. It is projected that around 3000 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children will arrive in Sweden, mostly from Somalia and Afghanistan.
Svenska Dagbladet 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8360Ea
Dagens Nyheter 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8370Eb
Sveriges Radio 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D8380Ec
Sveriges Television 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84A0Em
Nyhetskanalen 15 June 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84B0En
Swedish authorities lack agreement
There is a lack of agreement among Sweden's authorities as to whether it is humane or not to return asylum-seeking minors to Malta. According to DN, on Wednesday three jury members of a migration court in Malmö went against a judge and decided that a 17-year-old Somali boy should not be allowed to apply for asylum in Sweden since his first port of entry to the EU was Malta. Meanwhile, the Green Party is arranging a seminar on the controversial deportation of minors to Malta on Wednesday and the Migration Board is considering making a field trip there to see how the minors deported under the terms of the Dublin Convention are being treated. The government's stance on the deportation of the minors has been much criticized by the red-green alliance and by the Christian Democrats, while Cecilia Malmström, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, has said that Sweden can make an exception to the terms of the Convention.
Dagens Nyheter 16 June 2010 p:13 (in Swedish)
Council of Europe critical to forced returns
The Council of Europe demands that the Swedish government acts against the Immigration authorities that were so harshly criticized by UNHCR for forcible deportations of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, the organization's authority in international migration issues will be undermined, if the government does not take actions. Hammarbergs says that the recent signs of European governments neglecting to follow UNHCR's guidelines involves a big risk for individual lives and undermines the UN system for the protection of refugees in other parts of the world, too. Hammarberg refers to the story of Riyadh, a Christian Assyrian, who worked for the US Army in Iraq and whose brother was kidnapped and killed by extremist Islamists. Riyadh himself has received death threats. However, the Swedish Migration Board and the Migration Court of Appeal believe that Riyadh has not been able to prove that he risks being persecuted in Iraq, and he now faces deportation. The Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, Mikael Ribbenvik, says in a debate on P1 Morgon that the Board's individual assessments are forward looking, meaning that they evaluate the risk of future threats. He also says that it would be possible for persons to stay in other parts of Iraq where the person is not under threat. When asked why Sweden does not listen to UNHCR, Ribbenvik says that this is not correct. According to Ribbenvik they work closely together with UNHCR, and says that their view on the situation in Iraq is similar, but that UNHCR now criticizes European countries so that Iraq's neighbouring countries will not start returning refugees to Iraq.
Sveriges Radio 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84C0Eo
Sveriges Radio P1 Morgon 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84D0Ep
Sveriges Radio Mobil 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84E0Eq
UNHCR in the news
Few refugees dared to return
According to a recent report by UNHCR, the number of refugees who voluntarily returned to their homeland fell drastically during last year. Only 251,000 of the world's 15 million refugees returned to their homes in 2009, the lowest figure in two decades. António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, points to continued conflicts in Afghanistan, Somalia and Congo-Kinshasa as preventing refugees from returning home. Guterres also commented on the report by stating that crises in Iraq and the Southern Sudan are stuck due to continued violence and thus refugees are discouraged from to returning. "Already now the majority of the world's refugees have been refugees for five years or longer. The percentage will inevitably increase if fewer are able to return," Guterres stated. 80 percent of the refugees are located in developing countries, with Pakistan hosting the most with 1,7 million. In addition to the refugees, 27,1 million persons are internally displaced and 983,000 seek asylum globally.
Dagens Nyheter 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84F0Er
Sveriges Television 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84G0Es
Metro 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84H0Et
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark, Finland and Norway
Jyllands-Posten 15 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84I0Eu
Danmarks Radio 15 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84J0Ev
Helsingin Sanomat 15 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84K0Ew
YLE 15 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84L0Ex
YLE Svenska 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84M0Ey
StavangerAvisen 15 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84N0Ez
UNHCR: Kyrgyz violence began with planned attacks
According to UNHCR, the violence in Kyrgyzstan seems not to have been caused by tensions between ethnic groups, but was planned and organized in advance. According to eyewitness information the organization has collected, the crisis began with five attacks carried out simultaneously in different parts of the city of Osh last week. One of the attacks was carried out at a gym that was known as a haunt of a criminal gang. Armed groups are thought to be behind the attacks. After the attacks the crisis has developed into ethnic violence, and the violence could escalate, UNHCR warns.
Vasabladet 15 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84O0E1
Aamulehti 15 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84P0E2
Keskisuomalainen 15 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84Q0E3
Help arrived for the refugees in Fergana
The first international emergency relief supplies have arrived in Uzbekistan. An airplane carrying materials from UNHCR, including 800 tents, landed at the airport in Andijan in the Uzbek part of the Fergana valley on Wednesday. Trucks were waiting at the airport to bring aid to refugee camps in the border region, and five more planes are expected to arrive later, bringing blankets, sleeping mats and building materials.
Dagens Nyheter 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84R0E4
Sveriges Television 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84S0E5
Expressen 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84T0E6
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark, Finland and Norway
Jyllands-Posten 16 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84U0E7
Helsingin Sanomat 16 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84V0E8
YLE Svenska 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84W0EA
Verdens gang 16 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84X0EB
Dagsavisen 16 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84Y0EC
TV2 Nyhetene 16 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84Z0ED
High Commissioner warns of a disaster in Kyrgyzstan
The international community could face a catastrophe if it does not take fast action and get the hostilities halted in Kyrgyzstan, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres states in an interview with a German radio network. According to Guterres, what is happening is already a tragedy, and therefore the international community must quickly find a political solution. Also, the neighbouring countries must do everything in their power to help the Kyrgyz interim government to restore peace and stability.
Jyllands-Posten 16 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuMZ0ZqnfK0aYE0D84a0EK
Thursday 17 June to Friday 18 June 2010
Finland
100,000 cross the border to Uzbekistan
According to UNHCR, the violence in Kyrgyzstan may have been planned beforehand. The organization has sent aid groups to the area to take care of those in need of help. The situation is worsened by the fact that Uzbekistan has decided to close its border. At the moment, taking care of the basic needs of those fleeing is essential. Hans ten Feld, Regional Representative of UNHCR, says that the persons who are fleeing the conflict need accommodation, food and water. Their sanitary conditions also need to be in order. The biggest problem for international aid organizations is the neighboring Uzbekistan's decision to close its border. Hans ten Feld notes that it is essentially an international obligation to allow people who need protection and safety to cross the border. Some 100,000 persons have fled across the border to Uzbekistan due to the violence that started on Thursday last week. The death toll estimates vary from 100 to 1,000 persons. When asked whether UNHCR has a back-up plan in case Uzbekistan keeps its border closed, Hans ten Feld answers that at the moment, it is too early to start looking at taking people out of the situation. If the conflict is prolonged, Finland's help is also needed. In that case, the help would be channeled through aid organizations. Hans ten Feld says that Finland is an important partner to UNHCR, increasingly so during the last several years.
MTV3 15 June 2010 "Uutiset" (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANM0EF
Human Rights Court overturns grandmother's deportation – temporarily
The European Court of Human Rights has temporarily overturned Finland's decision to deport Russian grandmother Irina Antonova. A final decision on the matter is expected in the coming days. Antonova's case is currently being heard by the court. Officials say they do not expect the process to drag on for weeks. The court temporarily overturned the deportation decision in order to review the case in peace. Finnish police were prepared to deport Antonova from the country on Wednesday. However, they delayed the deportation due to her failing health. Antonova was taken to hospital on Tuesday. Under current immigration legislation, foreign grandparents of Finns cannot be granted a residence permit, as they are not considered part of the immediate family.
YLE 17 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANN0EG
Own parliament for immigrants
The discussions about immigration are running high in Finland, and immigration is going to be a major topic in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Finnish political parties have traditionally had some immigrant candidates, although none have been elected into the parliament so far. Now, a new initiative aims to build a special parliament for immigrants. Immigrant Parliament of Finland (IPF) will be the first of its kind in the world. If all goes well, by the time the newly elected Finnish parliament convenes next year, there will also be an immigrant parliament in Finland.
Helsinki Times 17 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANO0EH
YLE 17 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANP0EI
Immigration critical group "Change 2011" registers as a party
The Immigration critical group Change 2011 will register as an official political party. The group has collected the 5,000 supporters required to be registered as a party. The list of supporters will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for review on Friday. The party aims to have 2-3 members in the Parliament. Change 2011 has also plans to participate in the next presidential election as well as in the local elections.
Vasabladet 17 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANQ0EJ
Turun Sanomat 17 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANR0EK
Norway
UDI has inadequate knowledge of asylum-seekers' health
The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) criticizes the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) for lack of knowledge about the quality of health services in countries they are sending asylum-seekers back to. According to Sylo Taraku, Acting Secretary General of NOAS, one cannot be sure whether the applicant has real opportunities to get proper treatment in their home country. A growing number of ill asylum-seekers are being returned following the Government's restrictions on the number of asylum-seekers two years ago, according to the organisation. UDI bases its decisions on country of origin information, which a professional independent body has gathered from international sources. Kirsten Myhre, Deputy Director of UDI, trusts the sources. However, NOAS thinks the available information is too general. The Ministry of Justice and the Police has confidence in UDI's assessments. The Norwegian government wants to further tighten the asylum policy. NOAS has requested a meeting with Ministry officials, hoping to restrain the developments.
NRK 18 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANS0EL
Sweden
Pregnant child to be returned to Italy
14-year-old Nimo from Somalia is pregnant and awaits deportation back to Italy from Sweden to seek asylum there. According to the Dublin Regulation, even if an unaccompanied child is pregnant, there are insufficient humanitarian reasons for exceptions to the rule. Nimo left Somalia at 12 and she first arrived in Italy. In August she is going to give birth to her child. The Migration Court of Appeal recently decided not to take up her case. Fredrik Beijer, Migration Board Asylum Procedures Manager, is sure that Nimo will be treated well in Italy. He comments that the Board has contacted the Italian authorities and will make sure that an NGO will take care of her. In a country respecting rule of law, authorities have to follow certain rules, Beijer argues.
Sveriges Television 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANT0EM
Sveriges Television Mobil 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANU0EN
"They beheaded my brother"
Riyadh's brother was executed because he worked as an interpreter for the Americans in Iraq. Riyadh himself has received death threats by the same executioners. Still, he has not received asylum in Sweden, although his entire family has been granted refugee status by the UN. According to a Migration Board official working on his case, a real threat has to exist with a certain intensity and magnitude, and this is not the case with Riyadh. Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has harshly criticized Sweden for deporting Iraqis. Hammarberg states that there are serious errors in the Swedish asylum system. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, argues that as long as Sweden regulates immigration, there will always be persons dissatisfied with a negative decision. Not a single law can change that, Billström further comments.
Sveriges Radio 16 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANV0EO
Support for Roma mother
Around 150 persons gathered to support and to sign a protest list for the 22-year-old Demilija Iseni in order for her and her two sons to be allowed to stay in Sweden. The list will be forwarded to the Migration Board. Demilija received refugee status in a refugee camp in Serbia after fleeing from the war in Kosovo. Her 5-year-old son has severe mental problems and several doctors have provided statements that he will suffer if returned back to Serbia. Demilija is Roma and she knows nobody in Serbia. Several individuals, politicians and the local Amnesty International section have engaged in her case. According to Amnesty officials, the Migration Board should take account of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and let the family stay.
Sveriges Radio 17 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANW0EP
UNHCR in the news
Afghan minors should be regarded as refugees
UNHCR fears that Sweden and other European states soon will start routinely deporting Afghan asylum-seeking children to orphanges in Afghanistan. A new report by UNHCR shows that a majority should receive refugee status. Almost 6000 Afghan children and youth sought asylum in Europe last year, but according to UNCHR, there may be many more around Europe, especially boys. Liv Feijen, head of the legal division at the UNHCR office in Stockholm, states that there is a strong pressure, not least in the Nordic countries, to return minors who are considered as not being in need of protection. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, has tasked the Migration Board to find suitable "care centers" for minors in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Board, which recently visited Afghanistan, says that the goal is to facilitate family reunification. UNHCR has interviewed 42 Afghan children on why and how they found their way to Sweden. Liv Feijen says that the decision often is taken by smugglers. UNHCR stresses that the children should be seen as refugees because they have fled Afghanistan in the fear of forced recruitment, or they risk being killed on their way to school. In the first instance they flee to Pakistan or Iran, where conditions are terrible and they are exploited as work force, according to Feijen, who adds that many of the children have been subjected to traumatic experiences on their way to Europe.
Dagens Nyheter 18 June 2010 p:17 (in Swedish)
UN: 400,000 displaced due to unrest in Kyrgyzstan
Nearly 100,000 persons have arrived to seek asylum in Uzbekistan, but most are internally displaced in Kyrgyzstan. Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, says that according to recent estimates from the UN agencies, there are at least 400,000 refugees and displaced persons fleeing due to the conflict. The Kyrgyz government says that at least 191 are killed and nearly 2,000 injured as a result of the fighting. According to other sources, the number of deaths is much higher. Both the International Red Cross and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have warned that there is a big humanitarian crisis brewing in Kyrgyzstan.
Jyllands-Posten 17 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANX0EQ
This story was also covered in Finland, Sweden and Norway
Vasabladet 17 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANY0ER
Sveriges Television 17 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANZ0ES
Verdens Gang 17 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCuhf0ZqnfK0aYE0EANa0EZ
Saturday 19 June to Monday 21 June 2010
Finland
UN celebrates World Refugee Day 2010
On Sunday, the UN celebrated World Refugee Day 2010. This year the UN wanted to draw attention to refugees and their courage, perseverance and their will to overcome difficulties. On World Refugee Day the UN gave out the traditional Nansen Refugee Award, awarded annually to an individual or group in recognition of admirable work for the well-being of refugees. World Refugee Day has been celebrated since 2000. The UN helps approximately 15 million refugees around the world.
YLE 20 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS20EQ
YLE X3M 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS30ER
Difficult to reunite refugee families
According to Finnish refugee organizations, it is much more difficult to reunite refugee families than what one is led to believe in the public discourse. Marcus Floman from the Finnish Refugee Council says that figures are distorted and the debate is inflamed. He believes that populist parties and journalists with a political interest present facts in a tendentious way. The Refugee Advice Centre and the Finnish Refugee Council believe that the media and politicians present family reunification as an easy way to bring large families, foster children and distant relatives to Finland. But just the trip for a DNA test from Mogadishu in Somalia to the nearest Finnish Embassy in Ethiopia is over a thousand kilometers. The application requires lengthy investigations, while the decision could take several years. The organizations say that only nuclear families and persons who are totally dependent on their relatives may be entitled to family reunification in Finland, and that it becomes more difficult for refugees to adjust to their new lives in Finland if they have to worry about their families at home. Around 1,000 families of minor refugee children have been allowed to stay in Finland after year 2000. Almost half of the minors coming to Finland never reunite with their family.
Hufvudstadsbladet 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS40ES
Turun Sanomat 20 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS50ET
YLE 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS60EU
Turun Sanomat 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS70EV
Vasabladet 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EAS80EW
Congestion at the Immigration Service
Applications for family reunification from Somalis have congested the Finnish Immigration Service. Over 4,000 applicants are waiting for a decision. The oldest pending applications were submitted in early 2008. According to the Immigration Service, the congestion is caused by a sudden increase in applications. In addition, the process is prolonged by the fact that Somalis are generally interviewed orally because documents proving the alleged family ties are not available in their home country. Applications for family reunification from other nationalities are also badly congested. In early May, a total of 8,000 applications were waiting in a queue. In April, the Immigration Service received a note from the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding applications for family reunification that had been pending for nearly two years. According to the Aliens Act, the maximum period is nine months.
Turun Sanomat 20 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATA0Eg
Norway
Children killed in Afghanistan - new report on Afghan children published
Last Sunday the world celebrated World Refugee Day. While Afghan refugee children tell their stories in a compiled report "Voices of Afghan Children", published by UNHCR on Friday, three children were killed in various attacks in Afghanistan on Sunday. Rebecca Svad from UNHCR, who interviewed a group of Afghan minors who had come to Sweden all by themselves, says that they wanted to tell the childrens' own stories. The report examines the reasons and motivations why the children leave their home country, the routes they take through Europe, and the way they are received upon arrival. The children tell of journeys through Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Greece, France and other European countries. Often they are abused by human traffickers, border guards and police officers. Some of them die along the way and some are left to an uncertain fate. As indicated in the report, in recent years there has been a marked increase in the the number of children who flee alone to Europe and Scandinavia. Last year, 2,250 unaccompanied minors sought asylum in Sweden, 780 of them came from Afghanistan. Throughout the EU the figure of unaccompanied refugee children is around 15,000 persons. In Norway, however, the trend appears to be the reversed: this year there have been 36 per cent fewer asylum-seekers compared to last year, and according to the Directorate of Immigration, the reduction is even greater when it comes to unaccompanied minors. Hans ten Feld, UNHCR's representative in the Nordic countries, stresses in a press release that it is necessary to have a holistic approach when it comes to young asylum-seekers. He reminds that it is very complicated to consider asylum applications from children since children face other dangers than adults. The fears, feelings of shame and their often painful experiences create trauma that must not be forgotten, ten Feld summarizes.
Verdens gang 20 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATB0Eh
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
Danmarks Radio 18 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATC0Ei
Drop in the number of asylum-seekers
Fewer asylum-seekers arrive in Norway, and at the same time the Police deports more foreign nationals than ever. According to earlier estimations, 18,500 asylum-seekers were expected to come to Norway this year. Now the estimates lie at 13,500 persons, the newspaper Verdens Gang reports. Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, notes that the objective was to return 5300 persons, now the estimate has risen to 6000. Storberget comments that it is difficult to see behind the reasons why the number of asylum-seekers has gone down. However, faster processing can be significant, he believes.
Dagsavisen 19 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATD0Ej
Eritrean asylum-seekers pressed to become informers
Asylum-seekers from Eritrea coming to Norway are threatened by the regime they fled from. In Norway, the asylum-seekers risk being forced to become informants if their families fail to pay the Eritrean government. A Human Rights Watch report states that much of the population in Eritrea performs forced labor and military service for the regime. More than 6000 Eritrean asylum-seekers have arrived in Norway during the last five years. As a measure to try to stem the refugee flow from the country, the family of the person who has fled has to pay a fine of 50,000 Nakfa to the regime (about 20,000 NOK), equivalent of an annual salary in Eritrea, according to Kjetil Tronvoll, an expert on Eritre at the Norway-based International Law and Policy Institute. Many parents who cannot pay the money end up in prison, often under inhumane conditions, says Tronvoll. The Eritrean Consulate in Oslo denies that families are forced to pay the government.
NRK 20 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATE0Ek
9-year-old Ilda got to meet politicians
On Friday, Ilda from Kosovo, whose family has received a deportation order, met with Heikki Holmås and Aktar Chaudhry from the Socialist Left Party in the Parliament. Holmås stated that the politicians must adhere o the best possible policies in the care of children. Ilda did not get to meet Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, but she is sure that the politicians she met will present him a personal letter from her. Next Ilda and her family hope for a meeting with ruling party parliamentarians and wish to have the rejection of their asylum application annulled.
NRK 18 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATF0El
Hammarberg: Norwegian asylum policy is inhumane
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, says that the Norwegian asylum policy is inhumane and contrary to the principle of the child's best interest, the main rule of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Hammarberg refers to the case of the nine-year-old Ilda and her family, who will have to return to Kosovo even though the parents are mentally ill. Hammarberg believes that such cases show that Norway has gone too far, and that the authorities no longer emphasize the child's best interest. However, the Secretary of State Paul K. Lønseth from the Ministry of Justice and the Police denies that Norway leads an inhumane asylum policy that violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He says that if every family was given asylum regardless whether they had a need for protection or not, it would not be possible to take care of those who come to the country. Those who do not have a need for protection will have to return.
NRK 21 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATG0Em
Sweden
Few are ready to host refugee children
Few families are prepared to host refugee children. These results were published in a survey conducted by Sifo, for the care company Aleris. The results were presented on World Refugee Day. 1403 persons aged 16-65 years responded to the survey. When asked whether their community should accept unaccompanied refugee children, 81 percent answered yes. Most negative answers were given by men in southern Sweden and Malmö, the strongest support came from women in northern Sweden and Gothenburg. 69 per cent said they would not want to host a child in their respective families. The country was divided also on this topic. In the north, 42 per cent were positive about being a host family, whereas in the south, the figure was 21 per cent.
Svenska Dagbladet 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATH0En
Dagens Nyheter 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATI0Eo
Unaccompanied refugee children are doing well
Unaccompanied refugee children are strong and usually do well in Sweden. Ercan Sahin, psycho therapist and responsible for the care company Aleris, notes that mostly boys in the age of 14-17 years are sent abroad, particularly from Afghanistan, Somalia and Iraq. However, Swedes would prefer to host young girls. Although the host families receive a compensation of around 10,000 SEK per month to care for the child, the work is very demanding. In a study "Unaccompanied but not alone", psychologist Marie Hessle followed up a number of refugee children mostly from Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. She found out that the children are mostly well integrated in the society and generally have a good mental health. Few suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders such as concentration problems and insomnia. Ercan Sahin summarizes two types of classical problems, which affect almost every unaccompanied refugee child, namely identity and separation problems. The first two years are the easiest, but then a clash of cultures hits the child because of a lost contact to other family members. Although the children may seem to be doing well, they could have hidden depressions that need treatment. He further comments that the reception in Sweden is respectable, and there seems to be a genuine good will among politicians and persons working with unaccompanied children. A particularly important thing with children is to break passivity from the beginning, and here Sahin refers to the method "active inclusion". Many children have been offered internships already after a few months stay in Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 20 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATJ0Ep
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR relief flight landed in Osh
On Sunday a UNHCR relief flight landed in Osh. UNHCR has already airlifted aid to Uzbekistan, where around 100,000 fleeing persons have sought asylum from the unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan. Twenty persons have been arrested in suspicion of crimes during the violence. According to the spokesman of the Ministry of the Interior, an investigation of 90 murders, arsons and kidnappings has been launched. On Sunday, the Kyrgyz troops began to dismantle the barricades which were erected in Osh during last week's violence, and the city center was cleared and roads opened to traffic.
YLE 20 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvD20ZqnfK0aYE0EATK0Eq
Tuesday 22 June to Wednesday 23 June 2010
Estonia
Estonia to give aid to victims of Kyrgyzstan violence through UNHCR
Estonia's Foreign Ministry will give 1.5 million kroons (EUR 96,000) in aid to persons forced to leave their homes because of violent ethnic clashes in Kyrgyzstan. The aid will be channeled through the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR helps persons in need of help in Kyrgyzstan as well as those who have fled to Uzbekistan. Preliminary data put the number of displaced persons in Kyrgyzstan at 400,000 of whom nearly 100,000 have fled to Uzbekistan. Women, children and elderly persons make up a large part of the refugees. In Uzbekistan most of the refugees are concentrated in 48 temporary camps in the Andijan region.
Baltic News Service 19 June 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Finland
Fewer beds available for asylum-seekers
The Finnish Immigration Service is to cut back sharply on accommodation available for asylum-seekers. Nationwide, the capacity will be reduced by nearly 1,000 beds as a result of a drop in asylum applications. This year there are expected to be one third fewer applications than last year. Among the centres to be closed at the end of this year is a unit for minors in Parikkala near the Russian border. The decision came as a complete surprise to the municipality of Parikkala. According to Veikko Pyykkönen of the Immigration Service, the number of minor asylum-seekers to Finland has significantly dropped. He says that there have been 120 asylum-seekers so far this year. An estimated 300 are expected by the end of the year. Last year, 557 asylum-seekers arrived in Finland. In 2008, there were around 700.
YLE 22 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjj0Et
Itä-Savo 21 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjk0Eu
Antonova returns to Russia
Russian officials say that the 82-year-old woman at the heart of a deportation dispute in Finland has returned to Russia. Irina Antonova's daughter decided to take her back to Russia on Tuesday despite a European Court of Human Rights ruling this week saying that Antonova should stay in Finland until at least September. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has asked the Finnish government for further clarification on the case, to be submitted by the end of August. The ECHR has issued a temporary stay of her deportation, which remains in force at least until it considers the government's response next autumn. The Court wants to hear the government's view as to whether the deportation of a sick elderly person violates article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which forbids "inhuman or degrading treatment".
YLE 21 June 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjl0Ev
Sweden
Deportations to Iraq very alarming
UNHCR is strongly critical of Sweden and several other European countries that do not follow UN recommendations against the deportation of asylum-seeking Iraqis to most parts of Iraq. Last Thursday, the United Kingdom again sent back 42 Iraqi asylum-seekers, of whom many had been abused on board the plane prior to departure, states UNHCR. Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for UNHCR, reported that UNHCR lawyers met with six of the Iraqis at the airport in Baghdad and found that they had fresh bruises that suggested ill-treatment. According to Mahecic, it is very worrying that governments ignore UNHCR guidelines, considering the prevailing security situation in Iraq. It is not the first time UNHCR gives these recommendations, however, the governments do not listen to them, Mahecic says. According to him, UNHCR's credibility would be undermined more if the organisation did not give out recommendations, as the five provinces that are mentioned are not safe. He says that it is a crime to send people back who have not had their applications reviewed, which appears not to be the case. Although it is not a breach of the 1951 Refugee Convention to send back refugees who have had their asylum applications rejected, the deportations do not follow the recommendations of the UNHCR and are as such serious as they are operating in a kind of grey zone, Mahecic concludes.
Svenska Dagbladet 21 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjm0Ew
Few pass the requirements for family reunification
Few refugees manage to pass the government's new requirement to have a decent income and proper housing conditions before they can reunite with their relatives. Either the person has no other income than social welfare or their salary is not high enough, says Sven Bergqvist, a lawyer at the Migration Board. According to the new rules, persons who have been granted a residence permit in Sweden first have to show that they can support themselves and have adequate accommodation, before the wife or husband may come to Sweden through family reunification. Since this April, out of 92 such cases in the Migration Board, 73 per cent could not meet the requirements. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, originally wanted the requirement to concern far more persons than what the case is today. After a heated debate, not least with the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party, families with children, those with a refugee status and those who have been living in Sweden for at least four years were excluded from the rule. In April and May the Migration Board gave a decision in 5000 family reunification cases, of which 92 persons were tested under the new stricter rules.
Sveriges Radio 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjn0Ex
Lulia can stay in Sweden
The nine-month-old baby Lulia will not be deported to Gaza. After Sveriges Radio highlighted the case of the little girl and her family, the Migration Board now has concluded that new circumstances permit Lulia and her family to stay. Lulia's father Jehad Abousalah received the news on Monday. He fears that he might be killed if returned to Gaza, because Hamas suspects him of causing a car accident outside his house in which a Hamas member died. When the family applied for residence permit, their application was rejected, but in April, The Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Boar,d Mikael Ribbenvik, gave a legal statement in which he concluded that Sweden should not deport children to Gaza because the situation there is not safe. However, the Board could still not grant them a residence permit, since the Migration Court of Appeal already had decided that the family would be expelled, and a Court ruling cannot be changed. Now the Migration Board has found new circumstances in a confidential report, and the family can therefore stay in Gothenburg. This decision will most probably affect more families currently under similar circumstances as Lulia's.
Sveriges Radio 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjo0Ey
Sveriges Radio 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjp0Ez
Growing number of unaccompanied girls
The number of unaccompanied refugee girls coming to Sweden is on the increase. For example, in the arrival municipality Mölndal, currently a third of the unaccompanied refugee children are girls. SVT tells the story of 17-year-old Fardouwsa from Somalia, whose mother sent her away because girls are likely to be raped or otherwise particularly affected by the war-torn chaos. She traveled nine days with a smuggler who received about 20 dollars for the trip from Fardouwsa's mother. More than 2000 unaccompanied refugee children annually arrive in Sweden, and at the moment, sending Somali girls abroad has increased.
Sveriges Television 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjq0E1
Sveriges Television 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjr0E2
14-year-old pregnant girl to be expelled from Sweden
Nimo came as a refugee child to Sweden, but now she has to return - despite the fact that she is pregnant and will be left to inappropriate conditions, according to Sveriges Television Rapport. Nimo left Somalia alone, and first arrived in Italy. In Sweden, the Migration Court of Appeal has chosen not to take up her case. Sweden does not send refugee children to Greece and Malta, where conditions have been poor for vulnerable children. Current data by the Mölndal reception unit reveals that refugee children's rights may be violated also in Italy, and they often end up on the street, as Nimo already once did. The very idea of throwing out a pregnant 14-year-old girl to the streets in Italy is crazy, says Henry Ascher, President of the Medical Association for refugee children. But the Migration Board denies the accusation that children are badly treated in Italy. The basic question is that Sweden is confident about the other EU states and makes sure that a legally secure asylum system exists in that state, argues Fredrik Beijer, Head of the Division for Asylum Examination at the Migration Board. Many believe that derogations from the Dublin Regulation on humanitarian grounds should used more frequently. As the amount of unaccompanied children has grown, the assessments have become more restrictive, concludes Ascher.
Sveriges Television 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjs0E3
Svenska Dagbladet 22 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAjt0E4
UNHCR in the news
Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visits Haiti again
Last weekend the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, actress Angelina Jolie, visited the earthquake-ravaged island nation Haiti, where she met with representatives of the UN and local authorities. Jolie has visited Haiti several times, most recently in February, when she inspected an orphanage and met with victims of the devastating earthquake on 12 January. On Thursday and Friday last week the actress traveled to Ecuador as a prelude to the UN World Refugee Day on Sunday. By visiting the Colombian refugees in Ecuador Jolie wanted to raise awareness of violence against refugee women and children.
TV 2 Nyhederne 22 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCvYc0ZqnfK0aYE0EAju0E5
Thursday 24 June to Monday 28 June 2010
Finland
Study on tortured refugee children's need for psychiatric help
A large proportion of unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee minors have had traumatizing experiences, but mental health services for these groups remain inadequate. The Helsinki Deaconess Research Institute will conduct a study on tortured and severely traumatized refugee children in Finland. The goal of the project is to identify the tortured children's need for psychiatric help. Children and young persons who are recruited as soldiers or have been raped or otherwise subjected to severe violence often exhibit trauma related symptoms. According to the preliminary results of the study, one fourth of asylum-seeker children and young persons have alarming trauma related symptoms, but the staff is aware of only seven per cent these trauma cases. The study will be concluded in a few years.
Hufvudstadsbladet 23 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7F0Eh
YLE 23 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7G0Ei
Norway
Number of asylum-seekers continues to decrease
Estimates on the number of asylum-seekers to Norway are now further reduced from 17,500 to 10,000 persons, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference. The number is almost 3,000 less than during the same period last year. The reduction in the number of unaccompanied minors is 66 per cent compared with the same period last year. The Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget says the decrease in the number of asylum-seekers to Norway may indicate that the Government's tightened measures have had an effect. Among the measures being considered to have had particular impact is the increased focus on forced returns, measures aimed at Iraq and Afghanistan, e.g. a return agreement with Iraq, increased use of the Dublin II Regulation and an adjustment to other countries' practices. UNHCR has warned not to forcibly return Iraqi asylum-seekers and believes that asylum-seekers from five different provinces in Iraq should enjoy international protection, but the recommendations are not binding on the Norwegian authorities.
ABC Nyheter 25 June 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7H0Ej
Sweden
"The children cut themselves in the arms and require acute mental health services"
A growing number of unaccompanied refugee children are returned to the first European country they arrived, under to the so-called Dublin regulation. Paula Aracena, social worker in Malmö, says the situation in Malmö has become acute with many children feeling extremely ill. They develop extreme forms of self-injury behavior, like cutting themselves in the arms, and live under great pressure and stress. The children are in need of psychiatric care. Paula Aracena says the children talk about extremely improper treatment in the countries where they lived previously, and that rape and imprisonment are common. She adds that the children in Malmö are to be deported to Hungary and Romania, and that they are afraid to return there. Liv Feijen from the UNHCR regional office in Stockholm says that the stories of the 42 Afghan children interviewed for a new study on Afghan children residing in Sweden, conducted by the UNHCR office in Stockholm, were similar to those of the so-called "Dublin-children". The children talked about how they were affected both directly and indirectly by the security situation in Afghanistan as well as about the specific form of persecution directed to children in the country. The children stand at risk of being recruited by the Taliban, falling victim to child labour, and in some cases even being sexually abused by the Taliban. Liv Feijen adds that the children also talked about how they were subjected to persecution while fleeing and that most of the children were smuggled. According to Fejien there has been a heavy increase in the number of unaccompanied minors coming to the Nordic countries, especially from Afghanistan. The study showed that the children did not even know where Sweden is and that it was the smugglers' idea to take them to Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 23 June 2010 Studio Ett "17-timmen" 17:00 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7I0Ek
Sveriges Radio 23 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7J0El
Sveriges Radio 23 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7K0Em
Sveriges Radio 23 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7L0En
"Southern Europe has to bear its responsibilities"
Minister Tobias Billström says that several southern European countries do not take responsibility for the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers. According to him, the conditions regarding the reception of refugees in Italy, Greece and Malta are inadequate, and this issue must be discussed. Billström does not think that Sweden should stop deportations to these countries due to shortcomings. He argues that responsibility rests with the EU Commission to step in and put pressure on member states. He refers to the Stockholm Program which proposes common EU rules on asylum by 2012. Time is running out and if all member countries do not adopt to the new regulations, the Commission has to put more pressure and possibly introduce sanctions, says Billström.
Dagens Nyheter 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7M0Eo
More evidence on deficiencies in Italy
Mölndal municipality will demonstrate to the Migration Board that the reception of unaccompanied refugee children in Italy has shortcomings. In a letter to be arriving on Thursday, the municipality highlights twelve different stories of beatings, rapes and begging from Somali teenagers who came to Sweden from Italy. Several tell of how they were forced to live on the street, how they begged money for food and how they were raped and abused. According to Minister Billström, the bad conditions could jeopardize EU's common asylum policy if Sweden makes too many exceptions to the Dublin Regulation.
Sveriges Television 23 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7N0Ep
14-year-old pregnant girl goes into hiding
The pregnant 14-year-old Somali asylum-seeker who is to be deported to Italy ran away on Wednesday last week when she was left alone at a medical consultation. The police have still not been able to locate the girl. The girl has been living in a refugee detention centre in Gothenburg since last winter and awaits deportation within a few weeks. Her support person Ingrid Schiöler hopes that the Migration Board will change the decision on the girl's case and get her a medical certificate. She says the girl is all alone, feeling very ill and risks preterm birth. Schiöler concludes that she has no family support and no major network and is in a very vulnerable position, and that there is racism against Somalis in Italy and the girl would not cope with such circumstances. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, would not comment on the case of the 14-year-old girl but says that reception conditions in Italy, Malta and Greece should be discussed. If circumstances were the same throughout the European Union, there would not be any problems with deporting persons back to other EU states, commented Billström.
Dagens Nyheter 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7O0Eq
Svenska Dagbladet 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7P0Er
Sveriges Television 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7Q0Es
Svenska Dagbladet 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7R0Et
Malmström calls for stop to deportations
Following a ruling from the Migration Court that a 14-year-old pregnant Somali girl is to be deported to Italy, Cecilia Malmström, the European commissioner for home affairs, says that Sweden can make an exception to the rules and allow the girl to stay. According to Malmström, in the Swedish debate it sounds as though it is impossible to make an exception to the Dublin Regulation, but this is not the case in her opinion. She notes that the Regulation is just a technical means of distributing responsibility, to regulate which is the first country of asylum. With a growing number of unaccompanied children arriving in Europe, debate on the Dublin Regulation is rife in a number of countries. Malmström says that she is working night and day with these issues and that she wants to see a temporary ban on deportations to countries where the reception standards are inadequate.
Dagens Nyheter 25 June 2010 p:10 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seeker murdered
A 25-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of having killed another man on Friday in an apartment rented by the Migration Board in Alvesta. The man himself told the police about his part in the killing. Both the victim and the suspect are asylum-seekers. The arrested man is suspected of murder or alternatively manslaughter.
Dagens Nyheter 28 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7S0Eu
Dagens Nyheter 26 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7T0Ev
EU's plan to stop refugees already in Africa
Libya has become the new Malta, since refugees are now stopped already on the African continent. Metro Stockholm's reportage tells the story of 16-year-old Sakarias from Somalia, who was among the last ones to reach Europe. He was recently deported from Sweden back to Malta. Refugees who have been in Libyan prisons tell about the horrible conditions there. Sara Bergqvist, Swedish public health expert, returned from Malta where she worked for Doctors Without Borders. She is worried about the circumstances in Libya, where the organization has not yet received an approval to work, and by the news that recently the local UNHCR office has been forced to close. According to Bergqvist, refugees have described Libya as hell on earth, comparable to the difficulties during the journey through the Saharan desert. Refugees are said to be treated like animals by both the authorities and local people. All this happens with the consent of the EU, says researcher Martin Lemberg-Pedersen from the University of Copenhagen on the new immigration policy. The control of the refugee flows has been externalized, he notes. In an exchange Libya, the former country with a terrorist stamp, receives bigger acknowledgment from the outside world and increased trade relations, Lemberg-Pedersen states. He also criticizes Greece on the use of the Dublin Regulation: in 2008, the Mediterranean country granted asylum for only 1 per cent of refugees. The result is that the majority of refugees never come further than Europe's doorstep, he concludes.
Metro Nyheter 24 June 2010 p:10 (in Swedish)
Few Uzbeks get to remain in Sweden
Uzbek refugees who have returned to their home country risk being tortured and imprisoned, reveals a new report by the Migration Board. TV4 met with a couple, Valeria and Sergey Ten, getting married at the Storkyrkan in Stockholm. Sergey faces deportation in a few weeks, but he fears he will be imprisoned once in Uzbekistan. The Ten couple belongs to a Korean ethnic group in Uzbekistan. The country is ruled by a dictatorship that violates human rights of opposition and minority members. Just the fact that one has fled the country is seen as treason. Despite cases of torture, Sweden deports persons to Uzbekistan. Out of 114 applicants only 7 have received a positive decision. The Swedish Migration Board has issued a new report, but according to Mikael Ribbenvik, Director of Legal Affairs at the Board, Swedish courts make the final decision on how to change the practice. Anita Dorazio, refugee representative, finds it impossible to understand that persons are deported to Uzbekistan, and for ethnic minorities the situation is even worse. Valeria and Sergey remain hopeful about a future in Sweden.
Nyhetskanalen TV4 24 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7U0Ew
UNHCR in the news
UN concerned about returning refugees to Kyrgyzstan
According to UNHCR, a vast majority of the 100,000 refugees who escaped the violence in Kyrgyzstan have returned back from Uzbekistan to their home country. On Friday UNHCR expressed concern over the fact that the local authorities might have pressured a number of refugees to return to Kyrgyzstan, which held a referendum on Sunday. UNHCR representative Adrian Edwards says that UNHCR is concerned about the voluntary nature of some cases. He adds that even if the refugees wanted to reunite with their families, many were concerned about the security situation and the fact that homes had been destroyed and looted. UNHCR stresses that refugees and returnees should receive adequate information in support of their decision to return and that the return should be safe and voluntary.
YLE 26 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwPz0ZqnfK0aYE0EA7V0Ex
Tuesday 29 June to Wednesday 30 June 2010
Denmark
Asylum-seekers take money from development aid
The government has completely underestimated the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Denmark this year. During budget negations last autumn the government estimated that no more than 2,300 refugees would seek asylum in Denmark in 2010, but the Ministry of Integration now believes the final tally could be 3,600 – a misjudgment of nearly 40 per cent. The government is now going to have to take DKK 325.6m from other programmes, such as foreign development aid, to cover the extra costs, which is 'unfair' according to the Social Democrats. The party's integration spokesman Henrik Dam Kristensen says that it is unreasonable to let underdeveloped countries foot the bill because the government made a mistake. The Danish People's Party's (DF) deputy leader Peter Skaarup said he would be asking the Integration Minister how the government could have been so wrong, and for an update on the current situation regarding the money set aside to provide more aid to local areas close to the countries the asylum-seekers are fleeing from.
Berlingske Tidende 29 Juni 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRL0ES
Jyllands-Posten 29 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRM0ET
Jyllands-Posten 29 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRN0EU
Asylum-seekers returned back to Greece
Denmark has started deporting rejected asylum-seekers to Greece again. During the past six months, Denmark has only returned asylum-seekers there if Greece has guaranteed that the asylum-seekers will not be sent back to their home countries where they can be subjected to persecution or torture. In cases where Greece has not responded, the case has been tried in Denmark. This practice has now ceased. The Danish Refugee Council is concerned that asylum-seekers returned to Greece are sent back to their home countries to be tortured. A number of international organizations, including UNHCR, Amnesty International and the Council of Europe advice EU not to return asylum-seekers to Greece.
Danmarks Radio 29 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRO0EV
Three reception centres to be closed
In November three reception centers will be closed: Hvilested and Rødby in Lolland and Holmegård in Langeland, all of which have only existed for just over six months. Around 320 asylum-seekers must either return home or move to another center before November. The news has been particularly difficult for employees losing their jobs at the three different centres. According to Jørgen Chemnitz, head of the asylum department at the Red Cross, the explanation is the faster processing of asylum cases at the Immigration Service, which in turn decreases the need for places. Between 150 and 160 persons leave the Danish asylum centers every month, which is much more than before. According to Jørgen Chemnitz, this is a due to the faster proceedings at the Immigration Service.
Politiken 29 June 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRP0EW
Finland
Finns not interested in integration of immigrants
Although the debate on immigration has been lively all spring and early summer, the pending amendment to the legislation on the integration of immigrants does not seem to raise interest among Finns. Finns have been able to comment the upcoming law amendment on the Ministry of the Interior's "otakantaa.fi" -site, but the site that was closed before midsummer attracted only 18 comments. The Ministry of the Interior Inspector General Juha-Pekka Suomi thinks the reform might be too big to grasp, and that it is easier to express opinions on narrower matters such as beggars and grandmothers. He adds that nevertheless, there is a clear support for integration of immigrants. The amendment would increase municipalities' responsibility in integration, although they would not be obliged to take quota refugees. However, municipalities would be encouraged by state compensation to take refugees, while the duration of the compensation would be prolonged from the current three years to four. The amendment would enter into force in September 2011.
Kansan Uutiset 29 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRQ0EX
Many Finns are members of the Sweden Democrats
The openly immigration critical party Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) has several first- and second-generation immigrants at the party's local and management level, many of whom have Finnish roots. According to Sveriges Radio's Sisuradio, a quarter of the Party's management level comes from a Finnish background. The party is not represented in the Swedish parliament, but a new opinion poll shows that with its current support of 4,3 per cent, the party reaches the required 4 per cent to enter the parliament.
YLE 29 June 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRR0EY
Sweden
Man arrested for manslaughter
A 25-year-old man who on Midsummer's Eve alarmed the police that he had killed a man in Alvesta has been detained on suspicion of manslaughter. At the detention hearing on Tuesday the man admitted the offense. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was found in an apartment rented by the Migration Board. Both the victim and the suspect are asylum-seekers. Charges will be raised by 13 July the latest.
Nyhetskanalen 29 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRS0EZ
Sveriges Television 29 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRT0Ea
Expressen 29 June 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCwkj0ZqnfK0aYE0EBRU0Eb
Thursday 1 July to Friday 2 July 2010
Finland
EU citizens' right for asylum services restricted
Finland will now restrict the EU citizens' right to reception services. According to a law amendment entering into force on Thursday, an EU citizen seeking asylum will have to leave the reception center as soon as he or she receives a negative decision from the Immigration Service. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the police and the Immigration Service have speeded up their proceedings so that EU citizens are given notice of their decisions in a few days. Asylum-seekers from an EU country are granted reduced income support only for the days when the applicant is staying at a reception center. The law amendment is based on the fact that the number of EU citizens' applications for asylum has increased. Finland considers the EU countries to be safe and processes the EU citizens' applications for asylum in an expedited procedure.
YLE 1 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfs0Ez
Residence permits getting biometric identifiers
Residence permits are getting biometric identifiers next spring. A facial image and two fingerprints will be stored in a chip. The Government approved the legislative amendment proposal on Thursday. The applicants' fingerprints have been stored on passports, alien's passports and refugee's travel documents already since June 2009. The Parliament will discuss the proposal in July.
YLE 1 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBft0E1
Satakunnan Kansa 1 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfu0E2
Sweden
Anti-Semitic hate crimes on the rise
New statistics from the National Council for Crime Prevention show that anti-Semitic hate crimes are on the rise in Sweden. The number of anti-Semitic crimes reported in Sweden rose by 57 per cent last year, mainly in the southern region of Skåne. The council said in a statement that in 2009, 5,800 hate crimes were reported while crimes against foreigners or with racist motives continue to dominate, and the reporting of anti-Semitic crimes has increased. Reports of hate crimes against Jews doubled last year. Sweden's southern province of Skåne saw the largest increase of anti-Semitic crimes. Crimes and threats against the small Jewish community in the southern city of Malmö recently received much media and political attention. Of the hate crimes reported in Sweden in 2009, 71 per cent were against foreigners or motivated by race. Ten per cent had religious motives, these included Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, or anti-religious crimes.
The Local 2 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfv0E3
Sveriges Radio 1 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfw0E4
Employee at the Migration Board suspected of racism
The Migration Board is launching an investigation against one of its officers who is suspected of having expressed himself racially on Facebook. Jonas Lindgren, Head of the Division for Communications at the Migration Board, says that these kinds of views are not compatible with working at the Migration Board. The officer sees no problem with how he expressed himself on Facebook and says his writings were not racist because they only targeted the young persons who participated in the riots in Rinkeby in the beginning of June. Among other things, he asked if someone responsible would send these destructive elements, with roots in other countries, back to their grandparents to learn a little humility.
Sveriges Radio 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfx0E5
Sveriges Television 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfy0E6
Dagens Nyheter 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBfz0E7
Aftonbladet 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBf10Et
UNHCR in the News
The dream of Europe looms but remains in Morocco
Since Italy has tried to close its borders and to stop the boats from Libya, Morocco has become the goal of an increased number of immigrants from the south. Before, Somalis did not cross Morocco, but the situation has changed as a result of the Italian policy, comments Marc Fawe from UNHCR office in the Moroccan capital Rabat. According to Fawe, Morocco has long been an emigration country and a transit area for persons who want to enter the EU. But today the country is also a destination for those who believe that the trip to Europe will never be successful. Libya has likewise received an influx of migrants heading north and further to Europe. But after Italy began to return boats to Libya to appalling conditions in refugee camps, the influx of persons has been halved. This creates a delicate situation for Morocco, argues Fawe. After an increased exchange with the EU, the Moroccans would also want to be able to travel easier to Europe, while Europe wants the North African partner to help and take care of unwanted immigrants regardless of nationality. The number of asylum-seekers is also on the rise. Unlike Libya, Morocco has signed the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, but the legislation practices are still not up-to-date. According to UNHCR, about 800 persons in Morocco are in need of protection, but they are not officially recognized as refugees.
Sveriges Radio 1 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCw7H0ZqnfK0aYE0EBf20Eu
Saturday 3 July to Monday 5 July 2010
Finland
Finland doubled its aid to Kyrgyzstan
Finland has doubled its emergency aid to Kyrgyzstan. The 400 000 EUR aid is channeled through the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and the World Food Programme. The government had previously granted 400,000 EUR in aid to Kyrgyzstan through the Finnish Red Cross. The clashes between Kirghiz and Uzbek in the Central Asian Kyrgyzstan have forced 400,000 persons to flee their homes. The need for humanitarian assistance has focused on southern Kyrgyzstan, where large numbers of people are still internally displaced.
YLE 2 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBnw0EF
Iltalehti 2 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBnx0EG
Savon Sanomat 2 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBny0EH
Åbo Underrättelser 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBnz0EI
Thors: Asylum-seekers must be treated equally in the EU
The Nordic countries are displeased that not all EU countries follow the Dublin Regulation. According to the Regulation, asylum-seekers should seek asylum in the first EU country they arrived. Greece, Italy and Malta are examples of countries that have a different interpretation of the Dublin Regulation than the Nordic countries. The Finnish Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, says that it is a breach of regulations that not all countries apply the Dublin Regulation, and adds that the Nordic Ministers want to provide support for the Commission to intervene in this matter.
Hufvudstadsbladet 2 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn10E4
Nordic countries criticize Greece's asylum practices
The Nordic Ministers of Immigration criticize Greece's way of dealing with asylum applications. The ministers also criticize Greece for the inhumane conditions in refugee accommodations. According to the Finnish Minister of Migration and Asylum Policy, Astrid Thors, Greece does not comply with international agreements that ensure the humane treatment of asylum-seekers. She adds that Greece does not act according to the agreed rules and this threatens to break the whole Dublin system. The European Court of Human Rights has prevented individual deportations to Greece. The vast majority of asylum-seekers arriving in Greece are Iraqis and Afghans. Greece grant asylum to less than one per cent of the applicants.
YLE 2 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn20E5
European Court orders deportation delay
The European Court of Human Rights has told Finland not to deport Eveline Fadayel from the country until a medical examination is carried out within two months. Finnish authorities have not granted the ailing Egyptian woman a residence permit. Last month, Fadayel's sons, who live in Finland, hid their mother from the authorities in order to prevent the police from deporting her to Egypt.
Helsinki Times 5 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn30E6
YLE 5 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn40E7
YLE 5 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn50E8
Ingrian Finns could lose right to return to Finland
Ethnic Finns from the former Soviet Union could lose their right to return to Finland in the coming years. Over the past three decades, an estimated 30,000 Ingrian Finns have moved to Finland. Currently, tens of thousands of Ingrians are waiting for their applications to be processed. It can take as long as a decade for a decision to be made. However, a working group from the Ministry of the Interior proposed in May that Ingrians should no longer be allowed to apply for immigration by the year 2016. The proposal is to go before Parliament in the autumn. One reason for the application backlog is the language requirement. Many Ingrians must learn the language before they can move to Finland.
YLE 2 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn60EA
Norway
Storberget fears the number of asylum-seekers to Norway will multiply
The Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget fears the number of asylum-seekers to Norway will multiply if the so-called Dublin Regulation is not maintained. At a Ministerial meeting in Porvoo in Finland on Friday, the Nordic migration ministers agreed that there should be a joint Nordic initiative to ensure that the Dublin cooperation is continued. According to Storberget the aim is to grant asylum to those in need of protection, while those who do not need it must return. According to the Dublin Regulation, asylum-seekers who apply for asylum in several countries are returned to the country where they first applied for asylum. Storberget fears that several countries fail to follow this process, which can result in an influx of asylum-seekers to Norway.
TV2 Nyhetene 3 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn70EB
500 Iraqis returned voluntarily
Three out of four asylum-seekers returned to Iraq so far this year have left voluntarily, according to the Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget. The agreement between Norwegian and Iraqi governments was signed in May last year, and roughly a year later, about 500 Iraqis have chosen to leave the country voluntarily. According to figures from the Police Directorate and the Directorate of Immigration, Iraq tops the statistics for voluntary return from Norway. Storberget participated in a joint Nordic ministerial meeting in Finnish Porvoo on Friday. During the meeting the Nordic countries' representatives agreed on more cooperation in the field of asylum. In addition to ensuring that the Dublin cooperation is continued, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark plan to build care centers for unaccompanied minors who are returned to their homeland.
Verdens Gang 2 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBn80EC
Fifty-three Serbs forcibly returned on charter flight
Fifty-three Kosovo Serbs were forcibly returned on Saturday by charter flight bound for Belgrade. These were mainly families with children, whose asylum applications had been rejected. The forced return action was the largest of its kind in Central Norway and had been planned for a long time. The Serbs came from the reception centres in Sunndal, Tingvoll, Ulstein and Meråker. Most of the persons had lived in the country for a long time.
Verdens Gang 4 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoA0EM
Sweden
Tough rules for Somali refugee families
A January court decision about migration standards has proved especially tough for Somali refugees seeking to bring close family members to Sweden. At the beginning of the year, 90 per cent of all Somalis with family ties to a refugee in Sweden were granted passage to the country. But in the months following the court decision, the number of Somali children, spouses, and parents reunited in Sweden has been closer to zero. Asylum-seekers that succeed in coming to Sweden do not need to verify their identity, and their close family members, in principle, are allowed to follow after they have been granted passage. But if they apply from their homeland, the identity requirements are tougher. And because the war-torn Somalia does not issue passports that the Swedish Migration Board accepts, it is difficult for Somalis to meet the requirements. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says the government will not change the rules for family reunification for Somalis.
Sveriges Radio 4 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoB0EN
Sveriges Radio 4 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoC0EO
Sveriges Television 4 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoD0EP
Dagens Nyheter 4 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoE0EQ
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Helsingin Sanomat 5 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoF0ER
"The accusations against Malta are totally unfounded"
In this letter, Malta's Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, answers to the accusations leveled against Malta from parts of Swedish media when it comes to how Malta treats unaccompanied minors. Both authorities and researchers in Sweden have said to the media that Malta misbehaves in their treatment of unaccompanied child refugees.
Stockholm News 3 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoG0ES
Billström at Almedalen
One of the first events during the political week, the Almedalen week in Gotland, was a public appearance by Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström, who says the biggest difficulty during his four years in office has been to explain the new asylum system. Since 2006 a migration court decides in asylum cases when the original decision by the Swedish Migration Board is appealed. Before, that decision was taken by the government. The Minister also said that the coordination of asylum policies between the European Union's member states must be better. A critical question from the audience claimed that Sweden should not send asylum-seekers back to Italy, Greece or Malta due to their poor handling of asylum cases, even if the Dublin Regulation stipulates so. Billström agreed about the problem but stated that this will never change unless pressure is put on them to improve. Accepting asylum-seekers in Sweden who according to international treaties should seek asylum elsewhere would not be productive in this sense. Billström also claimed that Sweden has not been affected by xenophobic parties in other countries.
Stockholm News 4 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxdX0ZqnfK0aYE0EBoH0ET
Tuesday 6 July to Wednesday 7 July 2010
Denmark
Major study to identify true extent of discrimination
The Government has initiated a research project to identify the true extent of discrimination in Denmark. The aim is to ensure ethnic equality and respect for individuals and raise awareness of the basic democratic values and rights. Among other things, the study will focus on anti-Semitism and intolerance.
Politiken 5 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8R0Eq
Child refugees to live next door to army
A number of local citizens have expressed their concern that refugee children and youth will be living in a reception centre to be established at Jægerspris Castle, next door to a military training area. The reception centre will be located in a so-called noise impact zone. There are rules governing how much noise the military is allowed to make in the training area. But in order to ensure that the noise impacts as few people as possible, the rules also stipulate that no new buildings or activities are allowed in the zone. However, Frederikssund municipality claims that since an orphanage is already located at Jægerspris Castle, the reception centre does not constitute a new activity. Deputy Director General at the Danish Immigration Service, Poul Mose Hansen, says the Immigration Service does not think the location is a problem, since other reception centres, including Sandholm, are also located near military training areas.
Danmarks Radio 6 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8S0Er
Finland
Reinfeldt praises Finnish refugee policy
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt praises the Finnish refugee policy. He criticizes Sweden's own refugee policy and regards the system as too broad in scope as well as ineffective. Reinfeldt believes that Sweden accepts too many refugees relative to its population. He considers that decisions on residence permits take too long, an average of up to three months. Reinfeldt notes that Sweden has a lot to learn from Finland and that Finland processes residence permit applications quickly. Reinfeldt blames the previous Social Democratic governments for the failed Swedish refugee policy. There is a lot of discussion about refugees in Sweden at the moment, especially because of the general election to be held this autumn.
Satakunnan kansa 7 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8T0Es
Keskisuomalainen 7 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8U0Et
Uusi Suomi 7 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8V0Eu
Aamulehti 7 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8W0Ev
Legislative amendments will make it easier for parents to stay
It may become easier for the parents of Finnish citizens to obtain residence permits in Finland. The Ministry of the Interior sent a proposal on the Aliens Act for consideration on Tuesday, and it will be discussed in Parliament this autumn. While more residence permits will be granted to parents of adult Finnish citizens, the amendment still contains many restrictions. The parents have to be in need of care and alone in their homeland, and their income has to be secured. The authorities will also get more flexibility when granting residence permits. The current law has received much criticism over the past year when the aging grandmothers, Eveline Fadayels and Irina Antonova, have not been allowed to stay in Finland, despite numerous appeals.
Vasabladet 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8X0Ew
Provincial strategy on reception of immigrants
A new provincial strategy aims at getting all municipalities in Southwest Finland to receive immigrants. Southwest Finland receives the highest number of immigrants after the capital area. Among these are refugees, asylum-seekers and those who work, study or have other personal connections to the area. So far, only municipalities in the Turku and Salo regions have received refugees and asylum-seekers. Of the 28 municipalities in Southwest Finland, only six have decided to participate in the reception of these persons.
Turun Sanomat 6 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8Y0Ex
Sweden Democrats hope to enter Parliament in autumn election
The party claims to invest in security and welfare, but differs from other parties as the Sweden Democrats believe that immigration is the cause of most problems in Sweden. On its website the Sweden Democrats describe Sweden's immigration and integration policies as "deeply irresponsible". Jimmie Åkesson, chairman of the Sweden Democrats, says that immigration in Sweden is very expensive and creates social problems, alienation and segregation.
YLE 5 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8Z0Ey
Men accused of illegally bringing Chechens to Finland
A Finnish and a Russian man are suspected of illegally bringing 16 Chechens to Finland. The Russian man is an asylum-seeker in Finland. The men are suspected of having helped the Chechens into the country in April 2010. The Chechens applied for asylum immediately when they came to Finland. Since 2005 there have been about twenty similar cases in Finland.
YLE 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8a0E6
Latvia
Nationalist parties unite to run together in elections
Nationalist parties All for Latvia! and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM officially united with an aim to run together in the up-coming Saeima's elections. The union declared it will pursue national conservative policies aimed at securing the future of Latvia in the European family of countries, as ethnically Latvian, democratic, economically prosperous state that guarantees existence and development of the ethnic Latvian nation.
Integration and Minority Information Service 5 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0EN
Norway
23 persons caught after unrest and arson at two departure centers
Unrest broke out during the night between Monday and Tuesday at two departure centers for rejected asylum-seekers. Those who have lived in the centers for a long time are frustrated with the Norwegian asylum policy and the way they are treated by the authorities. The housing conditions are also reported to be poor, and it has been difficult for persons to receive medical treatment. Many of those who stay in the centers find themselves in a desperate situation and are reported to suffer from mental problems. The unrest began shortly after midnight with stone throwing and arson in the Fagerli centre in Nannestad municipality in Akershus. The police characterized the unrest as riots. When the police arrived the housing was on fire and partially destroyed. The police are now working to find temporary accommodation for some 90 residents. About an hour later the unrest had spread to a centre in Lier municipality outside Drammen. Chief of staff Hans Holmgrunn in the police district of Romerike says that no one was injured during Tuesday night's unrest, and nobody was arrested. During the night towards Wednesday, three sleeping barracks were completely destroyed in the fire. The police suspect the failed asylum-seekers for the deed, and have apprehended 23 persons for investigation. The 140 persons living in the center are now transferred to local school facilities. Nobody was severely injured in the fires, but two persons had to be medically examined. Due to the incident, Norway now has no temporary accommodation for asylum-seekers awaiting deportation.
Aftenposten 6 July 2010 (on Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8b0E7
Aftenposten 7 July 2010 (on Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8c0E8
NRK 6 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8d0EA
NRK 6 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8e0EB
TV2 Nyhetene 6 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8f0EC
Verdens gang 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8g0ED
Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8h0EE
NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Sweden
Helsingin Sanomat 7 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/Turvapaikanhakijoiden+asuntolassa+jälleen+tuhopoltto+Norjassa/1135258417871
Dagens Nyheter 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8i0EF
Dagens Nyheter 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8j0EG
Svenska Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8k0EH
Sveriges Radio 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8l0EI
Kurd admits starting Lier trouble
The leader of the Kurdish asylum-seekers says he started the rioting in Lier. There are about 35 Kurds in the waiting center in Lier. After Tuesday's rioting the same man announced more trouble unless conditions are improved. According to the man, violence seems to be the only solution. All the persons at the center are rejected asylum-seekers and, among other things, they complain about food, accommodation, medical supervision and poor internet connection at the center. The residents have appealed to UDI in writing. Three meetings with the asylum-seekers were arranged in the past month, but according to the residents, the conditions have not improved. On Tuesday afternoon, the reception manager met with the asylum-seekers and confirmed to review the conditions.
Verdens gang 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8m0EJ
Storberget: Waiting centers good enough
Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, believes the material conditions in the waiting centers are good enough and that the recent events are unacceptable. Residents receive food and 100 kroner a week as pocket money, enough in the waiting phase, states the Minister. Storberget continues that violence in the centers we will not be tolerated by persons trying to get to stay forcefully in Norway. The persons in question are rejected asylum-seekers, and the Norwegian authorities have asked them to make use of the very good, voluntary return arrangements, comments Storberget to NRK. He signals that deportations only come into question if the asylum-seeker refuses to leave voluntarily. The challenge posed for the authorities is that many persons lie about their identity and their country of origin. Rejected asylum-seekers in the waiting centers cannot expect to have access to wide-ranging activities. At the same time he warns to expand the authority for detention of asylum-seekers with false identity. Such individuals can be kept locked up until their identity is established, and then they can be deported. A consultative paper will be published in the close future, concludes Storberget.
Dagsavisen 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8n0EK
Sweden
Police: - Scary
On Wednesday morning the Norwegian police and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) held a press conference on the arson at the center in Lier where 23 persons have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to three buildings. The authorities also responded to questions on how they had handled the situation. Many people were in the buildings, and their lives were put at risk, comments Christine Fossen from the Søndre Buskerud police district during the press conference. The fire was over so quickly that the police suspects that some kind of flammable liquid was used to burn down the buildings. On Tuesday the police, UDI officials and center staff were present at the asylum center to discuss the night's disturbances. The meeting ended in a positive and calm atmosphere, so the police therefore scaled down its emergency capacity at the site. Later, at six p.m., the police received verbal threats from some of the center residents in the area. These individuals demanded transport away from the site and a new accommodation, otherwise they would cause trouble, states Fossen. Therefore, a new meeting was held just before 11 p.m. in order to try to reassure the residents. Minutes later, the police received report of the first fire. The buildings were set on fire from the inside, while the authorities were waiting for reinforcement from Oslo, Asker and Bærum. Per-Willy Amundsen, spokesperson for immigration and migration policy in the Progress Party, has no understanding for asylum-seekers vandalizing public buildings. According to Amundsen, the night's events show that the present system of temporary asylum housing for people who have been rejected does not work. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR spokesperson in the Nordic countries. – If you have sought asylum and hoped to stay in Norway you may not be motivated to cooperate with obtaining the necessary ID documents to enable return. Instead some may wish to delay return in the hope of being able to stay. So perhaps these actions are a result of the stress and anxiety. That said, such violence is unacceptable and something we condemn.
Dagens Nyheter 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8o0EL
Tobias Billström on minor asylum-seekers
Almost 1,000 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Sweden are waiting to be transferred from temporary transit accommodation to a municipality. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, hopes to find more permanent homes for the young refugees in cooperation with the municipalities, whereas the centre-left parties threaten to introduce legislation to solve the issue. On Tuesday, Billström visited Roma kungsgård on Gotland where three Somali asylum-seeking adolescents have been given summer jobs for a few weeks. Gotland municipality has agreed to provide long-term accommodation for nine young asylum-seekers, but the number will shortly increase to 18. - Gotland sets a very good example in doing their part to solve a complex situation, Billström notes. He continues that so far there are only few places in 123 of the country's municipalities and this is not good enough. As a matter of principle Billström wants every municipality to join in and take responsibility, and it should be possible to find solutions in dialogue with the municipalities. Veronica Palm, Social Democratic spokesperson on migration, considers that the government has taken a promising step in the right direction, but wants to see tougher measures against the municipalities. She states the responsibility is a nationwide issue, and it is unacceptable that some municipalities do not take their responsibility.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8p0EM
Tougher measures after fires at the Norwegian asylum centres
After arson and unrest at Norway's both centres for rejected asylum-seekers, the country does not have functioning housing for persons to be deported from the country. The facilities are intended as waiting centres, but in Lier there are persons who have lived in the centre since it opened in 2006. State Secretary Paul K Lønseth, Ministry of Justice and the Police, says that several residents have no valid identification documents and they will not help in ascertaining their identities. He notes that there are also countries, such as Iran, which do not want to receive forcibly returned persons. Lønseth adds that at some point, these asylum-seekers must prepare themselves that they will be met with forced return.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8q0EN
Discussion on unaccompanied refugee children in Almedalen
Unaccompanied refugee children were discussed in several seminars in Almedalen, and both the Jönköping and Skåne municipalities have reason to listen. The Jönköping municipality is among the worst to receive unaccompanied minors in Sweden when it comes to offering housing for them. According to Thomas Werthén (M), municipality counselor in Habo, the question shall be discussed with the dignity it deserves. Earlier there has not been enough of knowledge on the issue, Werthén argues. Last winter, Jönköping county officials had promised to offer 69 places for unaccompanied children, but so far none of them have been created. Björn Eriksson, government coordinator, explains that the situation makes the children feel uncertain about their future. Werthén continues that it is very difficult to find family housing for the children, and therefore group housing has been prioritized. The matter is not economic but rather a matter of responsibility, Werthén concludes. Also municipalities in Skåne have still not lived up to their promises to create more places for unaccompanied refugee children. The situation for the vulnerable is still difficult. The municipalities have promised to offer 875 new places, and in addition, they promised in the spring to offer 150 extra places, but so far only 58 have been created. According to Eriksson, if many children arrive in southern Sweden, some of them end up on the waiting list, which causes extra suffering for the children. Rolf Tufvesson (KD), regional advisor, notes that the dealing with asylum processes is a bureaucratic matter between the municipalities and the Migration Board. And bureaucracy demands time and resources. Some of the children have spent several months in transit housing while waiting for a permanent housing solution. According to Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, political parties in municipalities have to cooperate more efficiently with the Migration Board to solve problems.
TV4 Nyheterna Jönköping 6 July 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8r0EO
TV4 Nyheterna Malmö 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8s0EP
TV4 Nyheterna Örebro 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8t0EQ
TV4 Nyheterna Västerås 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8u0ER
Stricter ID requirements affect Somalis
Many Somalis living in Sörmland are forced to live without their children, according to Somali associations in the county. After a decision by the Migration Court of Appeal, the Migration Board amended its rules on family reunification from Somalia last March and now almost no relatives are allowed to come here. Abdirisak Hussein, a candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the City Council in Eskilstuna, considers that the new changes are inhuman. He argues that people are being punished because it is almost impossible to obtain identity documents and passports in Somalia. The new legislation toughened requirements for identification and according to Migration Board statistics, the share of relatives immigrating to Sweden fell from over 90 percent at the beginning of the year to nearly zero in the last months. Feisal Ali is the spokesperson for Somali associations in Sörmland, and he meets every day Somalis who have their children left at home. In Sörmland, there are about 1000 Somali refugees who have a residence permit but do not have permission to family reunification.
Sveriges Radio 5 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8v0ES
Unaccompanied children deported without prior notice
Unaccompanied refugee children and their trustees do not receive any warning ahead of deportation. The police only show up and take away the children. For example, two policemen showed up suddenly at Mariasten transit accommodation in Teckomatorp last week. Abdikader Abukar is a 17-year-old Somali. He is afraid of being returned to Malta. However, this time the police were not looking for him, but for another boy who had already departed. Istvan Szilagyi is Abdikader's trusted person. According to Szilagyi, the police arrived unannounced early in the morning when the boy was asleep, and neither he nor the center staff had been warned. The police state they have no obligation to announce the timing of their arrival, and further questions on the expulsions may not be asked from them. The police act on the decisions taken by Parliament and the government, says Leif Fransson, deputy chief of border police. Abdikader will not be deported this week because his case now rests with the Migration Court of Appeal.
Sveriges Radio 6 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8w0ET
Rim cannot stay in Sweden
The Migration Board rejects the application for a residence permit for the severely ill girl Rim and her family from Lebanon. The medical reasons are not considered sufficient for the family to stay in Örebro, where they currently live. According to Migration Board officials, care can be provided for the girl in Lebanon. However, the Red Cross argues that the girl's life is at risk if she is deported, but the decision cannot be appealed.
Sveriges Radio 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCxzJ0ZqnfK0aYE0EB8x0EU
Thursday 8 July to Friday 9 July 2010
Finland
Security Police: No upswing in extreme right activity
Few signs exist of an upswing in extreme right-wing activity in Finland, says the country's Security Police. However, a slight increase in crimes against foreign-owned property has been observed. Attacks of the type witnessed at last weekend's annual gay pride march in Helsinki are not on the rise. SUPO Security Division Chief Kari Harju calms concern over right-wing extremist activity in Finland. He says such groups are usually small and operate locally. Few have a real extreme right-wing ideological philosophy but rather tend to oppose immigration. He admits, though, to a slight upswing in attacks on foreigners. These actions tend to be attacks on property such as vehicles.
YLE 8 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRg0Eb
Ilta-Sanomat 8 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRh0Ec
Norway
Drastic increase in forced returns
More rejected asylum-seekers than ever are forcibly returned from Norway. Compared to 2009, 72 per cent more asylum-seekers were returned by the Norwegian police in 2010. As of 1 June, 1964 persons were forcibly returned, whereas 532 had returned voluntarily. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) considers that the restrictive measures in the Norwegian asylum policy have worked: this year witnessed 46 per cent less asylum-seeker arrivals compared to last year. There are always fluctuations in the number of asylum-seekers, but the government's restrictive measures and increase in returns are among the main reasons for fewer applicants, according to Ida Børresen, Director General at UDI. Asylum and refugee organizations have reacted strongly to this trend. An asylum policy that is measured by its success in relation to the reduced numbers of asylum-seekers is not right, says Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Rasmusson points out that the number of refugees in today's world is increasing: there are 1 million more refugees than last year. If Norway receives fewer asylum-seekers, more burden is placed on the poor developing countries. According to Geir J. Bekkevold, a Christian Democratic Party member in Telemark, the number of quota refugees should be increased. Bekkevold believes that a decline in asylum applications gives reason to ask whether there are many who need protection but are returned from Norway, and whether parts of the immigration policy should be reconsidered. If the number of returned asylum-seekers is so dramatic, the time may be ripe to raise the number of quota refugees, Bekkevold commented. The Christian Democratic Party has proposed to raise the number of quota refugees to 2000 a year. According to the Soria Moria Declaration, the Government aims to increase the number of quota refugees to 1500 from the current annual level of 1000 [sic] persons.
Verdens Gang 9 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRi0Ed
TV2 Nyhetene 9 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRj0Ee
Number of asylum applications nearly halved
So far this year, 4,420 persons have applied for asylum in Norway. Overall there were 3,731 fewer asylum-seekers to Norway during the first half of this year than during the same period last year. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) believes that many asylum-seekers have perceived that Norway has tightened its asylum policy and that more applications are rejected. Furthermore, many persons are forcibly deported after having received a final rejection on their applications. UDI Director General Ida Børresen says that if the asylum figures remain at current levels, several reception centres will probably need to be closed down in the autumn. So far this year, 4400 places for asylum-seekers have been abolished. The decline also means that the forecast for the number of asylum-seekers this year has been reduced from 17,500 to 10,000. The biggest decline is among unaccompanied minors, a decrease of 69 per cent. Additional 200 places for unaccompanied minors will be abolished by 1 August. Last year, Norway received its highest number of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan. A decrease of 76 per cent in Afghan asylum-seekers means that this year, there will be more asylum-seekers from Eritrea and Somalia than from Afghanistan.
Aftenposten 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRk0Ef
P4 Radio Norge 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRl0Eg
Up to 8,000 residing illegally in Norway
According to the Immigration Police Unit (PU) there are between 6,000 and 8,000 rejected asylum-seekers residing in Norway. The PU is responsible for deporting these persons but the task is not easy. Iran refuses to take them, Somalia and Eritrea are not able to verify their identity and many persons give false information. The Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget (the Labour Party) has set a goal of sending 6,000 illegal asylum-seekers home this year. So far 3,000 have been deported. The 250 residents at the two return centres set on fire in the beginning of the week represent only 5 per cent of all those who are to be returned either forcibly or according to special voluntary schemes.
Verdens Gang 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRm0Eh
NRK 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRn0Ei
Norwegian return centers a ticking bomb
Messages of concern have reached Minister Storberget already in February, but the turmoil and fractious atmosphere at the return centers has recently worsened, says local Liberal politician Nina Johnsen. She has received repeated messages from residents and independent sources in the municipality of great frustration at the center. According to her, not a single audit of the centers has been conducted in the last two years. She further claims that this is very alarming considering the fact that the area has witnessed so much disquiet. Both the Lier and Fagerli waiting centers in Nannestad received attention from Parliament as early as February. Liberal parliamentarian Trine Skei Grande has made an inquiry on the two centers. Food shortages and great frustration among the center residents are featured in a recent evaluation report on the system of standby reception. Minister Storberget rejected the criticism of the conditions at the waiting centers as unjustifiable. The Directorate of Immigration is aware that some residents have made complaints; however, UDI was not prepared for the violent riots at the centers. The waiting centers are the model Norwegian politicians have decided to offer for rejected asylum-seekers, and the centers can be modest, comments Bente Engesland, communications director at UDI. Hallstein Saunes, general manager of Link AS, which operates the waiting reception in Lier on behalf of UDI, argues that it is sad, incomprehensible and unacceptable that some persons choose to react violently. According to Saunes, the frustration concerns the residents' own life situation, not the food portions. According to Andreas Furuseth, Acting Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), the government deliberately creates guidelines for poor living conditions at the asylum centers in order to promote return. He thinks that the policy is misguided, and it should rather focus on providing a meaningful life for the residents. Furuseth advises to shorten the processing time of asylum-seekers..
Verdens Gang 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRo0Ej
Police: asylum rioters to be deported as soon as possible
Three asylum-seekers who were arrested after the fire on the return center in Lier will be brought to court by the Immigration Police Unit (PU) in the next few days. According to PU, the goal is to deport them as quickly as possible. The arrested persons are known to the police, since the police have tried to arrest them several times before, without any success. When everything is resolved with the authorities in their home countries, they will be deported, says Ole Johan Heir, director of PU. For the third detained person the right identity has to be clarified. Heir ensures that the three asylum-seekers will remain in police custody until they stand trial. According to the police, the detainees will not be tried on the fire at the return center, since they are transferred to the immigration services of the police. The remaining 19 persons in custody were planned to be released in the course of Thursday afternoon, states Vibeke Gjøslien Martin from Søndre Buskerud's police district. It is still unclear what will happen to these persons after they have been released, comments Martin. The police have secured the clothing from all the arrested persons to be sent for further analysis, and the police have received video footage from the night's events, which will help to clarify the actual events. The three persons charged with vandalism after the riots in Fagerli return center in Nannestad are released, one of them having acknowledged guilt for the damage.
Aftenposten 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRp0Ek
Aftenposten 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRq0El
Lier staff receive professional help
The employees at the return center in Lier get professional help from a crisis team, tells Hallstein Saunes, head of Link AS. The staff was called to a debriefing session on Thursday with a crisis management team. Also individuals may get support, clarifies Saunes. According to Bente Dalåker, regional manager for Hero which operates Haslemoen transit center, the former residents of Lier return center have not received any help from specialists. This does not surprise Kari Helene Partapuoli, leader of the Anti-Racist Center. The situation is completely different for those who live at the center than for those working there, explains Partapuoli. Some residents are afraid to sleep because they fear that they will be picked up at night and taken to Trandum, she continues. Approximately 10-12 residents have been able to return to Lier, most of them are women living in the so-called women's house, which was not set on fire. The Anti-Racist Centre had interviewed about 30 residents at the Lier and Fagerli return centers before the events earlier this week. Zahir Athari, the Anti-Racist Centre spokesperson for Afghans, conducted a food study at the Lier center, and found the food to be indecent. Saunes concludes that the average residence time at the center has been three months, but there is a small group of persons who has been at the center for over two years.
Dagbladet 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRr0Em
New return center to be opened
The Norwegian government has decided to create a return center with 100 places. UDI has announced that the new center will be operated in the Oslo area, and startup is foreseen for 1 November 2010. Paul K. Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, finds the new center a good idea. Before the new system with return centers were introduced, rejected asylum-seekers ended up on the street, Lønseth comments. A report published on Wednesday by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology states that the offer of housing to rejected asylum-seekers is not good enough. Heikki Holmås from the Socialist Left Party believes that it is important that the rejected asylum-seekers have activities while they wait for a return.
NRK 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRs0En
Return centers destructive
Psychiatrist Sverre Varvin from the National Research Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress is not surprised by this week's rioting at the return centers. The residents at the center are in a desperate situation, and feel cornered. The frustration is mainly directed against the Norwegian government and asylum policy. He argues that the return centers are destructive. Studies show that asylum-seekers suffer from a much higher psychological morbidity than the rest of the population. Most of them have been exposed to conditions that may be traumatizing and provide post-traumatic disorders, says Varvin. Therefore more psycho-social help should be available in the centers. He fears that these riots could be the beginning of something far worse. Some residents might be desperate enough to hurt themselves. Rejected asylum-seekers should not be placed in the return centers the way they are at the moment, Varvin explains.
Verdens gang 7 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRt0Eo
Sweden
Europe turns down refugees
A record number of refugees are in need of protection in a third country during the next five years. UNHCR calls especially on Europe to accept more quota refugees. On Tuesday, a meeting of three days between governments, UNHCR and NGO's in the resettlement countries was concluded in Geneva. The discussion revolved around how countries could receive more refugees who cannot stay in the country where they first fled from. According to UNHCR, in the next three to five years, 805.000 refugees should be resettled. It is nearly 8 per cent more than compared to the latest estimate conducted a few years ago. But the annual quota for resettlement is a constant figure at 80.000 places. Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, comments that resettlement is particularly important as new crises continue to drive people to flee and old conflicts fail to be solved. It would be best if the persons could return home, Guterres stresses. He is disappointed that Europe only accounts for six per cent of resettlements. European governments should take a stronger humanitarian responsibility for resettlement, since persons are suffering in refugee camps and cities worldwide, comments Migration Board's Director General Dan Eliasson. Sweden ranks top among the European countries by receiving annually 1900 refugees through resettlement, argues Eliasson. Sweden has a long tradition of resettlement and of the 4500 refugees resettled in Europe, Sweden takes 40 per cent, he clarifies. If all European countries did as Sweden, it would amount to about 100.000 refugees. What is needed is political will, concludes Eliasson.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRu0Ep
Migration Board rejects UNHCR criticism on Iraqi deportation
In some parts of Iraq one can live a decent life today, and against this reasoning Sweden deported 56 rejected asylum-seeking Iraqis back to Baghdad in June, despite sharp criticism from UNHCR. Dan Eliasson, Migration Board director general, dismissed the criticism at a press conference in Geneva earlier this week. The Board had estimated that the deported Iraqis did not risk their lives. Eliasson states that Swedish courts had determined that no threat of individual persecution existed. According to UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming, individuals cannot be dropped in Baghdad for further transport. Also Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, commented that due to the lack of security in Iraq no persons should be sent to Baghdad. Andrew Harper, head of UNHCR's Iraq unit, further adds that life in Iraq cannot be regarded as decent. The situation is very unstable and dangerous in many parts. After 122 days there is still no government in place. Electricity is only on for 1-2 hours per day in Baghdad, there is lack of water and about 50 degrees. It is a huge disappointment that European countries return Iraqis to such a situation. Volker Türk, chief of international protection at UNHCR would have wished that Sweden refrain from forced returns to Iraq. But sometimes one has to agree to disagree, Türk comments.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 July 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRv0Eq
Global summer workers
Twelve unaccompanied refugee children in Umeå have the possibility to work in Sweden over the summer. The municipal housing estate Bostaden will serve as a springboard into society. Bostaden offers this kind of possibility for the second time, since the first trial was so successful that the company now hires three times more employees than last time. The refugee children give a great input for the company, mostly their language skills are impressive, says Sverker Moritz, supervisor at Bostaden AB.
Sveriges Television 8 July 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRw0Er
UNHCR in the news
Racism threatens football festivities
The final World Cup festivities on Sunday may start a wave of xenophobia and violence in South Africa. Several civic and refugee organizations have recently warned the authorities that xenophobia in South Africa is on the rise again. Bloody riots claimed 62 migrant workers' lives in spring 2008. Somali traders are now reported to have been subjected to threats in Cape Town, and in Johannesburg, immigrants have received letters urging them to leave the country before the end of the World Cup. UNHCR warns that the situation is intimidating. UNHCR representative Pumla Rulashe says that it is difficult to say whether the threats become reality, but the UN is ready and waiting for the Government's reaction. Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa has declared that the authorities are ready to protect the people from attacks. Meanwhile, the ANC party remained skeptical towards reports of increased threat of violence.
Hufvudstadsbladet 8 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRx0Es
Aamulehti 8 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyLt0ZqnfK0aYE0ECRy0Et
Saturday 10 July to Monday 12 July 2010
Denmark
More seek and receive asylum in Denmark
The influx of persons seeking and granted asylum in Denmark has surprised the Danish authorities. The forecast for the number of persons to be granted asylum this year has now been increased by 47 per cent, from 1,500 to 2,200 persons. The growth is mainly due to the increased number in Afghans to Denmark, as well as Kurds from Syria. One quarter of Afghans seeking asylum in Denmark consists of unaccompanied minors. The Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Ronn Hornbech (Liberals) says it is not easier to get asylum in Denmark, but that more persons are trying. She hopes that a care centre for boys in Afghanistan and faster application procedures will cause the number of asylum-seekers to decrease.
Lorry Online 9 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZp0Ei
Danmarks Radio 10 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZq0Ej
Danmarks Radio 10 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZr0Ek
Berlingske Tidende 9 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZs0El
Finland
More Chechen asylum-seekers get asylum
During the first four months this year 185 Russian citizens applied for asylum in Finland. According to the Immigration Service, a majority of them are Chechens or from elsewhere in North Caucasus, including Ingush. In 2009, a total of 73 Russian citizens were either granted asylum or a residence permit. Furthermore, an increasing number of Chechen asylum-seekers are granted asylum in Finland. A report by the Immigration Service points out that the situation for human rights activists, relatives of rebels and women in Chechnya is unsafe compared to that of families who support the government.
Suomen Kuvalehti 10 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZt0Em
Researcher expects more strikes against minorities
A leading expert on racism, Dr Vesa Puuronen of the University of East Finland, says he is not surprised by a recent attack at the Helsinki Pride event and vandalism against the Helsinki headquarters of the national gay rights organization. He believes that more strikes targeting minorities will be seen in the run-up to next spring's elections. He says that due to the up-coming elections, issues concerning immigration and minorities are guaranteed to come to the fore.
YLE 9 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZu0En
Norway
Very few asylum-seekers are terrorists
Minister Storberget's link between asylum-seekers and the terrorist danger is misleading, says Kari Helene Partapuoli from the Anti-Racist Center. Storberget commented that when the number of asylum-seekers falls to 50 per cent of the level of last year, the Norwegian immigration officials have a better control of the arriving persons. Thus, the terrorist danger in Norway may become lower with the decreased influx of asylum-seekers, Storberget continued. Partapuoli sees it as wrong to link asylum-seekers with terrorists. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) are also critical of the way Storberget pronounces the terrorism issue. Tore Bjørgo, terrorism researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), states that Storberget misses the main pattern. All three men now charged with terrorism have a permanent residence permit in Norway, but the vast majority of terrorist attacks have been committed by persons who have lived in the country for many years, even by second-generation immigrants, notes Bjørgo. Both Partapuoli and Ingvald Bertelsen from the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) remind that many asylum-seekers come to Norway because they fled from areas where terrorist groups are active. Very few of these persons are criminals, says Partapuoli. It is absolutely absurd if a person fleeing from terror will automatically be suspected of terrorism, she continues. She believes that Storberget's comment will spill over to the debate over immigration. A survey conducted by Verdens Gang shows that one third of Norwegians have become more skeptical of people with minority backgrounds. 57 per cent believe that immigrants will make it more difficult in Norway because of the terrorism case. State secretary Paul K. Lønseth declares that nobody believes that all asylum-seekers are criminals or terrorists. But, he continues, it is clear that among the asylum-seekers may be persons wanting to exploit the asylum system for terrorism. Although asylum-seekers have not been involved in many terrorist cases, nevertheless, 95 per cent of asylum-seekers come without proper identification, clarifies Lønseth.
Three persons were arrested on Thursday charged with planning terror attacks – two of them in Norway and one while on holiday in Germany. The man thought to lead the Norway-based al-Qaida cell is of Uigur origin – he came to Norway in 1999 as a quota refugee, and is now a Norwegian citizen. The two others: Iraqi national with residency on humanitarian grounds, came to Norway as asylum-seeker in 1999; Uzbek national with permanent residency permit on family reunification grounds after asylum application failed in 2002.
Verdens Gang 11 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZv0Eo
Verdens Gang 11 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZw0Ep
Aftenposten 8 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZx0Eq
Storberget promises proper check on asylum-seekers
According to Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget, part of the available capacity of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will be used to improve background checks of persons coming to Norway. This becomes possible now that the UDI has increased capacity due to fewer asylum-seekers. The UDI will retain its executive capacity despite fewer asylum-seekers. Lowering the asylum influx allows the UDI to reduce the processing time of applications and emphasize integration aspects more thoroughly, and to return unfounded applicants faster. Storberget states that those persons are not wanted who do not have a valid reason to be in Norway. At the same time there is need for a more thorough check on quota refugees, he commented. He also promised a better follow-up of those who have already been granted a residence permit. The cooperation between the UDI, the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) and the police will be further strengthened. If the UDI takes over the responsibility for the first asylum hearing, more time is left for the police for background checking, clarified Storberget.
Dagsavisen 11 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZy0Er
Verdens Gang 11 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZz0Es
Sentenced to four weeks imprisonment after arson
A 36-year-old Iraqi, considered to be the leader of the riots at Lier return centre, was sentenced to four weeks imprisonment by Drammen District Court on Friday. When the verdict was read, the man, who claims to be a Kurd from Iraq, stood up and shouted at the judge that she was racist. He also showed the finger, and was taken out by two policemen after repeatedly shouting "Heil Hitler". The man's lawyer Karsten Gjone thinks this is yet another sign of the man's frustration. A total of 23 asylum-seekers were arrested after the fire. 19 of the 23 accused were freed on Friday afternoon. Two of the 19 tried to return to Lier, but were not given permission. All 23, including the Iraqi man, are still charged with causing serious property damage. Three persons waiting for their deportation at the Police Immigration Unit (PU) face the same charges. These three will be deported as soon as possible.
Verdens Gang 10 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZ10Ef
Verdens Gang 10 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZ20Eg
Dagbladet 9 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZ30Eh
Dagbladet 10 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCyrD0ZqnfK0aYE0ECZ40Ei
Tuesday 13 July to Wednesday 14 July 2010
Denmark
Deportations to Greece stopped
After the European Court of Human Rights' enforcement of the Rule 39, Denmark cannot return asylum-seekers to Greece in cases where they risk being persecuted in their homeland. The rule also prevents Denmark from forcibly returning an asylum-seeker before his or her case is tried by a Danish court. Andreas Kamm, Secretary-General of the Danish Refugee Council, is pleased that asylum-seekers are now entitled to have their cases tried in Denmark. He stresses that the principles of the Refugee Convention mean that no refugee should be returned to a place where they risk persecution. A couple of weeks ago Denmark resumed the practice of returning asylum-seekers to Greece. This was done according to the Dublin Regulation, which allows an EU country to return asylum-seekers to the first EU country they were registered in. Andreas Kamm adds that Denmark should immediately stop all returns to Greece, where most of the 20,000 asylum-seekers arriving annually end up on the street without access to any help or asylum procedures. Denmark is not the only country where the ECHR has had to enforce rules to ensure that asylum-seekers are not sent home before their cases are processed. Alone in 2009 and during the first quarter of 2010, over 500 returns to Greece from different European countries have been stopped by the Court.
Jyllands-Posten 14 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECto0E5
Norway
More asylum-seekers forcibly deported
During the first six months of 2010, 21 per cent of rejected persons returned voluntary, compared to last year's 24 per cent. The total number of returns in the first half of 2010, either forcible or voluntary, was 2976. Never before have so many persons been sent out. Given that only 1834 persons without any legal residence permit were returned last year, the total number of returns increased by 62 per cent in just one year. But compared to 2008 the development is more modest: in 2008, 2891 persons were returned. The increase in the two years represents only 3 per cent. The group most affected by returns is Somalis. The majority of Somalis were not returned to their home country, but to the first country they applied for asylum in. The PU aims at returning 5900 persons before the end of the year. The number of asylum-seekers in Norway has almost halved when compared to last year.
Dagsavisen 14 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECtp0E6
More asylum-seekers forcibly deported
The National Police Immigration Service (PU) has used more force than before when returning rejected asylum-seekers without a legal residence permit in Norway. Simultaneously, the proportion of voluntary returns has gone down from 2009. During the first six months of 2010, 21 per cent rejected persons returned voluntary, compared to last year's figures of 24 per cent. The total number of returns in the first half of 2010, either forcible or voluntary, was 2976. Never before have so many persons been sent out. Given that only 1834 persons without any legal residence permit were returned last year, the total number of returns increased by 62 per cent in just one year. But compared to 2008 the development is more modest: in 2008, 2891 persons were returned. The increase in the two years represents only 3 per cent. The group most affected by returns is Somalis. The majority of Somalis were not returned to their home country, but to the first country they applied for asylum in. The PU aims at returning 5900 persons before the end of the year. The number of asylum-seekers in Norway has almost been halved when compared to last year.
Dagsavisen 14 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECtp0E6
Contested return policy for unaccompanied minors
On Monday, the Ombudsman for Children and Save the Children announced that they are very concerned about the asylum process and health situation for unaccompanied young persons. Rejected minor asylum-seekers cannot be returned until they turn 18, thus the children are forced to wait in return centers. Salhus return center in Hordaland county was established last autumn, and receives unaccompanied asylum-seekers between 16 and 18 years of age who have had their asylum applications rejected. Those who live in return centers are well aware of an expiration date for their stay in Norway. Some argue that Norwegian authorities should consider offering these young persons education opportunities. Joril Christensen, Hordaland Labour Party, will try to get the Norwegian practice tested in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if the Government does not change its policy.
NRK 12 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0D4LA0EO
NRK 12 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECtq0E7
Asylum-seekers missing in Norway
In the aftermath of the Lier return center fire, several asylum-seekers that were arrested by the police are missing. According to the police, these persons were released, and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) comments that the former residents at the Lier return center should contact UDI for a renewed temporary place. Not even the police know where the 14 missing asylum-seekers are at the moment. Kari Helene Partapuoli, leader of the Anti-Racist Center, cannot understand why the police and the UDI did not cooperate more efficiently in this case which involves persons who are very desperate, and have lost their accommodation. Employees at the waiting centers are not particularly happy about this, because the arrested persons had made threats against staff during the police investigation. Safety measures are being put in place.
Dagbladet 13 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECtr0E8
Sweden
Even more refugee children hiding
More unaccompanied young persons who have sought asylum in Sweden are disappearing from the Migration Board's homes in Malmö without the staff knowing their whereabouts. The disappearances started at the end of 2009 and can be explained by several planned mass deportations. It has been difficult to find school places for young persons in Malmö, because it is up to individual principals or municipalities to offer school places and many schools in Malmö have declined applications. Abdi is 16 years old and from Somalia, and has been hiding for seven months, ever since he learned that he would be returned back to Malta.
Sveriges Radio 13 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECts0EA
Progress Party: Burqa ban in Norway
Norway will eventually follow France in introducing a ban on the burqa, says Per Willy Amundsen, immigration spokesman in the populist-right Progress Party. On Tuesday, the French National Assembly voted on a proposal to ban women from wearing full head coverage. The legislation, to be adopted by the Senate before it takes effect, would introduce a fine of 150 euros for those who wear a burqa or a niqab in the public. The Progress Party motioned for a burqa ban already in May, but the motion was rejected by all the other parties in the Storting. According to Amundsen, the ban would increase individual freedom.
Aftonbladet 13 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzE10ZqnfK0aYE0ECtt0EB
Thursday 15 July to Friday 16 July 2010
Denmark
Socialist People's Party: Asylum-seekers not to be deported to Greece
It is very appropriate that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) now criticizes Denmark for deporting rejected asylum-seekers to Greece, considers Socialist People's Party (SF) spokesperson Astrid Krag. She has long called for a policy shift from Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. Krag is happy that the ECHR decided to put an end to asylum-seekers being sent back to a country where the asylum system has actually collapsed. The ECHR decision had an effect, since now three asylum-seekers are held back in Denmark until their case is processed. Asylum-seekers cannot be returned to Greece before things have changed for the better, argues Krag. Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech will first review the three specific cases before she can comment on whether the Danish asylum practice should be changed.
Jyllands-Posten 14 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDR0ED
Liberal Alliance opposes its own policy
Although the Liberal Alliance states in its party program that it wishes to abolish the cash benefit given to refugees, the party will not vote for its removal if it brings the coalition government into minority. The Party leader Anders Samuelsen says that the cash benefit given to refugees is problematic, and that it is not one of the points the party will fight for. He adds that competent foreigners who can support themselves are welcome to Denmark, and that Denmark should not receive immigrants without the community benefiting from it, as in his view, immigration is only foreign aid disbursed in Denmark. The Conservatives' integration spokesperson Naser Khader thinks it is odd that the Liberal Alliance opposes cash benefits, as he believes it motivates newly arrived Danes to get jobs.
Berlingske Tidende 15 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDS0EE
Comprehensive strategy sought as Roma are deported
After police raids on a derelict post office and a camp site in Amager, the authorities have deported 23 members of the Roma community to Romania. The mass deportation, which was carried out as a measure to preserve "public order and health" according to the Danish Immigration Service, comes in the wake of a lively debate about what to do with the increasing number of Roma who have decided to come to Denmark. The head of Copenhagen Council's homeless section, Steen Bo Pedersen, says that it is estimated that there are between 200 and 400 Roma in Copenhagen this summer. He adds that the influx of Roma and other East Europeans could be attributed to a change in EU immigration rules in 2007.
The Copenhagen Post 15 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDT0EF
Finland
5000 Somalis queue for residence permit
5000 Somalis are currently waiting for a decision on their applications for residence permit on the basis of family ties. The Immigration Service officials have been struggling with queues, as each month they receive 300 new applications for family reunification. The Director General at the Immigration Service, Jorma Vuorio, says that the Immigration Service will have to recruit 20 temporary officers to help shorten the queues. According to the Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, it is not yet possible to say whether the Immigration Service can recruit new staff. She notes, however, that the Aliens Act stipulates that applications must be processed within nine months and that this should be a goal for the Immigration Service.
Turun Sanomat 16 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDU0EG
YLE 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDV0EH
Norway
Unrest at Haslemoen transit center
On Tuesday, the police received several reports of unrest at the Haslemoen transit center in Hedmark. The troublemakers had already calmed down when the police arrived at the center. There had been bickering, fighting and some breaking of the dishes in the cafeteria, the police state. Many residents live in the center, so events similar to the one on Tuesday happen often, comments Kjell-Åge Moen, head of the center. Approximately 65 residents from the return center in Lier were transferred to Haslemoen and Stange after the Lier center was set on fire. However, the troublemakers from Lier were not involved in the events at the Haslemoen center. According to the police, the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) was contacted on Tuesday and UDI decided to transfer one of the most aggressive persons to a different center. The trouble continued on Thursday evening, and one person was lightly injured in the unrest.
NRK 14 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDW0EI
NRK 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDX0EJ
Verdens Gang 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDY0EK
Asylum-seekers to work for free
Presently asylum-seekers cannot participate in free voluntary work in Norway, but the government is about to make an amendment to the legislation. The amendment is intended to prevent undeclared work and labor exploitation. But after a pressure of several years by non-governmental organizations such as Frivillig Norge and the Norwegian Red Cross, the Ministry of Justice and the Police now proposes that asylum-seekers could be allowed to contribute with unpaid work. It is important to activate persons waiting for a decision on their residence application and let them at the same time help others, comments Sven Mollekleiv, president of the Norwegian Red Cross. The worst that can happen is that persons fleeing war and conflict have to sit and have nothing to occupy themselves with. At worst these persons get sick, Mollekleiv continues. The Ministry of Justice and the Police sent the legislation proposal out for comment last Friday. To prevent labor exploitation, the proposal suggests that asylum-seekers should not be allowed to do things one normally receives a compensation for.
Aftenposten 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDZ0EL
Residence permits for radical Islamists
Several asylum-seekers have been granted a residence permit in Norway because they are members of the radical Islamist party Hizb ut-Tahrir. The reason is that they risk persecution and torture in their home countries. According to Aftenposten, the Hizb ut-Tahrir Party pursues a worldwide Islamic state, is opposed to democracy and anti-Semitic in the party statements, and additionally forbidden in Germany. In recent years, at least six Uzbeks and Uighurs have been granted residence in Norway because of their association with the party. The Directorate of Immigration has no accurate official list of how many persons with a connection to the party have a residence permit. Two of the men suspected of terrorism in Norway have a background in Central Asia where Hizb ut-Tahrir has the strongest foothold, but it is not verified whether the two men are or have been members of the party. Zeyno Baran, an American expert on radical Islamist groups, comments that radical Islamists in Central Asia do ideological preparations for terrorist attacks. According to her, opponents of the worldwide Islamic caliphate, a kind of Islamic super-state, are viewed as enemies of the radical Islamists.
Verdens Gang 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDa0ES
Aftenposten 16 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDb0ET
Pointless to grant residence permits for radical Islamists
Several Norwegian parties took a stand on the news that radical Islamists are granted residence permits in Norway. Of the government parties the Centre Party's immigration spokesperson, Ola Borten Moe, is most critical of persons being granted residence because of their association with radical Islamist movements in their countries of origin. This is completely pointless and something must be done as soon as possible, comments Moe. Labour Party spokesperson, Lise Christoffersen, believes that one cannot deny the right to asylum because of an alleged connection to Islam. There must be an assessment of the individual situation of the country they fled from, and Norway is bound by international conventions, she adds. Per-Willy Amundsen, immigration policy spokesperson in the Progress Party, states that granting asylum is not desirable at all. Radical Islamists should not be granted residence. According to Amundsen, this challenges the whole concept of refugees. One always pictures a refugee who fights against dictatorship, desires democracy and freedom, he continues. The thought that someone wants to introduce an even worse terrorist regime than the one they fled from is seldom applied. Geir J. Bekkevold, immigration policy spokesperson in the Christian Democratic Party, notes that when Norway provides protection to those who are persecuted but at the same time are engaged in terrorist acts, the problem seems to be turned upside down. Akhtar Chaudhry, spokesperson for justice policy in the Socialist Left Party, states that the asylum authorities are aimed at those who experience persecution, torture, rape or other type of oppression. Violence should never be permitted for achieving political goals, but one should get protection if one is persecuted, Chaudhry adds. Trond Helleland, spokesperson for immigration policy in the Conservative party, sees that to start dividing persons into Islamist groups and other persecuted groups would be a difficult human rights assessment. An Islamist's life is as important as anybody else's. Therefore, the assessment should be done on an individual basis, he concludes.
Aftenposten 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDc0EU
Two terror suspects before Oslo court
The hearing of the two men suspected of terrorism in Norway took place at the Oslo District Court on Monday afternoon behind closed doors. Michael Davud, a 39-year-old of Uighur origin, and David Jakobsen, a 31-year-old Uzbek, were asked by the public prosecutor to remain in full custody for eight weeks in order to facilitate further investigation. Lawyers for the two defendants reported that their clients, whose cases were heard separately, were opposed to the request to remain in custody. Kjell Dahl, defending lawyer for Jakobsen, commented that his client had been cooperating with the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) for over six months before he was arrested last week. He had acted as an informant to the police, meeting with PST agents regularly, Dahl considered. Public Prosecutor Signe Kathrine Aalling was aware that Jakobsen had been in contact with PST agents, but stated that the accused had never informed the police about the purchase of hydrogen peroxide, a fluid of volatile nature which could be used to make a bomb. Michael Davud was charged as the ringleader of a three-man terror group with planning a bombing attack on undecided Norwegian targets. The Uighur arrived in Norway in the late 1990's and was granted citizenship in 2007. The third suspect, 37-year-old Saeed Bujak, was arrested in Germany. According to NRK, the Iraqi Kurd arrived in Norway on Wednesday for interrogation and trial.
Norway News 13 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDd0EV
NRK 15 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDe0EW
Sweden
Police arrest illegal refugees
For several years now the police in Malmö have regularly requested lists from the municipality's registry office of couples that are about to be wed by a local registrar. The initiative results in one or more arrests per month of illegal refugees who have had their claim for asylum denied, according to Leif Fransson, deputy head of the border police in Skåne. The information the police request is public and available to anyone upon request, and it is an instrument the police use in their work, continues Fransson. The Migration Board is reluctant to state anything about how persons whose claims have been denied are caught by the police. It is a difficult balance, and it is hard to say what is right or wrong, says Anna Wessel, acting head of department at the Migration Board. The pressure on the Swedish border police has increased following a Riksdag decision to track more illegal refugees who are in hiding. The method used by the police in Skåne is therefore arousing interest from other counties. There are estimated to be some 8,000 persons currently residing illegally in Sweden, writes DN.
Dagens Nyheter 15 July 2010 p:20 (in Swedish)
Despite criticism more forcible returns to Iraq
Despite criticism of group deportations to Iraq, more rejected asylum-seekers who do not return voluntarily are forcibly returned with bigger charter planes to Iraq. Overall, the system works very well, and only a few individuals resist, comments Per-Uno Johansson, head of the Investigation Unit of the Border Police Department in Stockholm. These persons will then be handcuffed in order to prevent them from hurting themselves or the transportation staff. Since December 2008, 460 Iraqi men, women and children have been forcibly deported with large charter flights. Last year, seven flights were carried out, and this year has already witnessed eight ones. More charter deportations are likely to be carried out this year, states Johansson. However, the latest criticism for mass deportations to Iraq came from UNHCR in June. Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR in the Nordic and Baltic countries, comments that Iraqis coming from areas considered by UNHCR as unstable and dangerous should be granted international protection and not be deported. Given that Sweden rejects asylum applications from persons coming from the central areas of Iraq and based on information UNHCR has from the media and from lawyers, one assumes that persons originating from the five central areas are amongst those being deported, says Mathisen. Baghdad is one of the sites that UNHCR considers to be dangerous and the chartered planes land there. After the persons arrive in Baghdad, it is up to the Iraqis themselves to reach their final destination in Iraq. Additionally, they receive 100 dollars for the transport, something Mathisen is also critical of, because the amount is not sufficient. Sweden should bear the responsibility to ensure that the deported persons reach their place of origin safely, concludes Mathisen.
Sveriges Radio 15 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDf0EX
Sveriges Radio 15 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDg0EY
Billström rejects UNHCR criticism
UNHCR has repeatedly criticized forcible Iraqi deportations from Sweden to sites in Iraq that are still unstable. But Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, turns down the critics. According to him, not all persons deported back to Iraq are in a threatening situation, but the Swedish immigration authorities and courts must decide case by case, and that is what they are doing at the moment. He does not agree that Sweden goes against UNHCR recommendations in this case. Sweden has a process system that gives all applicants the opportunity to have their applications tested individually, Billström argues. Rejected Iraqis are not deported back because they are Iraqis, but the reality is that not everyone can stay in Sweden just because they come from Iraq. UNHCR has also criticized the pocket money of 100 dollars that is handed to persons when they arrive in Baghdad. Billström notes that Sweden's responsibility ends at the airport in Baghdad. The rejected asylum-seekers are free Iraqi citizens returned to their country of origin and therefore the Swedish State bears no further responsibility. Sweden cannot take an absolute and indefinite responsibility for a person who had once been in contact with Swedish authorities, the course falls on its own absurdity. Sveriges Radio 15 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDh0EZ
Shortest asylum processes in 20 years
So far this year, 14,056 persons have sought asylum in Sweden, an increase of 36 per cent compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, asylum decisions are processed faster – in 4,5 months, which is the shortest time in 20 years. After negative decisions and Dublin Cases, according to which applicants must apply in another EU country, 41 per cent of applicants have been granted asylum. In the first half of last year, the proportion was 33 per cent. An increase in Somali applicants might have affected this figure, since Somalis are now granted asylum more often due to the difficult security situation in the country. In May, the Migration Board raised its forecast for asylum-seekers to Sweden this year to 31,000. The next forecast will be given to the Government in late July. So far this year, 1,025 unaccompanied minors have sought asylum in Sweden. Previous estimations suggested that 3,000 unaccompanied minors would seek asylum in Sweden this year, but the half-year figures imply that the number will be diminished.
Dagens Nyheter 15 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCzZ30ZqnfK0aYE0EDDi0Ea
EU countries disagree on common asylum policy
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, says that reaching a consensus on the common European asylum policy by 2012 will be very difficult due to big differences in opinions among the member countries. The main dispute is about how asylum-seekers should be received, when and how a person can be put into custody, how family reunion should take place and how to ease the burden of southern European countries that receive large numbers of asylum-seekers. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, is more optimistic about the prospects of reaching a consensus, although he also sees complications due to costs, especially at a time when most European states are struggling with large deficits in state finances. One of the most difficult questions to solve is the exceptions to the principle that asylum-seekers should have their applications processed in the country they first arrived in. Mainly Greece and Malta would be able to send asylum-seekers to the other EU countries, as they receive more applicants than they can handle. Sweden and several other countries believe that these exemptions cannot be used as an excuse to avoid improving poor reception systems.
Dagens Nyheter 15 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/last-om-gemensamt-asylsystem-i-eu-1.1138390
Saturday 17 July to Monday 19 July 2010
Denmark
Integration Minister urged to take action
Denmark continues to send asylum-seekers back to Greece, says the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech. This despite the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights that has prevented the deportation of three asylum-seekers from Denmark based on the so-called Rule 39. The Socialist People's Party, the Social Democrats and the Danish Refugee Council urge the Integration Minister to take action and state that asylum-seekers should stay in Denmark until the asylum situation in Greece is improved. The risk that asylum-seekers are being returned to Greece are simply too high, says the Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, Andreas Kamm. He stresses that Greece does not have the capacity to cope with as many asylum-seekers as the country is receiving right now. The Socialist People's Party's spokesperson in asylum issues, Astrid Krag, also wonders why the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs does not listen to the international organizations' warning. The Socialist Democrat's spokesperson Henrik Dam Kristensen agrees that the Minister must take action, and wishes that she will put pressure on the EU Commission in order to solve the asylum problems in Greece. He believes it is not fair that the Minister does not raise the question at the EU level.
Danmarks Radio 16 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHN0Ei
Tidende 16 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHO0Ej
TV2 Nyhederne 16 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHP0Ek
Berlingske Tidende 16 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHQ0El
Strong criticism towards EU's asylum policy
Several experts claim that the collapse of the Greek asylum system is merely a symptom of the deep crisis the EU asylum system has fallen into. The reason for Greece's problems is that the country receives far more asylum-seekers than the other EU countries. While Denmark processed 1,725 applications in 2008, nearly 31,000 persons sought asylum in Greece. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, says the burden is so uneven that the system is falling apart, and the countries in the periphery are tempted to act against the Dublin Regulation. According to the Dublin Regulation, asylum-seekers should have their applications processed in the EU country they first arrived in.
Danmarks Radio 19 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHR0Em
Finland
Poll: EU harmful to Finland in immigration and asylum matters
Half of the Finns believe that the EU has brought Finland more harm than good in immigration and asylum matters, according to an opinion poll commissioned by Aamulehti and MTV3 and conducted by TNS Gallup. The negative attitudes towards immigration issues are interesting since according to the same query, 73 per cent of Finns were of the opinion that the EU should create common, binding rules for work-related immigration, integration and reception of refugees.
Aamulehti 19 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHS0En
Arson at housing for unaccompanied minors
A threatening fire broke out at a refugee housing for unaccompanied minors in Oravainen on Friday afternoon. The fire caused no major damage. The Rescue department believes that it is possible that the fire was arson.
Hufvudstadsbladet 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHT0Eo
Vasabladet 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHU0Ep
True Finns raised to fourth most popular party
The immigration critical True Finns party has, for the first time, gained a support of over ten per cent, shows a survey commissioned by YLE news. According to the survey, the True Finns have now risen to Finland's fourth most popular political party over the Greens. In the survey conducted in July, 10.1 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for the True Finns, while the Greens gained a support of 9.5 per cent. Timo Soikkanen, Professor in Policital History at the University of Turku, estimates that economic and immigration issues will be the most important topics in the parliamentary elections to be held next April. Soikkanen believes that the other political parties are forced to harden their positions in immigration issues, not to loose their popularity to the True Finns party.
Helsingin Sanomat 16 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHV0Eq
Helsingin Sanomat 17 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHW0Er
True Finns leader Soini says presidential candidacy is "likely"
Timo Soini, a Finnish Euro-MP and leader of the opposition True Finns, hinted in a blog entry posted on Wednesday that he would stand as a candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Soini wrote that his candidacy is "likely". In the 2006 presidential election where Tarja Halonen won her second and final term, Soini took 3.4 per cent of the vote. Soini had said earlier he would return to Finnish politics by standing in next year's general election.
Helsinki Times 16 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHX0Es
Norway
Warnings about potentially dangerous asylum-seekers
So far this year, the Norwegian government has warned about eight persons applying for residence in Norway who could threaten basic national interests, security or foreign policy interests. The Directorate of Immigration has notified the Ministry of Justice and the Police and the Norwegian Police Security Service about their concerns. In addition to the eight new cases, the Ministry is checking twelve other persons who could be a potential threat to Norway. Most of the cases concern asylum-seekers. Examples of conditions leading to a warning are suspicion of espionage, ideological conviction, and an affiliation to a party or an organization that supports terrorist networks or groupings that have carried out violent or extremist acts.
Dagsavisen 17 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHY0Et
NRK 17 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHZ0Eu
Aftenposten 17 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHa0E2
UD unaware of the missing Uighur's whereabouts
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Embassy is Islamabad in Pakistan have not been able to find out where the Uighur from Bergen is located after he was extradited from Pakistan to China in June. According to TV 2, the man is suspected of terrorism against Chinese targets. The man is a Chinese citizen, but has refugee status in Norway. He has claimed consular assistance from the Ministry, comments communications advisor Kjetil Elsebutangen from the MFA. On 17 May, the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad was notified that the Pakistani authorities had arrested a Uighur family in northern Pakistan, since the family was staying illegally in the country. The Embassy immediately began the work to get the four family members extradited to Norway. On 12 June, the mother and two children, all Norwegian nationals, were handed over to the Norwegian Embassy, and are now back in Norway. The Embassy received a message that the man had been handed over to the Chinese authorities because he was a Chinese citizen, adds Elsebutangen. The official reasons for the arrest and extradition do not mention the suspected terrorist affiliation. The Pakistani authorities justified the arrest of the Uighur man due to his illegal stay in the country, and justified the extradition to China because the Uighur man has Chinese citizenship.
Dagsavisen 16 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHb0E3
Sweden
New technology to track damaged fingerprints
In order to shorten the asylum process, the Migration Board has purchased new technology to read damaged fingerprints. Asylum-seekers often damage their fingers so their fingerprints cannot be registered in the EU common database for asylum-seekers. Every year, thousands of asylum cases are complicated by the fact that the Migration Board does not manage to establish the fingerprints. Among those who sought asylum in Sweden last year, 2,000 persons could not be identified through fingerprints. The figure for this year is at 1,000 persons. The new equipment can read fingerprints even on damaged or worn fingers. Madeleine Seidlitz, refugee lawyer at Amnesty International, states that the new technology will certainly streamline the Migration Board's work, but hardly does anything about the human suffering. The waiting time can be shortened, but at the same time one has to consider the human dimension and ask why individuals have taken such drastic measures, she adds.
Dagens Nyheter 17 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHc0E4
Sveriges Television 17 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHd0E5
Sveriges Radio 17 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHe0E6
Stockholm News 17 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHf0E7
More places needed for refugee children
This year, around 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children and adolescents under the age of 18 are expected to seek asylum in Sweden without a guardian. As of 14 July, 1,153 minors had sought asylum in Sweden during this year. For years, the reception system for minors has been very strained, but now the situation has improved. The number of so-called arrival municipalities, where the children wait for permanent accommodation in other municipalities, has increased from four to nine, including several municipalities in Northern Sweden. Furthermore, the Migration Board has agreed with municipalities and regions on 1,976 housing sites, which means that 730 new places are added this year. In addition, The Östergötland and Västerbotten counties have offered more seats than they had first intended. However, the need is larger than the already agreed accommodations. In past years, the number of asylum applications from unaccompanied children increased over the summer and further increased during the autumn. An appeal for more accommodation sites has therefore been sent from the Migration Board, Save the Children and Children's Ombudsman to all municipal councils in Sweden.
Svenska Dagbladet 17 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHg0E8
Sveriges Radio 18 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHh0EA
Sveriges Radio 18 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHi0EB
UNHCR in the world
37,000 on the run in DRC
37,000 persons have been displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo due to fighting between the Congolese army and a Ugandan rebel group. The internally displaced persons, most of them villagers, are now scattered throughout the region. The fighting takes place along the border between the DRC and Uganda, in and around the Ruwenzori Mountains. The Ugandan rebel group ADF / Nalu was chased out of Uganda in 2001, and has after that been hiding across the border in DRC. The group says it fights for the rights of Muslims. Meanwhile, Uganda has deported 1,800 Rwandans who have been denied asylum. Many Rwandans are drawn to the neighboring country in hope of getting a piece of land. UNHCR has criticized Uganda's handling of Rwandans, and pointed out that many of them never had their asylum claims examined.
Hufvudstadsbladet 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHj0EC
NB. This story was also published in Sweden
Sveriges Television 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHk0ED
OSCE to send policemen to Kyrgyzstan
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, will send 52 police observers to Kyrgyzstan to monitor peace in the southern parts of the country. President of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbajeva, has given the OSCE the authority to review the causes to recent months' violence. The OSCE delegation will also train local police forces. According to UNHCR, there are still some 75,000 internally displaced persons in the Kyrgyz south in the aftermath of the violence.
Hufvudstadsbladet 16 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHl0EE
Savon Sanomat 16 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eCz4x0ZqnfK0aYE0EDHm0EF
Tuesday 20 July to Wednesday 21 July 2010
Denmark
UN: Danish government covers up racism
The Danish government has been accused of failing to accept the true extent of racism in the country. According to Niels-Erik Hansen, head of the Documentation and Advisory Centre on Racism, a new report compiled by the government for the UN Racism Committee cosmetically enhances the real statistics by failing to include crimes that were possibly racially motivated. At the same time, the number of actual cases prosecuted according to anti-racism legislation is set too low. If one ignores the issues and refuses to hear anything it is easy to reach the conclusion that racism does not exist, adds Hansen. Unfortunately, this report fails to mention the 560 cases of possible acts of racism that the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has uncovered, such as assault, attempted murder and damage to property, he continues. The government report that will be used to form the basis of the UN evaluation of racism in Denmark, states that there have only been 123 reported cases of racism over the past five years, compared to police figures of 190. A Justice Ministry spokesman said that if the UN Racism Committee asks for PET's figures they would be supplied.
Jyllands-Posten 20 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP30E7
Refugees to get psychiatric help through video
Refugees and immigrants in outlying areas of Denmark will receive psychiatric help in their mother tongue through video. The Ministry of the Interior and Health supports the project with one million DKK. Through a video conference a psychiatrist can treat mentally ill immigrants and refugees who avoid queuing on the waiting lists in the local areas. The Minister of the Interior and Health, Bertel Haarder, sees great prospects in the project that is expected to run until May 2012, after which it could be expanded and made permanent. Minister Haarder notes that through the project, it is even possible to get treatment from therapists in Sweden.
Berlingske Tidende 19 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP40E8
Jyllands-Posten 19 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP50EA
Norway
Norway stops deportations to northern Iraq
Norway has suspended deportations to Northern Iraq. The reason is said to be that the National Police Immigration Service (PU) has been unable to receive a reply from the authorities in northern Iraq - the Kurdish controlled part - since February when the PU requested the deportation of asylum-seekers. Currently, 528 rejected asylum-seekers wait in Norwegian return centers, but it is unclear how many of them are from northern Iraq. UN sources have advised not to return persons to the southern and central Iraq, including Baghdad. However, forced expulsions have still been implemented. Recently, UNHCR indicated that no deportations should be carried out to the provinces of Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Nineveh and Saladin - provinces quite far north. The Kurdish-controlled provinces in the far north are considered more secure. According to State Secretary Pål Lönseth from the Ministry of Justice and the Police, Norway has cooperated well with the Kurdish autonomy but the cooperation could be more efficient. A series of human rights organizations have protested against returning persons at all to Iraq. The most famous of the persons in Norway waiting for a return to Northern Iraq is the Kurdish Islamist leader Mullah Krekar. Last year in May, Norwegian and Iraqi authorities closed an agreement on the returning of Iraqi asylum-seekers. Three quarters of those who have returned are reported to have done so voluntarily.
Verdens Gang 20 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP60EB
Aftenposten 20 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP70EC
NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Sweden
Hufvudstadsbladet 21 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDP80ED
Dagens Nyheter 20 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDQA0EN
Sveriges Television 21 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDQB0EO
TV 4 Nyhetskanalen 20 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDQC0EP
Five Palestinian asylum-seekers on hunger strike
On Friday morning, six asylum-seekers from Gaza and the West Bank started a hunger strike at the reception center in Svolvaer. One of them quit the strike on Sunday due to stomach problems. Some of the center residents have been waiting for a decision on their asylum application for 1,5 years. The management at the reception center closely follows the events at the center, and has contacted the local doctor to ensure that the strikers' health is not put in danger, comments Marianne Hansen, acting head at the center. She emphasizes that the protest is not aimed at the reception center, since the strikers are satisfied with the conditions there. Rather, they are critical of the asylum policy at the more central level, Hansen continues. The police comment that they will not take action before the health of the strikers reaches a critical level. The strikers aim at protesting as long as they have received a response to their application from the Directorate of Immigration.
NRK 19 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDQD0EQ
Some make millions on asylum centers
While residents at return centers receive 100 kroner a week in pocket money, private companies and their management earn millions of kronor for operating the centers. Vidar Veseth, leader of the union Norwegian Society for reception center staff, told that according to the union estimations, alone Hero Norway AS, Link AS and the Norwegian receiving operations contracted by the Directorate of Immigration accounted for 60 million kronor in profit. If the number of staff is cut down, the risk of conflicts at the centers increases, Veseth commented. Hero Norway AS is the largest private operator that runs centers and has 8662 places in 45 centers. The company operates among others the Fagerli return center in Nannestad, the Haslemoen transit center as well as the Hvalstad center for unaccompanied minors.
Dagbladet 20 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1QW0ZqnfK0aYE0EDQE0ER
Thursday 22 July to Friday 23 July 2010
Denmark
Racism claims exaggerated says Khader
There is far more racism in France and Spain than in Denmark, says leading immigrant politician Naser Khader in response to claims by Niels-Erik Hansen, head of the Documentation and Advisory Centre for Racism, that the government has whitewashed a new report written for the UN Committee on Racism. Khader says that unfortunately, Niels Erik-Hansen sees racism everywhere he looks, and adds that he does not see Denmark as a racist country and that one should also remember that there is racism between immigrant groups that does not appear in the official statistics. He added that the UN should use its power to combat racism in countries such as Iran or Saudi Arabia, where people are not allowed to carry the Bible or build Christian churches.
Jyllands-Posten 21 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDis0EW
"Only skillful workers to be given residence"
New figures from the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs show that in 2050, nearly 20 per cent of working age Danish residents will have an immigrant background. Both the Liberals and the Conservatives react by saying that if the Danish welfare society is to be maintained in the future, Denmark must focus on attracting skilled workers from abroad and educate the immigrants already residing in the country. Naser Khader, integration spokesperson for the Conservatives, says that Denmark has an international obligation and a moral responsibility to let refugees into the country, but in terms of immigration, Denmark must be ruthless and give residence permits only to highly skilled workers who can help develop the Danish welfare society.
Berlingske Tidende 22 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDit0EX
Danmarks Radio 22 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDiu0EY
Estonia
Estonia attracting immigrants again
Estonia attracts several thousands of immigrants every year, although the exact numbers are not available. According to official statistics, more than 3,000 persons a year have moved to Estonia during the past three years. Last year Estonia recorded the immigration of 3,643 persons, while 4,647 emigrated.
Baltic News Service 20 July 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Finland
10,000 have immigrated to Finland this year
According to Statistics Finland, Finland's population was 5,362,073 at the end of June. From January to June, the population grew by 10,650 persons. The biggest reason for population growth was that immigration exceeded emigration by 5,750 persons. According to preliminary data, 10,650 persons immigrated to Finland during January to June, while 4,900 persons moved from Finland.
YLE 22 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDiv0EZ
Chechen refugees do not affect relations between Finland and Russia
One topic raised during the Russian President Medvedev's visit to Finland was Chechen refugees. The President was asked what he thinks of refugees from the Russian North Caucasus who have been granted asylum in Finland, and whether he considers Russia to be safe. He answered that if law-abiding Russian citizens apply for a residence permit or citizenship in Finland, they can by all means do so. But if these persons are wanted in Russia, Russia does not consider granting asylum as a friendly act, he added. Mikko Palonkorpi, researcher concentrated on the Caucasus region, does not think that President Dmitry Medvedev wanted to blame Finland or the Finnish authorities. Formally, the second Chechen war is over, and Russia believes that persons from the North Caucasian Republics are not in need of asylum. However, opponents of the regime continue to be persecuted, according to the Immigration Service. Also researcher Mikko Korpi says that conditions throughout the North Caucasus are difficult and persons have often good reasons for asylum.
YLE 23 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDiw0Ea
Latvia
Afghan, Pakistani, Iranian nationals account for most illegal border crossers
According to the State Border Guard, 54 persons were detained for illegal border crossing during the first six months this year. Most of them were third-country nationals who were detained at the border checkpoints. The largest share of these persons came from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Congo, Iran and China. The number of persons detained for illegal border crossing has declined this year compared to the same period last year. The State Border Guard has also registered 31 applications for asylum so far this year.
Baltic News Service 22 July 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Illegal transportation of Afghanis
According to the head of the Border Guard Service, Normunds Garbars, illegal transportation of Afghani citizens trough Latvia to other European countries is one of the main problems at the Eastern border. Garbars says that illegal border crossers from Afghanistan get detained almost every month. In total, 45 non-EU citizens got detained during the first six months of this year.
Integration and Minority Information Service 23 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0DVlf0Ed
Norway
Storberget: European asylum regulation may fail
According to Minister Knut Storberget, the Dublin Regulation may collapse due to the financial crisis. He fears that Norway may witness a sharp increase in asylum-seekers. The Dublin Regulation is the main reason that in the first half of 2010, Norway returned a record number of asylum-seekers. Because of a poor economic situation, several Southern European countries may no longer be able to receive returned asylum-seekers from third countries. For example, Greece does not have adequate procedures for handling asylum-seekers, considers Petter Eide, Secretary General of Norwegian People's Aid. Storberget desires a better deal for Europe in the close future. He sees that Europe needs a greater degree of responsibility distribution for the taking care of all those who seek asylum here. Eide believes that the Dublin Regulation should be replaced. He states that a new regulation must ensure greater equality for the treatment of asylum-seekers. That is not the case with today's regulation. The new regulation would allow countries like Greece and Italy to invest adequate resources and be at the same time put under pressure to improve the asylum process functions. Storberget considers that Norway is also trying to improve conditions for asylum-seekers in Greece. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been in contact with the Greek authorities in order to build and improve Greece's damaged asylum system. Ingvald Bertelsen, communications advisor at the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, believes that Storberget has exaggerated the danger of a massive influx of asylum-seekers to Norway. According to him, it is almost tragically comical how Norway tries to protect itself against an imaginary flux of asylum-seekers. In reality, a fairly modest number of asylum-seekers come to Norway, he concludes.
NRK 21 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDix0Eb
Verdens Gang 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDiy0Ec
Longer detention period for persons without legal residence
The Government is about to introduce an EU directive that will make it possible to detain persons without legal residence in Norway for eighteen months, which corresponds to a normal penalty for an armed robbery. At the same time, the criteria for detention will be made less strict. Asylum lawyer Arild Humlen thinks that detention based on unclear identity is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, says that restrictive measures are necessary, but he does not yet know how many persons would be detained as a result of the new rules. He notes that if asylum-seekers do not cooperate when clarifying their identity, there must be consequences, and the threat of imprisonment signalizes that. Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) sees the government's proposal as disturbing. Ingvald Bertelsen from NOAS says that the proposal will lead to more control, and fears that more persons without legal residence in the country will go into hiding. Moreover, there will be an increase in detention costs, Bertelsen notes. Berit Lindeman from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee says restrictive measures are in place, but thinks that imprisonment should only be used in individual cases.
Aftenposten 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDiz0Ed
Over half of criminals in Oslo foreigners
For the first time over half of those arrested of crimes in Oslo are of foreign nationality. Nine years ago, just over 30 per cent of the arrested persons in Oslo were foreigners. One of the potential reasons for an increased number of foreign inmates is open borders. Criminals without a Norwegian citizenship commit drug and theft crimes, grand theft and burglary, most of the drug sellers being from West Africa, North Africa and Somalia. Residential burglary is mostly committed by Eastern Europeans and Chileans. Kåre Stølen, head of the Grønland police station, requires that criminal asylum-seekers should not be let go free until they are deported. According to him, many persons are repeatedly arrested which demands too much of the police resources. Another problem which Stølen brings up is that deported criminals tend to return to Norway soon after deportation. Head of the Judiciary Committee Per Sandberg (Progress Party) believes that Minister Storberget should grasp the problem. Anders B. Werp from the Conservative Party and member of the Committee sees that when a person violates the freedom of the Schengen co-operation there should be two consequences: either the person is deported from Norway in a faster manner, so that the person can be incarcerated in the home country, or then borders should be closed for those who abuse the freedom in Europe. Minister Storberget promises an improved and tightened Immigration Act where a person can be punished if he or she breaks the ban entry to Norway.
NRK 21 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi10EQ
Verdens Gang 21 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi20ER
Asylum industry a golden opportunity
The Progress Party believes that the state should engage in Norwegian asylum centers. On Tuesday, Dagbladet wrote about private companies earning millions of kronor by running asylum centers on behalf of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Per-Willy Amundsen, immigration policy spokesperson in the Progress Party, considers that the reason for private companies earning a lot through asylum centers lies in the large flux of asylum-seekers that arrived in Norway in 2009. Last year, there was an increase of 19 per cent in comparison to 2008. The UDI has had to triple its capacity over a short period of time, Amundsen commented. He believes that private companies are a necessity, because the alternative would be worse, namely no reception centers at all. He clarifies that the Progress Party desires a different policy, with dramatically reduced numbers of asylum-seekers and closed reception centers. Lise Christoffersen from the Labour Party and member of the municipal and administrative committee in Stortinget sees that the Labour Party will not rule out that reception centers should not be put out to tender in the future as well. UDI must make sure that the quality in the centers is in accordance with the offer for private companies, and if there are contradictions, a control system has to be set up. She mentions the example of the Lier return center where the staff had been illegally working overtime. She believes that the issue of whether public services should be out for tender should be discussed. She notes that one has to accept that private companies make money on public services, but there is a limit for profit-making. The system should not function in the way that quality is reduced to increase profit, she concludes.
Dagbladet 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi30ES
Norway returns the most asylum-seekers to Greece
The Norwegian People's Aid considers that Norway violates human rights by returning asylum-seekers to the crisis-hit Greece. So far this year, 186 asylum-seekers were returned to Greece, according to figures from the National Police Immigration Service (PU). The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Norwegian People's Aid and the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers now demand a halt to the return of asylum-seekers to Greece. The organizations question the treatment and the legal protection of asylum-seekers in Greece. Rolf Vestvik, director of the community and information department of the NRC, believes that Norway is abusing the Dublin Regulation. It is said that one can return asylum-seekers to the first country of arrival in Europe, but the Regulation does not say that one should, he clarifies. From February to April this year, 170 asylum-seekers were returned to Greece from other European countries, and 50 of them were sent out from Norway, being followed by the next country on the list, Austria, returning only 33 asylum-seekers. Vestvik sees that Norway violates UN recommendations while pursuing a stricter asylum policy. Norway has to ensure that the asylum-seekers' rights are respected, and this is not the case in Greece. In February, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) decided to return asylum-seekers to Greece, despite the conditions there. According to NRC, the decision is contrary to UNHCR recommendations and the judgments by the European Court of Human Rights. Vestvik underlies that the NRC has made a different assessment than the UNE. At the same time, the Greek government has asked for help in a situation where the country feels it has a disproportionate share of the responsibility for asylum-seekers coming to Europe. The NRC view is supported by one of the world's leading experts on asylum law, the American-Canadian law professor James C. Hathaway from the University of Michigan. Hathaway considers that Norway should not return asylum-seekers to Greece because Greece has no credible asylum policy.
Dagbladet 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi40ET
Storberget runs over UNE
In March, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) passed a resolution that enables the return of asylum-seekers to Somalia. Now the case must be reviewed again because Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, considers the decision does not imply sufficiently good reasons. Several persons at UNE feel overruled by the Ministry. Six of the seven members of the Board at UNE regard the conditions in Mogadishu safe enough for returns. The decision will be taken for review because the rationale for protection and the security aspect must be confirmed. According to Storberget, there is no lack of confidence in UNE. Currently, 120 asylum applications are put on hold while the decision is reassessed.
TV2 Nyhetene 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi50EU
Hunger strikers started to drink
One of the Palestinians on hunger strike who was released from the hospital on Wednesday after having been hospitalized since Monday ended the hunger strike on Thursday. Four Palestinians still continue to strike against the Norwegian asylum policy at the center in Svolvær, but the situation is not as dramatic as before. The men have started taking fluids, since they realized that by not drinking water they would probably not live long enough to receive a decision on their asylum applications from the Directorate of Immigration, no matter of the result.
NRK 22 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi60EV
Sweden
Swedish criticism of Roma deportations in Denmark
In early July, 23 Roma from Romania were deported from Denmark for squatting in an abandoned house and in some bushes on Amager. According to the Danish police, the Roma had slept on illegal sites. In regards to the freedom of movement inside the EU, Denmark has breached against EU directives by deporting the Roma, states Maria Leissner, Democracy Ambassador appointed by the Swedish government. She adds that Denmark made the decision to deport the Roma due to a racial basis. Conservative integration spokesman Naser Khader says they were not deported due to their race, but due to their criminal behavior. More Roma may further be deported and additional police action is to be expected, considers Danish Minister of Justice, Lars Barfoed. The fact that Denmark would have breached EU law is rejected by Karsten Lauritzen, spokesperson for integration and migration issues in the ruling Liberal Party. He argues that jobs and the free movement in Europe are linked, but the homeless Roma are not in Denmark to work. Jobs and the free movement are inter-linked, but the homeless Roma and Eastern Europeans do not work and some of them are not interested in working, adds Lauritzen. In Sweden, deportations of Roma have not been implemented in the same way as in Denmark, but there is still racism against Roma in Sweden. The terms for free movement seem to be slipping when applying the principle to Roma EU citizens from Romania, concludes Leissner. The Danish People's Party (DF) comments that the Swedish critique is grotesque and wants to see if the Swedish government backs the statements of Leissner. If so, the DF will ask the Danish government to explain the situation.
Sveriges Radio 22 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC1k80ZqnfK0aYE0EDi70EW
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
Politiken 23 July 2010 (in Danish)
Saturday 24 July to Monday 26 July 2010
Denmark
Danish-Swedish Roma discussion
The deportation of 23 Roma creates resentment among the Danish Social Liberals and the Unity List (Red-Green Alliance). Both parties urge Danish ministers to give further explanations after the deportation that the Swedish Ambassador for Democracy, and Chair of the Delegation for Roma Issues, Maria Leissner, has labeled racist. The Social Liberals' immigration spokesperson, Marianne Jelved, believes that the deportation is breaching with the principle of equal treatment. She asks the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Ronn Hornbech (Liberals), to clarify whether similar deportations of other EU citizens have been taken place. Unity List's Per Clausen urges the Minister for Justice, Lars Barfoed (Conservatives), to confirm whether there is evidence that the deportees really committed a crime. Minister Barfoed says he is "indifferent" to any Swedish criticism in this matter.
Jyllands-Posten 23 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpe0Ec
Jyllands-Posten 23 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpf0Ed
Jyllands-Posten 23 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpg0Ee
Jyllands-Posten 24 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDph0Ef
Many volunteers to help asylum-seeking children
The last three years have seen a massive increase in the number of unaccompanied minors to Denmark - from 50 to nearly 400, which have lead to a shortage of volunteers supporting asylum-seeking children and young persons while they wait for a decision on their asylum claims. Karen Inger Thorsen from the Danish Red Cross Asylum Department explains that children arriving in Denmark are mainly youngsters between the ages of 15 and 18, and come to the country without their parents. The interest in volunteering has increased after the media has informed about the problem, and the Red Cross is currently experiencing a boom in the number of volunteers.
Danmarks Radio 24 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpi0Eg
Finland
Number of asylum-seekers fell dramatically
The number of asylum-seekers coming to Finland has dropped dramatically from last year. While some 6,000 persons sought asylum in Finland last year, the estimated figure for this year is around 4,000. Due to the decrease in the number of asylum-seekers, the Finnish Immigration Service has to abolish up to 1,000 places from reception centers this year. Earlier this year, Parikkala reception centre for unaccompanied minors was closed as the number of young asylum-seekers has fallen. A legislative amendment, according to which asylum applications lodged by EU citizens are processed expeditiously, has significantly reduced the number of asylum-seekers from EU countries. In practice, EU-citizens cannot obtain asylum in Finland. The influx of Bulgarians to Finland has stopped after the amendment entered into force in the beginning of July.
YLE 26 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpj0Eh
YLE 26 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpk0Ei
Aamulehti 26 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpl0Ej
True Finns require tougher stance on immigration
"Tougher stance on immigration" was the message when thirteen True Finns parliamentary election candidates announced the Party's election manifesto in Turku on Saturday. The candidates claimed that they are not against immigration, but for a better immigration, and believe that their message will have resonance among the other parties. Vesa-Matti Saarakkala, Chairman of the True Finns Youth, said that it is a pleasure to see that all Finnish parties now need to take a position on this issue. Saarakkala and Helsinki City Council member Jussi Halla-aho are among the candidates who have signed the manifesto that will put forward various measures to tighten immigration laws, particularly regarding deportation, family reunification and housing arrangements. The candidates have also listed measures to reduce the attractiveness of Finland. Furthermore, the manifesto contains a proposal to establish a "truth commission" that would study the costs of humanitarian immigration over the last 20 years.
Vasabladet 24 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpm0Ek
YLE 24 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpn0El
Helsingin Sanomat 24 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpo0Em
Turun Sanomat 24 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpp0En
Norway
"Race" to be replaced
The Government proposes to replace the term "race" with "ethnicity, ancestry and skin color" in the Norwegian Aliens Act (Utlendingsloven). In the current Act, the criteria according to which a person is recognized as a refugee derive from the wording "that a person has a well founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion." This phrasing is also found in the 1951 Refugee Convention's definition of a refugee. The government and a management committee of the Parliament requested in 2008 a consideration of a replacing word, because the term "race" can have unfortunate associations in the Norwegian language. According to Rune Berglund Steen from the Norwegian Centre against Racism, it is problematic to have a legislation that strengthens a false and dangerous sense of humanity. Therefore, Norway needs a law that can diagnose racist persecution, but does not use the pursuers' concepts, he adds. Steen considers that the wording in the Refugee Convention is also misleading, because the very Convention is designed to protect persons because of alleged race, but at the same time helps to sustain the concept.
Aftenposten 23 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpq0Eo
Hunger strikers: will they let me die?
Palestinian Mahmoud Hegazy, who has been on a hunger strike for a week will strike until he gets an answer on his asylum application. Hegazy has been waiting a year and a half for a decision from the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE). Five other strikers have already ended their hunger strike as they believe they have already made their point clear. Hegazy sought asylum in Norway since he fears for his life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The six Palestinians started their hunger strike after that UNE needed four months extension to decide on their asylum applications. Both reception center staff in the city of Svolvær and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) would prefer that Hegazy ended his strike, but he will continue for as long as he receives a decision from the authorities.
NRK 23 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpr0Ep
Sweden
European Court says No to deportation
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Sweden should not deport a 40-year-old woman whose asylum application has been rejected, to Afghanistan. The Court ruled that the woman risks social exclusion and possibly death if she is returned. Thus, a deportation would therefore also breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture. The woman sought asylum in 2004 with her husband. The couple has since separated and the woman has met a Swedish man.
Dagens Nyheter 24 July 2010 p: 7 (in Swedish)
Integration policy should be based on individuals
Minister for Integration and Gender Equality, Nyamko Sabuni, believes that the Swedish society should not consist of ethnic enclaves with different rules and laws. Sweden has been spared from larger street riots calling for an end to ethnic discrimination. However, the country has recently experienced street fires in some of the most vulnerable suburbs of the major cities. The segregation that lies behind these fires could develop into something far worse if the society does not succeed in countering isolation – this is best done by basing integration policy on each individual, rather than on religious or ethnic groups, says Sabuni.
Svenska Dagbladet 24 July 2010 p: 5 (in Swedish)
Still many deportation cases
Although the immigration group at the Uppsala police has been expanded, the number of deportation cases is not reduced. The group has to forcibly return about 50 Iraqis in the near future, but it may take a long time since over 200 cases are pending assessment. Police assistant Cecilia Johansson, one of the four persons handling the cases, notes that the deportation process may take several weeks and months before the rejected asylum-seekers can be returned to their home countries. Despite new staff in the immigration group, only two police officers and two civilian employees are in charge of the cases. According to the Swedish Migration Board statistics, so far this year, 985 Iraqis have voluntarily returned home under the Board's responsibility. 1015 Iraqis have been handed over to the police for forcible return. Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative in the Baltic and Nordic countries, believes that the forcible deportations to Iraq should be avoided due to the situation in Iraq. For those who are still going to be returned, it is best that they have to wait as little time as possible due to humanitarian reasons. Amnesty International also calls for Sweden to immediately stop the forcible returns to Iraq. Nadja Francis from the Migration Board says the Board try its best to monitor the situation in Iraq but follows deportation orders from the its legal unit.
Uppsala Nya Tidning 24 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDps0Eq
No identity despite alien passport
There are many persons living in Sweden without a proper identity even if they have obtained a residence permit. Asylum-seekers without identification documents from their home country may obtain a so-called Alien's Passport (Främlingspass) from the Swedish Migration Board. However, if the person has no identity proof before the passport is issued, then it is not recognised as an identification document. Almost 200 Somalis live in the city of Eskilstuna without a proper identification. The Alien's Passport cannot be treated as a Swedish passport if the person has no identity before the passport is issued. Since there is currently no proper government or a system that could issue official identification papers, many Somalis lack proper identification. As a consequence, many cannot get a bank card without adequate Swedish identification.
Sveriges Radio 26 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpt0Er
Migration Board lacks information on LGBT asylum-seekers
The Migration Board has been strongly criticized for inadequate information concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT) asylum-seekers. The Board makes decisions whether LGBT persons have grounds for asylum based on inadequate information. A new report called "Unknown persons" (Okänt folk) was published earlier this summer. The report states that LGBT persons often face persecution, violence, death threats and harassment. Stig-Åke Petersson, refugee administrator at the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL), notes that there unfortunately is no statistics on how many LGBT asylum-seekers come to Sweden. The Migration Board should conduct study trips to gather information of the life situation of LGBT persons in other countries, take measures to gather more concrete information, meet with LGBT persons and pay closer attention to existing reports on LGBT persons, Petersson adds. Journalist Anna-Maria Sörberg, one of the report authors, considers that information on LGBT asylum-seekers is still general, selective and that these issues ahave a subordinate role compared to other asylum matters. Instead, the Migration Board should use several sources on gender identity with an emphasis on both men and women. Sörberg adds that LGBT issues seem to be rather new and unknown issues, although the critique is not new. Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, states that knowledge about this can be improved, but the matter is linked to competence and staff issues.
TV4 Nyhetsmorgon 25 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2Gh0ZqnfK0aYE0EDpu0Es
Tuesday 27 July to Wednesday 28 July 2010
Denmark
Government threatened by DF over immigration law
The People's Party (DF) will not support the Liberal-Conservative government's upcoming reform plan if the current law requiring foreign spouses to be at least 24 years old to be eligible for residence permit is changed to the age requirement of 28 years. As the 24-year rule now stands, Danish citizens who marry a foreigner must both be at least 24 to be able live together in Denmark. DF wants that age requirement to be raised to 28 years, and wants the law to be changed to include an exemption for spouses from Western countries. Kristian Thulesen Dahl, DF's party secretary, notes that the idea behind the party's proposal was to avoid creating unnecessary difficulties for non-problematic immigrants. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have indicated they would not support DF's proposal.
Berlingske Tidende 24 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED530Et
Jyllands-Posten 28 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED540Eu
The Copenhagen Post 28 July 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED550Ev
Finland
Finnish municipalities cut down asylum places
The number of asylum-seekers in Finland has decreased this year by one third compared to last year's figures. This means that the Finnish Immigration Service has begun to cut resources for the reception centers. Last year, 6000 persons applied for a residence permit in Finland, and the City of Helsinki invested in several new reception centers. This year, the number of asylum-seekers is estimated to be around 4000 persons. In Helsinki, the Immigration Service has already reduced the number of places with 700. Also in Espoo, there are several empty rooms in centers. If the numbers continue to decline, the Immigration Service has to decide on new cuts already in the autumn. At the same time, the asylum process functions more smoothly than ever. Previously, an applicant had to wait up to one year or longer for a decision, but currently the process is faster. Esko Repo, Head of the Asylum Unit at the Immigration Service, notes that more flexible decisions will be cheaper for the municipalities. An asylum-seeker awaiting a decision costs 40 euros a day, he explains. A decline in the number of asylum-seekers has also been noticed in other Finnish municipalities and cities, including Oravainen, Pietarsaari, Pirkanmaa, Kajaani and Lapland.
YLE 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED560Ew
YLE 26 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED570Ex
YLE 26 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED580Ey
YLE 26 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6A0EA
YLE 27 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6B0EB
Norway
UDI cuts down 177 places for minor asylum-seekers
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) closes 177 reception places for unaccompanied minors in six municipalities in the upcoming autumn and winter. So far in 2010, there has been a reduction of 66 per cent for minor asylum-seekers. According to UDI, closing down reception places leads to fewer jobs. At the same time, asylum centers cannot stay empty. Per Engan-Skei, acting Deputy Director at UDI, sees that UDI's mission lies in adapting the center capacities to demand. Center operators, center staff and communities deserve praise for the great efforts in offering minor asylum-seekers protection and housing, he adds. Reception places to be closed are situated in the municipalities Tromsø, Tysfjord, Hitra, Stavanger, Kristiansand and Tranøy. The centers will start closing 31 October this year.
Dagsavisen 27 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6C0EC
NRK 27 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6D0ED
388 children disappeared in ten years
In the past ten years, nearly four hundred minors have disappeared from Norwegian asylum centers. Only a third of them show up after their disappearance, Directorate of Immigration (UDI) statistics states. Tirill Sjøvoll from Save the Children's youth organization PRESS considers that the number of disappearances is too high. Save the Children contacted police districts near the reception center two years ago, and several stated that they put less effort into finding minor asylum-seekers than Norwegian children. So far this year, 48 children have disappeared, despite the large decrease in the influx of minor asylum-seekers. Only 63 of the 194 minors who have been reported missing since 2005 until today have returned to centers. The reception centers have a regular procedure for notifying the police, the UDI and children's welfare. UDI officials believe that the majority of the children leave the centers voluntarily, but the possibility that they might be in debt to human smugglers cannot be excluded.
Verdens Gang 28 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6E0EE
Sweden
New rules for identification
The Swedish government has decided that all those who have a residence permit in Sweden will receive an identification document equivalent to a Swedish passport. A number of persons who have ended up in an identification vacuum when they arrived in Sweden will have the same opportunities as everyone else, comments Lars Tegenfelt, lawyer at the Swedish Tax Agency. Many new arrivals come from war-torn areas and have no opportunity to obtain proper identification documents. With the new change, the only requirement to receive an identification document is that the person has a residence permit and that the personal data submitted earlier to Swedish authorities is consistent. In order for the new system to function, the Tax Agency will need data from the Migration Board to issue ID cards. The changes are expected to come into force on 1 October this year.
Sveriges Radio 26 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6F0EF
Persons without documentation receive no health care during summer
During the summer, the opportunity for persons without documentation to receive health care reduces drastically. The undocumented persons do not dare to look for care within the usual health sector. In Sweden, there are several clinics under secret addresses with volunteer doctors and nurses that the undocumented persons can turn to. However, several secret clinics are closed during the summer. Many regular hospitals lack clear instructions for the staff on how to receive patients without identity documents, and often undocumented persons are denied care. Within the EU Sweden has the most restrictive health care legislation for persons without documentation. On several occasions, the UN has criticized Sweden for limited access to health care for the undocumented. Staff in healthcare often contact the Migration Board or even the police for instructions, and provide information on the person's hiding place. If the Migration Board is contacted and the undocumented is picked up, then medical confidentiality has been violated and a person in need of health care may be deported.
Sveriges Television 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6G0EG
Sweden and Norway continue returns to Greece
The Greek authorities should immediately review their policy of locking up immigrants and asylum-seekers, including minors, states Amnesty International in a new report. The organization is particularly concerned that Greece locks up children. Because of this Sweden decided to stop deportations of unaccompanied minors to Greece in 2008. However, Sweden continues to return hundreds of adults to Greece every year. Amnesty calls for a stop on the deportations. Madelaine Seidlitz, lawyer at Amnesty, considers that Sweden should not return asylum-seekers to Greece. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, notes that a total ban on deportations to Greece is not planned. He comments that countries with poorly functioning asylum systems cannot be allowed to evade responsibility to improve these systems. These countries might take advantage of the system while evading responsibility and Sweden cannot support such a position, Billström concludes. Amnesty International has also criticized Norway on returning asylum-seekers to Greece.
Dagens Nyheter 28 July 2010 p: 16 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Dagsavisen 27 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6H0EH
Renewed unrest at Haslemoen in Norway
Four persons were arrested after fighting at the Haslemoen center on Monday evening. Several persons were injured, but none of them seriously. According to the police in Hedmark, both center staff and residents were assaulted and injured during the unrest. The police received several call-outs in the last week. About 60 of the center residents were evacuated from the Lier return center which was set on fire in early July. When the new arrivals came, the number of staff at the center has been increased.
Dagens Nyheter 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6I0EI
RFSL: Sweden Democrats use LGBT rights against immigration
Ulrika Westerlund, chairperson of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL), warns for a trend similar to that in the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark where anti-immigration parties have used LGBT issues to pick votes. RFSL recently adopted an action plan against racism which included a strategy to actively respond to the Sweden Democrats. She gives the example of Jimmie Åkesson's debate article in Aftonbladet where he tried to use LGBT persons' rights to argue against immigration.
Dagens Nyheter 26 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6J0EJ
Prejudice against gay asylum-seekers
The Migration Board criticizes itself on the use of a stereotypic picture of a gay person, which can lead to an inaccurate decision when an LGBT person seeks asylum in Sweden. Knowledge on LGBT issues among staff members has to be improved. This year, the Board attends Pride for the first time. According to two externally conducted studies, experienced administrators and decision-makers at the Migration Broad who meet asylum-seekers and make important decisions on their future have prejudiced idea of homosexuals based on norms and stereotypes. Sofia Sjö is the leader of the project "Beyond the border" at the Migration Board. The project aims at reducing risks related to norms and ideas about sexual orientation and gender identity that could affect the asylum process. Errors in the assessment of an individual asylum-seeker may lead to wrong decisions. So far 300 employees at the Board have been trained in norm criticism within the project. Minister Tobias Billström considers that many Swedish authorities still view the LGBT perspective as a new and unknown issue, but the Migration Board is now on the right track. He adds that correct information and knowledge is crucial to guarantee the quality assurance of the asylum process. Sjö estimates that about 300 persons seek asylum based on sexual orientation. One should remember that it is not sexual orientation or gender identity itself that is the basis for a residence permit, but a well-founded fear of persecution if returned to one's home country.
Dagens Nyheter 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6K0EK
Sveriges Radio 26 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2bS0ZqnfK0aYE0ED6L0EL
Thursday 29 July to Friday 30 July 2010
Denmark
Rønn: DF demands harm integration and welfare
Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech (Liberals) has commented on the Danish People's Party (DF) law proposal to increase the age requirement for foreign spouses from 24 to 28 year. She warns that with the 28-year rule more persons could take advantage of EU regulations and spend more time in other EU countries and thereby become less integrated into the Danish society. The 24 year age requirement facilitates the entry of less integrated and uneducated persons to Denmark, Rønn adds, and stresses that the 24-year rule has reduced forced marriages and has positively contributed to integration.
Berlingske Tidende 29 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGL0Ek
Politiken 29 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGM0El
Social Liberals for changes in immigration policy
The Social Liberals will launch a political campaign on three key issues: immigration policy, economic reforms and better education. On immigration policies, the party criticizes the two leading opposition parties, the Social Democrats (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF). The Social Liberals' demands the opening-up of borders and an increase of foreigners in Denmark. Also, the party would abolish the 24-year age requirement for foreign spouses, and the requirement for the foreign spouse to have a connection with Denmark, both of which the S-SF coalition is in favor of maintaining. The Social Liberals have previously requested that it should be easier to get work and residence permits in Denmark. The party suggests that women could come to Denmark through family reunification even if they got divorced from their Danish spouses. Currently, foreign spouses can stay in Denmark if they have stayed in the country for at least seven years. The Social Liberals want a halt to the 7-year rule, since it increases the risk of pro forma marriages and female abuse. The S-SF coalition welcomes the Social Liberals to join them, but without the change of the current rules.
Politiken 29 July 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGN0Em
Finland
Sinnemäki: True Finns' immigration policy deteriorates problems
Anni Sinnemäki, Minister of Labour and president of the Green League of Finland, strongly criticizes the True Finns' planned immigration policy. A group of candidates standing for parliamentary elections in True Finns published a manifesto for tighter immigration policies on Saturday. Sinnemäki believes that the manifesto would worsen current problems, since the manifesto considers immigrants to belong to a lower social class. At the same time she thanks the Party for publishing it. Concrete proposals are easier to discuss than diffuse baiting, insecurity and suspicion in online forums, she comments.
Helsingin Sanomat 28 July 2010
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGO0En
Uusi Suomi 28 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGP0Eo
Åbo Underrättelser 28 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGQ0Ep
Norway
Haslemoen receives help in conflict management
Since the return center in Lier was set on fire on 7 July and after 60 residents from Lier were transferred to the Haslemoen transit center, there have been five incidents of unrest at Haslemoen. Now the center will receive expert help in conflict management. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the center staff have introduced several measures to hedge against further unrest at the center. Three of the four trouble-makers that were caught after the fighting on Monday, had been residing in Haslemoen for a longer time, and one of them has already been deported from Norway.
Verdens Gang 28 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGR0Eq
"They want to make witch brew out of me"
Over 50 albinos have been brutally killed in Africa during the last three years. Only in Tanzania, 53 albinos were killed between 2007 and 2009. Often different body parts of persons with albinism are sold for huge sums in the illicit market to be used for black magic. Amadou Diallo, a 35-year-old albino from Guinea in West Africa, fears the same fate, but his asylum application was rejected. Diallo has been attacked before, but the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) considers that he is not in danger of being subjected to inhuman treatment in his home country, since UNE considers that persecution of albinos does not exist in West Africa. Diallo has appealed the decision. The International Committee of the Red Cross has stated that the killing of albino persons is a small scale humanitarian crisis since albinos have to flee from their homes to hide from potential killers.
Dagbladet 29 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGS0Er
Dagbladet 29 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGT0Es
Sweden
Hard criticism against Greek asylum system
Following criticism by Amnesty International in their new report on detention of asylum-seekers in Greece, Liv Feijen, head of the legal unit at UNHCR Stockholm, is asked about UNHCR's view regarding the transfer of rejected asylum-seekers to Greece. She confirms that UNHCR shares the views of Amnesty and Human Rights Watch in their criticism of the human rights situation in Greece and that returns should be suspended until the situation has improved. UNHCR and the EU are supporting Greece to make changes but that will take time. She emphasizes that both the reception conditions and the asylum process are below required standards. As evidenced by a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, the treatment of asylum-seekers in Greece constitute inhuman treatment without procedural safeguards such as legal support, and inadequate access to food and health care. Often women, men and children have to share the same facilities. Individuals are detained for between 3-12 months without a court decision or the right to have the detention reviewed by a court. Feijen emphasizes that there is a possibility to use the Sovereignty Clause in the Dublin Regulation in this situation and determine asylum claims in Sweden instead of transferring the claimant to a country where their rights may be violated. She recalls that Sweden has international obligations according to international and European refugee law and human rights law. Responding to how Sweden is applying the Dublin Regulation in comparison to other countries, Feijen mentions Finland as an example where each applicant has the possibility to submit arguments against a transfer e.g. humanitarian reasons, medical reasons or family reasons before a decision is taken on transfer. This would be particularly recommendable in Sweden, where a Dublin transferee does not have access to a legal representative. On the question what Swedish authorities can do, Feijen says that UNHCR and the Swedish authorities are cooperating on a European level to support Greece in adhering to its obligations which is the ultimate solution.
Sveriges Radio 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGU0Et
How should Sweden interpret Dublin Regulation
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström and Bodil Ceballos, spokesperson for migration policy in the Green Party, participated in a debate on the European asylum policy. Ceballos considers that asylum applications should be assessed in the last EU country of arrival and not in the first EU country of arrival as the case is today. Billström disagrees and sees that with the Regulation, all EU countries share their responsibility. Sweden has good contacts with the new government in Greece, and other EU countries help Greece to improve its asylum system, he notes. Ceballos believes that currently some countries share a heavier burden than others due to their geographic location. Billström notes that the asylum process should be similar in all EU countries. Ceballos is afraid that the Nordic countries that so far have a well-functioning system adjust downwards instead of upwards if the asylum system is harmonized. Billström mentions that the European Commission has the final responsibility, and Ceballos concludes that the asylum system should rather be seen from the individual perspective than as a system.
Sveriges Radio 27 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGU0Et
Short processing times of asylum applications
According to the Swedish Migration Board, the processing time of asylum applications is now down to four and a half months, the shortest time in 20 years. At the same time, the number of asylum-seekers has decreased. The Board expects to receive a total of around 29,000 asylum applications in 2010 – 2000 fewer than the estimations given in May. The main reason for the decline are fewer Somalis seeking asylum in Sweden.
Svenska Dagbladet 30 July 2010 p: 10 (in Swedish)
Top SD candidate quits
Staffan Gising, the top candidate for the Sweden Democrats (SD) in Mariestad, has left the party saying that SD is too hostile to Muslims. According to him, the party uses similar rhetoric as Nazi Germany did against Jews in the 1930's. He considers that the Swedish integration policy functions extremely badly, and he joined the party out of curiosity, since it was the only one that dared to talk about integration problems. Recently, the party has been too much focused on Islam and the fear of Muslims taking over the world, a view he could not support. Jimmie Åkesson, SD party leader, disagrees with Gising's criticism. According to Åkesson, there is no doubt that Islamization causes problems in the Swedish society. He notes that SD does not tackle specific groups, but instead criticizes the Swedish society in its adaptation to the Muslim minority.
Svenska Dagbladet 30 July 2010 p: 6 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 30 July 2010 p: 9 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 29 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGV0Eu
Refugee reception in Sorsele
The small Sorsele municipality in northern Sweden receives the most unaccompanied minors per capita in Sweden. Since Sorsele is hit hard by retirements and relocations, the municipality has agreed to boost the economy by receiving 33 unaccompanied minors. The municipality receives 6 million kronor from the state, around 2000 kronor per capita. However, the critics consider that the children will not benefit in the best possible way, since the care for unaccompanied minors is said to be below standard.
Sveriges Radio 29 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGW0Ev
Sveriges Radio 29 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC2wE0ZqnfK0aYE0EEGX0Ew
Saturday 31 July to Monday 2 August 2010
Finland
More money to immigration
The Ministry of Finance is proposing that the funding of immigration costs should be increased by almost 35 million euros in the state budget for next year. That would mean an increase by one fifth compared to this year. The money would be given to municipalities to cover general costs of immigration. The Ministry of Interior will in its own budget exceed the Ministry of Finance's proposal by approximately 30 million euros. The majority of the money would be destined for the Finnish Immigration Service's activities and for combating terrorism and economic crimes. The Ministry of Interior also proposes an increased compensation of 40 per cent for municipalities to cover costs that are generated by asylum-seekers who have been granted residence permits. This is about seven million euros more than what the Ministry of Finance proposes.
Vasabladet 30 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3Sm0ZqnfK0aYE0EELi0EP
Immigration a major theme in parliamentary elections
Immigration is becoming a major theme for next spring's parliamentary elections. All the parliamentary parties classify immigration either as an important or a very important election issue. From the governmental parties, the National Coalition Party, the Green League of Finland and the Swedish People's Party consider immigration to be a very important election topic. Also the True Finns and the Finnish Christian Union see immigration as very significant. Only the Finnish Center Party and the opposition leader, the Finnish Social Democratic Party, deem the issues as less significant.
Aamulehti 31 July 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3Sm0ZqnfK0aYE0EELj0EQ
Turun Sanomat 2 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3Sm0ZqnfK0aYE0EELk0ER
Norway
Criticism of Italian asylum conditions
33-year-old Eritrean Michael Habtu was persecuted in his home country because he did not want to be involved in corruption. After he fled from Eritrea, he was imprisoned in Libya and after that he lived on the street in Italy. His asylum application was later rejected in Norway and now he awaits the appeal process. He says he would rather return to Libya than be sent back to Italy. According to him, asylum-seekers in Italy are not offered health care or any support, and the housing conditions are poor. Latest figures by the Norwegian National Police Immigration Service (PU) show that 1,226 persons were returned to other European countries in 2010 under the Dublin Regulation, 554 of them to Italy, 196 to Greece, and 191 persons to Sweden. Due to the criticism of the Dublin Regulation by Southern European states, the Regulation will soon be revised. Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget declares that a break-down of the cooperation within the Dublin Regulation would lead to an increased influx of around 40,000-60,000 asylum-seekers to Norway each year.
Dagbladet 30 July 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3Sm0ZqnfK0aYE0EELl0ES
Sweden
Deportation of Roma potentially erroneous
The Discrimination Office in Stockholm is prepared to assist the rejected Roma in an appeal to the Migration Court of Appeal. Juan Fonseca from the office fears that the deportation of the Roma who were accused of begging was incorrectly applied. He is now willing to assist them in the appeal process. He is unaware whether it was the border police or the Swedish Migration Board that made the decision to deport the Roma. The case should be decided by a judicial body, and if the police in this instance have taken the decision, the Roma have the right for a re-examination of their case by the Migration Board.
Dagens Nyheter 30 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3Sm0ZqnfK0aYE0EELm0ET
Tuesday 3 August to Wednesday 4 August 2010
Denmark
Asylum-seekers treated as criminals
A new report by Amnesty International criticizes Greece for its treatment of asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants. According to the report, asylum-seekers and unaccompanied minors are imprisoned and treated as criminals on arrival in Greece. The report concludes that this treatment does not conform to the practices endorsed by the UN Refugee Convention and other human rights conventions.
Danmarks Radio 3 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETg0ES
Danish PM rejects DF demands for changes to 24-year rule
The Danish government will not change the 24-year-rule for family reunification to a 28-year-rule, announces Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The 24-year-rule stipulates at what age a foreign citizen can qualify for family reunification because of marriage. The Danish People's Party (DF) has proposed that the age limit should be raised to 28 years, to make it more difficult for foreigners from non-Western countries to qualify for family reunification and receive the right to stay in Denmark. The Prime Minister further rejects a DF proposal to set up an integration commission that would investigate the total cost of immigration, citing differences in DF and government approaches to the issue.
Berlingske Tidende 3 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETh0ET
The Copenhagen Post 4 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETi0EU
Danmarks Radio 4 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETj0EV
Estonia
Center Party launches amendments to citizenship law
On Tuesday, the parliamentary group of Estonia's oppositional Center Party launched in an extraordinary session at the parliament (Riigikogu) a bill of amendments to Citizenship law. The amendment would concern granting citizenship by birth to children born to permanent residents in Estonia. According to the bill, children born in Estonia whose parents have been declared stateless persons and who live in the country on the basis of long-term residence permits would be eligible for citizenship. Centrist lawmakers explained that Estonia has to fulfill the international commitment made already in 1996 with the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and place children's interests above other political considerations that could be related to their parents' action or inaction. The change in the law would reduce the number of stateless persons, ensure equal treatment of children born in Estonia and reduce bureaucracy.
Baltic News Service 3 August 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
Rising number of asylum-seekers in Europe
The number of persons seeking asylum in Europe rose in 2009, but the number of persons caught while crossing the border illegally in the EU was halved. According to an annual report by Eurodac, 236,939 persons sought asylum in Europe last year. The decline suggests that stricter border controls in Italy and to a lesser extent in Spain have affected the situation. 60 per cent of all persons trying to cross the EU border illegally were caught in Greece. The report reveals that the EU countries declined 73 per cent of asylum applications, but almost one in four applicants tried again in another EU country.
Verdens Gang 3 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETk0EW
Storm at Haslemoen
Both the municipality and residents at the Haslemoen reception center now demand answers from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) about the future of Haslemoen. Frustrated residents at the center want to know why they have to wait for months without receiving any response on when and where their asylum applications are to be processed. The reception centre was set up for asylum-seekers who were to stay only for a few weeks. In recent weeks there have almost daily been fights and false fire alarms at the centre. The UDI is looking into the issue, but meanwhile the center has to manage with extra security staff.
NRK 3 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETl0EX
Sweden
Red-green criticism of Roma deportations
The red-green parties are sharply critical of Sweden deporting Roma who had been begging. Last Friday, Sveriges Radio revealed that over fifty Roma were returned from Sweden in 2010, although they are EU citizens and therefore have the right to reside in another EU country for up to three months without working or studying. Thomas Bodström from the Social Democratic Party would make begging an election issue. Begging is not illegal in Sweden, but according to Minister Tobias Billström, a person residing in Sweden has to be able to support oneself financially in a reasonable way, and begging cannot be counted as such. The Left Party calls the deportations a scandal and requires the government to act both nationally and at the EU level. Sweden participates in expelling persons who have not committed any crime and contributes to the historical and widely spread discrimination against Roma, comments Kalle Larsson, refugee policy spokesperson for the Left Party. Also, the Party demands a truth commission to be established to examine the treatment of Roma in Europe.
Sveriges Television 2 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETm0EY
Sveriges Radio 2 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETn0EZ
UNHCR in the news
Dadaab, the world's largest refugee camp
Approximately 300,000 Somali refugees reside in the biggest refugee camp in the world, many of them have been there ever since the camp was opened in 1991. During some months, Dadaab has received more than 6000 new arrivals. Dadaab, situated in Kenya, was initially planned for 90,000 refugees, but now the number is three times higher. Food distribution functions well, but water shortage is a big problem. UNHCR is aware that the situation in the camp is intolerable, but the organization is not allowed to build a new camp to ease the overcrowdedness. Almost no other country than Kenya is willing to receive large numbers of the poor Somalis. "We must do everything we can to help the Somalis who live here- especially the young ones. We manage to send some of them off each year to start new lives in other countries. We have also managed to send some gifted young people to Universities around the world, in the hope that they will return to build a peaceful Somalia one day, says Richard Acland, UNHCR. But very few get the chance to leave. For 99 per cent of the refugees life looks to continue in the same way, without any hope or future. Almost 2 million Somalis are also internally displaced. 68 per cent of Somalis who apply for asylum in Sweden are given protection.
Sveriges Television 22 July 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3nO0ZqnfK0aYE0EETo0Ea
NB. This item was produced on a Nordic press trip, facilitated by UNHCR.
Thursday 5 August to Friday 6 August 2010
Denmark
DF proposal shot down
A Danish People's Party (DF) proposal to stop all immigration from non-Western countries has been dismissed by the Liberal and Conservative parties. The serial rejection of DF proposals relating to immigration and refugee policy by the government highlights a deep division within the centre-right parliamentary bloc, according to Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The same sentiment was echoed in Conservative Naser Khader's comments that the proposal was "ridiculous", and the Liberal Party's integration spokesperson Karsten Lauritzen's assertion that he cannot see "how stopping immigration would ensure the future of the welfare state."
Berlingske Tidende 4 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3710ZqnfK0aYE0EEhp0EW
Berlingske Tidende 4 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3710ZqnfK0aYE0EEhq0EX
Latvia
Human smugglers detained
The leader of a group of human traffickers, who escaped in May when his gang was caught at an attempt to smuggle several illegal immigrants into Latvia, was detained on Monday. The Latvian National Border Guard had managed to track the suspect and the 33-year-old man was detained on the outskirts of Riga in cooperation with the local municipal police. He has now been placed in a pre-trial detention facility. The group of human traffickers was attempting to smuggle a group of illegal immigrants allegedly from Afghanistan and Iraq to Latvia.
Baltic News Service 3 August 2010 (in English) (Subscription required)
www.bns.ee
Norway
More cases of human trafficking in Norway, compared to other Nordics
Norway registers far more cases of human trafficking with the police than the other Nordic countries, a new report by the UN reveals. The report includes crime statistics from over 120 countries between the years 2003 and 2008. In 2008, Sweden reported 20 registered cases of so-called human trafficking, while Norway had 48 cases. For the same period, Denmark did not report any cases. Although many incidents have been reported after a new law against human trafficking was implemented in 2004 in Norway, there have only been eleven cases that have lead to a court ruling. About 90 per cent of cases do not lead to court decisions. Often the suspected persons are not in Norway, so they cannot be brought to court.
NRK 5 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3710ZqnfK0aYE0EEhr0EY
Iranian lawyer seeking asylum in Norway
Iranian lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, known for defending clients who have been sentenced to death by the Iranian regime, has applied for political asylum in Norway. There is currently an arrest warrant out for Mostafaei in his home country. On Wednesday, a UNHCR representative confirmed that Mostafaei has applied for political asylum, however declining to comment on which country this regards. Mostafaei is currently in custody in Turkey, after having fled there from Iran. Turkish officials have assured the media that Mostafaei will not be sent back to Iran, as he has applied for asylum. Mohammad Mostafaei has a high profile in Iran as the defense counsel of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, an Iranian woman who has been sentenced to death for adultery. In an interview with CNN he has confirmed that he has been in contact with the Norwegian embassy and completed an application for political asylum.
ABC Nyheter 6 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC3710ZqnfK0aYE0EEhs0EZ
Saturday 7 August to Monday 9 August 2010
Denmark
Denmark sued for deporting Roma
A Hungarian Roma rights organisation intends to sue the Danish State on behalf of the 23 Roma who were deported from Denmark in July. The lawsuit will determine whether the deportation was a violation of European law. The Danish Immigration Service states that one group of Roma was deported for invasion of privacy, while another group was deported for camping illegally. Provisions in the Aliens Act allow for the deportation of foreign citizens who pose a threat to public order. Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights Jonas Christoffersen thinks the outcome of the lawsuit will impact Roma in the EU in general.
Danmarks Radio, 6 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElR0EP
Finland
Parties on quota refugees and asylum-seekers
The Swedish People's Party in Finland (SFP) and the Left Alliance are in favour of increasing the number of annual quota refugees in Finland, according to a survey conducted by the Finnish News Agency STT. SFP would like to increase the quota to a thousand, a third more than the current 750. The Left Alliance has similar recommendations, whereas the True Finns want to decrease the number. All the Finnish parties want to speed up the processing of asylum applications and increase the money invested in language studies for immigrants. The parties are divided in their views on how much asylum-seekers should receive income support. The True Finns would not grant anything to persons residing in reception centers, whereas the Centre Party suggests a new reception support allowance, which would be smaller than the current amount. According to the Green League income support is more important than food or clothing support, because it activates asylum-seekers.
Helsingin Sanomat 7 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Rkp+ja+Vasemmistoliitto+ottaisivat+lisää+kiintiöpakolaisia/1135259154009
Uusi Suomi 7 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElS0EQ
Turun Sanomat 7 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElT0ER
Vasabladet 7 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElU0ES
Norway
12 million affected by Pakistan flooding – urgent need for more funds
Pakistani authorities say up to twelve million people in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab regions have been affected by the Pakistani flooding disaster. The flooding is the worst Pakistan ha seen for 80 years and a spokesperson for OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) says that over 500 000 people in the Sindh region have been evacuated. There is an acute need for more funding, with the total cost of the relief effort estimated at up to 1 billion dollars. Complains about a lack of funding are voiced by Waleed Rauf, country director for help organisation CARE. Rauf explains that the organisation's budget for the Pakistani relief effort is only 1.4 million NOK, despite the catastrophe being similar in scope to the Haiti earthquake when CARE managed to raise funds of 328 million NOK. A large number of villages are under water, and the disaster has also been a severe blow to Pakistan's agricultural sector. UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming says "the scale of the needs is absolutely daunting", highlighting the urgent need for additional funds.
ABC Nyheter 6 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElV0ET
Dagbladet 6 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElW0EU
Dagbladet 7 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElX0EV
Aftenposten 7 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElY0EW
Foreign minister 'very pleased' on behalf of Iranian lawyer Mostafaei
Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre has expressed his delight that Iranian human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei has arrived in Norway. Støre denies that Norwegian authorities were involved in Mostafaei's flight from Iran to Turkey. Mostafaei has secured a visa which gives him and his family the right to stay in Norway for one year. Contrary to earlier reports in Norwegian media, Mostafaei says he does not wish to apply for political asylum, and that his motivation for leaving Iran was to draw attention to the human rights situation in the country. Prior to fleeing Iran, Mostafaei had renewed his visa at the Norwegian embassy in Tehran. Støre explains that during the time Mostafaei was in custody in Turkey, Norwegian officials were in contact with Turkish authorities as well as UNHCR, and that they are happy to finally see Mostafaei in safety.
NRK 8 August 2010 (In Norweigan)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElZ0EX
Dagbladet 9 August 2010 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EEla0Ee
Verdens Gang 8 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElb0Ef
NRK 8 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElc0Eg
Decline in number of asylum-seekers
The decline in the number of asylum-seekers arriving in Norway that was observed in the first half of the year looks set to continue. In July, 863 persons applied for asylum in Norway. So far this year 5300 asylum-seekers have arrived, almost 50 per cent fewer than during the same period last year. Despite this trend, a small rise in the number of unaccompanied minors, mostly from Afghanistan, was observed in July.
Verdens Gang 6 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EEld0Eh
Sweden
Few persons denied family reunification
Since stricter requirements for family reunification were introduced in February, only 70 of the total of 5000 applications have been rejected in Sweden, according to the Migration Board. A new rule states that immigrants wanting to bring in a family member must be able to support themselves and have proper housing. 20 persons who fell under the new rules had their reunification applications granted, whereas 70 persons received negative decisions. The Government had expected that the new rules would affect about ten per cent of all family reunification cases.
Dagens Nyheter 7 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EEle0Ei
Uppsala Nya Tidning 7 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElf0Ej
Refugee children suffer in Malta
A recent report highlights the indecent conditions under which unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers are forced to live in Malta. The authors of the report urge the government to stop sending back unaccompanied minors to Malta. Children face racism, abuse, insult and they have to live in unhygienic conditions in two refugee camps at the abandoned air base Hal Far in southern Malta. The authors, Emma Söderman and Anna Lundberg from Malmö College, visited two refugee camps last May and interviewed 15 unaccompanied minors who were returned from Sweden. 800 refugees live in containers and in an aircraft hangar, or in a tent camp housing 1200 persons. According to the report, the Maltese authorities do not live up to either the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child or the minimum provisions of the EU Directive. The three red-green opposition parties in Sweden, the Christian Democrats, the Swedish Church, the Red Cross and UNICEF demand Sweden to stop returning unaccompanied minors to Malta.
Dagens Nyheter 6 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElg0Ek
Sveriges Television 6 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EElh0El
Sweden Democrats to limit immigration and emigration
The Sweden Democrats (SD) want to limit immigration to Sweden by 90 per cent, by making Sweden inhospitable to immigrants. Party leader Jimmie Åkesson proposes several measures to obstruct integration of immigrants into the Swedish society. SD also suggest that Sweden should leave the European Union, to limit emigration rates of native Swedes. Åkesson has attempted to alter the party's xenophobic image, but Sweden's Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, states that SD immigration policies are incompatible with the Geneva Refugee Convention.
Svenska Dagbladet, 7 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4dR0ZqnfK0aYE0EEli0Em
Tuesday 10 August to Wednesday 11 August 2010
Finland
Finland supports Pakistani flood victims
Finland has granted a total of 1.2 million euros in humanitarian assistance to the flood victims in Pakistan. Finland's assistance will be distributed and used in the sectors of shelter, health care, water supply and sanitation. The support is being channeled through the World Health Organization (600,000 EUR), UNHCR (400,000 EUR) and Finn Church Aid (200,000 EUR).
Helsingin Sanomat 9 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8j0Eh
Renewed debate on "grandma clause"
The controversial "grandma clause" is being debated again. The public stir on the deportation of two Russian and Egyptian grandmothers increased the pressure to amend legislation. A new proposal would facilitate the granting of residence permits to elderly immigrants. An elderly parent could be granted a residence permit if he or she is alone in his or her home country and livelihood in Finland is provided for by a child who is a Finnish citizen. Rantakangas, chairperson of the Administrative committee, adds that current legislation already reserves the right for the courts to consider humanitarian aspects.
Uusi Suomi 10 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8k0Ei
Verkkouutiset 10 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8l0Ej
Satakunnan Kansa 10 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8m0Ek
Sweden
Public Employment Service liable for work integration
The Public Employment Service is scheduled to assume responsibility for the integration of refugees onto the Swedish labour market from December this year. Certain duties, such as providing housing for refugees, will still be administered by the municipalities. A recent report from the county administrative boards states that the greatest challenge with the reform will be the division of responsibilities.
Sveriges Radio 10 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8n0El
Forced returns increasing
The number of forced returns of asylum-seekers in Sweden is increasing. According to the Prison and Probation Service, the number has increased with 30 per cent since 2007. Around half of the rejected asylum-seekers leave Sweden voluntarily. Rejected asylum-seekers that instead go into hiding are reported to the police in growing numbers. In 2007, the Migration Board reported 6 000 cases, and they estimate that they will report around 10 000 cases in 2010.
Sveriges Radio 9 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8o0Em
Swedish aid to Pakistan
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has offered to help with water purification in the flooded areas in Pakistan. MSB has proposed to send three water-purifying aggregates that could provide clean water for 24,000 persons. Upon acceptance of the offer, the aggregates and up to 8 staff could be in place within a few days, according to MSB.
Dagens Nyheter 9 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC4yk0ZqnfK0aYE0EE8p0En
Thursday 12 August to Monday 16 August 2010
Denmark
Church played no part in asylum decisions
The decision to grant asylum to at least twenty of the rejected asylum-seekers who had taken refuge in Brorsons Church in Copenhagen, was not affected by the fact that they were staying in a church. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, denies that any outside factors affect asylum decisions, and that the cases have been reviewed solely on their own merits and independently of media speculations.
Berlingske Tidende 13 August 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOe0Ei
Danish politician prosecuted for racism
MP Jesper Langballe of the Danish People's Party stated in January this year that Muslims commonly beat their daughters to death. Langballe's statement was made in defence of Lars Hedegaard, president of The Free Press Society, who had previously accused Muslims of raping their daughters. Both Langballe and Hedegaard are now prosecuted for breaching the racism section of the Danish penal code. Prime Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen has expressed his disapproval of both statements, whereas Pia Kjærsgaard, Danish People's Party leader, has commented positively on Langballe's statement. The two court cases have however led to both the government and the Danish People's Party stating their intentions to change the racism section, so that only actions, and not statements, may be deemed criminal.
Dagens Nyheter 11 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOf0Ej
Finland
SDP: Finland distributes flights for free
Maarit Feldt-Ranta, leader of the working group on immigration issues in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), notes that Finland lacks information on arriving refugees. She states that legislators do not know what kind of advantages Finland offers in family reunification in comparison to other countries. Costs for one single flight lie around 1000 Euros, so altogether Finland paid for flights from Africa to the amount of 600,000 Euros last year. The SDP report suggests that Finland should adopt the European practice of letting persons pay for half of their flights. In Sweden, the Somalis have to prove their identity with an official passport, but in Finland, they usually do not possess passports or any other identification documents. Feldt-Ranta adds that the requirement for official documents is problematic, since asylum-seekers often come from disorganized societies.
Uusi Suomi 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOg0Ek
Uusi Suomi 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOh0El
Verkkouutiset 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOi0Em
More Somalis apply for family reunification
A record number of Somali families can expect to be reunited in Finland this year. By the end of July, nearly 2,500 family reunification applications were filed from Somalia. This is more than the total number of applications in 2009. The Finnish Immigration Service predicts it will receive 4,500 applications this year, more than double compared to 2009. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, it is only able to process 1,200 applications a year due to a lack of resources. EU regulations call for applications to be reviewed within nine months. In comparison, the applications for family reunification have almost ended in Sweden. The Finnish Immigration Service wishes to receive more funding in the government's budget, since the Service has calculated to need at least 20 more staff members to review applications.
YLE 14 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOj0En
YLE 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOk0Eo
Aamulehti 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOl0Ep
Turun Sanomat 14 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOm0Eq
SDP: number of refugees to stay constant
According to the Finnish Social Democratic Party, the readiness to receive refugees in Finland should be kept in the current numbers. However, the Party would increase the number of personnel processing asylum applications. Also, rejected asylum-seekers should be returned faster than what the current situation implies. Rejected EU citizens would not be able to receive income support from the communities, but should remain within the reception services until deportation, states the new report published on Thursday. Those applying for family reunification in Finland should be expected to finance their travel costs to some extent. As far as is known, Finland is the only country in the world to pay the complete travel costs for those coming to Finland through family reunification. According to the report, this has encouraged families to send unaccompanied minors abroad, to pave the way for the rest of the family. In 2009, Finland received 559 minor asylum-seekers.
Verkkouutiset 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOn0Er
Immigration discussion populist
Current discussions on Finnish immigration policy have a populist tone, says Ombudsman for Minorities Eva Biaudet. According to her, current Finnish policy on refugees has neither been liberal nor open. She notes that it has been easy to play on people's fears and prejudices especially during economic decline, and it is unfortunate that many political parties, most recently the Social Democrats (SDP), have toughened their stance on immigration. Biaudet thought that Thursday's SDP policy document on immigration was an effort to be on the centre stage on this issue in the run up to next year's parliamentary elections. She reminds that Finland currently grants relatively few residence or asylum permits. Statistics show that refugees do not consider Finland more appealing than other European states. Nevertheless, Biaudet is pleased that immigration is discussed but she hopes the debate would focus on real issues rather than on fears.
YLE 12 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOo0Es
YLE 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOp0Et
Interpretation of "grandma clause" cannot be changed
A legislative amendment would be required for parents of Finnish citizens to be allowed to stay in the country. Many politicians have advocated for a more liberal interpretation of the current Aliens Act, but lawyers at the Ministry of the Interior have concluded that the only way would be to change the law.
YLE 13 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOq0Eu
YLE 13 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOr0Ev
Rejected asylum-seeker on hunger strike
A Kurdish asylum-seeker who was declined asylum in Finland has gone on hunger strike at the Kemi reception centre. The 32-year-old man has intensified his hunger strike by sowing his mouth shut, and he intends to continue to strike until the court has overturned his case. A complaint has been submitted to the administrative court, where handling the case may take up to a year. The asylum-seeker, suffering from leukaemia, came from Iraq to Finland around one and a half years ago. In addition to political reasons, his illness is also a factor in his asylum application, as leukaemia can rarely be treated in Iraq. According to lawyer Husein Muhammed from the Refugee Advice Centre, hunger strikes do not influence court decisions.
Helsingin Sanomat 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOs0Ew
YLE 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOt0Ex
Uusi Suomi 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOu0Ey
Pohjolan Sanomat 12 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOv0Ez
Hufvudstadsbladet 12 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOw0E1
NewsRoom Finland 12 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOx0E2
Norway
Three fires at Haslemoen reception centre
The police and fire brigade were called to Haslemoen reception centre three times on Sunday, because residents had started fires. Since July, there have been numerous similar incidents at Haslemoen as well as other asylum centres in eastern Norway. The mayor of Våler municipality, where Haslemoen is located, has called for an emergency meeting with the chief of the fire department. No one was injured in Sunday's incidents.
Aftenposten 16 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOy0E3
NRK 16 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFOz0E4
Asylum centre troublemakers to be sent home
There has been trouble, including fires and violence, every week this summer at asylum centres in eastern Norway. "The government does not accept that persons who have been denied asylum threaten with or engage in violent activities", says Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. The situation is "no longer sustainable", according to Lønseth. The Directorate of Immigration and the National Police Immigration Service are now launching new return arrangements for rejected Somali asylum-seekers, who are now offered a lump sum payment of 10 000 NOK as an encouragement to return home. As returns to Somalia go against UN advice, the IOM does not wish to be involved. To avoid that these induced returns are mistaken for UN-sanctioned voluntary returns, the Norwegian government has decided to call them 'humanitarian returns'.
Aftenposten 11 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFO10Eq
Aftenposten 11 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFO20Er
Violent asylum-seekers to be locked-up
The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) wants the right to detain aggressive persons who have had their applications for asylum denied. Director Ida Børresen says UDI would like to see a centre where asylum-seekers who have been denied asylum and are involved in serious crime can be locked up.
Verdens Gang 13 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFO30Es
Sweden
Refugees unaware of their right to seek asylum a second time
Many refugees living in hiding in Sweden are unaware of their right to seek asylum a second time. Rejection of asylum applications have a limitation period of four years, after which a second application may be filed. When an appeal has been lodged with a court of law, the asylum-seeker may stay legally in Sweden for up to ten months and will enjoy the right to health care, work, and schooling. A second application has often led to recognition. The Migration Board however states that the possibilities of recognition have recently been limited for a person who has gone into hiding. According to the consulting firm Internationell flyktingcenterinformation (International refugee centre information), around 3 000 persons currently live in hiding in Sweden.
Sveriges Television 13 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC5pa0ZqnfK0aYE0EFO40Et
Tuesday 17 August to Wednesday 18 August 2010
Finland
National Coalition: family reunification issue for budget negotiations
The Finnish asylum policy is constantly tightened, but the legislation lags behind, states the National Coalition Party. Finland has chosen an exceptional path in paying for arrivals through family reunification. Instead, Finland should adopt a practice similar to other European states, where the travel costs are only paid for those with a refugee status. Denmark requires a certain minimum income support for those already in the country to receive family members. Travels costs for asylum-seekers in family reunification matters might be changed already in the budget negotiations, but partial solutions could be reached even faster. Currently around 9000 applications for family reunification are filed in the Finnish Immigration Service.
Aamulehti 17 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbq0Eq
Verkkouutiset 16 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbr0Er
Asylum-seekers burden economy in Helsinki
The City of Helsinki requires a change in the legislation on the integration of immigrants and the reception of asylum-seekers. The City's report handed to the Ministry of the Interior shows that refugees voluntarily seek to Helsinki from other municipalities in Finland. Many asylum-seekers register with a poste restante address and then look for the services provided by the City of Helsinki. This strains the economy, because Helsinki cannot predict how much money is to be spent on the integration of asylum-seekers.
YLE 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbs0Es
Tent made out of handicrafts
In the Lammi reception center for asylum-seekers, five women participate with their handicrafts in an art installation which will be part of the European Capital of Culture in Turku in 2011. The purpose of the project "Pots, sandals and a tent" is to let the voices of refugee women be heard. Their stories are also collected, and altogether around 500 women from around the world have prepared handicrafts. In addition to the participation from Lammi, also Joutseno and Turku reception centers contribute to the project, and persons who have resided longer in Finland.
Hämeen Sanomat 17 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbt0Et
Latvia
Council of NGOs on non-citizens in Latvia
The Council of NGOs of Latvia highlights that non-citizens of Latvia are a unique institution and believes that its existence is justified only on political and not on legal grounds. The Council also points at the statements by specific international bodies which have on various occasions voiced their concern regarding the democratic deficit in Latvia due to a significant part of the persons being denied voting rights. The Council asks for international attention to the ethnocratic policy in Latvia and calls for the immediate abolition of the division of society into citizens and non-citizens.
Integration and Minority Information Service 12 August 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbu0Eu
Norway
Mayor demands answers from Directorate of Immigration
After the troubles at Lier and Fagerli return centres earlier in the summer, 65 asylum-seekers who had been denied asylum were moved to Haslemoen reception centre. Since then, many incidents involving fires and violence have occurred at Haslemoen. The fire brigade was called to the centre over twenty times in the last week. The mayor of Våler municipality, where Haslemoen is located, yesterday called for an emergency meeting with the fire brigade, police and reception centre management. Next week a meeting with the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will take place. UDI says that the 65 will be moved from Haslemoen to another location before 1 September.
Verdens Gang 17 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbv0Ev
Sweden
28 unaccompanied minors returned to Malta in 2009
So far in 2010, the Migration Board has decided to return 50 persons back to Malta, six of whom were unaccompanied minors. In 2009, there were 299 rejected persons to be returned to Malta, 28 of them minors. Malta's Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, argues that the 3000 refugees who arrived in the densely populated Malta in 2008 account for 60,000 refugees in Sweden. UNHCR has criticized the conditions minor asylum-seekers face in Malta and their humanitarian needs.
Sveriges Radio 18 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbw0Ew
Migration Board: "No reason to cease forced returns to Malta"
Due to indications of mistreatment of asylum-seeking children in Malta, several political parties in Sweden have demanded that forced returns of minors cease. The Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, Mikael Ribbenvik, disagrees. He states that asylum-seeking children are treated sufficiently well in Malta, and that there are no reasons to cease forced returns to the country under the Dublin regulation. The Migration Board reports that the living standards for asylum-seekers in Malta are high. Researcher Anna Lundberg objects to these statements and criticises the Migration Board for not having consulted the children, but only representatives from public authorities and NGOs. Lundberg met with forcibly returned minors children in Malta this summer, and states that they were living among adult asylum-seekers under very poor conditions, and that many of them found the facilities prison-like. Ribbenvik states that he cannot see that talking with the children would add value to the report.
Sveriges Radio 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbx0Ex
Centre-right parties critical of Roma deportations
This year, 50 Roma, all EU citizens, have been deported from Sweden, reportedly for begging. This has triggered a political debate, and three of the four centre-right parties in the government coalition are critical of the Roma deportations. Although begging is not illegal in Sweden, the Swedish police justifies the deportations by referring to the Aliens act, according to which foreigners may be deported if they are unable to support themselves in an honest manner. The party leader for the Christian Democrats and migration spokespersons for the Centre Party and the Liberal Party are critical of deporting persons because they are Roma and beggars. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, states that deportations of beggars from other EU countries are consistent with Swedish laws, and adds that the trial of these cases is a matter for the police and the authorities.
Sveriges Radio 16 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFby0Ey
The Greens give up demand for refugee amnesty
In party negotiations with the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party has given up one of their core issues: refugee amnesty. Both the Green Party and the Left Party have advocated for a general amnesty for rejected asylum-seekers who have stayed in the country illegally. Common policies for labour migration have not yet been agreed upon for the three centre-left parties.
Svenska Dagbladet 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFbz0Ez
Sveriges Television 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFb10Em
"Good proposal" to accept fewer asylum-seekers
Sven-Erik Österberg, group leader for the Social-Democratic members of parliament, would like to allow schools the right to deny teachers to wear the full veil in the classroom. He also views the idea to let fewer asylum-seekers stay in the country in a positive light. Kalle Larsson, anti-racism spokesperson for the Left Party, declined to comment, but adds that the Left Party would like to see the red-green parliamentary bloc support a policy of accepting more asylum-seekers.
SVT 17 August 2010 (In Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFb20En
Sahlin says integration policy has failed
On the campaign trail in the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby on Tuesday, Mona Sahlin, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party, admitted that Swedish integration policy in the last 20 years has failed. Sahlin stated that the integration policy should be inclusive of everyone, and that refugees often face discrimination in the labour market.
Dagens Nyheter I:13 18 Aug 2010 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Humanitarian workers expelled and admitted in Darfur
Five UN and Red Cross staff members have been expelled in Western Darfur. In contrast, humanitarian workers in the Southern Darfur are let to enter the refugee camp in Kalma. According to the news agency AFP, one of the expelled UN staff members is working for FAO and two for UNHCR. The Sudanese government has denied its part in expelling the persons, and has shifted the responsibility to the authorities in Western Darfur.
YLE 17 August 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFb30Eo
NB. This story was also covered in Norway and Sweden
Verdens Gang 16 August 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFb40Ep
Sveriges Radio 17 August 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/y/eC6Cv0ZqnfK0aYE0EFb50Eq
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Thursday 4 November to Friday 5 November 2010
Finland
Finland returns some asylum-seekers to Greece
According to head of the asylum unit at the Finnish Immigration Service Esko Repo, the problems in Greece are known in all of the EU countries, and Finland constantly follows the development in Greece. Although some asylum-seekers are sent back to Greece, persons in a vulnerable state, such as minors, the sick, lonely women and families with children are not returned. At the moment Finland waits for new recommendations to soon be published by the European Court of Human Rights. Repo says that Finland has made approximately one hundred deportation decisions to Greece this year. About 10 per cent of them have been enforced. The cases of persons in a vulnerable situation are directly processed in Finland.
YLE 3 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8G0ED
Immigrants learning Swedish over Finnish face problems
Finland's integration policy calls for newcomers to learn either of the country's two official languages. However, many immigrants who have learned Swedish say they feel shortchanged, as knowledge of the Finnish language is a vital skill in the labor market. Minority Ombudsman Eva Biaudet says that newcomers learning Swedish have had many good experiences. Nevertheless, many immigrants feel they have studied Swedish in vain. Paula Kuusipalo, an official at the Ministry of the Interior's migration department, says she has been the target of many angry complaints from refugees and immigrants who were directed to Swedish-language courses in Ostrobothnia. Biaudet notes that immigrants must be given the opportunity to choose whether they want to study Finnish or Swedish, adding that newcomers should be given an accurate picture of Finnish society.
YLE 4 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8H0EE
Sweden
Request to halt returns of Iraqis appealing to ECtHR
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has requested Sweden and other European countries to stop scheduled deportations of Iraqis who have appealed to ECtHR. So far, only seven planned deportations of Iraqis have been cancelled in Sweden, after the Iraqis themselves had appealed to ECtHR. Thomas Hammarberg, European Council Commissioner for Human Rights, states that ECtHR will now determine whether it is possible to return Iraqis to certain parts of Iraq without risking violation of their human rights. Sören Clerton, Head of Border Control of the Swedish National Police Board, says that deportations to Iraq will continue until further notice from the Migration Board.
Sveriges Radio 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8I0EF
Baby girl granted asylum due to risk of genital mutilation
A ten-month old Eritrean girl will be granted asylum after the Migration Court in Gothenburg assessed that she would be at great risk of genital mutilation in Eritrea. Due to the girl's young age, the mother has been granted with a Swedish residence permit.
Sveriges Radio 3 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDKqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0BN8J0EG
Saturday 06 November to Monday 08 November 2010
Denmark
Changes to immigration legislation
After negotiations on Saturday night with Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Peter Skaarup, the legal spokesperson of the Danish People's Party (DF), wants to establish a deportation unit within the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. The government also wants to replace the 24-year rule for family-reunification with a points system that rewards immigrants who are in employment, and also includes demands on the family member who will move to Denmark through family reunification. Moreover, an Immigration Commission has been given the task of investigating the cost of immigration to Danish society. Peter Skaarup also announces that, in the future, foreigners will be charged a fee to be reunited with their families.
Politiken 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6A0E5
Danmarks Radio 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6B0E6
Jyllandsposten 6 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6C0E7
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 7 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6D0E8
Sveriges Television 7 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6E0EA
Sweden
8 per cent of development aid to refugee reception in Sweden
More than 8 per cent of the development aid budget for 2010 is allocated to the financing of refugee reception in Sweden. The number has doubled since 2006.
Sveriges Radio 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6F0EB
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy critical of Greece
Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, are very critical of Greece for its incapacity to deal with the increased influx of asylum-seekers, following failed border control. Billström points out that Greece does not even have a minister to deal with the issue. The Swedish Migration board recently decided to stop returns of asylum-seekers to Greece under the Dublin regulation. Billström, however, says that asylum-seekers could instead be forcibly returned to other countries they have traveled through on their way to Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6G0EC
Svenska Dagbladet 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6H0ED
Many Iraqis unaware of possibility to appeal to ECtHR
Rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers may be allowed to stay in Sweden. After receiving a request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the Migration Board decided to stop forced returns to Iraq providing that the rejected asylum-seeker had appealed to ECtHR. Few Iraqis are however aware of this possibility and some have been advised by their legal representatives that there is no use appealing. Lawyer Krister Hellström at the Swedish Red Cross says that there is a great risk that Iraqis will remain unaware of the possibility to appeal, and that the Red Cross will now print forms to facilitate appeals. The Migration Board does not plan to spread information about the possibility to apply for inhibition of returns. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that asylum-seekers can receive information through their legal representatives. But rejected asylum-seekers no longer have legal representation. The Migration Board continues to forcibly return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq, as long as they have not appealed to ECtHR.
Sveriges Television 5 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLMr0ZqnfK0aYE0BZ6I0EE
Tuesday 9 November to Thursday 10 November 2010
Denmark
Budget agreement includes DF demands of "earned welfare benefits"
The Danish People's Party (DF) has received support for the principle that persons who come to Denmark as immigrants or refugees shall not have the same access to welfare services and payments as others. The child care benefit and the people's pension are the first benefits to be affected by the decision; the group leader of DF, Kristian Thulesen Dahl, comments after the government has entered a budget agreement with DF and the Christian Democratic Party. According to the new agreement, the time a refugee has lived in his or her country of origin will not be included in the calculation of the people's pension. This means that the same rules will apply for refugees as for other immigrants. To give refugees time to adjust to the new rules, a ten-year transitional period will precede the implementation of the new rules. The parties also agree that recipients of child care benefits must have been living in Denmark for at least two of the past ten years to qualify for the full payment. Moreover, the parties have appointed a cross-party committee which will investigate foreigners' right of access to public services – this will include both benefit payments and welfare services. The committee is expected to present its preliminary proposals in March.
Danmarks Radio 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiH30E7
Berlingske Tidende 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiH60EB
Jyllands-Posten 8 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIC0EP
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 9 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiID0EQ
Finland
Youth league of Coalition Party: asylum-seekers do not need income support
The youth league of the Finnish Coalition Party would pay asylum-seekers only for food and accommodation. The league also demands that Finland should be made less attractive for asylum-seekers with unfounded claims. The League is strict about family reunification, and says the right to it should be reserved for employed immigrants. According to the League, the family should be supported without social benefits.
Aamulehti 9 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIG0ET
Greens to immigrants: learn Finnish or lose benefits
The Green League of Finland is calling for immigrants, especially those with refugee backgrounds, to learn Finnish or Swedish, or risk reductions in income support subsidies. The party says it is particularly alarmed by the poor language skills among stay-at-home immigrant mothers. The party wants to motivate newcomers by tying social welfare benefits to language class attendance. They also want to see more immigrant mothers in the workforce as their children grow. Labour Minister and Green Party chair Anni Sinnemäki says it is not only a right but a duty to learn the language of a new home country, because it will help integration into society.
YLE 8 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIH0EU
Norway
UDI wants to open 30 new return centres
UDI wants to open 30 new return centres with 100-200 places each for asylum seekers who have received a final rejection on their application for asylum. Staffing and security will be comparable to regular asylum centres. Previously, 250 persons were living in so called "waiting centres", in addition to the 4000 rejected asylum seekers living in regular asylum centres. According to UDI-director Ida Børresen, the waiting centres were not functioning as they should since residents did not choose to voluntarily return. She hopes that the new return centres with more return-oriented activities will be more effective.
Dagbladet 9 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiII0EV
Verdens Gang 9 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIJ0EW
Sweden
Migration Court puts family reunification over verified identity
Five Somali children between two and ten years of age will now reunite with their parents in Sweden, who have already been granted residence permits. The Migration Court annulled the previous decision by the Migration Board, according to which the children would not be allowed family reunification in Sweden. The Migration Board stated that the identities of the children could not be verified, although DNA tests proved kinship with the couple in Sweden. The Migration Court agrees that the identities of the children cannot be authenticated, but argues that the right to family reunification is more important.
Sveriges Television 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIK0EX
Sveriges Radio 8 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIL0EY
Deportations to Iraq continue - many unaware of possibility to appeal
Deportations from Sweden of Iraqi asylum-seekers continue, in spite of the request from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to stop forced returns until ECtHR has tried whether such returns violate human rights. Iraqis who appeal to ECtHR are temporarily exempted from deportation, but many are not aware of this opportunity. According to Amnesty, the procedure does not follow rule of law and the Migration Board should actively inform all concerned. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that information has been published on the Migration Board website. A few thousand Iraqis await deportation from Sweden. Forced returns will continue as usual for those who are not aware of the possibility to appeal to ECtHR.
Dagens Nyheter I:12 9 November 2010 (in Swedish)
Fathers forced to return to home countries to apply for asylum
The Swedish Alien's Act was amended in July this year, to facilitate for asylum-seekers to apply for residence permits when in Sweden, if they have become parents during the asylum assessment period. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that several fathers have been forcibly returned recently, in spite of the new law. According to Ribbenvik, the amendments to the law only apply to uncomplicated cases, but not when there are uncertainties surrounding e.g. identity or passports, in which case the applicant has to return to his or her country of origin to apply for asylum in Sweden. Ribbenvik says that much of the bureaucracy that characterised the old law is still present in the amended law. The Migration Board communicated to the government at an early stage that they wanted more far-reaching amendments to the law to address the problematic situation.
Sveriges Radio 10 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDLiE0ZqnfK0aYE0BiIM0EZ
Thursday 11 November to Friday 12 November 2010
Finland
Immigrant from Vantaa elected Father of the Year 2010
A teacher and father of four children Abdishakur Moalin was elected as one of three "fathers of the year 2010". With his actions he has promoted integration of immigrant children. Moalin moved to Finland from Somalia around twenty years ago. He also wants to encourage other parents to activate their children in society. The award was given on Thursday by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Juha Rehula. The title has been rewarded since 2006.
YLE 11 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSW0E8
Norway
Unsatisfactory placement of unaccompanied minors
A new report reveals that homes were found for only 27 per cent of unaccompanied minor refugees within three months of arriving in Norway. Government targets state that unaccompanied minors should be housed within three months – in reality, it takes on average 5.6 months before a place is found. Although homes were found for 606 unaccompanied minors - almost three times as many as the previous year - 7 per cent fewer were housed within the recommended time period. The Office of the Auditor General, which published the report, emphasizes that unaccompanied minors are an especially vulnerable group with specific needs. Those aged 15 to 18, in particular, often have to wait a long time for a place. Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Association of Asylum-Seekers, explains that unaccompanied minors are in a very vulnerable position from the start and that any added insecurity only makes their situation worse.
Verdens Gang 11 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSX0EA
Danish minister wants to build orphanage in Afghanistan
Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration, and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn-Hornbech, wants to build an orphanage in Kabul, to which unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers from Afghanistan can be sent. The Danish government hopes to save 75 million DKK by building the orphanage because it is cheaper to help child refugees in their home country, according to the government.
Verdens Gang 10 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSY0EB
Sweden
Police may have to cancel deportation flight to Iraq
Twenty-five of the 7000 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden have turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to apply for inhibition of their forced return to Iraq. The Swedish Migration Board has only halted returns of those who have appealed to ECtHR. More applications to ECtHR are expected in the coming days, and the police may have to cancel the deportation flight to Iraq scheduled to the 17th of November.
Sveriges Radio 11 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSZ0EC
Dagens Nyheter 11 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSa0EJ
No review of law forcing parents to return home to apply for asylum
The Swedish Alien's Act was recently amended so that asylum-seekers who have had children when in Sweden should not have to apply for asylum in their countries of origin. But many parents are still forced to return to their home countries to apply for asylum from there. The law was criticised by the Migration Board and the Ombudsman for Children for exposing asylum-seekers to unnecessary risks. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board thinks that the law is still too strict. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason to review the law. He says that the main rule is that applicants should have a permit to come to Sweden before entering the country. Billström also states problems with trafficking of children must be considered in the application of the rule, and that Sweden must know who enters Swedish territory.
Sveriges Radio 10 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSb0EK
Less than 1/6 of Migration Board interpreters authorised
Less than 1000 out of the 6000 interpreters used by the Migration Board are authorised. Only 6 per cent of the 200,000 interpreter hours in 2009 were carried out by interpreters with competence in legal affairs. Anne Ramberg, Director of the Swedish Bar Association, says that asylum-seekers risk rejection due to not having made themselves understood. She adds that the use of unqualified interpreters might risk the rule of law. Authorisation tests are only carried out in 36 languages, whereas the Migration Board meets applicants speaking altogether over 100 languages. So far this year, almost 5,000 Somalis have applied for asylum in Sweden, but there are only 11 authorised Somali-speaking interpreters in the country.
Sveriges Radio 12 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDL4D0ZqnfK0aYE0BqSc0EL
Saturday 13 November to Monday 15 November 2010
Finland
Support for asylum-seekers to be registered in law
The government is proposing a legislative change to the law on the reception of asylum-seekers this week. The new law suggests that adult asylum-seekers be paid reception money, and unaccompanied minors spending money instead of the current income support. The reception money paid for an adult living alone would amount to 290 euros. If the asylum-seeker receives meals at the reception center, the amount is 85 euros. The support is approximately two euros less than the current income support. Last year, 6,000 persons sought asylum in Finland. This year the estimate is for 4,000 applications. The state pays for all the costs of asylum-seekers. For one person living a year in a reception center the costs are estimated to be 14,900 euros.
Verkkouutiset 14 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2an0E3
Immigration costs 300 million euros for one year
The state of Finland paid in total around 290 million euros for immigration last year. Municipalities participated with 26 million euros. The Ministry of the Interior used 18.6 million euros for the expenses of the Immigration Service. The reception costs of refugees and asylum-seekers ware 62.1 million euros, which included the income support paid for asylum-seekers. Altogether there were 5,988 asylum applications, where decisions were made on 4,335 cases. Asylum was granted for 1,373 persons (32 per cent). In 2009, 155,700 foreign nationals lived in Finland. There were 17,800 immigrants, of whom 2,650 were refugees.
Verkkouutiset 14 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2ao0E4
Sweden
Parishes in the Church of Sweden plead for halt of returns to Iraq
Four Christian parishes in the Church of Sweden plead for a temporary halt of deportations of Iraqis from Gothenburg. Henrik Törnqvist, vicar at the Bergsjön parish in Gothenburg, says that deportations to Iraq sends asylum-seekers back to a life of recurrent attacks and legal insecurity, where their lives are at risk. Törnqvist says that many Iraqis fear being scrutinised when telling of kidnappings, murder and terror, due to their ethnicity or religious beliefs. UNHCR has recommended EU countries to stop forced returns to Iraq. Civil Rights Defenders in Sweden has also urged for a stop to the deportations of Iraqis.
Sveriges Radio 15 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2ap0E5
Svenska Dagbladet 15 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDMZ20ZqnfK0aYE0B2aq0E6
Tuesday 16 November to Friday 19 November 2010
Denmark
Denmark praised for quick asylum decisions
Denmark may be set to become the European country with the shortest handling time for asylum claims. The average time it takes to process an application has decreased from five months to two months. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), commends the Danish authorities for the increased efficiency of the asylum process which has resulted from targeted organisational restructuring. However, Kamm also points out that the situation of rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be sent home remains problematic, and calls for a political solution to this issue.
Jyllands-Posten 17 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvp0EB
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvq0EC
Frequent amendments to immigration laws
If the newest immigration agreement between the the Liberals, the Conservatives, and the Danish People's Party passes, it will be the 18th amendment to immigration laws since the current government took office in 2001, according to a survey by the newspaper Politiken. Johannes Lund Andersen, Associate Professor of Political Science and Administration at Aalborg University, believes such a large number of legislative changes ultimately weakens respect for the law. Tage Gøttsche, member of the Association of Immigration Lawyers, complains that the many changes make his work – and the work of his colleagues - more difficult, and calls the situation undesirable. Integration spokesperson of the Conservatives, Naser Khader, says that because the immigration field is dynamic, the relatively frequent legislative changes are required to address new issues as they arise.
Danmarks Radio 18 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvr0ED
Many refugees will not qualify for family reunification
Refugees on Bornholm risk being hit hard by the new points system for family reunification. Most refugees on Bornholm – an island off the eastern coast of Denmark – are quota refugees who initially live on 4000 DKK per month provided by the government. This makes it virtually impossible for them to come up with the 100 000 DKK bank guarantee required in the new rules. In addition to the bank guarantee, the new points system will reward higher education qualifications, relevant work experience, and language skills. Susanne Andersen of the Society of Bornholm's Refugee Friends (Bornholms Flygtningevenner) cannot understand why the same rules should apply to refugees as to those who have chosen to come to Denmark for other reasons. Currently, between 220 and 250 refugees - mostly from Burma, Iraq, Ex-Yugoslavia, Bhutan, and Syria - are living on Bornholm.
Danmarks Radio 19 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvs0EE
Finland
Honor-based violence feared to increase in Finland
Refugee Woman of the Year 2010 Nasima Razmyar tells an example of honor-based violence. If the daughter is decent, she is her father's girl, but if she is blamed for being indecent, she is seen as raised by her mother, Razmyar considers. At worst, the violence turns into murder. In everyday life honor-based violence is about restricting hobbies, studies, clothing and interfering in the social life of women, Razmyar clarifies. She spoke at a seminar on the cultural and gender-sensitive work with girls in Turku about the growth challenges of girls with an immigrant background. According to Razmyar, the violence has become more brutal and the victims younger. She hopes that the legislators would see the importance of preventive action because it is clearly more inexpensive than crisis work.
Turun Sanomat 16 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvt0EF
Norway
Jagland warns against forced returns
According to Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has been clear in its request that Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom should cease deportations to Iraq because of the deterioration of the security situation. In a press release he claims that forcibly deporting persons to Iraq goes against the decision of ECHR, and that all 47 Council members should respect the decision of the court.
Verdens Gang 17 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvu0EG
No Norwegian halt to deportations to Iraq
A Swedish flight with rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers destined for Baghdad was cancelled after Swedish authorities were contacted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, had also publicly called for a stop to Iraqi deportations. Both are of the opinion that the current security situation in Iraq is too critical to permit the forced return of asylum-seekers to the country. This year, Norway has deported 132 persons to Iraq – an additional 470 have chosen to voluntarily return. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, says that Norway is not planning to halt departures to Iraq, adding that asylum claims will continue to be assessed by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) based on their individual merits.
Bergens Tidende 18 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvv0EH
Sweden
Deportation flight to Iraq halted
The forced return of 30 Iraqis to Baghdad, scheduled for Wednesday 17 November was cancelled by the Migration Board. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that also the ten Iraqis whose cases were not considered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) are allowed to stay temporarily in Sweden. ECtHR has requested the Migration Board to stop the forced return of around 200 individuals to Iraq, but the Migration Board does not want to issue a general halt of deportations. ECtHR has had about 400 applications from Sweden regarding inhibition of deportations to Iraq and now investigates whether it is safe for Iraqis to be returned to certain areas in Iraq, including Baghdad. Billström says that several Swedish authorities have informed on how and where to appeal to ECtHR, and that the information was not concealed from rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. The ECtHR ruling on whether it is safe to return rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq is expected on 24 November.
Sveriges Television 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvw0EI
Sveriges Radio 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvx0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvy0EK
Göteborgsposten 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvz0EL
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv10E7
Sveriges Radio 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv20E8
European Council and Swedish Migration board criticise each other
Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary-General of the European Council, criticises Sweden for continuing to deport rejected asylum-seekers to Iraq, despite the request from European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to halt forced returns to the country. The Migration Board states that they have never received instructions to stop all deportations, only to halt the deportation of certain individuals. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that there is confusion in ECtHR, and mentions that ECtHR had made several mistakes in the list of Iraqis for whom they demanded that deportation should be temporarily halted. Swedish MEP Cecilia Wikström (Liberal Party) says that it is inhumane and deeply unworthy of Sweden to continue deportations to Iraq, and that Sweden should follow ECtHR recommendations. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that assessments on halting deportations need to be done on a case-by-case basis. Billström adds that the Migration Board has never acted in opposition to ECtHR rulings and dismisses the critique from the European Council.
Dagens Nyheter 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv30EA
Svenska Dagbladet 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv40EB
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv50EC
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv60ED
Migration Board: minorities in Iraq not generally threatened
Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, says that the safety situation in Iraq has improved. Ribbenvik adds that the situation for minorities, not only Christian Iraqis but also Palestinians and homosexuals, has deteriorated and that many have protection needs. Attacks against Christians in Iraq are increasing, and on the 31st of October, 60 persons were killed in an attack against a church in Baghdad. According to the Migration Board, many areas are safe to return to, especially in northern Iraq. After the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Sweden received over half of the Iraqi asylum-seekers who turned to the West. In 2007, the Swedish Migration Board however stated that there was no longer an armed conflict in Iraq, and that each case would be assessed individually. Ribbenvik says that no refugees are returned to Iraq, and that about 50 % of the Iraqi asylum-seekers are deemed to have protection needs, and are allowed to stay in Sweden. Anders Sundquist, Director of the Swedish Refugee Advice Centre, says that Iraqis are sent back to unsafe surroundings. Ribbenvik states that he believes the Migration Board has sound knowledge on the situation in Iraq, after a recent visit to the country, and that the Migration Board is currently better informed on the situation in Iraq than European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Ribbenvik says that UNHCR has turned to ECtHR and that the UN agency fears that returns from Europe to Iraq will lead to returns of Iraqis from Syria and Jordan. Ribbenvik states that this would in all likelihood destabilise Iraq, but adds that the Swedish Migration Board cannot take into consideration such external circumstances. According to Sundquist, many Iraqis in Sweden are unaware on where and how to appeal. Ribbenvik replies that the Migration Board has published information regarding the possibility to appeal on their website.
TV4 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv70EE
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv60ED
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJv80EF
Svenska Dagbladet 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwA0EP
Svenska Dagbladet 16 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJvy0EK
ECtHR rulings not legally binding for Sweden
Many Iraqis cannot or do not dare return to Iraq, and UNHCR has criticised forced returns from EU countries to Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk and other places for a long time, due to the unsafe situation there. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has demanded that deportations to Iraq be temporarily halted until the 24 November, so that ECtHR may investigate whether deportations risk violating the human rights for the Iraqis. ECtHR rulings are not legally binding for Sweden, but the Swedish government most often chose to follow ECtHR recommendations.
Dagens Nyheter 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwB0EQ
TV4 17 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNIU0ZqnfK0aYE0CJwC0ER
Saturday 20 November to Monday 22 November 2010
Denmark
Widespread poverty among old immigrants
Only 1.1 per cent of ethnically Danish pensioners live on less than half of the median income, and would therefore be considered poor according to OECD's relative definition of poverty. However, for older immigrants from non-western countries, the figure is much higher – 27.4 per cent in this group are living in poverty. The reason for this is that you have to have lived in Denmark for at least 40 years to qualify for the full people's pension. Previously, those who came to Denmark as refugees were exempt from this rule, but according to the 2011 financial agreement, they too will have to earn their right to people's pension. According to Jonas Schytz Juul, of the Economic Council of the Labour Movement, there is no doubt that the new legislation will result in increased poverty among older refugees.
Politiken 22 Novemeber 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpd0E8
Denmark returns Iraqis to bloodbath
The Danish government has neglected to protect Iraqi asylum-seekers from the sectarian bloodbath that is plaguing the country, according to Information. Leaked American war documents provide detailed insights into the situation on the ground. The leaked material shows that religiously based violence, particularly between Shia and Sunni Muslims, peaked during 2006 and 2007. Accounts also tell of assassinations and bombs targeting mosques and Christian Iraqis. The violence continued the following years, and reports state that Iraqis, who, after having fled sectarian violence, chose to return home, were murdered. The hardest-hit areas are the central and southern parts of Iraq, where two thirds of the rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers come from. The leaked material covers the period from 2004 to the end of 2009, and contains no indication that the violence subsided in 2009. According to UNHCR, the security situation in Iraq has recently become even more critical. The acceptance rate for Iraqi asylum-seekers in Denmark has increased steadily since 2004, but it is still lower than for persons from Syria, Somalia, Iran and Afghanistan. The practice in many other European countries corresponds better to UNHCR guidelines regarding Iraq. Thomas Gammeltoft-Hansen, of the Danish Institute of International Studies, emphasises the importance of determining if an asylum-seeker faces a real threat of persecution or torture upon return to the country of origin. He points out the striking similarities between the information contained in the leaked documents and reports from both UNHCR and Human Rights Watch, and poses the question whether enough has been done by Danish authorities in terms of fact-finding in Iraq, and whether information gathered has been taken seriously enough.
Information 19 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpe0EA
Avisen 20 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpf0EB
Norway
No returns to peaceful Somaliland
Since 2009, no Somali asylum-seekers have been returned to Somaliland. At the same time, Norwegian authorities are working hard to promote so-called "humanitarian returns" to the war-torn south of the country. "Humanitarian returns" is a return procedure introduced by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) which should not be confused with UN-sanctioned returns - UNHCR strongly advises against returns to south Somalia. Self-governed Somaliland in the north has practically been its own state since the civil war in the 1990s. According to UNHCR, the area is peaceful and also accepts some refugees from volatile neighbouring areas. UDI suspects that the reason why no one is returned to Somaliland is that asylum-seekers originating from the area claim to come from south Somalia to avoid being deported. The Ministry of Justice and the Police has started working on setting up a system of returns to Somaliland. It will prove a very difficult task for both legal and practical reasons, since Somaliland is not recognised as an independent nation-state, according to Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry.
Aftenposten 19 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpg0EC
Sweden
Sweden Democrats wants a points system for family migration
The Sweden Democrats (SD) wishes to see a points system for family migration in Sweden, similar to the system recently proposed in Denmark. This would mean that without several years of work experience or a PhD from one of the top 20 universities in the world, family reunification would in effect be impossible for applicants. Erik Almqvist, Political Secretary for SD, says that Sweden needs better sifting among family migrants, and that SD's ambition is to significantly limit family migration. Maria Ferm, MP for the Green Party, says that many family migrants have dire protection needs, and that it is worrying that Denmark now appears to be moving away from the right to family reunification. According to Ferm, several human rights organisations state that integration is very difficult for persons who are separated from their families. Ferm also says that family migration to Sweden is already restricted, and that this affects in particular Somalis.
Sveriges Radio 19 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUph0ED
Sweden criticised for returning unaccompanied children to Malta
In 2009, some 299 persons were returned from Sweden to Malta under the Dublin regulations. 28 of them were unaccompanied children. So far this year, six unaccompanied children have been returned to Malta. Malta has been criticised by the EU and human rights organisations for the poor treatment of asylum-seekers. UNHCR states that Malta does not satisfy the humanitarian needs of asylum-seeking children. Sweden has received criticism from the Council of Europe and the Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, for returning unaccompanied children to Malta. Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that Sweden must follow the Dublin regulations and return asylum-seekers to the first country of asylum. Billström adds that the situation in Malta is ultimately the responsibility of Malta and the EU Commission.
Sveriges Radio 22 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDNm60ZqnfK0aYE0CUpi0EE
Tuesday 23 November to Wednesday 24 November 2010
Denmark
Fears that Syrian Kurd has been imprisoned after deportation
According to the Danish organisation Right to Asylum, Abed Mohamed Atto a Syrian Kurd who was deported to Syria one week ago, has been detained by Syrian authorities and is now locked up in the Seidnaya prison. The organisation believes there is a risk that he will stay incarcerated for a long time because of his sympathies for Partiya Yekîtiya Demokrat, a Kurdish political party. Abed Mohamed Atto came to Denmark in August 2009. He received a final rejection to his application for asylum in May 2010. He was involved in a hunger strike, along with 27 other Kurdish asylum-seekers facing deportation, in September. Right to Asylum claims that 22 of the 28 Kurds involved in the strike have previously been imprisoned and tortured in Syria. A number of the deportations were halted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) as it had been determined that they came to Denmark via Greece. Nevertheless, two of the 28 who did not come through Greece have already been deported to Syria, and Right to Asylum is in contact with a further six that are awaiting deportation. According to Right to Asylum, another Kurdish asylum-seeker, who was deported in September, was also detained upon arrival in Syria and is reportedly still imprisoned. The organisation wants to refer the cases to ECtHR. The hope is that the court will stop the deportations, as it has done regarding returns to Greece and central Iraq.
Politiken 23 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDN860ZqnfK0aYE0CdMf0Ew
Sweden
Deportation of Iraqis whose return has not been inhibited
The deportation of more than 200 Iraqi asylum-seekers, scheduled to 17/11, was postponed to 24/11 and 8/12, following a demand from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Swedish Migration Board has now revoked the cancellation for the ten of the Iraqis, since ECtHR has not demanded inhibition for their cases. On 23/11, ECtHR pleaded that the deportations scheduled to 24/11 should be postponed to 8/12, which the Migration Board accepted.
Dagens Nyheter 23 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDN860ZqnfK0aYE0CdMg0Ex
Thursday 25 Novemeber to Friday 26 November 2010
Finland
Sweden continues to return Iraqis
Sweden has resumed the deportations of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to the Swedish Migration Board, the European Court of Human Rights does not categorically oppose deportations to Iraq. Since 2007, Iraqi asylum-seekers must undergo an individual assessment in Sweden. In 2009, over three thousand applications by Iraqis were rejected, and around 1,500 persons were granted asylum.
YLE 24 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCB0En
Norway
Halted deportation to Iraq
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has called on Norway to halt the deportation of a rejected asylum-seeker to Iraq. The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has confirmed that the deportation has been halted until they hear from ECtHR again. The deterioration of the security situation in Iraq has been given as reason for the suspension of the deportation order. The request by the court does not automatically influence other cases, but the reasoning of the court will be taken into account when decisions are made by UNE. According to Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and the Police, the government has no plans for a general stop of returns to Iraq. Lønseth adds that the government has complete faith that UNE can make an adequate assessment of the situation.
Aftenposten 25 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCE0Eq
Sweden
ID requirements obstructing Somali family reunification
It is almost impossible for the 245 unaccompanied Somali refugee children in Sweden to reunite with their parents. In March this year, the Migration Board introduced stricter identification requirements for family members. However, the Migration Board does not recognise Somali ID documents issued after the civil war broke out in 1991. Fredrik Löndahl, judge at the Migration Court in Malmö, says that the requirements are too strict and do not stem either from the Alien's Act or from rulings by the Migration Court of Appeal. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that identification requirements are needed to control who resides on Swedish territory and to prevent human trafficking. Billström says that he sees no immediate solution to the negative effects on Somali applicants.
26 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCG0Es
ECtHR lifts halt of returns to Iraq
The European Court of Human Rights (EHCR) has revoked the general halt of forced returns to Iraq and will now try cases reported to ECtHR individually. The 300 Iraqis whose return from Sweden to Iraq was inhibited by ECtHR will be allowed to stay in Sweden temporarily.
Dagens Nyheter 25 November I: 22 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 24 November 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOUq0ZqnfK0aYE0ClCI0Eu
Saturday 27 November to Monday 29 November 2010
Denmark
Refugees leave for 118,000 DKK
An increasing number of refugees and immigrants, who have been granted permanent residency permits, choose to leave the country and return to their country of origin for a lump sum payment of 118,000 DKK. In addition to this Denmark also pays for transportation costs. Those who choose to return can also apply for a lifelong pension-like payment. In the first ten months of this year 332 refugees and immigrants accepted the payment to return to their home country. In the last five years, an average of only 158 people a year chose to do so. Previously, each adult who chose to return was given 29,000 DKK – now that amount has risen to 118,000 DKK. The Danish People's Party would like to see the amount increased even more.
Jyllands-Posten 27 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjb0E4
Politiken 27 November 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjc0E5
Finland
Iraqi returnees disappointed with situation at home
The majority of voluntarily returned Iraqis aim at leaving Iraq again, The New York Times reports. The returning refugees are disappointed because the country is still seen as unsafe and there are not enough job opportunities and other basic prerequisites available. In a survey conducted by the UN, 61 per cent of the returnees in Baghdad regretted having returned to Iraq. 87 per cent of them considered that they cannot earn enough to support their families. After last spring, asylum applications in Syria have risen considerably. After 2003 over 2 million Iraqis have fled the violence abroad. After 2008 around 100,000 refugees have returned back to Iraq.
YLE 27 November 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjd0E6
N.B. This story was also covered in the United States:
The New York Times 26 November 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwje0E7
Norway
Asylum-seekers refused return because of fines
Many asylum-seekers who want to return voluntarily cannot do this because of unpaid fines. When the police conduct a check of an asylum-seeker who wants to return home voluntarily, and outstanding fines are discovered, the asylum-seeker may not be allowed to participate in the return program. This happens to one out of five asylum-seekers who opt for voluntary return. Hugo Limkjær, manager of Hol reception centre, has experienced cases where asylum-seekers were distraught that they could not return because of outstanding fines. This can result in asylum-seekers not being able to return for long periods of time. The average price tag for the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to place an asylum-seeker at a centre is 103,750 NOK a year.
Aftenposten 27 November 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDOzF0ZqnfK0aYE0Cwjf0E8
Tuesday 30 November to Wednesday 1 December 2010
Finland
The Finnish Immigration Service is trying to get rid of paperwork
The Finnish Immigration System has now begun to use a new electronic case management system. The new data system will handle all applications regarding asylum-seekers electronically and will replace the previous registration system. Starting from 2011 it will be possible to register the asylum application online and each client will be able to follow their personal asylum process on the website. This new system is expected to shorten the processing times for applications, improve costumer service, and bring significant cost savings.
Taloussanomat 1 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPMj0ZqnfK0aYE0C6bc0Ej
Thursday 02 December to Friday 03 December 2010
Denmark
Ministers oppose asylum proposals
Conservative ministers of integration from several EU member countries have voiced their opposition to closer EU cooperation when it comes to asylum policy. They want existing rules to be fully implemented before new ones are proposed. Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, says that Denmark supports this position. EU proposals for the streamlining of asylum policy and increased solidarity with Malta and Greece are some of the things that the European Parliament group of conservative parties has criticised. The conservative ministers are also critical to a suspension of the Dublin Regulation. Because of the 1992 Edinburgh agreement that granted Denmark certain exceptions from the Maastricht Treaty, Denmark is not affected by most EU rules on asylum policy.
Berlingske Tidende 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5W0Ev
Jyllands-Posten 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5X0Ew
Massive protests against short hearing times
Very short hearing times increase the risk of poor legislation, a number of concerned organisations tell Parliament. It is claimed that the hearing time for legislative proposals has become so short that a real risk exists that the quality of legislation is adversely affected. In a letter to Parliament, 25 organisations (including the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, The Catholic Church in Denmark, Save the Children Denmark, and the Danish Refugee Council) criticise the handling of a legislative proposal related to fee changes in the Aliens Act. A draft version of this proposal, known as proposal 66, was submitted for a hearing on 11 November. The scheduled hearing time lasted until 15 November. On 17 November a legislative proposal was made, and the Ministry's summary of responses from the hearing was published on 18 November. The organisations find it completely unacceptable to allow for less than three working days of hearing time.
Berlingske Tidende 2 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5Y0Ex
Finland
Finland gets a new Director of the Migration Department
The Finnish government appoints Kristina Stenman as new director of the Ministry of the Interior's Migration Department. Currently Stenman works as Deputy Mayor of the City of Vaasa. Stenman will begin her new job on 1 January 2011. The Migration Department develops legislation on migration, is responsible for the integration of immigrants, and promotes good ethnic relations. Stenman has previously worked as a researcher at the Institute for Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University and as director of the Refugee Advice Center.
YLE 2 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5Z0Ey
YLE 2 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5a0E6
Finnish municipalities get increased financial support for refugees
The Finnish government has augmented its budget for next year with approximately 60 million euro. Among those getting more money are the municipalities. Starting from next year their budget for refugees is increased with ten per cent, which is approximately two million euros. From September next year the municipalities will be compensated for quota refugees for a period of four years instead of three. The government hopes that the changes will speed up the resettlement of refugees in municipalities.
YLE 1 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5b0E7
Sweden
Policy change for integration of refugees
On 1 December the Swedish Public Employment Service took over the main responsibility for integration of refugees, which the municipalities were previously tasked with. One of the reasons for the new integration policy is that recent arrivals have had great trouble entering the labour market.
Sveriges Television 1 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5c0E8
TV4 1 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5d0EA
Deportation flight to Iraq scheduled to 15 December
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has notified the Swedish authorities that it has taken up the cases of a further 598 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. ECtHR has indicated that Sweden should stop returning refugees to Iraq, but the Swedish Migration Board will only halt the deportations of individuals being considered by ECtHR, says Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Migration Board. The United Nations and human rights organisations have previously called on Sweden to halt the deportations, as the situation in Iraq is regarded as unsafe, especially for Christians. The Border Police in Gothenburg says that the next deportation flight to Iraq is scheduled for 15 December.
Sveriges Television 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5e0EB
2 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5f0EC
Pressure on Greece to improve living conditions for asylum-seekers
The demands on Greece to improve living conditions for asylum-seekers in the country are increasing, says Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, after the EU ministerial meeting on 2 December. Billström adds that people's wellbeing is badly affected by the winter weather. The Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, says that tens of thousands of asylum-seekers in Greece are treated in a way that is neither worthy of European norms, nor compatible with European law.
Sveriges Radio 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDPiF0ZqnfK0aYE0DF5g0ED
Saturday 4 December to Monday 6 December 2010
Sweden
Many deported Iraqis again flee their country
Many of the 45 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers deported from Sweden in Feburary 2009 have again fled their country to for example Greece, Syria, Tyrkey, and even Sweden. Others live in hiding in Iraq. According to the 2008 repatriation treaty between Sweden and Iraq, those who are returned to Iraq shall not have to fear harassment, threats, or persecution. The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström says that Sweden has no responsibility for asylum-seekers once they have been deported, and that it is up to the Iraqi government to deal with their protection. This is criticised by Swedish MP Jabar Amin (Green Party), who says that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of anyone outside of the Green Zone in Baghdad. Both Amin and Swedish MP Abir al-Sahlani (Centre Party) believe that the Migration Board has interpreted the asylum regulations too narrowly in the case of Iraqis. Billström says that many more need to be deported to Iraq, since the number of deportees do not add up to the amount of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1m0ER
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1n0ES
Sveriges Radio 6 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1o0ET
Handcuffs and other restrictions of movement on deportation flights
Rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers who do not leave Sweden voluntarily should be returned step-by-step, humanely, and orderly, according to the repatriation treaty between Sweden and Iraq. But during the deportations to Iraq in 2009, handcuffs, leg cuffs, waste cuffs, and hoods to prevent spitting were used on the deportees. Christer Isaksson, Head of Security of the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, says that the agency is trying to perform their tasks in the best way possible, and that they take measures to treat the deportees as humanely as they possibly can.
Sveriges Radio 5 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1p0EU
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Hendricks on meeting refugees in Ethiopia
Barbara Hendricks, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador for Life, recently met with refugees in Ethiopia during an advocacy visit organised by the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries. Hendricks says that when she looked into the eyes of the refugee children, she realised that she could as well have been looking at her own children, and that she feels compelled do defend the human rights of the refugees. Hendricks stresses that we also have to respect and tolerate people we meet in our everyday life even though it can be difficult at times.
Sveriges Television 6 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1q0EV
Quota refugees informed on life in Sweden
The municipality-led project Landa [Land], which has introduced some 80 quota refugees to life in Sweden prior to their departure, will now be evaluated. Landa started in 2009 and has since run 1 ½-day courses for refugees about to be resettled. The refugees seen pictures and films about Sweden, and read letters from refugees who have already settled in the country. The future of the project is unclear, since the main responsibility for integration was recently transferred from the municipalities to the Swedish Public Employment Service.
Sveriges Radio 3 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQFg0ZqnfK0aYE0DS1r0EW
Tuesday 07 December to Wednesday 08 December 2010
Finland
A citizenship test for immigrants gets support in the Finnish Parliament
According to a survey by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, a majority of the chairmen of the parliamentary groups support a citizenship test for immigrants. Last week the Administration Committee of the Finnish Parliament asked the government for a report on whether Finland should introduce citizenship tests for immigrants. Citizenship tests are used in several EU countries. The test would measure the applicant's knowledge of Finnish history, culture and society.
YLE Uutiset 7 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazE0Ep
Norway
More asylum-seekers opt for voluntary return
A new study from the Institute for Social Research shows that more asylum-seekers return to their country of origin through the voluntary return procedure than through forced returns. The voluntary procedure was introduced in 2002. It is an alternative to deportation for those who do not have the right to stay in Norway. It offers financial incentives for foreigners to return home. According to Jan-Paul Brekke, who has conducted the historical study of the supported voluntary return procedure in Norway, the numbers of voluntary and forced returns has developed in parallel. The voluntary return procedure also legitimises the authorities work with deportations. Jan-Paul Brekke underlines that the voluntary return procedure should only be used when the conditions in the home country are secure. Security is more important than financial considerations, he adds.
Aftenposten 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazF0Eq
NRK 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazG0Er
Verdens Gang 6 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazH0Es
UNHCR in the news
Skype develops new version with lower bandwidth for UNHCR
Skype has developed a customized version of the online telephone service for use by UNHCR staff in hardship locations. The new version requires less bandwidth than the regular version, since internet connections at remote locations are not as fast as connections in developed countries. The new version supports both the video and telephone function and will be available free of charge to UNHCR staff at 120 locations around the world. Currently, UNHCR staff, who can be separated from their loved ones for long periods of time with very limited communication opportunities, must pay for personal calls out of their own pocket. The software has already been tested in locations such as Iraq, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, explains that Skype has removed the practical barriers for communication in very remote locations and hopes that, in the future, the technology can directly benefit the refugees of the world as well.
NTB 6 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazI0Et
Comon 7 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQa50ZqnfK0aYE0DazJ0Eu
Thursday 9 December to Friday 10 December 2010
Denmark
Unaccompanied minor refugees leave Vipperød
The asylum centre in Vipperød will no longer house unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. The reason for this is that the number of unaccompanied minors has fallen markedly since the centre reopened one year ago. The authorities have discovered that some supposed minors have been over 18 years of age. Carsten Isaksen, of the Danish Red Cross, believes that this information has discouraged some persons from trying to come to Denmark. Around 35 unaccompanied minors who are still living in the centre will be moved to other centers during the coming week. Single persons and families will now be staying in the centre instead. Initially around 100 persons will move in. Once the Red Cross has erected pavilions the capacity will increase to around 200 persons.
Danmarks Radio 9 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYX0EA
Finland
No increase in quota refugees to Finland
Finland will not change the annual number of quota refugees admitted into the country.
Next year's quota stands at 750 persons, a number unchanged since 2001. Next year the Ministerial working group on immigration policy advocates that Finland resettles 200 Myanmar refugees from Thailand, 150 Congolese refugees from Rwanda, and 300 Afghan refugees from Iran. Additionally 100 places are reserved for urgent cases. Within its refugee quota, Finland accepts for resettlement persons defined as refugees by the UNHCR.
YLE Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYY0EB
YLE Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYZ0EC
Court fines man who threatened the Migration Minister
The man who posted threats against the Finnish Migration Minister Astrid Thors on a Facebook page on the Internet was ordered, by the Pirkanmaa District Court, to pay a fine of 640 euros. The perpetrator was found guilty of aggravated slander and making illegal threats. The Migration Minister has been repeatedly targeted by racist groups for defending the rights of immigrants and asylum-seekers in Finland.
YLE Uutiset 8 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYa0EJ
Helsingin Sanomat 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYb0EK
Hufuvdstadsbladet 8 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYc0EL
Turun Sanomat 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYd0EM
Aamulehti 8 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYe0EN
Residence permits become more expensive in 2011
Next year the application fees for residence permits and citizenship will rise. For example, the fee for a first residence permit will rise from 255 euros to 350 euros. The authorities argue that the augmentations are needed since the new electronic processing system and the biometric identifiers have increased the Finnish Immigration Service's expenses.
Yle Uutiset 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYf0EO
Kauppalehti 9 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYg0EP
Sweden
Sweden stops returns of asylum-seekers to Greece
A ruling by the Migration Court of Appeal (MCA) stops all forced returns of asylum-seekers from Sweden to Greece under the Dublin regulations. The living conditions for asylum-seekers in Greece are inhumane and unacceptable, and the MCA ruling states that returning asylum-seekers there would be a breach of the Swedish Alien's Act. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that Greece has ignored the problems for many years. He stresses that asylum-seekers have the right to a fair assessment of their protection needs, no matter in which member state they apply for asylum.
10 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDQw70ZqnfK0aYE0DjYh0EQ
Saturday 11 Decemeber to Monday 13 Decemeber 2010
Denmark
Voluntary help for new Danes
In Haderslev, twelve families are ready to help newly arrived refugees adjust to life in Denmark. The churches in Haderslev have organized this initiative. Niels Ravn, one of the organizers, says that they are happy to help the quota refugees integrate into the local community, and explains that he understands how hard it must be to set up a life in a completely new culture and society.
Danmarks Radio 13 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRUB0ZqnfK0aYE0Du5p0El
Finland
The question of cutting social support for immigrants divides the small parties
The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE asked all the parliamentary parties how the public economy should be brought into balance next year. The True Finns and the Finnish Christian Unit favour the reduction in social support for immigrants. The Green League of Finland, the Swedish People's Party and the Left Alliance claim that the social support for immigrants is already low and should not be reduced. The Greens of Finland stress that a cut would not guarantee everyone's right to an adequate livelihood, and the Swedish People's Party argue that immigrants should also have the same basic rights in Finland.
YLE Uutiset 13 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRUB0ZqnfK0aYE0Du5q0Em
Tuesday 14 December to Wedenesday 15 Decemeber 2010
Denmark
Amnesty: refugees systematically tortured
Refugees on their way to Europe are systematically tortured in Libya. Despite being aware of this, the European Union pays Libya millions of euros to manage the border control, says Amnesty International in a new report. According to Nicolas Berger, director of Amnesty International's European Institutions, refugees and asylum-seekers who arrive in Libya are at great risk of being detained, imprisoned for long periods of time, and subjected to systematic torture. The EU will pay Libya 50 million euros until 2013 as part of a joint border control agreement between the two parties.
Politiken 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fx0Eu
Jyllands-Posten 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fy0Ev
Government proposal goes against UN
The government proposal to change pension rules for refugees is not in line with the refugee convention, according to the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR). The proposal requires that refugees must have lived in Denmark for 40 years to qualify for the full people's pension. According to DIHR, this contravenes the provision in the refugee convention that refugees shall be treated equal to other citizens. Jonas Christoffersen, Director of the institute, is highly critical that due consideration has not been paid to the UN refugee convention in the legislation proposal.
B.T. 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4Fz0Ew
Danmarks Radio 14 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4F10Ej
Finland
Immigrants living in Finland sent 18 million euros to their home countries last year
A total of 18 million euros was sent last year by immigrants living in Finland to their countries of origin, according to a new report by Eurostat. The remittance from Finland is a small part of the total amount in the EU countries, where the remittance is 30 billion euros. Of this sum, 22 billion was sent to countries outside the EU.
Turun Sanomat 13 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDRpX0ZqnfK0aYE0D4F20Ek
Thursday 16 December to Friday 17 December 2010
Denmark
Afghan child asylum-seekers to be forcibly returned
Denmark is set to start forcibly returning unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers to their countries of origin. This is the result of a new law, passed with a narrow majority in parliament on Thursday. The law was passed despite protests from the National Council for Children, the Danish Refugee Council, the Danish Red Cross and Save the Children Denmark. Denmark and Norway want to jointly establish reception centres in Afghanistan for rejected minor asylum-seekers. Up until now, the majority of unaccompanied minors have received residency permits if their families could not be traced. Karsten Lauritzen, integration spokesperson for the Liberals, feels the criticism is exaggerated, and points out that many families pay up to USD 10 000 to send their child to Denmark, and hopes that the new rules will discourage those who try to come to Denmark on false grounds.
Danmarks Radio 16 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2010/12/16/063434.htm
Berlingske Tidende 16 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.bt.dk/danmark/afghanske-asylboern-skal-tvinges-hjem
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 16 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/danmark-tvingar-hem-asylbarn-1.1227860
Sveriges Radio 16 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4242953
Sveriges Radio 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4244788
Sveriges Radio 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1646&artikel=4244834
Misleading information by Rønn on asylum-seeking unaccompanied minors
Minister for Refugee, Immigration, and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, wrongly informed Parliament that the Red Cross and Red Crescent are operating orphanages in Afghanistan. This is not the case, according to Anders Ladekarl, Secretary General of the Danish Red Cross. Ladekarl does not understand why the Minister did not contact the Red Cross before making such a claim. Rønn made the statement during a hearing in connection with the new law regarding forced returns of asylum-seeking unaccompanied minors. Rønn admits in a letter to Parliament that she should have expressed herself differently.
Jyllands-Posten 17 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2280324.ece?ref=eblistermest
Danmarks Radio 17 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2010/12/17/054620.htm
Finland
Asylum-seeker figures down by one-third
This year the number of asylum-seekers decreased with over 30 per cent compared to last year, according to an analysis by the Finnish Immigration Service. Some 3,800 people have applied for asylum in Finland, while approximately 6,000 people applied for asylum in 2009. The number of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and Somalia has been halved, even though the violence in the countries has not decreased. Veikko Pyykkönen from the Finnish Immigration Service says that the reasons why the number of asylum-seekers has dropped remain unclear. He points out that one reason might be that the number of asylum-seekers has increased in Sweden. Small changes in the Finnish refugee policy might also have had an impact on the decrease. Like last year, one out of three asylum-seekers has been granted asylum in Finland.
YLE 17 December (in Finnish)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2010/12/turvapaikanhakijoita_kolmannes_vahemman_2226172.html
Immigrants not in favor of citizenship test
Immigrants are not enthusiastic about the idea to introduce a citizenship test. The members of the National Advisory Board on Ethnic Relations (ETNO) believe that the test is difficult to put into practice and will not encourage active citizenship. ETNO member Petr Potchinchtchikov says that the procedure for applying for citizenship already is slow and expensive, and the test will complicate it even more. He also adds that it will be difficult to develop a test which can measure integration, since the test is based on memorised facts.
Aamulehti 16 December (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194658977519/artikkeli/maahanmuuttajat+eivat+lampene+kansalaisuustestille.html
Sweden
Increasing number of unaccompanied minors to Sweden
The number of unaccompanied refugee children coming to Sweden, mainly from the Balkans, is higher than expected. The cost for accommodation has gone up since placement of refugee children in municipalities has been slow. The Migration Board is now asking for increased funds.
Dagens Nyheter 15 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/flyktingbarn-spracker-migrationsverkets-budget-1.1227597
Saturday 18 December to Monday 20 December 2010
Norway
Calls for quicker forced returns
The government has decided to make changes to the asylum authorities in order to bring down the processing time of asylum applications. The goal is that those who do not receive the right to stay can be sent out of the country quicker, and those who are granted asylum can be placed in a municipality quicker. Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, calls the return policies of the past year successful. The number of forced return has increased by 46 per cent compared to 2009, bringing the total to 4,505 so far this year. The number of persons who chose to return voluntarily after having had their asylum claim rejected also increased, from 1,019 last year to 1,356 so far this year. The total number of asylum-seekers has decreased from 9,200 in the first eleven months of 2009 compared to 6,900 in the corresponding time period this year. The number of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers has also decreased significantly compared to last year. The total number so far this year is 800, a reduction of 66 per cent compared to the same time period last year.
Dagsavisen 17 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3d0E3
Verdens Gang 17 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3r0EI
Sweden
Refugees sent back to Iraq again
Last Wednesday a plane departed from Arlanda airport carrying 20 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. Despite the widespread violence directed at Christians in the country, a number of Christians were on board. As the deportation was taking place, a seminar was being held in Parliament during which UNHCR called on Sweden and other Western European countries to seize forced returns to Baghdad, Mosul, and a couple of other provinces. Carolyn Ennis, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR in Baghdad, emphasised that the violence in the country continues despite lower numbers of casualties. Ennis adds that the attacks against Christians have increased since October, and that this has not resulted in concrete action being taken by the Iraqi government to protect the group. Up until the 22 November, the European Court of Human Rights temporarily stopped the deportations of 813 Iraqis. Now the court makes an individual assessment of each case. This is why the forced returns have been resumed.
Dagens Nyheter I:16
16 December 2010 (In Swedish)
Sweden is criticized for forced repatriation of Iraqis
UNHCR and the Council of Europe are criticizing Sweden for sending back rejected Iraqis. Many of the 20 Iraqis that were deported on Wednesday 15 December come from areas considered as unstable. The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mevlüt Çavu?o?lu, expresses his concern since this is not the first time Sweden forcibly deports refugees to Iraq. Melissa Flemming, spokesperson for UNHCR, pleads with Sweden to stop the deportations. She stresses that five of the UNHCR offices in Iraq have reported a significant increase of Christians fleeing from Baghdad and Mosul. UNHCR strongly reiterates its call on countries to refrain from deporting Iraqis who originate from the most perilous parts of the country.
Swedish Radio 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3s0EJ
Svenska Dagbladet 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3u0EL
Dagens Nyheter 18 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3v0EM
The Local 19 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3w0EN
Lithuania
The majority of Lithuanians are not in favour of immigrants
A survey on Lithuanians' approach to immigration and economic migrants conducted by the Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Migration Network shows that a majority of the respondents (58 per cent) view immigrants unfavourably. One third of the Lithuanians think that there is a very large number of foreigners in Lithuania, while in fact foreigners account for only one per cent of the population. The aversion against foreigners is not determined by the status of a migrant or his or her qualifications. According to the survey even highly skilled foreigners from rich countries are not welcomed. Audra Sipaviciene, IOM, thinks that the public stance is caused by ignorance, prejudice and emotions.
The Baltic Course 20 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3x0EO
UNHCR in the news
At least twenty people dead in post-election violence in Ivory Coast
Thousands of people have fled the violence that begun after the presidential election in Ivory Coast. USA, EU and the African Union demand Laurent Gbagbo to resign as president but he refuses to leave his post. UNHCR now warns that the number of refugees will increase to 5,000 in the beginning of this week. Most of the refugees are fleeing to the neighboring country Liberia.
Hufvudstadsbladet 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO3z0EQ
Thousands of Christians flee Iraq
In Iraq a mass exodus of thousands of Christians is taking place after the church attack on 31 October. Christians from Baghdad and Mosul are slowly but surely leaving the country, according to UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming. 46 persons were killed in the attack against the church and during the police attempt to free the hostages.
Dagens Nyheter 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDShr0ZqnfK0aYE0EO310ED
Tuesday 21 December to Wednesday 22 December 2010
Denmark
Vulnerable group is offered healthcare services
From now on, persons who are illegally staying in Denmark will receive the medical care they require. The Danish Red Cross and the Danish Medical Association will work together to offer medical services to those who lack access to the public healthcare system. According to Susanne Larsen, President of the Danish Red Cross, both the Red Cross and doctors regularly encounter persons who for some reason do not have a residency permit, but are in dire need of medical treatment. Poul Jaszczak, Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Danish Medical Association, explains the dilemma that doctors are faced with when they may have to choose between following the Hippocratic Oath or the law. To prevent this, the creation of services for people who are not in possession of a valid residency permit is desirable, he adds.
Danmarks Radio 21 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPh0EH
Finland
Increased reimbursement to municipalities for refugee reception
The Finnish Government has issued a regulation concerning the reimbursement of expenses caused by the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers. From the beginning of 2011, the reimbursement paid to municaplities for persons over 7 years is 2,300 euros per year, compared to the current annual allowance of 2,091. The reimburesement for children under 7 years will remain at 6,845 euros.
Kauppalehti 21 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPi0EI
Kauppalehti 21 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPj0EJ
Sweden
"Iraqi government cannot blame everything on terrorism"
The Iraqi government is unable to cope with the persecution and violence targeting the Christian minority in Iraq, according to Pascale Warda, a former Iraqi Minister and current director of Iraqi NGO Hammurabi Organisation for Human Rights. It is unacceptable to put the blame solely on Al-Qaida for the situation for Christians in Iraq, according to Warda. Talking at a seminar organised by UNHCR and the Christian Council of Sweden about the situation in Iraq, she urged Sweden not to return Iraqi Christian asylum-seekers to the country. Warda stressed that the Iraqi authorities are not able to protect the Christian minority from violence and abuses, and that the situation for Christians in Iraq is far from safe. Carolyn Ennis, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR in Iraq also spoke at the seminar, explaining that the situation for minorities in Iraq is unsafe, emphasising the gaps between the relatively sound legislative framework and the implementation of laws protecting minorities. Aside from Christians, Ennis specifically mentioned the vulnerable situation for lgbt-persons in Iraq.
Dagen 17 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPk0EK
Iraqi Christians forced to flee
Violence and persecution have forced more than half of Iraq's Christians to flee the country. Some have come to Sweden, but many more have fled to Jordan where they are neither able to work legally nor continue to a third country. Last week a new wave of Christians left their homes, many leaving behind all their possessions. Since the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 around 2 million Iraqis are have left the country, around 20 percent of which are believed to be Christians. Iraqi Christians are an especially vulnerable minority, being the target of violent attacks and persecution. It is not clear exactly how many Christians have left Iraq since 2003, but it is estimated that the population has halved.
Metro I: 31
21 December 2010 (in Swedish)
The Swedish Migration Board may face stricter demands
Following the recently voiced criticism from, inter alia, UNHCR and the European Court of Human Rights regarding the deportation of Christian Iraqis to Iraq, the Swedish Government now puts stricter demands on the Swedish Migration Board. According to Swedish radio, specific demands will be raised on improving the Board's competence to make realistic evaluations of the conditions facing deported asylum-seekers of religious minorities. The wording of the Government' s letter of regulation, which stipulates the priorities, goals and financial budget for the Swedish Migration Board for 2011, will be decided upon on Wednesday.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPl0EL
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPm0EM
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDS4M0ZqnfK0aYE0EXPn0EN
Thursday 23 December 2010 to Monday 03 January 2011
Denmark
Danish People's Party demands doctors to breach patient confidentiality
Planned clinics for illegal immigrants have caused the Danish People's Party (DF) to voice demands that doctors report to the police or the immigration authorities patients who do not have the legal right to stay in Denmark. DF's demand comes after a number of organisations have stated that they aim to set up clinics which will cater to the estimated 5,000 persons who live in Denmark without residency permits and therefore lack access to public health services. The Danish Red Cross and the Medical Association of Denmark have announced that they will set up a health centre, and the Committee for Underground Refugees – a Danish humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to rejected asylum-seekers illegally staying in Denmark – also plans to find volunteers and funding for a clinic. Because of patient confidentiality rules, healthcare personnel are not obliged to report to the authorities patients who are staying in Denmark illegally. DF's spokesperson on Health issues, Liselott Blixt, wants to see these rules changed. According to Blixt, everyone should have access to emergency treatment, but a doctor should always report an illegal immigrant to the authorities. The President of the Medical Association of Denmark, Mads Koch Hansen, disagrees, claiming that this would force doctors to break the Hippocratic Oath as well as breach patient confidentiality.
Berlingske Tidende 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5E0EI
Jyllands-Posten 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5F0EJ
Danmarks Radio 23 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5G0EK
Red Cross: Police should stay away
The Danish Red Cross expects that the police will not use the knowledge of the existence of clinics for illegal immigrants to prosecute persons in need of medical care. The Danish Red Cross and the Medical Association of Denmark are in the process of setting up a clinic for illegal immigrants who do not have the right to stay in Denmark. Similar clinics already exist in Norway and Sweden. In those countries there is an understanding among the police that the clinics are necessary for humanitarian reasons, and that persons who require medical attention are in a vulnerable position which should not be exploited by authorities, according to Susanne Larsen of the Danish Red Cross.
Berlingske Tidende 22 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5H0EL
Doubling of immigration to Denmark
Since the change in government in 2001, the number of persons granted residency permits has almost doubled. During the previous government, however, the largest group was made up of refugees and family reunification cases. Today, most immigration to Denmark comes in the form of students, workers and professionals, from countries such as Poland, China and Germany. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), is critical of the fact that Denmark's reception of refugees is often portrayed as such a burden, when, in reality, refugees make up only a small amount of total immigration to Denmark. He calls it "asylum-hysteria", considering that Denmark accepts less than 2,000 refugees a year. This can be compared to 2008, when almost 70,000 residency permits were granted to foreign nationals. It is expected that around 60,000 residency permits will have been issued in 2010.
Politiken 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5I0EM
Jyllands-Posten 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5J0EN
Danmarks Radio 30 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5K0EO
NB. This story was also covered in Finland and Sweden
Hufvudstadsbladet 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5L0EP
Dagens Nyheter 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5M0EQ
Finland
Reduced reception capacity
There are fewer places offered for asylum-seekers in the reception centres in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service has reduced the accommodation capacity of the centres with approximately 1,200 places this year. The reason is that the number of asylum-seekers has dropped. Currently there are about 300 free places in the reception centres, says Jorma Kuuluvainen, director of the reception centre unit of the Finnish Immigration Service. According to Kuuluvainen no major changes will be made regarding the accommodation capacity any time soon. This year around 3,800 people applied for asylum in Finland. The number of asylum-seekers is over 30 per cent less compared to 2009. According to Esko Repo, director of the Finnish Immigration Service's asylum unit, there is no specific reason for the decline. The number of asylum-seekers is affected by for example international crises and the praxis of asylum in Finland and the rest of Europe.
Vasabladet 23 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5N0ER
Helsingin Sanomat 23 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5O0ES
Oravainen asylum reception centre destroyed by fire
On 25 December a reception centre in Oravainen was destroyed by fire. According to the police the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a kitchen. No one of the around 30 asylum-seekers living at the reception centre was injured in the fire. The affected refugees are now temporarily housed in Oravainen, Pietarsaari and Vaasa. The house that was destroyed is one of five buildings part of the asylum reception centre in Oravainen.
Yle 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5P0ET
Hufvudstadsbladet 26 December (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Q0EU
Vasabladet 26 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5R0EV
Vasabladet 27 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5S0EW
MTV 3 27 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5T0EX
Asylum-seekers from central Iraq to stay in Finland
A group of 17 asylum-seekers from central Iraq has been granted residence permit in Finland. The decision by the Supreme Administrative Court is based on the principle of subsidiary protection. According to the court the current security situation in Baghdad and central Iraq is too insecure for the persons to return. In another case concerning 32 Iraqis coming from Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Northern Iraq, the Supreme Administrative Court decided to the contrary since the security situation is substantially better in KRG.
HBL 30 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5U0EY
Kauppalehti 30 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5V0EZ
Norway
Disappearances of children from asylum reception centres
Some 47 children have disappeared from asylum reception centres this year. Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, fears that the children have been victims of trafficking, slavery and sex trade, and that we would have been more concerned had the children been Norwegian citizens. Save the Children reminds the Minister that his Ministry is responsible for both the asylum system and the police - who should be investigating these disappearances in a more systematic manner.
NRK 27 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5W0Ea
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 28 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5X0Eb
Iraqi Christians persecuted by extremists
Extremist groups in Iraq want to force the Christian minority out of the country. Attacks against Christians have increased since the American-led invasion of the country in 2003. At the time of the invasion there were an estimated 900,000 Christians living in Iraq. Since then, the number of Christians has halved, and more and more are leaving the country. According to UNHCR, the Baghdad Cathedral attack in November has prompted even more Iraqi Christians to flee the country.
Dagsavisen 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Y0Ec
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Z0Ed
Sweden
Government issues new guidelines to Migration Board
The Government has issued new instructions to the Migration Board aimed at improving how it deals with refugees from religious minorities. According to Swedish Radio the directive mostly affects Iraqi Christians. Recently Swedish migration authorities have come under heavy criticism, from for example UNHCR, for forced return of Christian Iraqi asylum-seekers despite an upsurge in violence targeting the religious minority. The new guidelines require that the Migration Board, at the latest 1 June 2011, accounts for how it will improve the knowledge about the situation for asylum-seekers belonging to religious minorities in their countries of origin. This will hopefully prepare the Board to make correct judgments on whether to send asylum-seekers back or not. The newspaper Dagen writes that an Iraqi government delegation has visited Sweden in order to prompt the authorities not to forcibly return Iraqis. In the current situation Iraq is not ready to receive and protect Iraqis who are forced return, says an Iraqi diplomat. According to Dagen, the Iraqi delegation also visited UNHCR's regional office in Stockholm. Iraqis who are forcibly returned will only flee again, the Iraqis told us, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson at UNHCR.
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5a0Ek
Sveriges Radio 22 December 2010 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5b0El
Kyrkans tidning 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5c0Em
Laholms Tidning 22 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5d0En
Dagen 23 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5e0Eo
More Skåne municipalities accept unaccompanied minors
In Skåne the number of municipalities receiving unaccompanied minors has increased. Last year only five out of 33 municipalities received unaccompanied minors. This year a majority of the municipalities in Skåne accept child asylum-seekers. Only 13 municipalities in Skåne refuse to receive unaccompanied minors.
Sveriges Radio 24 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5f0Ep
Politicians demand stop of child deportations to Malta
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Insurance demand that the Swedish Board of Migration stop deportations of child asylum-seekers to Malta. Currently, the Swedish practice is to deport children to Malta in accordance with the Dublin Regulation. The Parliamentary Committee would like to see a change in this practice because they believe the situation for child asylum-seekers in Malta is unacceptable. Emma Henriksson, migration spokesperson for the Christian Democrats, says the Dublin Regulation should not be applied to children when it comes to Malta since access to education and a secure living environment cannot be guaranteed for those children. Henriksson wants the Board of Migration to conduct an investigation about the feasibility of applying the Dublin Regulation in such cases, as was done with Greece. If it can be established that the conditions are unacceptable, no child asylum-seekers should be returned to Malta, according to Henriksson. Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Swedish Board of Migration, will be called to the Committee to explain why deportations of child asylum-seekers is continuing.
Sveriges Television 2 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5g0Eq
Dagens Nyheter 2 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5h0Er
United Nations: 14,000 have fled C ôte d'Ivoire
Around 14,000 persons have fled Côte d'Ivoire for Liberia as a result of the violence that erupted after the disputed presidential election. At least 173 persons have been killed in the post-election violence that has plagued the country since 28 November. Svenska Dagbladet quoted UNHCR's homepage, saying that the humanitarian needs are increasing for the mostly women and children refugees as well as for the villagers hosting them. The incumbent president, Laurent Gbabgo, as well as his main contender, Allassane Ouattara, have both declared themselves winners.
Politiken 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5i0Es
Jyllands-Posten 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5j0Et
Berlingske Tidende 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5k0Eu
Danmarks Radio 25 December 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5l0Ev
Verdens Gang 25 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5m0Ew
Dagbladet 25 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5n0Ex
Aftonbladet 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5o0Ey
Svenska Dagbladet 25 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5p0Ez
Turun Sanomat 25 December 2010 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5q0E1
100 asylum-seekers arrested outside UNHCR office in Athens
Around 100 asylum-seekers who have been demonstrating outside the UNHCR office in Athens for the past couple of weeks have been arrested. The protesters had erected a make-shift camp outside the UNHCR office. According to some of the protesters they have been waiting for up to eight years for a decision on their asylum applications. The participants in the protest are mainly asylum-seekers from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and occupied Palestinian territories who have applied for asylum because of political persecution in their countries of origin.
Verdens Gang 27 December 2010 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5r0E2
20,000 have fled Côte d'Ivoire
Over the past few weeks 20,000 persons have fled the post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire, fearing that the violence will result in a civil war. Refugees have left western Côte d'Ivoire for the eastern parts of Liberia. According to UNHCR, supporters of both incumbent president Laurent Gbabgo and his main contender Alassane Ouattarra are among those who have fled. The majority of the refugees are women and children, and a reported 62 per cent are minors. The refugees fear that the country's political deadlock may result in a civil war, as both Ouattarra and Gbabgo claim to be the rightful winners of the presidential election that took place on 28 November. UNHCR has increased its capacity at the Ivorian-Liberian border and is currently able to receive and care for 30,000 refugees.
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5s0E3
NRK 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5t0E4
Aftonbladet 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5u0E5
Sveriges Radio 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5v0E6
SVT 28 December 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5w0E7
Iraqi Christians persecuted by extremists
Extremist groups in Iraq want to force the Christian minority out of the country. Attacks against Christians have increased since the American-led invasion of the country in 2003. At the time of the invasion there were an estimated 900,000 Christians living in Iraq. Since then, the number of Christians has halved, and more and more are leaving the country. According to UNHCR, the Baghdad Cathedral attack in October has prompted even more Iraqi Christians to flee the country.
Dagsavisen 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Y0Ec
Verdens Gang 28 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5Z0Ed
New attacks spread fear among Iraqi Christians
A new wave of attacks is spreading fear among the Christian community of Iraq, a group which is already the target of violence and persecution. A total of 15 bombs were placed in Christian areas of Baghdad on Thursday, according to an official at the Ministry of the Interior. Two Christians were killed in the attacks and 16 were injured. Since the attack on the Baghdad Cathedral in October, a string of attacks have taken place in Christian suburbs of Iraq. The al-Qaeda-affiliated group Islamic State of Iraq has assumed responsibility for a number of the attacks. Speaker of the Parliament, Osama al-Nujaifi, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, have called on Iraq's Christians to try to remain in the country.
Verdens Gang 31 December 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5y0EA
Greece wants fence along Turkey border
Greece plans to build a fence along its border with Turkey in order to combat illegal immigration. The land border between Turkey and Greece has become the main entry point into the EU for irregular migrants and asylum seekers. According to Greece Minister of Citizen Protection Christos Papoutsis the country cannot absorb any more illegal immigrants. In November the EU border agency Frontex sent close to two hundred border control specialists to Greece, this has reduced the arrival of illegal immigrants to the country. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has demanded that Greece efforts to stem illegal immigration do not harm persons seeking international protection.
Hufvudstadsbladet 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI5z0EB
MTV3 2 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI510Ew
Pohjolan Sanomat 2 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI520Ex
DR 1 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI530Ey
Sveriges Radio 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI540Ez
Aftonbladet 2 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDU8X0ZqnfK0aYE0FI550E1
Tuesday 4 January to Wednesday 5 January 2011
Denmark
Denmark might receive record number of refugees
The Danish Immigration Service expects that 2,850 refugees will get residence permit this year. It is almost the double compared to 2010. The increase is expected because more refugees than before apply for and receive complementary forms of protection. These are persons do not meet the requirement of the refugee convention but need protection due to more private reasons, such as family feuds, violent disputes about land or fear of violence after adultery. This new law was introduced in 2002.
Politiken 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKn0Et
DR 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKo0Eu
Berlingske Tidene 4 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKp0Ev
Sweden
25 per cent more asylum-seekers in 2010
31,900 persons applied for asylum in Sweden during 2010, which is a 25 per cent increase compared to 2009, according to the Migration Board. Most of the asylum-seekers came from Serbia, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. About one third of all applicants were granted asylum. A large part of the increase is due to the high number of asylum-seekers from Serbia - many of them Roma - which rose to 6,343 from 567 the previous year. Only 1 per cent of the Serbian applicants were granted asylum, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, says that a cynical trade in persons lies behind the increased influx of asylum-seekers from Serbia. The Migration Board still has great difficulty in finding municipality placement for unaccompanied refugee children. A positive trend for 2010 is that assessment of asylum applications was quicker than in 2009. About 75 per cent of the applications were assessed within six months, and the government now has the ambition to cut the assessment period to three months.
Sveriges Radio 4 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKq0Ew
Dagens Nyheter 3 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKr0Ex
UNHCR in the news
A stream of refugees from the Ivory Coast
Around 25,000 refugees have already left the Ivory Coast for Liberia. During the last three weeks refugees have streamed into the country. Local experts predict that around 30,000 refugees may arrive during the coming weeks. If a civil war breaks out the influx of refugees might get out of control, with up to 100,000 refugees. The situation for the refugees is getting worse, and especially critical is the lack of clean water, which has led to cases of diarrhea and dehydration leading to death. The Norwegian Refugee Council has been tasked by UNHCR to plan and coordinate the refugee camps and to respond for the work with distribution of food, housing and emergency aid packages.
Aftenposten 3 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKs0Ey
Greece plans to build a border fence raises concern
The European Commission and human rights organizations are concerned over Greece's plans to build a fence along part of its border to Turkey to stop illegal immigration. Critics point out that the 12 kilometer fence would cover only a short section of the Greece-Turkey land border. The area has become the main route into Greece for irregular migrants and asylum-seekers. Greece Minister of Citizen Protection, Christos Papoutsis, recently announced that the country cannot accept any more illegal immigrants. According to the European Commission building a border fence is only a short-term solution and does not tackle the root of the problem. The Greek Communist Party has described the fence as inhumane and ineffective and Human Rights Watch says it will only shift the problem elsewhere. UNHCR has asked Greece to guarantee that efforts to stem illegal migration do not hinder access to asylum for persons in need of international protection.
Uusi Suomi 4 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDVUS0ZqnfK0aYE0FRKt0Ez
Saturday 8 January to Monday 10 January 2011
Denmark
More refugees to North Denmark
This year the municipalities of North Denmark Region will receive more refugees than expected. The state has announced that the municipalities will receive 442 refugees this year, which is 100 more than originally expected. The increase is due to for example a growing number of refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. Aalborg and Læsø are the only municipalities in the North Denmark Region not to receive refugees. The whole country is expecting an increase in refugees this year.
Dansk Radio 6 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4T0EJ
Nordjyske 6 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4U0EK
Norway
South-Sudanese return home
Around 120,000 South-Sudanese persons have returned to Southern Sudan from the northern parts of the country, where they have lived in refugee-like situations, according to UNHCR. The number of South-Sudanese who have returned home from the north has doubled since mid-December, says UNHCR. More people are expected to return, with the daily rate of new arrivals currently at 2,000.
Verdens Gang 7 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4V0EL
Families forcibly returned to Iraq
52 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers who had not left Norway voluntarily, were forcibly returned to Baghdad on 8 January and were received by the Iraqi authorities. Many of the deportees were families, some of which had spent 2-5 years in Norway. The National Police Immigration Service (NPIS) stated that it is important to show that staying in Norway illegally is unacceptable. NPIS added that their prime task is to assure that the deportations are carried out as gently as possible. In the last year, 140 persons have been forcibly returned to Iraq.
Dagsavisen 8 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4W0EM
Aftenposten 8 January 2010 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4X0EN
Sweden
Iraq wants Sweden to halt deportations
Iraq wants Sweden to stop the forced returns of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers, says Dendar Najman, Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs. Hussain al-Ameri, Iraq's Ambassador to Sweden, pleads to the Swedish authorities and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum, to halt deportations to Iraq. In 2008, Iraq agreed to receive rejected asylum-seekers who had been forcibly returned from Sweden. UNHCR has strongly criticised the deportations. Hans ten Feldt, Representative for UNHCR at the Regional Baltic and Nordic office in Stockholm, says that Sweden's actions are worrying, and that UNHCR has raised their concerns repeatedly. ten Feldt adds that while UNHCR understands that deportations might be called for in some cases. However, the situation in several regions in Iraq, such as Baghdad and Kirkuk, is still too violent for safe returns of asylum-seekers. ten Feldt points out that many minority populations are particularly vulnerable, and mentions that Sweden has for example deported Christians to Iraq. UNHCR has informed the Swedish government several times on the situation in Iraq, and last year helped organise a hearing on Iraq in the Swedish Parliament. Hans ten Feldt says that many of the deportees have fled Iraq a second time, and that some of them have been granted asylum in the US, proving the protection needs for the deported Iraqis. Sweden was first among Western countries to forcibly return asylum-seekers to Iraq, starting in 2008, but have later been joined by the Netherlands, the UK, and Norway. UNHCR now warns that more countries might follow suit, and ten Feldt says that although relatively small groups of people have been deported so far, the situation would be catastrophic should Iraq's neighbouring countries follow the Swedish example. Hans ten Feldt stresses that Sweden has a responsibility as a UN supporter. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason to stop deportations to Iraq and stresses that the Iraqi authorities have not asked to renegotiate the agreement. Hussain al-Ameri says that Iraq will try to have an active dialogue with Sweden and other countries deporting forced returns to Iraq, to affect a halt to the deportations. The next deportation flight from Sweden to Iraq is scheduled for 19 January, according to sources used by the daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet.
Dagens Nyheter I:15 9 January 2011 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet I:13 9 January 2011 (in Swedish)
1,799 quota refugees received
In 2010, Sweden received 1,799 quota refugees, whom UNHCR considered to have particularly substantial protection needs. Of the quota refugees 800 were selected in Kenya, Sudan and Syria, whereas the others were resettled due to written requests from UNHCR.
Dagens Nyheter 7 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4Y0EO
UNHCR in the News
UNHCR steps up assistance in Côte d'Ivoire
UNHCR is now intensifying the efforts to help the 22,000 refugees from Côte d'Ivoire who have fled to Liberia, after the escalating turbulence following the Ivorian elections. In coordination with the World Food Programme, UNHCR delivers food items to 21,000 persons. The refugees themselves help out with harvesting crops in the Liberian villages in exchange for food. According to UNHCR, the refugees state that they fled Côte d'Ivoire on foot through the bush in the night-time to avoid being discovered by the opposition forces.
Sveriges Radio 5 January 2010 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWNM0ZqnfK0aYE0Fk4Z0EP
Tuesday 11 January to Wednesday 12 January 2011
Denmark
Rights to citizenship for stateless persons ignored
At least 22 stateless Palestinians have incorrectly been refused Danish citizenship. In 1977 Denmark acceded to the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. This obliges Denmark to grant citizenship to stateless persons who are born in the country and apply for citizenship between the age of 18 and 21 years. The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has kept this right secret and failed to mention in the application instructions that stateless persons are exempted from the regular citizenship tests and requirements. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech has now changed course. Eva Ersbøll, leading expert in citizenship law and senior research fellow at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, says that some stateless persons could have presumed that they were not eligible for Danish citizenship. Ersbøll is also very critical of the fact that the group of stateless Palestinians, who were born in Denmark, has been denied citizenship. Jens Vedsted-Hansen, Professor of Law at Aarhus University, says that the Ministry's practice has violated the UN convention.
Information 10 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVU0Ed
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVV0Ee
Finland
More aliens deported last year
Deportations of foreign citizens tripled last year compared to 2009. During 2010 Finnish Immigration authorities issued removal orders for 200 persons. Only 64 were actually deported, says the Immigration Police. Around 700 persons, without a residence permit, were issued a decision on refusal of entry. Crime is increasingly a reason behind the rejection of the asylum application. Especially theft crimes have increased, says Olli Koskipirtti, head of the Result Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service. A decision on refusal of entry can be implemented the next day while the enforcement of a deportation order may take up to a year.
Yle 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVW0Ef
Helsingin Sanomat 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVX0Eg
Aamulehti 12 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVY0Eh
Sweden
Sweden continues to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers
Despite criticism from the UN and Iraq, Sweden continues to deport Iraqis who are denied asylum in Sweden. UN's Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is highly critical of the forced returns to Iraq, since the security situation remains volatile and the Iraqi government cannot guarantee state protection. The issue of forced returns to Iraq was recently discussed in-depth in the Swedish Radio's foreign affairs programme Konflikt. Among the interviewed was Carolyn Ennis, UNHCR's Senior Protection Officer in Baghdad. She visited Sweden during an Iraq hearing in Parliament in December 2010. Ennis accounted for continued violence in Iraq, the absence of rule of law, and a full reign of threats to safety and enjoyment of rights. Furthermore, Ennis referred to reports showing that state protection simply is not available in Iraq. Ennis also warned that if European countries continue to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers this may lead neighbouring countries, which accommodate a large population of Iraqi refugees, to follow suit. Later in the programme there was a panel discussion in which Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, and Liv Feijen, Senior Regional Legal Officer at UNHCR in Stockholm, participated. Feijen stressed that asylum-seekers from the five central governorates in Iraq should not be forced to go back. UNHCR is especially concerned for persons who belong to so called vulnerable groups. Lately ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT persons have become more exposed to intensified violence and persecution in Iraq. Finally Feijen underlined the importance of taking into account the latest developments in Iraq when re-examining whether or not to implement a decision of forced return.
Konflikt, Swedish Radio, 8 January 2011
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVZ0Ei
UNHCR in the news
200 dead in Côte d'Ivoire
On Tuesday 11 January several persons were shot dead in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The violent clashes involved followers of incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara. Mr. Ouattara is recognised by the UN as the winner of the November presidential election, but Mr. Gbagbo refuses to give up the presidential post that he has had for over a decade. According to the UN, 200 persons have been killed during the political crisis in the country, and thousands have been forcibly displaced. UNHCR states that some 25,000 Ivorians have fled to neighbouring Liberia, with 600 new arrivals daily. According to a UN spokesperson, Ivorians have fled due to fear of violence, rather than actual violence against them.
Dagens Nyheter 11 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVa0Ep
Jyllands-Posten 11 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDWiV0ZqnfK0aYE0FtVb0Eq
Thursday 13 January to Friday 14 January 2011
Finland
Every third young refugee is traumatised
Every third young asylum-seeker and refugee arriving to Finland is traumatised or has visible symptoms of trauma. According to a report from Helsinki Deaconess Institute only one third of them get psychiatric or psychotherapeutic care. The report states that the public health care system is unable to properly respond to the needs of former child soldiers or victims of torture or rape. It is difficult for them to get help due to long queues, prejudices, and difficulties identifying the problem. The children are also often reluctant to talk about their difficult experiences. Every year around 900 persons under the age of 24 apply for asylum in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 13 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zU0EU
Aamulehti 13 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zV0EV
Norway
Wave of criticism after award-winning paperless alien arrested
A 25 year old woman from the former Soviet Union is in detention and awaiting deportation. When she came to Norway as a teenager in 2002, her family applied for asylum but got rejected in 2004. After this Maria Amelie has resided illegally in the country. In September 2010 Maria Amelie filed an appeal with the Immigration Appeals Board. Her appeal was rejected 12 January 2011. She was arrested the following day and brought to detention. Last year Amelie published the book, Ulovlig norsk (Illegally Norwegian), about her life as a paperless alien. Later the same year the weekly magazine Ny Tid honored her with the "Norwegian of the year" award. Her sudden detention has raised a wave of protests. Thousands of persons in several Norwegian cities have protested against the arrest. Many think that Maria Amelie should have the right to stay, stressing she has a strong connection to Norway and that she was a child when she came to Norway. Despite her lack of papers she has completed high school, college, and obtained a master's degree in Norway. Authorities, including Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police, said that Maria Amelie cannot be treated differently from other illegal aliens and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg stated that Norway has to uphold a fair and consistent refugee and asylum policy.
Aftenposten 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zW0EW
Dagbladet 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zX0EX
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zY0EY
Dagsavisen 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zZ0EZ
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2za0Eg
NRK 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zb0Eh
Verdens Gang 13 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zc0Ei
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zd0Ej
Sweden
Refugees on hunger strike to protest deportation to Iraq
A group of fifteen refugees at the Swedish Migration Board's detention unit in Gothenburg have been on hunger strike since 12 January. They protest against the deportation of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers scheduled for next week. Iraqis, Palestinians, Libyans, Tunisians, Somalis, and Russians participate in the strike. All countries in Europe have stopped forced returns to Iraq, except for Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the UK.
Sveriges Television 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2ze0Ek
Network of human smugglers cracked by Europol
A criminal network that has smuggled thousands of refugees to Europe has been disbanded by Europol, which have arrested 26 persons in Italy, France and Germany. Starting in August 2008, the network has smuggled around 200 persons per month, mainly from Afghanistan via Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey to Greece, and from there northward in Europe to for example Sweden, Norway, and the UK. Most of the smuggled persons are Afghans, and about 20 per cent of them are believed to be minors. The smuggling network has had collaborators in several European countries. The network has earned around 20 million euros during 2010 on the smuggling from Afghanistan to Sweden alone, by charging 10-15 000 Euro per person for the journey. Some of the persons involved in the human smuggling are suspected of international terrorism, says Italian prosecutor Piero Saviotti. Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at UNHCR's Regional Office in Stockholm, says that it is not illegal for refugees to cross borders in an irregular manner to seek asylum, and stresses that it is the smugglers who are criminals, not the refugees. Mathisen refers to a UNHCR study on unaccompanied Afghan refugee minors coming to Sweden. She underlines that although each story is unique, a common trait is that the children and their families have very little information on the risks involved in human smuggling. Mathisen believes that much more should be done to inform people in Afghanistan on the risks with undertaking such journeys. The end destination is often not decided on until long after the children have set off from their native Afghanistan, and the journey is often paid for and undertaken in separate stretches. Mathisen describes the horrific conditions for smuggled persons, and tells of how they are stacked on top of each other in dirty lorries, are in constant risk of being arrested and deported by the local police, and risk dying when crossing waters nightly in unseaworthy boats. Mathisen says that although UNHCR vehemently opposes human smuggling, it is often the only way for refugees to reach a country where they can seek asylum. States have a legitimate right to control their borders, but Mathisen states that the EU could diminish the market for criminal human smugglers by opening up legal avenues for refugees to seek asylum in Europe, so that they could travel there safely. Unaccompanied minors are often referred to as "anchor children", but Mathisen dismisses the term for its hint of a cynical agenda. She states that UNHCR believes that unaccompanied children often are the family's 'chosen one', financed to seek safety and a better future, without necessarily planning to later bring the rest of the family to the country of asylum.
Dagens Nyheter 12 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zf0El
TV4 14 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zg0Em
UNHCR in the News
Malmström opposed to fence along the Greek-Turkish border
Cecilia Malmström, Swedish EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, who is responsible for EU migration and asylum policy, is critical of Greece's plans to build a fence along the Turkish border to stop illegal immigration. Malmström says that the issue will not be solved by building a wall or a fence. According to TV4 the UN Refugee Agency estimates that 46,000 persons are living on the streets in Athens without a right to get their asylum claims examined. Greece's detention centres are overcrowded and Malmström describes the conditions there as horrendous.
Dagens Nyheter 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zh0En
TV4 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zi0Eo
Svenska Dagbladet 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zj0Ep
Sveriges Radio 13 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDW4d0ZqnfK0aYE0F2zk0Eq
Saturday 15 January to Monday 17 January 2011
Norway
Growing support for Maria Amelie
The award-winning paperless alien Maria Amelie will be sent back to Russia between 23 and 27 January. Last week she was brought into custody by the police. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) justifies the deportation order. They say that Maria Amelie has no need for protection, and that she therefore is not entitled to a residence permit in Norway. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) considers expelling her because she has violated the immigration law by living under false identity and have worked and stayed too long in the country illegally. Maria Amelie's lawyer Brynjulf Risnes is working persistently to make UNE reassess Maria Amelie's case. A survey for the magazine Verdens Gang shows that six out of ten Norwegians think Maria Amelie should get permission to stay in Norway.
Dagbladet 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxI0EU
Dagbladet 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxJ0EV
NRK 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxK0EW
Aftenposten 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxL0EX
Aftenposten 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxM0EY
Verdens Gang 15 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxN0EZ
At least 3,000 paperless immigrants living in Norway
It is estimated that more than 3,000 paperless immigrants have lived in Norway without permission for over five years. The estimation is made by several non governmental organisations such as Amnesty International. 24 organisations started the campaign last year to shed light on the situation for undocumented migrants. They want the government to put a limit on how long an undocumented migrant can reside in Norway illegally and grant citizenship to children after three years of illegal residence and to adults after five years, even though their asylum applications have been rejected. The exact number of paperless aliens is unknown. Two years ago Statistics Norway estimated that there are 10,000 to 32,000 undocumented migrants in the country.
Aftenposten 14 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxO0Ea
Sweden
Activists protest deportation to Baghdad
The deportation of five Iraqi refugees detained at the Swedish Migration Board's detention unit in Kållared was temporarily delayed by 50 protesting activists on 15 January. Approximately thirty of the Iraqi asylum-seekers whose deportation to Baghdad is planned for 19 January have turned to the European Court of Human Rights to in order to benefit from an inhibition order. They have not yet received an answer. UNHCR has urged the authorities to prevent the forced return to Iraq, as the security situation in the country remains very critical.
Sveriges Television, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxP0Eb
Göteborgs Posten, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxQ0Ec
Göteborgs Posten, 17 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXak0ZqnfK0aYE0GFxR0Ed
Tuesday 18 January to Wednesday 19 January 2011
Denmark
Denmark "tops refugee hit list"
A high percentage of asylum-seekers in Denmark are granted asylum. This makes the country a popular destination for persons who enter the European Union through Greece, according to EU Border Police spokesman George Petropoulos. Most immigrants and asylum-seeker who come to Greece do not plan to stay in the country, but wish to move on to other EU states. Both Denmark and Germany have high asylum recognition rates and are therefore popular final destinations for asylum-seekers. Recognition rates vary a lot across the EU – in Denmark 48 per cent of the applications are successful, in Germany the figure is 37 per cent, in Sweden 30 per cent, and in France 14 per cent. In Greece just one per cent of the asylum-seekers are granted asylum. The EU average is 27 per cent. The Danish Immigration Service expects to issue residence permits to 2,850 persons in 2011, compared to 1,500 in 2010. The newspaper Politiken points out that although Denmark has a high recognition rate it accepts only around five per cent of the total number of refugees that come to the Nordic countries. Sweden and Norway accept a much higher number of refugees. In 2009, Sweden granted asylum to ten times as many persons as Denmark, and Norway granted asylum to five times as many.
Jyllands-Posten 19 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYS0ED
Politiken 19 January 2010 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYT0EE
Norway
Many children have lived more than three years in reception centres
The voluntary organisation "Selvhjelp for innvandrere og flyktninger" (SEIF) says over 300 minors have lived over three years in reception centres in Norway. SEIF accuses Norway of state child abuse arguing that the state has deprived refugee children of their basic rights. According to the organisation children who have not been forcibly returned after three or four years should automatically be granted a residence permit. SEIF participates in a campaign to protect Norway's paperless migrants. The organisation fears there will be more cases like Maria Amelie, a paperless alien threatened with deportation after residing several years in Norway illegally.
Verdens Gang 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYU0EF
Maria Amelie released from detention
Maria Amelie, a well-known paperless alien, was released from detention on Tuesday pending the High Court's review of her deportation appeal. The question regarding Maria Amelie has caused tension within the government and has announced that it may make it possible for rejected asylum-seekers to return as labour immigrants.
NRK 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYV0EG
Dagbladet 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYW0EH
Aftenposten 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYX0EI
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYY0EJ
73 child asylum-seekers disappear without notice
Last year 73 of 1200 unaccompanied asylum-seekers between the ages of 15 and 18 disappeared from Norwegian reception centres without notice. Reidar Hjermann, Norway's Ombudsman for Children, says that the children risk being driven into the arms of human traffickers. He fears that some of them might have been subject to crime or prostitution. Hjermann is critical of the lack of commitment to protect unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers, and says that the situation would have been very different if Norwegian citizens would have disappeared. Anne Siri Rustad, Director of the Department for Regions, Reception and Return at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), says that UDI believes that many of the disappeared children are living with their families, friends or acquaintances in Norway, but that some might have left the country. Rustad admits that some of the children might have been victims of crime, or forced into crime.
Verdens Gang 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYZ0EK
4,615 deported - most of them Dublin returns
4,615 persons were deported from Norway in 2010. This is an increase by 38 per cent compared to 2009. Most of the deportees were returned to other European countries such as Italy (895 persons), Serbia (403 persons), Greece (283 persons) and Spain (257 persons) under the Dublin II regulations. Considerably lower numbers of deportees were escorted back to their countries of origin: one Eritrean, three Somalis, 57 Afghans and 81 Nigerians.
Dagsavisen 18 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYa0ER
Sweden
Deportations to Iraq continue
Yesterday the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rejected the appeals of 20 Iraqis who have not received asylum in Sweden. ECtHR agreed with the Swedish Migration Board arguing that these persons cannot be granted residence permit only because they are Christians or come from specific areas in Iraq. The 20 Iraqis have been deported from Sweden to Iraq this morning. Amnesty International, the Council of Europe, and UNHCR have strongly criticised the decision to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. However, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström says that it is important to remember that Sweden has a properly functioning legal system and that every case is examined individually. UNHCR's spokesperson Hanne Mathisen: "For persons in Iraq's central governorates the need of protection continues as a result of the security situation. Violence occurs in many places and there are violations of law and order and human rights". Several persons have gathered both outside the Swedish Migration Board's detention center in Märsta and the detention facilities in Gothenburg to protest against the forced return of Iraqis. The police broke up both demonstrations.
Svenska Dagbladet 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYb0ES
Dagens Nyheter 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYc0ET
Sveriges Radio 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYd0EU
Sveriges Radio 18 January 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYe0EV
Sveriges Radio 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYf0EW
TV4 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYg0EX
Amnesty criticises deportation of Iraqis
Amnesty International criticises Sweden for forced return of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. Previously UNHCR and the Council of Europe have expressed their concern over the deportations. Amnesty states that Iraqis scheduled for deportation on 19 January might risk their lives if they are returned to the country. According to Amnesty, at least fourteen of the Iraqis scheduled for deportation are from especially dangerous provinces; belong to especially targeted ethnic or religious groups; or are persons who risk persecution on the basis of gender or political opinion. Amnesty now pleads for people to send written appeals addressed to Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and to Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Migration Board, to protest against the deportations and remind the Swedish authorities of the international conventions the country has signed. Amensty also criticises Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK for forced return of Iraqis. Sveriges Television 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYh0EY
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDXwP0ZqnfK0aYE0GOYi0EZ
Thursday 20 January to Friday 21 January 2011
Denmark
Do not send refugees back to Greece
Today the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered a key verdict that deeply affects the Danish as well as the European refugee policy. The case concerns a complaint by an Afghan refugee against the state of Belgium. The Afghan national arrived in Belgium in 2009, after fleeing from Kabul via Iran, Turkey, and Greece. Despite protests from the refugee the Belgian authorities chose to send him back to Greece under the Dublin II Regulation. According to today's verdict Belgium should not send the asylum-seeker back to Greece. In Denmark some 350 asylum-seekers are waiting to hear about the implication for their part. Birthe Rønn Hornbech Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs will scrutinize the verdict from ECtHR before she decides how Denmark will proceed regarding the around 350 asylum-seekers that have arrived to Denmark from Greece. She says, "It will be carefully considered whether and to what extent the verdict has significance for the Danish practice regarding sending back asylum seekers to Greece." Nevertheless, Denmark is not sending refugees back to Greece before the country's asylum procedures are in line with EU standards.
DR 21 January 2011 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfh0E1
DR 21 January 2011 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfi0E2
DR 21 January 2011 3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfj0E3
DR 21 January 2011 4 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfk0E4
Norway
193 persons have been forcibly returned from Norway in 2011
During the first two weeks in January 193 rejected asylum-seekers were forcibly returned from Norway. Many of them have family in Norway. The aim is to forcibly return around 4,600 persons this year. Meanwhile the well-known paperless alien Maria Amelie's deportation order is pending. The decision to deport Maria Amelie has raised a lot of protests in Norway and it has put paperless persons on the agenda. During a hearing in Parliament on Wednesday Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was criticised for Norway's strict asylum policy and the decision to send Maria Amelie out of the country.
NRK 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfl0E5
Verdens Gang 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfm0E6
Dagbladet 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfn0E7
Dagsavisen 20 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfo0E8
Norway refuses to meet Mullah Krekar´s demands
On Wednesday 19 the rejected asylum-seeker Mullah Krekar said that he might return voluntarily to Iraq. Krekar fled Iraq in the early 1990s and has led a guerrilla group there. He has been allowed to stay in Norway due to fears that he might be executed on return. Now Krekar demands that Norwegian authorities make an agreement with the Iraqi authorities which guarantees that he will not be executed or tortured upon his return to Iraq. In addition Krekar wants to be cleared from US's and UN's terrorist lists. All of Krekar´s demands have been discarded, pointing to the fact that persons whose asylum claims are rejected are obliged to leave the country.
Verdens Gang, 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfp0EA
TV2, 19 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfq0EB
Sweden
No change in number of asylum-seekers expected
The Swedish Migration Board estimates that around 31,000 asylum-seekers will come to Sweden in 2011. In 2010, around 31,819 persons applied for asylum. This is an increase of 32 percent compared to 2009. The Swedish Migration Board informs that the sharp increase in people who sought asylum in 2010 has delayed the decisions on asylum applications with half a year.
Dagens Nyheter 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfr0EC
Concerns over deportation of Iraqi refugees
After having their appeal turned down by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), 20 Iraqis were deported from Sweden to central Iraq on Wednesday. The Swedish government and the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) claim that the situation in the country has improved and that Christian Iraqis no longer face a general risk of persecution. However, UNHCR has strongly criticised the forced deportations. In the daily newspaper DN Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR's spokesperson in Stockholm says, "We are on the ground in Iraq and still hold the view that Christians and persons from Iraq are in need of protection. That thousands of Christians are now fleeing Iraq is clearly an indication of their situation." In Swedish Radio UNHCR's spokesperson Melissa Fleming argues that Sweden has not only failed to protect these refugees, but has not taken into account UNHCR's advice about the situation in Iraq: "We understand that a number of those scheduled for return belong to religious and ethnic groups targeted by violence in Iraq." In TV4 Lise Bergh, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Sweden says, "Many of those that have been forcibly returned have left the country again. We know that some of them have died and some have been subject to different kinds of violations. It is very difficult for us to understand why the recommendations are not followed." However, according to Mikael Ribbenvik, director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), UNHCR's recommendations are very general and SMB looks at every case individually. In Swedish Radio International UNHCR's spokesperson in Stockholm Hanne Mathisen says, "We see that even Christians and other vulnerable groups are now being rejected. That said the protection rate, the number of persons getting positive decisions went up to 50 per cent amongst the Iraqis in 2010, which was up from about 27 per cent the year before. I think that many of those that are being returned now probably got there negative decision a year or two back. One can only speculate, but there is some chance that some of them that are being returned now, that if the asylum claims was looked at today they might have been granted to stay."
Sveriges Radio, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfs0ED
Sveriges Radio, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXft0EE
Dagens Nyheter, 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
TV4 19 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfu0EF
Sveriges Radio 19 January (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfs0ED
Ministers wanted to stop wave of Iraqis
According to Wikileak's newly released document the Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt and the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobias Billström expressed their concern of the numbers of Iraqi asylum-seekers coming to Sweden during a meeting in Baghdad in September 2007. Bildt said an agreement was needed with Iraq to return illegal immigrants, adding that without a regulatory framework to send back illegal aliens the immigration to Sweden would get out of control. The ministers explained that 20,000 Iraqi asylum-seekers were expected in 2007, of which 74 per cent were expected to be granted permission to stay. According to American sources Bildt and Billström also said that Iraqis arriving after 2003 have had more difficulties integrating since they have almost no money, lower education, and no professional or language skills. Bildt and Billström also mentioned some high profile honour killings that have sparked the demands for a more strict immigration policy. The conversation took place during a breakfast meeting with the United States Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, Director-General for Political Affairs Björn Lyrvall, and Sweden's Ambassador to Iraq Niclas Trouvé. The released document has raised strong reactions. Cecilia Wikström, a member of the European Parliament and part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, expresses concern over the statements. She is especially upset over the connection to honour killings in Sweden. Peter Weiderud, Chairperson of the Swedish Association of Christian Social Democrats, is surprised by the narrow-minded ideas of Iraqis having a low education and difficulties to integrate. Some politicians are concerned and hope the ministers have been wrongly quoted. Bildt and Billström have not commented on the report. In February 2008 Sweden and Iraq signed an agreement which allows Sweden to send back rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers.
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfv0EG
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfw0EH
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYKE0ZqnfK0aYE0GXfx0EI
Saturday 22 January to Monday 24 January 2011
Denmark
Denmark stops returns to Greece
The around 340 asylum-seekers who were waiting to be sent back to Greece under the Dublin II regulation, will get their asylum claims assessed in Denmark. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Birthe Rønn Hornbech underlines that this does not guarantee that the concerned asylum-seekers will get a residence permit in Denmark. Birthe Rønn Hornbech also wants EU to help Greece out of its current crisis. The Minister proposes that the Danish Red Cross and the Danish Refugee Council could assist Greece to reconstruct the Greek asylum system. The Minister's decision follows a verdict by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Friday condemning Belgium for sending back an Afghan asylum-seeker to Greece, and condemning Greece for the treatment of the Afghan asylum-seeker. Many Danish organisations such as Amnesty, Save the Children, and Danish Refugee Council have demanded that Denmark stops sending back asylum-seekers to Greece where the asylum system does not function properly.
DR 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLm0E4
Politiken 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLn0E5
Berlingske 23 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLo0E6
Berlingske 24 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLp0E7
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLq0E8
Finland
Finland stops returns to Greece
The Finnish Immigration Service (FIS) has decided to stop returning asylum-seekers to Greece. According to FIS the Greek asylum procedures do not meet human rights standards. The decision follows a key verdict by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Friday, in which Belgium was condemned for violating the rights of an Afghan asylum-seeker when sending him back to Greece. Finland will now make an exception to the Dublin II Regulation regarding asylum-seekers who arrive in Finland through Greece. According to Esko Repo, director of the Asylum Unit in the Finnish Immigration Service, the decision is affecting some 30 asylum-seekers in Finland. Previously Finland has refrained from returning unaccompanied minors or vulnerable persons.
HBL 23 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLr0EA
Helsingin Sanomat 23 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLs0EB
YLE 23 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLt0EC
Norway
Verdict in Strasbourg has consequences for asylum-seekers in Norway
In light of the verdict delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg on 21 January 2011, Paul Lønseth State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police has confirmed that Norway will stop transferring asylum-seekers to Greece, until there are significant improvements in the Greek asylum system.
Aftenposten 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLu0ED
NRK 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLv0EE
Maria Amelie deported to Russia today
The Norwegian authorities are reviewing the regulations for migrant workers, following the controversy regarding Maria Amelie, who was deported to Russia today amidst protests. It may become possible for rejected asylum-seekers who have violated the Immigration Act by staying illegally in Norway to apply for a work permit from the country of origin. Currently, a violation of the Immigration Act would result in travel restrictions for up to five years. Ann-Magritt Austenå, Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) has criticised that Maria Amelie first has to be deported before she can return for work purposes. However, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) argues that Maria Amelie's deportation order is necessary since she has been illegally residing in Norway for several years.
Dagsavisen 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLw0EF
Verdens Gang 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLx0EG
Aftenposten 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLy0EH
NRK 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLz0EI
Dagbladet 24 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL10E4
Verdens Gang 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL20E5
Verdens Gang 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL30E6
Aftenposten 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL40E7
Aftenposten 21 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL50E8
NB. this story was also covered in Sweden and Finland
Sveriges Radio 24 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL60EA
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjLw0EF
Fridtjof Nansen's 150th anniversary puts paperless immigrants on the agenda
With regard to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen, Amnesty International highlights the situation for undocumented immigrants in Norway. Ole G. Solheim, regional manager at Amnesty International states that Maria Amelie has given a face to paperless immigrants and that it is about time that these persons are regularized. The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, underlines that it is necessary to follow the rules and regulations on immigration and says that those who do not meet the requirements for asylum will be sent back.
NRK 23 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL70EB
Sweden
Asylum-seekers placed in custody prior to deportation
Rejected asylum-seekers who are arrested and detained prior to deportation, are sometimes placed in custody along with criminal suspects, pending transportation to the Swedish Migration Board's detention facilities. Asylum-seekers in detention are not supposed to spend more than a night in police custody or remand prisons. However, according to the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO), this time limit is regularly exceeded by 4-5 days. In a memo to the Migration Board, JO states that it is unacceptable that persons who have committed no crime, are unwell or have tried to injure themselves must share cells with criminal suspects. A rejected asylum-seeker who refuses to return voluntarily is placed in the Swedish Migration Board's detention facilities prior to deportation. In 2010, 232 detainees where placed in custody for security-related reasons, for periods of up to several months. There are around 11,000 rejected asylum-seekers in Sweden who have refused to leave the country voluntarily. The returns must be quicker, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, and the government has tasked the National Police Board, the Migration Board and the Prison and Probation Service with rendering the returns more effective.
Sveriges Television 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjL80EC
Dagens Nyheter 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMA0EM
Dagens Nyheter 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMB0EN
Experts and politicians criticise Wikileaks quotes on Iraqi refugees
Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, were quoted in a Wikileaks document as having spoken negatively about Iraqi asylum-seekers arriving in Sweden. Mona Sahlin, Party leader for the Social Democratic Party, criticises Bildt and Billström heavily, and says that the situation is scandalous. Sahlin says that it is hypocritical that the ministers criticise Sweden Democrats publicly, but speak about Iraqi asylum-seekers in such a negative manner behind closed doors. Sahlin considers it blackmail of the Iraqi authorities that Bildt and Billström allegedly spoke about establishing a Swedish embassy in Baghdad in exchange for a return agreement regarding rejected asylum-seekers deported to Iraq. Bodil Ceballos, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for the Green Party, is reporting Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy to the Committee on the Constitution, for allegedly having tried to trade the establishment of a Swedish embassy in Baghdad for a return agreement of rejected asylum-seekers with the Iraqi authorities. Ceballos states that such deal making violates human rights, and that asylum assessments should be based on protection needs. Bildt and Billström have refused to comment the Wikileaks document regarding the meeting between Bildt, Billström and the Iraqi authorities in 2007. Billström has stated that the government has decided not to comment Wikileaks documents, but both Bildt and Prime Minister Reinfeldt have previously commented on other Wikileaks documents.
Svenska Dagbladet 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMC0EO
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMD0EP
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjME0EQ
Svenska Dagbladet 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMF0ER
Sveriges Television 22 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMG0ES
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMH0ET
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMI0EU
UNHCR in the News
UNHCR pleads for halt of returns to Côte d'Ivoire
No countries should return refugees from Côte d'Ivoire as long as the political instability persists, says UNHCR. Only Germany and Switzerland have formally halted such returns, says UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic, and urges other countries to follow this example until security and the human rights situation in Côte d'Ivoire have improved. Around 30,000 Ivorians have fled to neighbouring Liberia.
Sydsvenskan 21 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDYpb0ZqnfK0aYE0GjMJ0EV
Tuesday 25 January to Wednesday 27 January 2011
Denmark
Asylum-seekers not transferred to Greece
Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, has made it clear that all asylum-seekers coming to Denmark via Greece can now apply for asylum and get their cases processed in Denmark. Those who meet the requirements will receive a residence permit. However, Hornbech thinks that Greece should sort out its asylum system before the end of the year. The Danish government's support party strongly opposes the decision. Peter Skaarup, Danish People's Party Integration Spokesperson, argues that it would entail an influx of asylum-seekers. He suggests that asylum-seekers who are granted asylum move to Greece and reside there.
Berlingske Tidende 26 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqA0ET
Jyllands-Posten 26 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqB0EU
Norway
Rejected asylum-seekers deported to Russia
On 25 January 50 Chechen asylum-seekers were sent back to Russia. The return of Chechen refugees to Russia has raised concerns. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee strongly criticises the decision saying it is not safe for Chechens to return. Some of the asylum-seekers are political refugees seen as enemies in Russia and risk being arrested, tortured or executed without a trial. Anne-Karin Westbye at the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) argues that each case is assessed individually and that these 50 asylum-seekers are not in need of international protection. The Norwegian immigration authorities decided to deport Chechen asylum-seekers when it was found that Chechens can settle in other parts of Russia. On Monday afternoon a small demonstration took place outside parliament (Stortinget) in Oslo.
Verdens Gang 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqC0EV
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqD0EW
Dagbladet 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqE0EX
Dagsavisen 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqF0EY
Victims of torture seldom get help
Norwegian authorities should be better at detecting and assisting asylum-seekers with special needs, according to a recently released study from the Institute for Social Research (ISF). The EC Directive on the Reception of Asylum Seekers obliges member states to identify vulnerable asylum-seekers and provide them with care, treatment and follow-up when needed. The newly released report criticises Norway for not having special legislation that identifies asylum-seekers with special needs. According to the study Norway should learn from experiences in the EU.
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqG0EZ
Kosovo Serbs face difficulties upon return to Serbia
A Kosovo Serbian family was deported to Serbia in September 2010 after living three years in a municipality in Nordland, Norway. The deportation caused strong protests and the local population organised a support group with volunteers sending financial support to the family each month. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reacted to the forced return of Kosovo Serbs and other minorities from Kosovo. Dusan Aralica, Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR in Belgrade in Serbia says that there is no immediate security risk for displaced Kosovo Serbs. However, when they return they will have trouble getting the necessary documents, shelter and earning a livelihood. Aralica explains that Kosovo Serbs do not fall under the UNHCR mandate since they are not registered as internally displaced persons in Serbia. They receive no assistance but can apply for financial support from the Serbian authorities. Aralica adds that it is not known how many receive financial support. Many Kosovo Serbs have not been able to return to Kosovo. According to UNHCR's statistics, in 2009 and 2010 Norway and Germany were the countries sending back most persons to Serbia.
NRK 25 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqH0Ea
Sweden
Asylum-seekers detained in custody with criminals
Asylum-seekers detained at the Migration Board's facilities in Gothenburg and who are believed to be a danger to themselves or others, are regularly placed in police custody along with criminals. There is no time limit to how long asylum-seekers may be detained in custody, and several persons have been detained for weeks on end. A staff member at the police custody in Gothenburg likens the supervision of suicidal detainees to torture. Sweden has been criticised by both UNHCR and the UN Committee Against Torture for placing asylum-seekers in detention with criminals.
Göteborgs-Posten 25 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqI0Eb
Opposition parties proposed discussion on Iraq deportations
The left and green opposition parties wanted to call Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Migration Board, and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, to the Parliamentary Committee on Social Insurance, to speak about the continued forced return of Iraqis, and the alleged statements by Billström in Iraq on Iraqi refugees. However, the proposal was voted down by the four centre-right parties and the Sweden Democrats in the Committee. Gunnar Axén, president of the Committee, says that the proposal was an attempt to investigate Billström's alleged statements in Iraq, something the Committee on the Constitution is already tasked with.
Sveriges Television 25 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqJ0Ec
UNHCR in the news
Tens of thousands of Pakistanis still displaced after floods
According to UNHCR around 166,000 Pakistanis are still living in camps or spontaneous settlements due to the devastating floods six months ago. An estimated 20 million persons were affected and 1.7 million homes were damaged or destroyed. Most of those who are still homeless are located in the southern Sindh province. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called the flood disaster "a slow-motion tsunami".
YLE 25 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZCi0ZqnfK0aYE0GrqK0Ed
Thursday 27 January to Friday 28 February 2009
Denmark
Denmark criticised for violating human rights
The human rights organisation Amnesty International wants Danish authorities to locate the approximately twenty asylum-seekers who were sent back to Greece in 2010. Lars Normann Jørgensen, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Denmark, says that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Danish television station TV2, and Amnesty International have documented that the Greek asylum system is remarkably deficient, but the Danish government has chosen to deliberately disregard the situation. Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, rejects the idea that Denmark has a responsibility to track down the returned asylum-seekers, however, in accordance with the verdict delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on 21 January 2011, she emphasises that all asylum-seekers coming to Denmark via Greece are now welcome to apply for asylum in Denmark.
Politiken 26 January 2001 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1Iy0E7
Latvia
More foreigners resided in Latvia in 2010
In Latvia the number of aliens with valid temporary or permanent residence permits increased by 10 per cent in 2010. Approximately 50,173 foreigners were legally residing in Latvia last year according to statistics from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The majority of them are from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, and Germany.
The Baltic Course 27 January 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1Iz0E8
Norway
Icelandic politicians want to grant citizenship to Maria Amelie
The well-known paperless alien, Maria Amelie, who was sent back to Russia from Norway in the beginning of this week, might be granted Icelandic citizenship. Two Icelandic Parliamentarians, Árni Johnsen (Independence Party) and Sigmundur Ernir Rúnarsson (Social Democratic Alliance), sympathise with Maria Amelie. They propose that Iceland could grant her citizenship. The politicians find Norway's decision to send back Maria Amelie to Russia inhuman. They say Iceland has helped out before by granting citizenship to other persons in need. If Maria Amelie becomes an Icelandic citizen she can legally return to Norway. Johnson hopes the issue will be discussed in Althingi, the Icelandic Parliament, already in two or three weeks.
NRK 28 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1I10Eu
Aftenposten 28 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1I20Ev
Dagbladet 28 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1I30Ew
Verdens Gang 28 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1I40Ex
Sweden
Stop to detention of asylum-seekers in lockups
Suicidal and aggressive asylum-seekers scheduled for deportation have been shoved around between the Swedish Migration Board, the police, and the Swedish Prison and Probation Service (SPPS). Lars Klevensparr, District Police Commissioner in Gothenburg, thinks that it is inhumane to detain rejected asylum-seekers in cells. The three authorities involved commonly disagree on the issue, but have now decided to prevent detention of asylum-seekers in lockups in Gothenburg. Niclas Axelsson at the Migration Board says that he finds it peculiar that SPPS has suddenly found suitable places for the detainees. A federal inquiry into detention of deportees is expected on 15 February.
Dagens Nyheter 26 January 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZXp0ZqnfK0aYE0G1I50Ey
Dagens Nyheter 27 January 2011 I:21
Saturday 29 January to Monday 31 January 2011
Denmark
Police accused of turning blind eye to asylum-seekers in hiding
Some 2,000 rejected asylum-seekers live in hiding and work illegally in Denmark. In the last five years, the Danish authorities have lost contact with 7,500 asylum-seekers, and the police is accused of turning a blind eye to the problem. Carsten Isaksen, head of asylum issues at the Danish Red Cross, fears that the number of asylum-seekers living in the country illegally might be much higher. The police deny that many of the rejected asylum-seekers remain in the country, and say that they have to presume that these persons have left Denmark, since they have been informed that they should do so.
Jyllands-Posten 31 January 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZ3b0ZqnfK0aYE0HDxW0Eo
Finland
Illegal immigration clearly down in numbers
The illegal immigration has declined according to figures by the Police. Last year around 5,800 persons entered Finland illegally, compared to 7,000 in 2009. About one third of the illegal immigrants are detected in the capital region. During summer 2009 Finland stepped up efforts to stop illegal immigration and according to the police in Helsinki the cases are clearly declining.
YLE 28 January 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZ3b0ZqnfK0aYE0HDxX0Ep
True Finns gain support
The support for anti-immigrant party True Finns has increased significantly to 16.6 per cent from last year's 6.4 per cent, according to an opinion poll prior to the upcoming elections in April done by the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. The National Coalition Party continues to have the highest support at 20.4 per cent, although support is declining. The Social Democratic Party and The Centre Party are supported by between 18 to 19 per cent of the participants in the survey.
YLE 28 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZ3b0ZqnfK0aYE0HDxY0Eq
Helsingin Sanomat 28 January 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZ3b0ZqnfK0aYE0HDxY0Eq
N.B. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 28 January 2011 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Returns to Iraq decreasing
Due to the protracted political stalemate following the federal elections in Iraq last year, considerably fewer persons returned to Iraq from abroad or from camps within the country during 2010. Returns decreased to 118,890 persons, constituting a reduction of 40 per cent compared with the previous year. Daniel Endres, UNHCR representative in Iraq, says that Iraqis probably wanted to wait and see and that one wants to be very sure before making such an important decision.
Sydsvenskan 28 januari 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDZ3b0ZqnfK0aYE0HDxZ0Er
Tuesday 1 February to Wednesday 2 February 2011
Denmark
Birthe Rønn Hornbech confirm Greece returns of minors
Contrary to what has been stated on previous occasions, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, informs that asylum seeking minors have indeed been sent back to Greece. Last week she stated the opposite. Now, Birthe Rønn Hornbech emphasizes that these child asylum-seekers were accompanied by adults. This has been subject to strong criticism by the opposition. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, spokperson for the Red-Green Alliance, and Astrid Krag, Socialist People´s Party representative, argue that children are protected by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and it should not matter whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied. Birthe Rønn Hornbech has, nevertheless, rejected these critics, affirming that the children were returned to Greece prior to the verdict delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg on 21 January 2011.
DR 2 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRK0Ey
Norway
Government wants to force municipalities to receive refugees
The government wants to make it possible for the County governor to place refugees with residence permit in a municipality. The acting Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Tora Aasland stresses the importance of speeding up the placement of asylum-seekers to improve integration. The aim is to settle adults within six months and unaccompanied children within three months after they have received a residence permit. The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) is critical to the proposal, saying forced placement is not good for integration. In 2010, 74 per cent of the adults were placed within six month, and only 16 per cent of the unaccompanied children were placed within three months.
Aftenposten 31 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRL0Ez
Verdens Gang 31 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRM0E1
Verdens Gang 31 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRN0E2
Dagbladet 31 January 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRO0E3
NRK 2 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRP0E4
Sweden
UNHCR concerned about Swedish Iraq policy
Recognition rates of Iraqi asylum-seekers dropped from 90 per cent in 2006-2007 to 27 per cent in 2009, following a ruling from the Migration Court of Appeal in 2007, stating that armed conflict in Iraq has ceased. Sweden forcibly returns more Iraqis than any other country and has received massive criticism from for example UNHCR. Many of the deportees reportedly belong to ethnic and religious minorities targeted in Iraq, and according to the UN, many have been deported to areas so violent as to merit international protection. Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR in the Baltic and Nordic countries, says that the burden of proof on the individual is very high. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director of Legal Affairs of the Migration Board, agrees that it is very difficult for many asylum-seekers to prove their protection needs under the current legislation.
Dagens Arena 1 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://dagensarena.se/reportage/dokument-7-%20"asyl"/
Child poverty connected to segregation but not refugee arrivals
Child poverty and segregation go hand in hand, according to an inquiry from Save the Children. The most immigrant-dense areas around the cities Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Malmö are also the poorest areas. Tapio Salonen, who carried out the study, says that immigrant-dense areas are in a downward spiral when it comes to poverty. Poverty affects children with immigrant parents since many immigrants have not entered into the labour market. However, new refugee arrivals do not have a negative impact on poverty trends.
Dagens Nyheter 1 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDaPq0ZqnfK0aYE0HMRQ0E5
Thursday 3 February to Friday 4 February 2011
Denmark
Point system criticised by several political parties
Several members of the Liberals party criticise the Danish government's point system for permanent residence permit. On Wednesday the Conservatives demanded changes in the point system. Now several members from the Liberals, Mette Blauenfeldt head of the Center for Vulnerable Refugees in the Danish Refugee Council, and Eva Ersbøll from the Danish Institute for Human Rights agree with the criticism. All argue that the scoring method has been deficient and inflexible, limiting the possibility for well integrated individuals to obtain permanent residency. The latest case refers to the twenty-two year old Barialai Hassanzai, who has been denied permanent residency in Denmark, although working as an interpreter for the Danish soldiers located in Afghanistan.
Information 3 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVII0ED
Norway
Minor asylum-seekers are struggling to adapt
A study by the research programme Youth, Culture and Competence (UngKul) at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) shows that minor asylum-seekers face a high risk for depression when adapting to a new culture. Adapting to everyday life in a new country has a big effect on a minor's mental health. The study shows that contact with adults in Norway decreases the risk for psychological distress. The scholar Brit Oppedal from NIPH says that the best way to assist minors in the settlement process is to help them establish stable and lasting relationships with adults. The study included 600 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers.
NRK 2 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIJ0EE
Customs authorities found 23 asylum-seekers in a car
Customs authorities in Kristianstad found 23 asylum-seekers crowded in a Swedish registered car trying to enter the ferry to Hirtshals, Denmark. The Kosovo asylum-seekers all reside in Lyngdal. They claimed they were going to a party in Denmark. The incident has been reported to the National Police Immigration Service.
NRK 3 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIK0EF
Verdens gang 3 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIL0EG
Aftenposten 3 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIM0EH
Dagbladet 3 February 2011 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIN0EI
Sweden
Hunger strike in detention
A hunger strike has broken out at the Swedish Migration Board's detention facilities in Gävle among 27 detainees, mainly from the Middle East and Africa. The protesters state that they are ill-treated and have been detained for too long, some of them for as long as a year. An 18-year-old Iraqi man, who has lived in Sweden for three years but is now scheduled for deportation, says that the detainees are treated like animals and feel like they have no rights at all. The detainees say that they are worried and that they have no contact with health care.
Sveriges Television 2 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIO0EJ
Green Party: reunification rules shatter families
The Green Party wants to ease or preferably withdraw the demands for family reunification. Negotiations between the government and the Greens on asylum and migration policy are set to begin next week. A person granted asylum in Sweden must have already arranged for accommodation and financial support to obtain family reunification. Kinship and identity must also be verified, according to new demands. Green Party's spokespersons Maria Wetterstrand and Peter Eriksson state that current demands shatter families.
Svenska Dagbladet 4 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIP0EK
Sveriges Television 4 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIQ0EL
Dagens Nyheter 4 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIR0EM
UNHCR in the news
UN evacuates staff from Egypt
As the situation in Egypt worsens, UN evacuated around 600 UN employees to Cyprus on Thursday. UN intends to evacuate much of its staff and their families from Egypt. Those being evacuated represent UN agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO.
YLE 3 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDald0ZqnfK0aYE0HVIS0EN
Saturday 5 February to Monday 7 February 2011
Denmark
Asylum system in Greece concern of European Union
Current Prime Minister of Denmark and leader of the Liberals, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, stated at the European Union (EU) leaders summit on Friday 4 February 2011 that greater demands ought to be put on Greece, so as to resolve the large number of pending asylum-seeking applications in the country. However, Member of the European Parliament for the Liberals, Jens Rohde, argues that political pressure is not enough. Instead, a solution would entail that the EU sees the asylum-seekers issue as a shared responsibility. As member of the EU community, Denmark should therefore assist Greece in dealing with the prevailing asylum situation in the country.
Information 3 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDd0EN
Finland
New solutions to integrate immigrants
A major ongoing project in Finland is aiming to create a new nationwide model for integration training. 16 municipalities, involving both communities and the third sector, are participating to find new solutions to make the integration process of immigrants more efficient. For example, this will focus on making it easier for immigrants to enter the labour market, improving the language training and providing language bath to all immigrants' children. The Ministry of the Interior's project manager Peter Kariuki explains that the project is part of the revision of the integration law that will come into force in autumn 2011. The project will end in December 2013.
YLE 4 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDe0EO
Kauppalehti 4 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDf0EP
Kauppalehti 4 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDg0EQ
Many municipalities closing doors to refugees
Many local authorities still refuse to accept refugees. Last year this resulted in an insufficient number of allocated municipality places for refugees, according to Tiina Pesonen, the inspector at the Ministry of the Interior's Integration Unit. Many persons who are granted residence permits therefore move on own accord. This makes the authorities unable to keep track of where they move and it causes difficulties in preparing the service needs. The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment is promoting municipalities to accept refugees without big success, but at least some of the new municipalities are slowly deciding to accept refugees.
Turun Sanomat 7 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDh0ER
Sweden
Meeting on asylum and refugee policy postponed
The planned meeting between the Swedish government and the Green Party regarding asylum and refugee policy has been posponed to next week. While the ideal situation would be to remove the current requirements for family reunification, spokepersons Peter Eriksson and Maria Wetterstrand are willing to initiate negociations with the Swedish government, in order to reach parliamentary stability on the matter. The Left Party leader Lars Ohly, however, believes that entering in talks is legitimizing an already existing harsh asylum and refugee policy. Ohly argues that the only way to go about dealing with xenophobic issues is to stand firm on the opposition's policies. Peter Eriksson, however, rejects these critics by stating that small reforms are better than nothing at all.
Svenska Dagbladet 7 Februari 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDi0ES
Sydsvenska 7 Februari 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDj0ET
UNHCR in the news
25,000 have fled the military operations in Pakistan
A fresh military operation against insurgents has displaced some 25,000 persons over the past week. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) fears that this figure could reach 90,000 by the end of the month if the fighting intensifies. UNHCR is establishing two new camps in the Sagi and Dawezai areas, and has urged Pakistani authorities to let displaced persons out of the area to stay with relatives in the city of Peshwar.
Aftenposten 5 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbNa0ZqnfK0aYE0HjDk0EU
Tuesday 8 February to Wednesday 9 February 2011
Norway
Ethiopian asylum-seekers on hunger strike
Some 400 Ethiopians gathered on Monday in Oslo to demand that the authorities consider each of their cases individually. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) claims that they have already had an individual assessment; some 140 Ethiopians were granted protection in Norway in 2010. The paperless Ethiopians have been living in Norway between 4 to 17 years and cannot be forcibly returned. Some of them have been working, after erroneously receiving the necessary tax forms to ensure employment. After the demonstration nearly 100 Ethiopian rejected asylum-seekers, among them women and children, continued to the Oslo Cathedral to start a hunger strike. Vice chairman Per Sandberg of the Progress Party (FRP) has called the action 'blackmailing' and suggested the group be detained and returned.
Dagsavisen 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1n0ES
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1o0ET
Dagbladet 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1p0EU
Dagbladet 7 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1q0EV
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1r0EW
Verdens Gang 9 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1s0EX
Verdens Gang 7 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1t0EY
Aftenposten 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1u0EZ
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1v0Ea
Aftenposten 7 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1w0Eb
NRK 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1x0Ec
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1y0Ed
17 escaped from Lyngdal reception centre
On Monday 17 asylum-seekers from Kosovo disappeared from the Lyngdal reception centre. The same persons were among the 23 who were found in a car trying to enter the ferry to Hirtshals, Denmark on Tuesday 2 February.
NRK 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho1z0Ee
Aftenposten 8 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho110ER
Norwegian Labour Party wants better integration
On Wednesday the Norwegian Labour Party presented a proposal for new integration policies, which are to be adopted in April. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre has led the work and sees integration as one of today's major issues. Among the 99 proposals are improved language classes, stricter rules for religious schools, prohibition of marriage between close relatives, and a ban on hijab or other religious symbols and headgear among judges and prosecutors.
Aftenposten 9 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho120ES
Sweden
PMOI-members face deportation to Iran
After having been refused asylum twice in one year, a forty-seven year old man and his wife, both supporters of the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI), are now under threat of deportation. Even though PMOI-members have systematically been targeted by the Iranian government, the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) does not find the couple's story about persecution and torture credible. SMB argues that being a member of an organization such as the PMOI is not considered to be enough.
Dagens Nyheter 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDbdT0ZqnfK0aYE0Ho130ET
Thursday 10 February to Friday 11 February 2011
Denmark
Rejected asylum-seekers detained in prison
Rejected asylum-seekers are detained in Ellebæk prison near Sandholm although they have not been accused of committing any crimes. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, Integration Spokesperson for the Unity List-Red-Green Alliance, argues that the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech should give a thorough explanation as to why they are being incarcerated. Several of them, in fact, suffer from mental health issues. Accordingly, Amnesty International suggests better screening rules involving both medical personnel as well as other adequate professionals when assessing whether a person is fit for imprisonment or not. Peter Vedel Kessing who is a lawyer at the Danish Institutes for Human Rights stresses that the Danish government has a duty to ensure that vulnerable people are not imprisoned.
DR Thursday 10 February 2011 (in English)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Andre_sprog/English/2011/02/10/094439.htm
DR Thursday 10 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2011/02/10/140209.htm
Jyllands-Posten 10 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/article2335132.ece
Politiken 10 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE1191983/fagfolk-kritiserer-faengsling-af-torturofre-i-dansk-faengsel/
Finland
Municipalities get increased financial support for quota refugees
In the future the Finnish municipalities will be compensated for quota refugees for a period of four years instead of three. The government passed the legislative amendment motion on Thursday. However, municipalities will not get increased financial support for refugees who are not part of the Finnish resettlement quota. The proposal will be reviewed by Parliament.
YLE 10 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2011/02/kiintiopakolaisista_kuntakorvausta_nykyista_pidempaan_2353950.html
Proposal to tighten family reunification law
The Finnish Parliament's Administration Committee continues to require stricter rules for family reunification. According to the Committee, Finland's rules are not in line with the EU family reunification directive. In May 2010 the Committee asked the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors to find out if Finland's rules on family reunification attract asylum-seekers to the country. The report showed that Finland's rules are no more attractive than other countries', adding that no more changes are necessary since the current government already has tightened the rules on family reunification. The Finnish Refugee Advice Centre's press officer Sanna Rummakko says stricter rules will not lead to fewer asylum-seekers as long as there are crisis in the world like those in Afghanistan or Somalia. She notes that Norway and Sweden have introduced stricter measures but they still continue to have many times more asylum-seekers than Finland. Rummakko adds that the current government already has made it more difficult to seek family reunification. She considers the Administration Committee's statement a way to fish for votes before the upcoming parliamentary elections.
YLE 9 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/2011/02/hallintovaliokunta_haluaa_tiukentaa_perheenyhdistamista_2352094.html
YLE 9 February 2011 (in English) http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/02/committee_wants_to_tighten_refugee_family_reunion_rules_2352548.html
Norway
Labour Party proposals for stricter integration policy
The Progress Party applauds the Labour party's draft proposals for a stricter integration policy, which includes testing of language skills and knowledge of Norwegian society in order to obtain citizenship, increased control of religious groups, withdrawal of residency permits for persons who go on holiday to their country of origin within the first five years in Norway, and a possible ban on marriage between cousins to reduce medical risks and forced marriage. Foreign Minister Jonas G Støre, who has led the working group, presented the 99 point action plan which will be debated at the labour party's upcoming annual conference.
NRK 10 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/250384/
Ethiopians continue hunger strike
The rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers continue their hunger strike, claiming they cannot return, and that they should be able to continue to work in Norway, as many of them have done for years up until recently. Ingrid Wirum of the National Police Immigration Service confirms that Norway is unable to forcibly return rejected Ethiopians as the Ethiopian authorities refuse to issue the necessary travel documents to those objecting to a return. A representative of the Norwegian church appeals for a humane solutions so that the Ethiopians can get out of their current limbo existence. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police, says that Norway is intensifying its efforts to get a readmission agreement with Ethiopia and rules out an amnesty for this or other groups in a similar situation.
NRK 10 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/250392/
Norway criticized for violating human rights
Both the Liberal Party (V), the Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and the Socialist Left Party (SV) argue that the Norwegian government should bring back to Norway the approximately 260 rejected asylum-seekers who were returned to Greece in 2010. Greece has been strongly criticized for its deficient asylum procedures, as recently confirmed in a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights. Thus, according to Heikki Holmås, SV's Immigration spokesperson, the Norwegian authorities have violated human rights. In addition, Heikki Holmås states that the rejected asylum-seekers should be given a possibility to get their cases processed in Norway. However, Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police says that the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board must look closely into this matter, before any decisions are made.
Verdens Gang 11 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/norsk-politikk/artikkel.php?artid=10029908
NRK 11 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7502378
Sweden
Sweden to receive 1,900 quota refugees in 2011
This year Sweden is to receive 1,900 quota refugees, according to the Swedish Migration Board (SMB). Quota refugees are people the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) considers to be in particular need of assistance and protection. UNHCR recommends people for resettlement, and then SMB makes the final decision of who Sweden will select for resettlement. The Swedish Migration Board's Director-General Dan Eliasson says Sweden helps persons who cannot go anywhere else and it is important to try to unlock these difficult and protracted refugee situations. This year Sweden will receive refugees mostly from conflicts in the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan. Dan Eliasson thinks that the Swedes should be proud of how many quota refugees get help. According to SMB Sweden receives nearly 30 per cent of Europe's total quota. Last year Sweden received 1,799 persons for resettlement.
Svenska Dagbladet 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/1-900-kvotflyktingar-till-sverige_5929013.svd
Dagens Nyheter 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/sverige-tar-1900-kvotflyktingar
SVT 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2321665/sverige_tar_emot_1_900_kvotflyktingar
Sydsvenskan 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/article1380225/1%C2%A0900-kvotflyktingar-till-Sverige.html
Aftonbladet 9 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.aftonbladet.se/senastenytt/ttnyheter/inrikes/article8542102.ab
UNHCR in the Media
UNHCR's High Commissioner calls for urgent end to the crisis in Côte D'Ivoire
The UN Refugee Agency's High Commissioner António Guterres calls for urgent international action to resolve the crisis in Côte D'Ivoire. Guterres says that the political stalemate and sporadic violence after the presidential election last November is causing the humanitarian situation to worsen which can lead to a massive displacement of people. According to UNHCR at least 35,000 people have already fled the violence to neighbouring Liberia. People are very afraid, says Guterres and adds that, all citizens of Côte d'Ivoire should feel secure at home and no longer be forced to flee in search of safety. He warns that the number of refugees might increase drastically if the situation in Côte D'Ivoire does not change. This might also have a negative impact on Liberia, a country still recovering from the civil war.
YLE 10 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/2011/02/ykn_pakolaiskomissaari_norsunluurannikon_ratkaiulla_on_kiire_2353913.html
Saturday 12 February to Monday 14 February 2011
Denmark
Denmark wants to assist Greece in building new asylum system
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, says that the Danish Refugee Council as well as the Danish Red Cross will help Greece build up a functioning asylum system. The minister has discussed the matter with the two organizations. As known, Greece has been condemned for its deficient asylum procedures in a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Thus, according to Birthe Rønn Hornbech Greece has a responsibility to respect human right laws and with the aid of other European Union countries create a functioning asylum system.
Politiken Friday 11 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yI0EQ
Creative art projects help unaccompanied minor refugees
The number of unaccompanied minor refugees has nearly six folded from 123 to 680, in four years. As a result, some organisations have in collaboration with various asylum centres come up with innovative ways to integrate these young children and adolescents. Through creative art projects the minors get help to verbalize their often traumatizing experiences. Gitte Nielsen, Head of the Asylum Centres for unaccompanied minors of the Danish Red Cross, hopes that creative projects will become a more integrated part in efforts to help young people.
Jyllands-Posten 12 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yJ0ER
Norway
Asylum-seekers end hunger strike
On Friday evening 11 February the rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers ended their hunger strike in Oslo Cathedral. The around 30 Ethiopians began their hunger strike a week ago to protest against not being granted residence permit in Norway. Today they have left the cathedral and will be transported to the reception centre in Torshov. They have also been promised a meeting with government representatives. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is trying to finalise a readmission agreement with Ethiopia. This might lead to forced return of many of the Ethiopians.
Aftenposten 14 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yK0ES
Aftenposten 13 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yL0ET
Dagsavisen 14 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yM0EU
Dagsavisen 13 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yN0EV
Dagsavisen 12 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yO0EW
Sweden
Abused foreign wives risk deportation
Women with foreign background who come to Sweden through marriage migration risk being forced to leave the country if they break off their relationship within two years. As a result, many find themselves being trapped in an abusive relationship. In reality, certain requirements have to be met in order to get a resident permit post-separation. One of the requirements is that the level of experienced violence must be severe. However, as explained by Håkan Jonsson, legal adviser at the Swedish Migration Board there are no clear criteria for what is considered to be severe violence. In view of that, Bernardita Nunez, Chair of the women's help group Terrafem, argues that the current law supports abusive men, and that it needs to be changed.
Sveriges Radio Friday 11 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yP0EX
UNHCR in the News
Thousands of Tunisian migrants arrive on the island of Lampedusa
During the last days thousands of Tunisian immigrants have arrived on the island of Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost point. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR thinks that most of those that have crossed the Mediterranean are Tunisians, not refugees coming via Tunisia to Europe. Italy is concerned of the number of migrants and wants to deploy its security forces in Tunisia.
Sveriges Radio 14 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcWr0ZqnfK0aYE0H8yQ0EY
Tuesday 15 February to Wednesday 16 February 2011
Denmark
Children should not stay in asylum centres
A majority of Danes believe that families with children who seek asylum should have the possibility to reside outside refugee centres while their cases are processed. Henrik Dam Kristensen, Integration Spokesperson for the Social Democrats, as well as Roal Ulrichsen, Chairman of the Danish Psychological Association, argue that long stays in centres can result in deteriorating health, such as depression and anxiety, particularly for children. Karsten Lauritzen, Integration Spokesperson for the Left Liberal Party, has proposed that there should be a maximum period of six months for living in refugee centres.
Jyllands-Posten Tuesday 15 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5h0Ei
Finland
Immigrants to become Finnish, claims Rydman
The National Coalition Party's youth leader Wille Rydman thinks a multicultural approach is harmful for the integration of immigrants. Rydman thinks Finland should put resources into making immigrants adapt to the current society, and not into maintaining their own culture. Rydman is asking why Finland did not take this approach since other leaders in Europe have stated that an aspiration for a multicultural society is harmful to integration. The Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors on the other hand says good integration is key to a successful multiculturalism. She explains multiculturalism as living under the laws of the country with possibilities to live out the own culture and ability to decide one's own identity. Thors is asking whether the countries criticising integration such as Germany actually did put efforts into integration in the first place.
Yle 14 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5i0Ej
HBL 14 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5j0Ek
Immigrant-dense city districts more common
An ethnic relations forum on Monday brought together experts in the fields of immigration, housing and city planning to discuss how to make residential areas more attractive. According to a study done by researcher Katja Vilkama at Helsinki University, segregation has increased during the last 20 years in Finland, while still being modest when compared internationally. Experts are concerned that differences are growing between neighbourhoods. In order to prevent this there is a need to counteract the concentration of social problems, unemployment and poverty. According to the experts, it is important to balance public housing, rental housing and house prices to prevent ghettoization. Meanwhile, the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors stressed the importance of occupation, and said the focus should not only be set on housing policies.
HBL 15 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5k0El
YLE 14 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5l0Em
YLE 14 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5m0En
Norway
Returned asylum-seekers can demand up to 60 million NOK
Asylum-seekers that have been returned to Greece may demand a compensation of 200,000 NOK each. In January this year the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg condemned Belgium's decision to send back an Afghan refugee to Greece. The Afghan man was given a compensation the equivalent of 200,000 NOK. The return of asylum-seekers to Greece is seen as a violation of human rights due to the failing asylum and reception system in that country. Last year some 283 asylum-seekers were forcibly returned from Norway to Greece which will make the total compensation reach 56,6 mill NOK. The Chairman in the Standing Committee on Local Government and Public Administration Heikki Holmås, the Chairman Ann-Magrit Austenå at the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) and Lawyer Arild Humlen at the Norwegian Bar Association's committee for security under the law are now demanding Norway to compensate the asylum-seekers who have been sent back during the last two years. Austenå claims the authorities are to contact the affected since they most probably will be unaware of their right to compensation.
NRK 14 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5n0Eo
Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) criticised for not understanding the situation in Ethiopia
The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE)'s decision to reject Ethiopian asylum-seekers is criticised by a number of organisations, such as the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS). The organisations claim that UNE is not recognising the worsened situation in Ethiopia. The organisations will gather at the end of March to discuss the cases of the 50 rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers who on Monday ended their hunger strike. These Ethiopians are to meet the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) on Thursday this week and with UNHCR on 28 February. The Ethiopians are keen to explore the possibilities to get a work permit and hope not to be forcibly returned before they have had a chance to discuss with the authorities.
Aftenposten 15 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5o0Ep
Sweden
Christian Iraqi refugee deported to Bagdad
Activists who gathered on Monday 14 February failed to stop the deportation of Christian Iraqi refugees to Bagdad, planned for Wednesday 16 February 2011. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has repeatedly expressed concern and condemned this action, as the security situation in the areas where rejected asylum-seekers are forcibly returned to, is considered to be highly unsafe.
Göteborgs-Posten Wednesday 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5p0Eq
Svt Rapport Wednesday 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5q0Er
Fria Tidningen Wednesday 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5r0Es
Uppsalas Nya Tidning Wednesday 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5s0Et
UNHCR in the news
Situation in Tunisia affects migration to other European countries
Since last Friday 11 February 2011, some thousand Tunisian have fled to the Italian island Lampedusa. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees believes that the majority of them are not refugees. Italian authorities have requested police officers to be stationed in Tunisian ports. According to the BBC, UNHCR spokesperson in Italy, Laura Boldrini, says the situation on Lampedusa is critical. This since more than 5000 refugees has arrived from Tunisia to the Italian island. Boldrini says the situation in Tunisia will affect migration in other European countries as well as the migrants have explained that they want to look for jobs and a better life in Europe. On 13 February, the Italian government strongly criticized the European Union (EU) for not giving the country enough assistance to help out with the arrival of thousands of Tunisian illegal immigrants. EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström expressed surprise over Italy´s reaction. According to her spokesperson Michele Cercones, Cecilia Malmström engaged in talks with Italy already on Saturday 12 February, offering EU support. Nevertheless, the answer from Italian authorities was clear: "No thanks, we need no help from the EU at this stage".
Sveriges Radio Monday 14 February 2011
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5t0Eu
Svt Rapport Monday 14 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5u0Ev
Uusi Suomi 15 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5v0Ew
SvD Wednesday 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDcsA0ZqnfK0aYE0IG5w0Ex
Thursday 17 February to Friday 18 February 2011
Denmark
Denmark under strong criticism for violating UN Convention
Denmark has faced harsh criticism for having violated the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Although they were entitled to it, approximately 500 people have been kept in ignorance and denied of their rights to be granted Danish citizenship, for over a decade. Liv Feijen, Senior Regional Legal Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, confirms that the organization has never heard of any similar cases in the Nordic region or Western Europe, and adds that there is a "serious flaw in the Danish system which we are glad has been corrected". "We will contact the Danish authorities to better understand how applications for citizenship to stateless persons have been dealt with since 1999, and what procedures it will follow in the future", says Hanne M. Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic Nordic Countries. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech has admitted that the rejections were "a fatal error" due to incorrect administration since 1999. As a result, letters have now been sent out to those concerned, informing them of the right to apply for Danish citizenship.
DR Thursday 17 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3k0E2
Jyllands-Posten Thursday 17 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3l0E3
Politiken Thursday 17 February 2011 nr 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3m0E4
Politiken Thursday 17 February 2011 nr 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3n0E5
Poliken Thurday 17 February 2011 nr 3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3o0E6
Politiken Thursday 17 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3p0E7
Nyhederne TV2 17 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3q0E8
Politiken Friday 18 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3r0EA
Calls for independent investigation on stateless person procedures
The Christian Democrats (KD), the Social Liberals, the Socialist People´s Party (SF) as well as the Unity List–Red–Green–Alliance have demanded an independent investigation into the stateless who were erroneously denied Danish citizenship. Per Ørum Jørgensen (KD) argues that more clarification is needed and that Denmark´s reputation as a constitutional state in compliance with international conventions is now threatened. Astrid Krag (SF), Integration Spokesperson, has called it "deeply embarrassing for Denmark".
DR Thursday 17 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3s0EB
Jyllands-Posten 17 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3t0EC
Norway
Suggestion to prohibit refugees from going on holiday to their home countries
The Norwegian Labour Party's working group on integration wants to prohibit refugees from going on holiday to their home countries during the five first years after being granted international protection in Norway. The party suggests that refugees going back to their home country should be stripped of their status and returned from Norway. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre says the aim is to deterr applicants with unfounded asylum claims. The Norwegian Centre against Racism has reacted strongly against this proposal, calling it discrimination and diminution of rights for persons with permission to stay. Ann-Magrit Austenå , Chairman at the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), also objects saying such a prohibition is unacceptable since there might be strong personal reasons to go back for a visit.
Verdens Gang 18 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3u0ED
Unreasonable and unethical demands on health staff
The Government's attempt to clarify paperless aliens' right to healthcare has raised criticism. The Government is proposing a right to emergency health care only, and leaves the decision in the hands of medical workers. The Norwegian Medical Association Chairman Svein Aarseth says access to health care is a human right, and that health staff cannot be the ones to decide whom to give medical treatment. Ann-Magrit Austenå of the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) says children should have the right to care regardless of their status, and that the current legislative proposal is in conflict with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Red Cross and NOAS are also demanding coverage for all medical expenses if the person in question cannot afford the treatment themselves.
Aftenposten 16 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3v0EE
Sweden
Protests against Iraq deportations
The deportation of Iraqi refugees last Wednesday raised reactions in Gothenburg and Malmö. Some 150 demonstrators gathered on Wednesday morning blocking the road to the detention centre in Kållared. The police apprehended 16 demonstrators due to their unwillingness to move. Some hours later 15 persons gathered at Landvetter airport in connection with the flight of the deported Iraqis. During the evening peaceful demonstrations took place in both Gothenburg and Malmö. The deportation of Iraqis has met a lot of criticism. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) among others has condemned this action, as the areas where rejected asylum-seekers are forcibly returned to are considered to be highly unsafe.
DN 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3w0EF
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3x0EG
SVD 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3y0EH
Göteborgs-Posten 16 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO3z0EI
Sydsvenskan 17 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO310E4
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO320E5
New commission for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers
The Swedish authorities have appointed a new commission in order to review the reception of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. The number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers has increased dramatically in recent years, resulting in a housing shortage.
Dagens Nyheter Thursday 17 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdFw0ZqnfK0aYE0IO330E6
Saturday 19 February to Monday 21 February 2011
Denmark
Matter on statelessness might not be resolved
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, doubts that the case concerning stateless youth who were kept in ignorance and denied of their right to Danish citizenship for over a decade, will ever be resolved. This statement has surprised both the opposition as and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. The later argue that although it may be difficult to resolve the case as many years has gone by, it should not be unfeasible to map the incident. Following the same line of thought, Hanne M. Mathisen Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic Nordic Countries explains that, while letters have been sent out to those concerned it is not enough to inform them of the right to apply for Danish citizenship, a clarification of what exactly occurred is still needed.
DR 18 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPJ0Ed
JK 18 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPK0Ee
Information 18 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPL0Ef
Norway
Argument about the term "paperless"
Media has used the term "paperless" frequently during the last months in Norway. This has raised criticism since the word is not an official term, neither used by the immigration authorities nor by other government agencies. Monica Thorud, Head of Communication at the International Police Immigration Service, says that the police does not use the term paperless. Instead it uses the expressions; persons with rejected asylum applications who continues to stay illegally in Norway or persons without confirmed identification. The Progress Party's Member of Parliament Per Willy T. Amundsen says the word "paperless" is dishonest and does not reflect the reality that these persons are staying illegally in Norway. Amundsen criticises the media for using the word since it is currently used in the political campaign "Papirløse". Rune Berglund Steen, who takes part in the campaign, defends this saying the word was already used in Norway before the campaign began. Berglund Steen believes people react against the term "paperless" since they misunderstand and think that it means persons without identification papers. He states that paperless are persons living in Norway without a Norwegian residence permit. Both Amundsen and Berglund Steen agree that the current word "paperless" has political implications.
Verdens Gang 20 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPM0Eg
Sweden
Family reunification hindered by stricter passport requirements
Sweden's recent changes to passport requirements make it virtually impossible for Somalis to obtain a residence permit through family reunification. This has led to a judicial confusion, as the new rules might go against international as well as European Union (EU) directives. Prior to the modifications, exceptions were granted for families whose stories were considered trustworthy and whose relationship could be confirmed by DNA-testing, however, this is no longer possible. Istaahil Hussein Farah, who now lives in Sweden, is painfully aware of the present situation. Both her children and husband are still located in Kakuma, one of Kenya's largest refugee camps run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Their family reunification application got rejected as their passorts, issued by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, is not recognized by the Swedish authorities. The Swedish Migration Board is currently looking into the family reunification affair for Somalis. Nevertheless, if no satisfactory solution is found, this may turn into a political matter.
DN 21 February 2011 nr1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPN0Eh
DN 21 February 2011 nr2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDdk30ZqnfK0aYE0IZPO0Ei
Tuesday 22 February to Wednesday 23 February 2011
Denmark
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen supports Birthe Rønn Hornbech
Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is satisfied with how the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, has handled the case about the stateless youth, who were kept in ignorance and denied of their right to Danish citizenship since 1999. Even though he does not hold the Danish government responsible for what has occurred, he adds that it would still be wise to look deeper into the problem, so as to explain the errors that have taken place for over a decade.
Politiken 22 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig510E5
Finland
58 million euros of humanitarian aid for the world's crisis
For the first part of 2011 Finland has granted humanitarian aid appropriations totalling 58 million euros. The money goes to people suffering from the world's crises. According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs the purpose is to save lives and alleviate human suffering caused by crisis situations. The largest part of the assistance is channelled through UNHCR, who will receive 16.5 million euros. The humanitarian aid given by Finland is based on the UN agencies annual joint appeal, also this year the geographical emphasis is on Africa. Finland's total humanitarian aid budget this year is 78 million euros. Finland can also give additional assistance in the event of acute disasters.
Helsingin Sanomat 21 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig520E6
YLE 21 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig530E7
Kauppalehti 21 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig540E8
Norway
Progress Party: DNA samples should be taken from all immigrants
The Progress Party has published a proposal on actions against terrorism, including stricter control of immigrants. - Asylum-seekers and persons coming to Norway through family reunification should give a DNA sample, says the Progress Party's Spokesperson on Immigration Issues Per Willy Amundsen. He says many asylum-seekers lack identification papers and a DNA sample would be a way to keep track of criminal applicants. Another purpose is to prevent polygamy and cousin marriages. Currently only persons under criminal investigation and persons sentenced to imprisonment for at least 2 months have to give a DNA sample. The Progress Party's suggestion has raised strong criticism. Ann-Magrit Austenå from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) calls the proposal hopeless and highly discriminating. Director Kari Helene Partapuoli of the Norwegian Centre against Racism says the Progress Party is starting to loose its credibility as a liberal party. The Socialist Left Party's (SV) Immigration Policy spokesperson Heikki Holmås says he does not understand the purpose of the proposal, adding that cousin marriages are legal in Norway. Holmås says the proposal appears to be an expression of the Party's suspicion towards immigrants.
Verdens Gang 20 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig550EA
Verdens Gang 21 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig560EB
UNHCR in the Media
Libya threatens to stop co-operation with the EU with regards to immigration issues
Hungary, who now holds the EU Presidency, has received a message from the Libyan government, stating that it will cease to cooperate with the EU regarding immigration affairs if support to the ongoing demonstrations does not stop. Nevertheless, no projects within this EU-Libyan co-operation have been launched yet.
- Practical details have remained unsolved and, more importantly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is not allowed in the country, says Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.
She adds, nonetheless, that the EU must be prepared for the worst and receive migrants as well as refugees coming from that region.
SvD 22 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig570EC
Protests might lead to massive influx of refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and several experts estimate that the present situation in Libya, along with the ongoing protests in neighbouring countries, might result in a significant influx of refugees to Europe. "I think there will only be an influx into Italy if the Libyans allow it, will they allow it or not I don't know", says Sybella Wilkes, Senior Communications Officer for UNHCR in Geneva. Libya and Italy have a much criticized arrangement for deporting people who approach the Italian coast back to Libya, without giving them the possibility to seek asylum. For many Africans, this signifies that their only port of entry to Europe is now closed. Approximately 9,000 refugees are currently located in secluded refugee camps in Libya, which worries the UNHCR: "Foreigners have been blamed, so we do wonder if they are being particularly targeted during this very turbulent time", explains Sybella Wilkes. However, in another interview Wilkes says that, the latest influx of Tunisian refugees to Lampedusa (Italy) drastically decreased from 5,500 in the beginning of the month, to merely 200 last week. According to the Tunisian authorities, coastguards now play a more active role in guarding the border, she adds. In fact, as agreed on by the two countries, Italy will provide Tunisia with 750 million dollars and fully equipped boats, to facilitate stricter border control.
Sveriges Radio 22 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig580ED
Politiken 22 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDd6n0ZqnfK0aYE0Ig6A0EN
Thursday 24 February to Friday 25 February 2011
Denmark
Denmark turns down assistance to Italy
The Italian authorities have asked the European Union (EU) for aid in order to manage a possible significant influx of North African refugees into the country. The Danish Government as well as the National Police Force, however, announced that they are unable to help Italy as they do not have any qualified personnel for the task since the EU's border agency Frontex has e.g. inquired for Arabic and French speaking police officers. Nevertheless, Peter Ibsen, Head of the Danish Police Union, argues that this is not true and that it should not be a problem to find suitable police officers who possess the necessary skills. In the same line of thought, Anders Ladekarl, Secretary General of the Danish Red Cross, has informed that the organization is ready to take on some refugees and that new accommodation centres will be set up if needed. However, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, does not support the idea of receiving refugees in Denmark and argues that the Dublin Regulation must be respected.
Dansk Radio 24 February 2011 nr 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonB0ES
Dansk Radio 24 February 2011 nr 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonC0ET
Dansk Radio 24 February 2011 nr 3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonD0EU
Jyllands-posten 24 February 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonE0EV
Politiken 25 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonF0EW
Minister knew about the illegal case handling
Information from the Swedish Integration Board indicates that the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, has been aware of the 14 stateless youth who were kept in ignorance and denied their right to Danish citizenship for over a decade. In fact, she was in contact with the Swedish Integration Board in December 2008, with the purpose of finding out how it dealt with the United Nations (UN) Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Jens Elo Rytter, Professor of Constitutional Law, and Henrik Dam Kristensen, member of the Social Democrats, explain that this is a very grave matter that needs to be looked into thoroughly.
Dansk Radio 24 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonG0EX
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sydsvenskan 25 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonH0EY
Finland
Two suspected of Immigration Crimes
Two men are accused of facilitating illegal entry for around twenty Chechen asylum-seekers during the time period 2007 to 2010. The prosecution believes that the two men are part of an organised group facilitating illegal immigration. The defendants, one a Finnish citizen and the other Turkish, deny all charges claiming they assisted the Chechens on humanitarian grounds. The trial began on Thursday in Vantaa District Court.
YLE 24 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonI0EZ
Homosexuality not sufficient grounds for asylum
Persecution because of sexual orientation is seldom sufficient grounds for being granted asylum in Finland, although being homosexual might even lead to death penalty in some countries. In more than 70 countries homosexuality is regarded as a crime. Last year hundreds of persons applied for asylum on the basis of persecution because of their sexual orientation, says Esko Repo director at the Asylum Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service. Last year around 4,000 asylum applications were lodged in Finland. Currently Amnesty and two other non-governmental organizations campaign for the rights of a homosexual man from Zimbabwe fearing persecution due to his sexual orientation. His asylum application has been rejected three times.
HBL 24 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonJ0Ea
Helsingin Sanomat 24 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonK0Eb
Sweden
Asylum-seekers from Somalia get to stay in Sweden
Practically all asylum-seekers from Somalia will be granted residence permit in Sweden after a ruling by the Migration Court of Appeal last Thursday. The court ruled that a Somali man is allowed residence permit in Sweden since according to the criteria in the Aliens Act there currently is an armed conflict throughout southern and central Somalia. Previously the armed conflict was regarded as taking place only within the city borders of Mogadishu. According to Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, the new judgement will only affect a few persons. Up to now the majority of asylum-seekers from Somalia have originated from Mogadishu. Ribbenvik believes that the new decision will have no significant impact on the influx of refugees. Last year more than 92 per cent of all applicants coming from Somalia were granted asylum.
Sveriges television 24 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonL0Ec
UNHCR in the news
Anticipated influx of refugees worries EU-member states
Approximately 6000 Tunisians have fled ongoing violence in Tunisia into the south of Europe, more specifically to Lampedusa (Italy). The Italian government, which now fears a massive influx of Libyan refugees, has appealed to the European Union (EU) for help. Franco Frattini the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has asked other EU member states to share the burden of accepting the anticipated refugees. The EU Commission argues however that is it impossible to predict the number of arriving refugees and that it has been minimal so far. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, stated on 23 February that 5000 refugees might be on their way from Libya to Europe. Accordingly, Cecilia Malmström, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, has informed about the possibility to, for the first time, use an EU-directive which provides protection for significant displaced population.
Svd 24 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDeTO0ZqnfK0aYE0IonM0Ed
Saturday 26 February to Monday 28 February 2011
Denmark
Increasing pressure on Minister Birth Rønn Hornbech
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech is under increased pressure due to the matter of stateless Palestinians wrongfully denied Danish citizenship. A worker within the Ministry informed that Minister Hornbech already in late summer 2008 knew that the Palestinians citizenship applications were not dealt with properly. However, Hornbech did not inform Parliament until January 2010. The opposition party Social Democrats has asked the Minister to resign. The party is no longer settling for merely an independent inquiry with regards to the stateless Palestinians. In fact, the party wishes for the Minister to step down from her post. Henrik Dam Kristensen, Integration spokesperson for the Social Democrats, argues that the country cannot have a Minister who has consciously handled the cases in an illegal way.
Information 28 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TE0Ey
DR 25 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TF0Ez
Finland
Arab website gives advice to asylum-seekers
An Arab website gives advice to asylum-seekers on the asylum-process in Finland. The website provides advice on what to say during the interview and warns about Eurodac, the European fingerprint database for identifying asylum-seekers, telling the applicants to hide all evidence on their travel route if they pass another European country. The website is known by the Finnish migration authorities and is claimed not to give a fair picture about the authorities in Finland.
HBL 24 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TG0E1
Norway
Children in reception centres have no legal right to attend kindergarten
Children living in reception centres do not have legal rights to attend kindergarten in Norway. Each municipality receives money by the state according to the number of children with a legal right to attend kindergarten. The asylum-seeking children are not included in the calculation. The Norwegian People's Aid has expressed concern saying the economic situation pushes the kindergartens into prioritising Norwegian children ahead of asylum-seekers. Secretary-General Orrvar Dalby at Norwegian People's Aid says it is time for the Ministry of Education and Research to give asylum-seeking children the same rights as Norwegian children.
Verdens Gang 24 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TH0E2
Asylum riots cost more than 12 million NOK
Last year the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) spent more than 12 million NOK on asylum-seekers taking part in local disturbance or suffering from mental health problems. The spending doubled compared to 2009. One of the reasons stated is rioting in the reception centres, which led to a whole reception centre in Lier burning to the ground, as well as increased security at departure and reception centres.
Verdens Gang 24 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TI0E3
Police ID-check on asylum-seekers is being criticized
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) criticise the Police Immigration Service (PU) for breaking their own policies during the first meeting with asylum-seekers. One problem is that asylum-seekers lie about their age, which has led to some asylum-seekers being sent to reception centres for minor applicants. Hanne Jendal, head of UDI's Asylum Department, stresses the importance of the police doing a proper work since they are the first to meet the asylum-seekers. Ingrid Wirum, head of PU responds to the criticism, saying the police follows regulated policies and always reports to UDI in case there are doubts regarding the identity of the asylum-seeker.
Verdens Gang 26 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TJ0E4
UNHCR in the media
Refugee chaos at the Libyan borders
The UN estimates that around 100,000 people have fled the violence and unrest in Libya during the last week to the neighboring countries Egypt and Tunisia. UNHCR says that around 1,000 refugees cross the border between Tunisia and Libya every hour. The number of Libyans fleeing is quite low. The reason for this is that they are being harassed and hindered to flee and some of them have been robbed from all their belongings, says UNHCR. The conditions at the Tunisian border are being described as a humanitarian crisis. UNHCR has demanded all countries to open their boarders to all refugees fleeing Libya. At the same time the working conditions for UNHCR in Libya are very difficult. The Libyan authorities have not signed the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and they do not have an operational asylum procedure. This makes it difficult for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to carry out their work even under normal circumstances. "We still have personnel present, but we are only allowed to work with finding resettlement quota places for refugees in other countries" says Hanne M. Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries. In addition to the Palestinians, Iraqis, Eritreans, Sudanese as well as Somalis, who make up the largest group of refugees in Libya, there are 3,000 registered asylum-seekers at the UNHCR office in Tripoli. "We are concerned. There are more than 8,000 refugees inside Libya and foreigners have a hard time there - especially now because Khaddafi accused foreigners of having staged the rebellion" explains Mathisen.
Sveriges Radio 28 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TK0E5
TV4 27 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TL0E6
DR 27 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TM0E7
Politiken 27 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TN0E8
Jyllands-Posten 27 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TO0EA
NRK 27 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TP0EB
YLE 27 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TQ0EC
Verdens Gang 25 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TR0ED
Aftenposten 24 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TS0EE
Dagens Nyheter 24 February 2011 (In Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TT0EF
More than 50 drown on the coast of Yemen
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR reports that 57 Somali refugees drowned on the south coast of Yemen. A ship transporting the Somalis capsized due to the strong wind on the Gulf of Aden. One of the passengers managed to swim to the shore of Yemen, where he told the authorities about the accident. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have fled from Somalia to Yemen because of poverty and unrest.
YLE 24 February 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDe3l0ZqnfK0aYE0I2TU0EG
Tuesday 1 March to Wednesday 2 March 2011
Denmark
Birthe Rønn Hornbech under more pressure
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, has been criticized for contradicting herself, with regard to the stateless persons who were denied their right to Danish citizenship. While she claims that no actions were being postponed, applicants continued to be rejected for over a decade. Birthe Rønn Hornbech explains that the whole process was prolonged as she was trying to find out how other Nordic countries interpreted the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Liv Feijen, Senior Regional Legal Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries says that the organization was never consulted on this matter and that it would certainty have assisted the Minister in this question, as it is one of the organization's main tasks. Subsequently, it was revealed that the Minister was in fact aware of the situation. Accordingly, Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, is awaiting an investigation report no later than next week.
DR 2 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5c50Ew
Information 1 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5c60Ex
DR 1 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5c70Ey
Denmark's integration policies get low ranking
In the third edition of the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) study, Denmark's integration policies ranks low - compared to other countries - when it comes to family reunification, approval of citizenship, as well as protection against discrimination. However, according to the same study, access to education as well as employment is quite high for immigrants living in Denmark. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, explains that even though it is very difficult to compare integration policies between different countries, the study illustrates these two main trends. Nevertheless, he adds that the study should be seen as an incentive for Denmark to improve within the integration area.
DR 28 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5c80Ez
DR 28 February 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dA0EB
Politiken 28 February 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dB0EC
Finland
Finland not yet prepared to accept refugees from Libya
Finland is not yet prepared to accept refugees from Libya, says the Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. According to Thors, the most important thing right now is to provide humanitarian assistance to the effected persons on the ground in the surrounding areas. Thors stresses the importance of EU helping displaced persons to flee from Libya to neighbouring countries. During a visit in Helsinki, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström says that a large influx of refugees from Libya to Europe is not expected. According to Malmström the refugees will mostly flee to neighbouring countries and the EU has already decided to give these countries humanitarian assistance to cope with the refugee situation. On 11 March European Union leaders are to meet for an extraordinary summit on the crisis in Libya.
YLE 1 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dC0ED
Turun Sanomat 1 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dD0EE
Norway
Norway stops returns to Libya and Côte d'Ivoire
Due to the ongoing unrest in Libya and Côte d'Ivoire the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has decided not to forcibly return asylum-seekers from the two countries. The obligation of voluntary repatriation after the final rejection of the asylum application has also been suspended until further notice.
Verdens Gang 1 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dE0EF
NRK 2 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dF0EG
Rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers hope to stay
Some weeks ago rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers demonstrated in Oslo in order to get the Norwegian authorities to individually reconsider their asylum cases. They ended their hunger-strike after a promise to meet the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). On Monday the promised meeting took place in Oslo. Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic Nordic Countries, said that the number of Ethiopians who receive protection in Norway is relatively high compared to other European countries, and therefore UNHCR does not have reasons to support the Ethiopians claim that their cases have not been assessed properly. Therefore the Ethiopians who have received a final rejection of their asylum application should return home voluntarily, said Mathisen. – If there is nothing new in particular that has occurred in one's own case, the right thing to do is to cooperate and return voluntarily, continued Mathisen. On a question regarding asylum-seekers who have stayed in Norway for up to 15 years, Mathisen replied that it is not in the mandate of UNHCR to make a statement. The Norwegian authorities say that as soon as a return agreement with Ethiopia is in place, all 800 asylum-seekers staying illegally in Norway will be sent back.
TV2 28 February 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dG0EH
Bishop wants human rights ombudsman
The former member of the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE), bishop Ingeborg Midttømme, urges the government to establish an independent human rights ombudsman for follow-ups on forcibly returned asylum-seekers. According to Ingeborg Midttømme, a follow-up is needed to ensure that the asylum policy in Norway does not violate human rights.
Verdens Gang 1 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dH0EI
Sweden
Sweden best at integration
According to the third edition of the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) study, Sweden provides favourable conditions for immigrants to take part in the society, in comparison to other European Union countries. In fact, laws on family reunification along with anti-discriminatory measures are considered to be quite strong, however, laws related to housing, education, political participation as well as citizenship are considered less advantageous.
DN 28 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dI0EJ
Sydsvenskan 28 February 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dJ0EK
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR appeals for people fleeing Libya
According to UNHCR 140,000 persons have fled Libya, of whom around 75,000 have fled to Tunisia and the rest to Egypt. On Monday UNHCR expressed concern that refugees inside Libya, originating from sub-Saharan countries, are not allowed entrance to Tunisia. The situation on the border between Tunisia and Libya is getting critical, says UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming. Some 1,000 persons are queuing on the Libyan side of the border waiting to enter Tunisia; many of them have waited for days. Meanwhile tens of thousands of people are waiting for further transportation on the Tunisian side of the border. Tunisian authorities are cooperating with UNHCR to set up refugee camps and to distribute food and water. Currently there is a camp for 10,000 people, but the aim is to double this. Access to water and sanitation is beginning to be a problem, reports Hovig Etyemezian, Senior Protection Officer with the UNHCR in Al Jazeera, Tunisia. UNHCR is now asking the world's governments for aid to mass evacuate the refugees in Libya and on the border areas. UNHCR has, together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), developed a humanitarian programme on how to take care of the refugees, and they ask for comprehensive help with finances and transportation. The UN General Assembly has suspended Libya's Membership from the UN Human Rights Council until further notice. The decision was taken unanimously based on the Libyan leadership's order to use violence against demonstrators.
Jyllands-Posten 1 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dK0EL
Helsingin Sanomat 1 March 2011:1 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dL0EM
Helsingin Sanomat 1 March 2011:2 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dM0EN
Turun Sanomat 1 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dD0EE
Aamulehti 1 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dN0EO
HBL 1 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dO0EP
YLE 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dP0EQ
YLE 1 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dQ0ER
NRK 1 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dR0ES
DN 2 March 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dS0ET
DN 2 March 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dT0EU
SVD 1 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dU0EV
Sveriges Radio 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dV0EW
SVT 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dW0EX
SVT 1 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dX0EY
Sydsvenskan 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dY0EZ
TV4 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfDV0ZqnfK0aYE0I5dZ0Ea
Thursday 3 March to Friday 4 March 2011
Denmark
Rønn criticizes her predecessors
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, is now pointing fingers at her ministerial predecessors for having neglected to provide guidelines on the subject of statelessness to the ministry's Nationality Division. Accordingly, she argues that the mishandling of the cases regarding the stateless persons who were wrongfully denied of their right to Danish citizenship continued without her knowledge. If this is true the former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Bertel Haarder, might be obliged to give an explanation on the issue, as most applications were rejected during his time in office. According to Hans ten Feld, Regional Representative, UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, the situation in Denmark is "an indication, that we [UNHCR] may need to do more regarding our own performance and focus on this matter". Nevertheless, he stresses that it is a national responsibility to respect the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. In fact, UNHCR was never contacted regarding this issue, says Liv Feijen, Senior Regional Legal Officer at UNHCR Regional Office.
Berlingske 2 March (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrH0E6
DR 2 March 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrI0E7
DR 3 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrJ0E8
Information 4 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrK0EA
Politiken 4 March 2011 nr 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrL0EB
Danish law on immigration might get overruled by EU´s new verdict
Denmark's tightened Immigration Act with regards to Turkish workers and their families might get overruled by the European Court of Justice (ECJ)'s new verdict. The later has granted two Turkish citizens the right to have their cases judged according to the 1982 regulations, which allows easier access into the European labour market. In view of that, tougher requirements on Turkish citizens as well as their families should, in principal, no longer be possible, by the Danish authorities. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech has been given five days in order to explain how she adheres to the ECJ´s new decision, She has not provided any comments on the matter so far.
DR 3 March 2011 nr 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrM0EC
DR 3 March 2011 nr 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrN0ED
Finland
Finland donates over one million euro to help refugees in Libya
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland donates 1,200,000 Euro to help refugees fleeing the crisis in Libya. The Foreign Ministry has previously donated 150,000 Euro to the Finnish Red Cross humanitarian work in Tunisia. The additional donation of 1,200,000 Euro will also go to the Finnish Red Cross's work on the Libya-Tunisia border, where the organisation is providing relief supplies such as tents, blankets and kitchen and toilet equipments. This weekend the Finnish Red Cross will send more staff to Tunisia.
Aaumulehti 2 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrO0EE
Kauppalehti 2 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrP0EF
Turun Sanomat 2 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrQ0EG
YLE 2 March (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrR0EH
YLE 3 March (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrS0EI
Norway
Norway donates 50 million Norwegian crowns to Libya
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to donate 50 million Norwegian crowns to Libya after the appeal for assistance from UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the situation in Libya and on Libya's border with Tunisia is severe. He stresses the importance to take responsibility and send humanitarian aid to those in need.
Dagbladet 3 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrT0EJ
NRK 3 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrU0EK
Sweden
Swedish aid arrives to Libya
Sweden has provided financial support to the UN refugee agency, reports Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation. Sweden has been criticised for not donating enough money to Libya in comparison to other EU countries. Carlsson replies to the criticism saying that millions of Swedish crowns were distributed already before the crisis started in Libya. Furthermore she says that Sweden will contribute with additional financial support and send more personnel and technical support, such as means of transportation, if needed. Swedish aid reached Benghazi, Libya on Thursday. Sweden is the first to deliver surgical support for the hospitals, says Sweden's consul general in Libya, Anders Nilsson.
Sveriges Radio 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrV0EL
Sveriges Radio 3 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrW0EM
Historic moment in Sweden's migration policy
The four governing centre-right parties - the Moderate party, the Christian Democrats, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party - have reached an agreement with the opposition Green Party regarding Sweden's migration policy. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt calls the agreement "historic" and adds that it will lay the ground for a long term, humane, rights-based and structured migration policy. The agreement will among other things facilitate family reunification through the use of DNA technology, easing the demand for ID papers. In addition, as a result of modifications in the regulations concerning asylum-seekers, migrant workers and migrant families, more people will have the possibility to come to Sweden. Moreover, paperless persons will now also have access to both health care and education. The Social Democrats and the Left Party which did not take part in the discussions are less enthusiastic about the agreement. They fear that it might lead to poor working conditions.
Sydsvenskan 2 March 2011 nr 1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrX0EN
Sydsvenskan 3 March 2011 nr 2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrY0EO
SvD 3 March 2011 nr 1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrZ0EP
SvD 3 March 2011 nr 2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCra0EW
SvD 3 March 2011 nr 3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrb0EX
SvD 3 March 2011 nr 4 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrc0EY
Göteborgs-Posten 4 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrd0EZ
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
DR 3 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCre0Ea
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
HBL 4 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCre0Ea
UNHCR in the news
Humanitarian crisis on Libya's borders
The number of refugees fleeing Libya is reaching 180,000. They originate from 20 different countries, reports UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming says the number of refugees continues to increase. So far around 80,000 have crossed the border into Egypt and some 95,000 have entered into Tunisia. Of these 95,000, around 43,000 persons are Egyptians, according to Fleming. UNHCR Senior Communications Officer, Sybella Wilkes, says the situation on Libya's border with Tunisia continues to be "chaotic". Wilkes explains that UNHCR staff working on the ground report that there are long queues of persons waiting on the Libyan side of the border to enter into Tunisia. Some of them have been waiting for three to four days. UNHCR is asking governments for e.g. airplanes to evacuate the refugees from Tunisia to their country of origin. Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, says it is important that onwards transport becomes quickly available since there is now congestion at the border. If not, Mathisen says, this might lead to serious consequences for the health and well-being of the refugees. UN has built a camp for 18,000 persons. Mathisen stresses the serious situation for the more than 8,000 refugees who are stuck inside Libya. UNHCR warns of the danger of a humanitarian crisis on the border area if increased efforts are not made to deal with the situation. Organizations and local persons from Tunisia are doing their best to assist. The EU Commission has announced it will give 30 million EUR for humanitarian needs.
HBL 2 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrf0Eb
YLE 2 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrg0Ec
NRK 2 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrh0Ed
SvD 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCri0Ee
Sveriges Radio 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrV0EL
Aftenposten 2 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrj0Ef
DR 3 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrk0Eg
Aftenposten 3 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrl0Eh
Dagbladet 3 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrm0Ei
Dagsavisen 3 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrn0Ej
NRK 3 March 2011 nr 1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCro0Ek
NRK 3 March 2011 nr 2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrp0El
Nyhetskanalen 2 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrq0Em
SvD 3 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrr0En
Sveriges Radio 3 March (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrW0EM
Tv4 3 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfTZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JCrs0Eo
Saturday 5 March to Monday 7 March 2011
Denmark
Denmark gives money to UN's Libya relief effort
The Danish government has decided to donate 30 million Danish crowns to support the UN's relief efforts in and around Libya. The Minister for Development Cooperation, Søren Pind, says that the money primarily is intended for UNHCR's mission in and around Libya. However, the funds can also be used to meet other humanitarian needs in Africa. The situation in North Africa is extremely serious, but other humanitarian crisis should not be forgotten either. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, this is particularly true for Côte d'Ivoire where new unrest has forced 30,000 people to flee into neighbouring countries during the last week and where UNHCR is about to implement a bigger relief effort.
Jyllands-Posten 5 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLdm0E7
Unaccompanied refugee minor sentenced to 40 days in prison
An Afghan unaccompanied refugee minor was sentenced to 40 days in prison and deportation for using false identification papers. The boy travelled by plane from Greece to Denmark. Prosecutor Tomas Hugger argues that the incident could have been avoided if the boy had gotten rid of his false ID card before landing in Denmark. However, since the boy has already been granted asylum, the expulsion cannot be carried out. Nevertheless, the boy will have to live with a criminal record for many years, says his legal Danish guardian Hanne Wilhelmsen and his defender Helmuth Jørgensen. Accordingly, Save the Children Denmark argues that neither the boy nor the authorities benefit from this decision.
Jyllands-Posten 3 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeD0ES
Sweden
Sweden gives more aid to help refugees fleeing Libya
The Swedish government has given the United Nation permission to use the Swedish Hercules plane on Malta to help evacuate the thousands of persons that have fled from Libya. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is also about take a decision to contribute 33 million Swedish crowns. However, the donation will probably increase, says Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation. SIDA will also contribute with emergency aid to UNHCR's and the International Organization on Migration's (IOM) humanitarian efforts for refugees at the Libyan border. SIDA will among other things contribute with evacuation flights in March and the evacuation of 1,350 Bangladeshi refugees.
Sydsvenskan 5 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeE0ET
Svenska Dagbladet 5 March 2011 (in Swedish) and I: 24-25
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeF0EU
Dagens Nyheter 6 March 2011 p: 19 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
New concerns when fewer people flee from Libya into Tunisia
Since Thursday there has been a sudden drop in people fleeing Libya into Tunisia. Firas Kayal, spokesperson for UNHCR, says the UN Refugee Agency is worried that persons wanting to leave Libya are prohibited from doing so. According to UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming, heavily armed forces loyal to Gaddafi are now controlling the Libyan border to Tunisia. Fleming says many of the refugees who have passed the border the last days are not willing to talk, and there are implications that they might have been frightened or intimidated in some way.
Aamulehti 4 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeG0EV
HBL 4 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeH0EW
HBL 3 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeH0EW
Helsingin Sanomat 6 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeI0EX
Dagbladet 4 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeJ0EY
Verdens Gang 4 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeK0EZ
Aftonbladet 5 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeL0Ea
Sveriges Radio 5 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeM0Eb
Di 4 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeN0Ec
UNHCR suspends plans to build a refugee camp in Côte d'Ivoire
In Côte d'Ivoire UNHCR has been forced to cancel the plans to build a refugee camp for internally displaced persons in the west. More than 70,000 persons have fled their homes in this area, reports UNHCR. Melissa Fleming, UNHCR spokesperson, says the decision to suspend the opening of the camp is due to the uncertain security situation in the country. Unrest has broken out in the country after the presidential candidates Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara cannot agree on who is entitled to the presidency. According to Jacques Franquin, UNHCR's representative in Côte d'Ivoire, the capital Abidjan resembles a war zone.
Aftonbladet 4 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeO0Ed
DN 4 March 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeP0Ee
DN 4 March 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeQ0Ef
YLE 4 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDfqZ0ZqnfK0aYE0JLeR0Eg
Tuesday 8 March to Wednesday 9 March 2011
Denmark
Søren Pind new Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs
Birthe Rønn Hornbech has been fired from her post as Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, following the controversy on the stateless persons who were wrongfully denied of their right to Danish citizenship. After having gone through a report on the matter, Prime Minister Løkke Rasmussen concluded that she no longer could carry on her ministerial duties. Although the report recognizes that the government should have been briefed on the statelessness issue at a much earlier stage, it does not - as later revealed - mention any divergence between the former Minister and the Ministry's civil servants. An Independent Commission of Inquiry has, consequently, been set up in order to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs malpractice of the citizenship applications. In addition, Søren Pind has been appointed Denmark's new Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. The Danish People's Party has welcomed the Prime Minister's decision and believe, along with Søren Pind, that Denmark should not comply with conventions that might compromise Danish norms and values.
Politiken 9 March 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBP0ES
Politiken 9 March 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBQ0ET
DR 8 March 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBR0EU
DR 8 March 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBS0EV
Jyllands-Posten 8 March 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBT0EW
Jyllands-Posten 8 March 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBU0EX
Jyllands-Posten 8 March 2011:3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBV0EY
Information 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBW0EZ
Denmark in violation of several conventions
According to the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark has, in addition to the Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, also violated the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Nationality as well as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has, accordingly, launched six initiatives in order to insure that all conventions are rightfully followed in the future. This will among other things be done through close collaboration with the UNHCR Regional Office for Baltic and Nordic countries in Stockholm, Sweden. Denmark´s new Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, is critical of UN conventions. Referring to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness from 1961, Pind says, that the conventions do not reflect reality. According to Pind, integration is old-fashioned. He believes that focus should be on assimilating none-Danish citizens. However, the other Government party, the Conservatives, does not agree with Pind's statements. Naser Khader Integration Spokesperson for the Conservatives says that assimilation should not be the country's official policy.
DR 9 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBX0Ea
Information 8 March 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBY0Eb
Information 8 March 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBZ0Ec
Jyllands-Posten 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBa0Ej
Politiken 8 March 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBb0Ek
Politiken 8 March 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBc0El
Politiken 8 March:3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBd0Em
Politiken 8 March:4 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBe0En
DR 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBf0Eo
Finland
Campaign to attract asylum-seekers to return
The campaign will start with a three year test period. The aim of the campaign is to help immigrants originating from outside EU to return to their country of origin. The immigrants get financial support for the flight ticket and for building a new life in their country of origin. The programme is funded by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the Finnish Immigration Service. The project coordinator at IOM, Jacob Jörgensen, estimates that the number of persons who return voluntarily will increase to 400 – 500 per year. Most of those who choose to return have been rejected asylum or suspended their asylum-applications.
YLE 8 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBg0Ep
All parliamentary parties against racism
On Tuesday, all parliamentary parties, including the True Finns, signed the Charter of European Political Parties for a non-racist Society. The parties also promised to refrain from racism in the election campaigns. The event was organized with the aim for parties to commit against racism, at a time when immigration is discussed more than ever before in an election campaign.
YLE 8 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBh0Eq
Norway
Persons without residence permit pay hundreds of millions in taxes
For years persons without residence permit have worked and paid taxes in Norway. The Norwegian Tax Administration has continued to send out tax cards to rejected asylum-seekers working in Norway, due to bad communication between the authorities. Now the government wants to put an end to this, saying persons without residence permit are to be sent out of the country. Meanwhile, both the Norwegian Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and the Liberal Party of Norway think asylum-seekers without residence permit should be able to work in Norway. Otherwise they fear that these persons will start to work illegally. The authorities introduced new routines in January this year, and since then a number of persons have been noticed to work without legal permits. The only thing employers can do is to fire them. The number of illegal immigrants affected by this is estimated to be up to 3,000. From now on asylum-seekers need to go to the Norwegian Tax Administration to apply for tax cards. This way the authorities are able to examine if the asylum-seeker has a right to a work permit for a limited time, until the decision for residence permit is taken.
State Secretary Pål Lønseth says there will be no exceptions to the rules. According to the rules rejected asylum-seekers are to leave, either voluntarily or by force, says Lønseth.
NRK 8 March 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBi0Er
NRK 8 March 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBj0Es
NRK 7 March 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBk0Et
NRK 7 March 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBl0Eu
NRK 7 March 2011:3 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBm0Ev
Sweden
Protest against forced return of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers
Tuesday night around 50 persons protested outside the Swedish Migration Board's detention center in Märsta against the deportation of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to the organization "No one is illegal" there are several families with children and people who belong to vulnerable religious minorities among the forcibly returned. One of the demonstrators says that these persons will be sent back to areas the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has asked countries to refrain from deporting Iraqis to. Currently there are only four countries in Europe that do not follow the UN's and human rights organizations' advice. The network "No one is illegal" is planning new demonstrations.
Sydsvenskan 9 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBn0Ew
Upsala Nya Tidning 8 March (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBo0Ex
UNHCR in the news
Tens of thousands flee from Côte d'Ivoire to Liberia
At least 75,000 Ivorian refugees have fled to Liberia, according to UNHCR. Inside Côte d'Ivoire, in Abidjan, there are 200,000 to 300,000 internally displaced refugees. The humanitarian and protection needs are growing fast, says UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards.
YLE 8 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBp0Ey
NRK 8 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBq0Ez
Verdens Gang 8 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBr0E1
Aftonbladet 8 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBs0E2
DN 8 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBt0E3
People fleeing Libya report serious intimidation
The UN Refugee agency (UNHCR) has received an increasing number of accounts of persecution of sub-Saharan Africans. This information is alarming, stresses UNHCR. Sudanese refugees who have crossed the border into Egypt say all their personal papers were confiscated or destroyed in Libya. UNHCR has heard similar stories about refugees originating from Chad. The persons originating from sub-Saharan Africa are in Libya to perform low paid jobs, and were already facing discrimination prior to this conflict. During the last weeks the violence and discrimination against them has increased due to rumours that Gaddafi has bought mercenaries from poor African countries to defeat the rebels. The reason for the persecution is that local population suspects them to be or become henchmen of Gaddafi, says Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries. Therefore Africans from Chad, Sudan and other poor countries cause anger and concern among Libyans, says Mathisen. According to UNHCR the total number of refugees from Libya has passed 212,000 persons. UNHCR is concerned since there has been a significant drop in the number of arrivals. This drop coincides with a deteriorating security situation in western Libya. Refugees have told UNHCR that in order to cross the border to Tunisia they have had to pass several military checkpoints and they have been body searched for the purpose of confiscating mobile phones, SIM cards and memory cards. Many people are still waiting on the Tunisian and Egyptian side of the border. A big group of men from Bangladesh have been waiting for days, says UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards.
YLE 8 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBu0E4
NRK 7 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBv0E5
Politiken 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDf7h0ZqnfK0aYE0JSBw0E6
Thursday 10 March to Friday 11 March 2011
Denmark
Stateless persons demand compensation
The Union of Stateless Persons demand that the former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, compensates those who were wrongfully denied of their right to Danish citizenship. Fathi El Abeid, head of the Union of Stateless Persons, argues that Birthe Rønn Hornbech holds the main responsibility and should not be let off easily. Rønn Hornbech has been given until 17 March 2011 to engage in a dialogue and recognize her obligation to reimburse the damages.
DR 10 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIC0E5
Politiken 10 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYID0E6
Søren Pind risks dividing Danish society
Mohammad Rafiq, Integration Consultant in Copenhagen, believes that by requiring assimilation rather than integration of foreigners in Denmark, Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, risks alienating immigrants further away from the Danish society. Samer Abou Hachim, Deputy Chairman of the Integration Council in Odense, concurs and adds that Søren Pind's statements are regrettable and benefit neither integration nor assimilation. Instead he invites the newly appointed Minister to a dialogue, with the aim of resolving existing integration problems. In the same line of thought, the Socialist People's Party thinks that Søren Pind must keep in mind that there are real problems to deal with instead of engaging in philosophical discussions.
TV2 Nyhederne 9 March 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIE0E7
Politiken 9 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIF0E8
DR 9 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIG0EA
New verdict might affect Danish immigration policies
On 8 March 2011 the European Court of Justice's (ECJ) issued a significant ruling in the so-called Zambrano-case. The ruling confers a right of residency and work permit for parents of a minor European Union (EU) citizen. The Danish People´s Party has inquired the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, to ignore ECJ's verdict as it considers it to undermine Denmark's immigration policy. Pind, however, dismisses this and argues that the Danish authorities have to acknowledge ECJ's decision. Nevertheless, he adds that the issue will be raised with other EU countries, if a study were to show that Danish immigration regulations are challenged. The Danish People's Party is dissatisfied with the Minister's choice.
DR 10 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIH0EB
Politiken 10 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYII0EC
Jyllands-Posten 10 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIJ0ED
DR 9 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIK0EE
DR 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIL0EF
Politiken 8 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIM0EG
Norway
New anti-racist movement
Antiracists and youth parties think the organization SOS Racism is an obstacle for the work against racism in Norway. Youth parties and the Norwegian Centre against Racism are starting up a new grass-root organization against racism. The aim is to take over SOS Racism's position among youth and adults, and to additionally build a broader platform. Kari Helene Partapuoli, director at the Norwegian Centre against Racism, says the reason for this is that SOS Racism has failed to succeed in its work against racism, among other things SOS Racism has been criticised for corrupt membership practices.
Dagbladet 11 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIN0EH
Sweden
New hope for Somali immigrants
Many Somali immigrants have been given new hope following the Government and the Green Party agreement regarding Sweden's migration policy. The agreement will among other things make it easier for asylum-seekers who lack proper identification papers to reunite with their family through the use of DNA technology. However, there are still some uncertainties regarding how the new decision will work in practice. Accordingly, Johan Rahm, Press Officer at the Swedish Migration Board, says that the practical aspect of the process should be left in the hands of the politicians.
Sveriges Radio 10 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIO0EI
SVT 10 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIP0EJ
Prosecutor to review expulsion case
Although they are European Union (EU) citizens and begging is not illegal in Sweden, 45 beggars as well as street musicians - mostly Roma - have been expulsed by the Stockholm Police. Both the Swedish Police and the Swedish Migration Board have previously stated that it is not possible to reject someone on the basis of beggary or busking. Accordingly, Carin Götblad, County Police in Stockholm, has decided to forward these cases to a prosecutor for further reviewing.
DN 9 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIQ0EK
UNHCR in the news
Fewer Libyan refugees raise concern
After the sudden drop in the number of persons fleeing Libya, international organizations fear that people are held back. Satellite images taken by the Americans and the British indicate a concentration of persons on the Libyan side of the border. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres says he has received the same information but there is lack of proof. Antonio Guterres is now in Tunisia, together with the head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to meet Tunisia's interim President and Prime Minister. According to Guterres, UNHCR needs 160 million dollar in the coming months to help the persons who have fled from Libya to Tunisia, Egypt and Niger.
DN 10 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDgNv0ZqnfK0aYE0JYIR0EL
Saturday 12 March to Monday 14 March 2011
Denmark
A majority of Danes prefer a multi-cultural society
According to a new opinion poll a clear majority of Danes prefer a multi-cultural society to a mono-cultural one. The poll was done for the newspaper Berlingske. Of those who answered the poll, 54 per cent like a multicultural society and around 60 per cent prefer integration to assimilation. However, around 58 per cent agree with the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind's view that multiculturalism has a negative influence on Danish values.
Berlingske 13 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDglA0ZqnfK0aYE0JgsB0Ec
Information 13 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDglA0ZqnfK0aYE0JgsC0Ed
UNHCR in the news
Nearly half a million people have fled Côte d'Ivoire
More than 450,000 persons have fled their homes in Côte d'Ivoire, says a representative from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Most have fled from the country's biggest city Abidjan. There are growing fears that the political crisis after the presidential elections in November 2010 could descend into civil war. Both Mr Alassane Ouattara and Mr Laurent Gbagbo claim to be the rightful winner of the presidential election. Former rebel forces support Mr Ouattara, while most of the army remains loyal to the incumbent President Mr Laurent Gbagbo. Some 9,000 UN peacekeepers are in the country to monitor the ceasefire line between the two forces.
YLE 12 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDglA0ZqnfK0aYE0JgsD0Ee
Tuesday 15 March to Wednesday 16 March 2011
Denmark
Søren Pind eases point system on family reunification
After discussions with the Danish People's Party, Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, has agreed to ease the criticised point system with regards to family reunification. As a result, skilled workers will be categorized together with bachelor graduates in order to avoid "educational snobbery". In addition, the top 20 university list will be extended to 50. It will also to be made easier for experts who come to Denmark to reunite with their family. The new point system includes a passage which says that Turkish citizens will not be given special treatment. This might constitute a concern following a verdict by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that Dutch family reunification rules to not apply for Turkish employees.
Berlingske 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYX0EQ
Denmark helps Libya
Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has decided that Denmark will take part in a joint Nordic effort to facilitate the evacuation of migrants who flee the ongoing violence in Libya. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark informs that the migration pressure remains high and that aid agencies have difficulties keeping up. Accordingly, in order to ensure effective coordination of the evacuation work, the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) will provide Libya with field experts.
Politiken 14 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYY0ER
Jyllands-Posten 14 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYZ0ES
Immigrants feel lonely
A new study from the National Board of Health shows that immigrants are lonelier than citizens born in Denmark. Figures illustrate that 13 per cent of non-Western immigrants feel to a higher degree lonely compared to only 5 per cent of Danish-born immigrants. Morten Sodemann, Professor and Physician at the Institute of Clinical Research in Odense, recognises the problem of loneliness and explains that many also suffer from depression.
DR 15 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYa0EZ
Denmark accused of violating yet another convention
The Danish People's Party and government may have violated yet another international convention, more specifically, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Danish authorities have been brought before the UN Human Rights Committee (OHCHR) for having denied a 41-year-old Iraqi refugee of Danish citizenship. The later, who suffer from schizophrenia, had his application rejected twice due to his inability to complete the Danish citizenship test. The Attorney at Advokatkompagniet, Helle Holm Thomsen, who contacted OHCHR, argues that the Parliament's Citizenship Committee tends to discriminate when deciding who gets an exemption from the citizenship rules. Tom Behnke, Chairman of the Citizenship Committee, says that the decision on which applicants get an exemption from the rules varies from case to case.
Politiken 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYb0Ea
Estonia
Increase in number of work permits issued
According to a study by the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences the number of work permits issued increased the most in Estonia and Sweden during the economic crisis. In Estonia the reported increase was 14.8 per cent and in Sweden 24.8 per cent. However, in the whole of Europe the number of work permits decreased by 37 per cent during the crisis.
The Baltic Course 15 March 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYc0Eb
Sweden
Greece severely criticized by the CPT
The European Committee for Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has issued a statement severely criticizing Greece. The latter has been strongly accused of not taking enough actions in order to improve the situation of detained asylum-seekers. According to Mikael Ribbenvik, Legal Council at the Swedish Migration Board, additional pressure has been put on Greece to do something about the poor conditions in detention centres. Even Sweden has received recommendations from the CPT, with regards to the overcrowding in the Kronoberg Remand Prison. However, Ribbenvik argues that it is of different magnitude in comparison to the situation in Greece.
Sveriges Radio 15 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYd0Ec
UNHCR in the News
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in turmoil
Following President Laurent Gbagbo's refusal to concede defeat after losing last year's presidential election to Alassane Ouattara, the situation in Côte d'Ivoire has worsened. According to several reports, the country is degenerating into civil war. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says that 450,000 people have fled their home as a result of the ongoing violence. In addition, UNHCR describes the situation in Côte d'Ivoire as a growing tragedy that has been overlooked since the international attention has been directed to North Africa.
Dagens Arena 14 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYe0Ed
Fierce fighting continues in Libya – rebels forced to flee
Colonel Gaddafi's troops have pushed back the rebels from yet two important cities in Libya. Hundreds of persons have fled to the anti-government forces stronghold in Benghazi. In Benghazi people have begun to erect defensive barricades and many also try to flee to Egypt. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says that people fear pro-Gaddafi forces will reach Benghazi. There is also an increase in the number of people fleeing from Benghazi. UNHCR's spokesperson Sybella Wilkes reports that prior to this week most of those crossing the border into Egypt were migrant workers. However, on Monday around 50 per cent of the 2,250 persons were Libyans, amongst them families with children. Neither the members of G8 nor the UN Security Council have managed to agree on a no-fly zone on Libya to prevent air-attacks on rebels by pro-Gaddafi forces.
Aftenbladet 16 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYf0Ee
ABCNyheter 15 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYg0Ef
VG 15 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDg2l0ZqnfK0aYE0JnYh0Eg
Thursday 17 March to Friday 18 March 2011
Denmark
Facebook stops campaign against Søren Pind
Facebook has stopped a campaign against the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind. Christian Træholt, Member of Socialist Youth Front (SUF), who initiated the campaign, encouraged Facebook users to change their profile picture into one of the Minister. We want to show Søren Pind, how boring a country is when everyone is assimilated, says Christian Træholt. This occurred after Søren Pind made it clear that refugees and immigrants must assimilate in Denmark instead of integrate.
Jyllands-Posten 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZh0Ep
Berlingske 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZi0Eq
DR 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZj0Er
Politiken 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZk0Es
Information 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZl0Et
Increasing influx of refugees from Côte d'Ivoire to Liberia
Thousands are fleeing the violence in Côte d'Ivoire into the neighbouring country Liberia. An estimated 350,000 people are internally displaced and the number continues to increase. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has established a refugee camp in Liberia, as the significant influx of refugee has put much pressure on the Liberian communities. Ann Mary Olsen, Head of the International Department of the Danish Refugee Council, explains therefore it is imperative to take immediate actions with regards to the growing humanitarian crisis.
U-landsnyt 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZm0Eu
Finland
Concerns about debate on Immigration
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Stubb, describes the climate of the current debate on immigration and multiculturalism as distressing. During a seminar Stubb said that Finland's success and economic growth is based on openness and internationality. This also needs to be reflected in the home country. According to Stubb, Finland has to make important decisions; to continue on the road towards openness and multiculturalism or not. In another news article Alettin Basboga, a City Councillor, expresses concern about racist statements made around the upcoming general election in April. Basboga says anti-immigration attitudes increase insecurity for aliens living in Finland.
Aamulehti 16 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZn0Ev
Turun Sanomat 16 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZo0Ew
Yle 16 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZp0Ex
Yle 17 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZq0Ey
Long queues for Somalis applying for family reunification
The Finnish Immigration Service is currently processing around 5,600 family reunification applications from Somalis. The oldest application was submitted over two years ago. The authority says that there are two reasons why the handling of Somalis' applications for family reunification takes longer than average. Firstly, there is a big increase in the numbers of applications by Somalis. Secondly, it is difficult for Somalis to obtain documents from Somalia to prove the family tie, therefore the interested parties have to be interviewed in person and this is often done at the Finnish mission in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Yle 16 March 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZr0Ez
Sweden
Swedish aid to Tunisia
Tents and an electric power plant are part of an aid shipment that the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) sends to Tunisia together with Denmark and Norway. The material will be used in the UN Refugee Agency's refugee camp set up for Libyans fleeing the ongoing violence.
Dagens Nyheter 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZs0E1
Göteborgs-Posten 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZt0E2
NWT 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZu0E3
SVT 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZv0E4
Sweden offers a safe haven for refugees in Libya
The situation for Somali and Eritrean refugees in Libya is extremely difficult. According to Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Swedish Migration Board, there might be around 10,000 Somali and Eritrean refugees in Libya. Representatives from the Swedish Migration Board and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will travel to Libya to assess the situation on the ground. As a result some hundred quota refugees might be granted asylum in Sweden. Even refugees with Lybian nationality who are fleeing Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime will have the possibility to seek asylum in Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZw0E5
SVT 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZx0E6
Norran 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZy0E7
Skånskan 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZz0E8
Sveriges Radio 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ10Eu
Sida provides emergency assistance to Côte d'Ivoire
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) will provide nearly 70 million Swedish crowns in emergency aid to help refugees fleeing the violence in Côte d'Ivoire. According to the UN almost half-a-million people have been displaced. SIDA-representatives fear that a civil war might jeopordize recent years´ positive development in the region.
Sveriges Radio 16 March 2011
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ20Ev
Minor asylum-seekers risk deportation
Two children, ages 5 and 9, will probably be returned to the Republic of Macedonia next week. The children cannot speak the language and their attorney, Peter Henrysson, finds the return order incomprehensible. The return order has been postponed since the children's mother is in hiding. However, according to a new decision there are no obstacles to send the children back. At the Swedish Migration Board they do not want to comment on this individual case, however, they state that children will never be returned if there is no reception available for the children.
DN 17 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ30Ew
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR fears for Libyan refugees
Although the number of people fleeing Libya is still increasing, the pace has been slower than expected. Melissa Fleming, Head of the Media Relation and Information Service Unit at UNHCR in Geneva, explains that there usually is a significant number of injured people, women and children in a similar situation of mass displacement. In this case, however, the number has been low. The UNHCR is continuously receiving calls for help from refugees and asylum-seekers who have found themselves stranded in Libya. For those who have succeeded to flee across the Egyptian border, UNHCR has initiated and undertaken a refugee status determination process and asked the Egyptian authorities to provide shelter for the arriving refugees.
Verdens Gang 16 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ40Ex
U-landsnyt 16 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ50Ey
Turun Sanomat 18 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ60Ez
Vasabladet 18 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhKS0ZqnfK0aYE0JuZ70E1
Saturday 19 March to Monday 21 March 2011
Denmark
Decline of asylum-seekers in Denmark
The number of asylum-seekers who arrive in Denmark has decreased despite the
migration waves in North Africa. In fact, the Danish Immigration Service has noticed a remarkable decline in the number of people seeking asylum in Denmark. Claus Birkelyng, Deputy Police Inspector at the National Immigration Center in Sandholm, explains that last year Denmark received around 100 asylum-seekers per week in comparison to 70-80 today. He adds that the reduction might be explained by the fact that North Africans apply for asylum in other countries, for instance France. Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, says that Denmark should rather provide support to refugee camps in North Africa. Last year some 5,000 persons sought asylum in Denmark, and about 2,000 were given residency permit. By contrast Sweden received 31,000 asylum-seekers, but a mere 9,000 were given asylum.
Berlingske 20 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xl0E7
Jyllands-Posten 20 march 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xm0E8
Politiken 19 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xm0E8
Sweden
Deportation of minor asylum-seeking children postponed
The Swedish Migration Board has decided to postpone the deportation of two minor asylum-seeker to the Republic of Macedonia, planned for this week. According to Michael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, there are new facts which should be examined. Subsequent to a letter of complaint that was sent from from the children´s pediatricians, Lars H. Guastafsson and Maris Köhler, to the General Director of the Swedish Migration Board, Dan Eliasson, it was decided that the cases will be further looked into. Michael Ribbenvik, however, does not want to speculate in the matter, and claims that, as for now, it is not certain what this new decision might lead to.
DN 18 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xn0EA
Sydsvenskan 18 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xo0EB
Sveriges Radio 18 March 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xp0EC
Sveriges Radio 18 March 2011: 2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xq0ED
Sveriges Radio 18 March 2011: 3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xr0EE
Svt 18 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xq0ED
Demonstration for the rights of asylum-seekers
Around 200 persons took part in a protest march alongside the major pedestrian street in Gothenburg, Avenyn. They were protesting against Sweden's asylum and migration policy. Among the demonstrators was Gustav Landström, Member of the Left Party. He argued that Sweden has violated the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees when sending back refugees to a "certain death" and that it must be stopped.
Göteborgs-Posten 20 March 2011 (In Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xs0EF
UNHCR in the news
Fighting in Libya increase influx of refugees
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian aid organisations are predicting an influx of refugees from Libya. As the troops of Gaddafi are moving east the aid organisations are preparing for an increase of refugees on the border between Egypt and Libya. UNHCR is preparing to receive some 200,000 persons fleeing the current fighting in Libya. On Saturday, UNHCR reported that the number of persons crossing the border increased from 824 to 1,000. UNHCR spokeswoman Elizabeth Tan says that the fleeing families arriving at the Egyptian border are extremely frightened and traumatised, and that some of their homes have been completely flattened. According to UNHCR some 317,600 persons have fled Libya so far.
Dagens Industri 19 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xt0EG
Nyhetskanalen 19 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xu0EH
HBL 18 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xv0EI
Ilta-Sanomat 20 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xw0EJ
Ilta-Sanomat 19 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDhiI0ZqnfK0aYE0J4Xx0EK
Tuesday 22 March to Wednesday 23 February 2011
Denmark
Søren Pind rejects problem with ECJ verdict on residency issues
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, argues that there is no need to raise with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) its ruling concerning residency requirements in the European Union (EU). The number of persons who have been given a residence permit with regards to ECJ's new verdict has, in fact, been minimal. Estimates show that merely 900 residency permits were issued last year as a result of this ruling, in comparison to 59,000 residency permits issued in total. The Danish People's Party does not share Pind's view and argues that Danes must be in charge of their own country. This is not possible as long the Minister and the Danish government continue to sign onto EU legislation, says, Peter Skaarup, spokesperson for the Danish People's Party. Former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, agrees and argues that the new EU rulings will undermine the Danish immigration policy.
DR 21 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2011/03/21/031408.htm
Berlinske 22 March 2011: 1 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/politiko/loekke-forsoeger-enighed-med-baade-roenn-og-pind
Berlingske 22 March 2011: 2 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/politiko/roenn-eu-retten-en-bombe-under-velfaerden
Information 22 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.information.dk/263261
Stateless persons want to see Birthe Rønn Hornbech in court
Fathi El-Abed, Head of the Union of Stateless Persons and Member of the Socialist People's Party, informed that several stateless persons would like to see the former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech and her predecessors, in court. Fathi El-Abed explains that they will not wait for an independent investigation, as it might take up to 3 years. Instead, they have required a symbolic amount from the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs and Birthe Rønn Hornbech to compensate for the damages made to those who were wrongfully denied Danish citizenship.
Berlingske 21 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/politiko/statsloese-hiver-pind-og-roenn-i-retten
Finland
Immigration issue divide election candidates
Questions regarding support and reception of immigrants divide the candidates in the upcoming general election in Finland. The election guide provided by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) shows that the True Finns and the conservative National Coalition Party are among the more immigration-critical parties. The True Finns, National Coalition, Centre Party and Christian Democrat candidates demand stricter rules on immigration. The Green League, the Left Alliance and the Swedish People's Party (SFP) have more liberal views on the matter. The majority of these parties' candidates are opposed to a tightening of immigration rules. Candidates of the Social Democrat Party (SDP) have varying views on the issue. YLE's election guide matches the candidates' and voters' answers to a series of questions, among them the question of controlled immigration.
YLE 22 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/teemat/vaalit_2011/2011/03/maahanmuutto_jakaa_edustajaehdokkaita_2453778.html
YLE 22 March 2011 (in English)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/03/immigration_issue_divides_election_candidates_2454641.html
Sweden
Sweden stops deportation to Yemen
The Swedish Migration Board has decided to stop all deportations to Yemen due to the growing violence. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, says that the situation in Yemen is escalating, particularly following an attack against unarmed demonstrators last Friday. As a result, the Swedish Migration Board will closely monitor the situation in several North African countries, including Algeria, Morocco and Syria, in addition to Egypt and Tunisia, who remain in the spotlight.
SVT 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.33919/1.2369244/stopp_for_utvisningar_till_jemen
Sveriges Radio 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=4068&grupp=14049&artikel=4415709
Göteborgs-Posten 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.gp.se/nyheter/varlden/1.579539-utvisning-till-jemen-stoppas
UNHCR in the news
Thousands displaced in eastern Libya
In eastern Libya thousands of persons have left their homes and are now internally displaced within the country, says the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The internally displaced are from Ajdabiya, Derna and Tobruk where fighting took place earlier this week. The persons have taken refuge in schools, universities or homes of private persons, says UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards. The inhabitants have reported that they are afraid to go out in the evening. Despite the population movements within Libya, the predicted massive increase of refugees into neighbouring countries has not occurred. According to Elizabeth Tan, deputy regional representative for UNHCR in Egypt, the influx of refugees from Libya has in fact decreased. UNHCR also reports some cases of Libyans returning voluntarily to the country. Tan says many Libyans are crossing the border to Egypt for medical reasons. According to Tan the humanitarian services on the Egyptian border have so far been sufficient. However, the Egyptian authorities refuse to give permission to erect tents for protection. The Egyptian government does not want to create a pull-factor, explains Tan. Firas Kayal, UNHCR spokesperson on the Tunisian border, says the influx of refugees is the same as previous weeks, with some thousand persons crossing every day. Kayal reports that 2,700 persons entered Tunisia on Sunday and at least 1,700 on Monday. According to Kayal, the majority leaving Libya are persons from other African countries. According to Kayal some of the refugees have said that they had difficulties and were harassed when trying to leave the country. However, some 60 – 70 per cent say it is possible to leave Libya if one has the will and transportation facilities. On Wednesday UNHCR will send trucks with 5,000 blankets and sleeping mats for internally displaced persons in Benghazi.
Berlingske 22 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/globalt/fn-tusinder-paa-flugt-i-det-oestlige-libyen
Dagsavisen 22 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagsavisen.no/utenriks/article514730.ece
Politiken 21 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/udland/ECE1230300/libysk-flygtningestroem-er-halveret-efter-vestlige-bombardementer/
Iltalehti 22 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltalehti.fi/libyankriisi/2011032213412562_lc.shtml?ref=kn
Iltalehti 21 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltalehti.fi/libyankriisi/2011032113409762_lc.shtml
HBL 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/utrikes/2011/3/22/w60854.php#
Nyhetskanalen 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.nyhetskanalen.se/1.2065002/2011/03/22/tusentals_flyr_varje_dag
Sydsvenskan 22 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.sydsvenskan.se/varlden/article1419416/Kaddafistyrkor-attackerar-civila.html
Migrants overcrowd Italian island
Currently there are 4,800 migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is almost the same as the number of local inhabitants, reports UNHCR. The local reception centre is designed for 850 migrants but is currently housing 2,000 persons. About 3,000 migrants are sleeping under the open sky. UNHCR informs that the congestion leads to increased tension between the local population and the migrants. UNHCR says the lack of sanitation is getting serious. Most of the economic migrants are Tunisians.
Politiken 22 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/udland/ECE1231726/flygtninge-overbefolker-italiensk-oe/
Saturday 26 March to Monday 28 March 2011
Denmark
Discontent with stateless-inquiry
The opposition is dissatisfied that the inquiry related to stateless persons' citizenship applications will only look at the period from 1999 to January 2010. Jesper Lindholm, Expert in International Law at the Aarhus University, argues that it is highly relevant to include the time up until Birthe Rønn Hornbech was fired from her post as Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs and the Danish police stations received a briefing about the two UN conventions' importance for stateless Palestinians who are born in Denmark.
DR 25 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4f0E1
Finland
Thors criticizes the Finnish Immigration Service
Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, criticizes the Finnish Immigration Service for still having too long processing times for asylum applications. During a seminar on 26 March 2011, Thors said that the Finnish Immigration Service has received additional resources to reduce the processing time. Still decisions take considerably longer in Finland compared to other Nordic countries. According to Thors the problem is no longer lack of resources but a matter of planning and leading the work effectively.
Aamulehti 26 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4g0E2
Turun Sanomat 26 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4h0E3
More people want to move to Finland
An increasing number of persons, living outside the European Union, wants to move to Finland. During 2010, some 250,000 persons applied for residence permit, an 18 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The majority of the applicants are from Russia, Somalia and India. Up to 80 per cent of the decisions were positive, reports the Finnish Immigration Service. Applications for family reunification increased with 57 per cent from year 2009 to 2010. The Finnish Immigration Service predicts that family reunification will increase in the future, since more and more people are granted residence permits.
HBL 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4i0E4
Turun Sanomat 25 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4j0E5
Norway
Socialist Left Party defends its asylum and refugee policy
During the Socialist Left Party's annual conference the party leader, Kristin Halvorsen, said the party has created the impression that it wishes Norway to have open borders. Halvorsen also expressed frustration that the party has not received any credits for its involvement in the asylum and refugee policy. She thinks the party currently has a good asylum and refugee policy. However, the party needs to talk more about the overall policy and not only individual cases. Halvorsen thinks it is a problem for the Socialist Left Party if voters think that the party wants everyone to be able to come to Norway.
Aftenposten 26 March 2011 (in Norway)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4k0E6
Sweden
Humanitarian aid to Côte d´Ivoire
On Friday 25 March 2011, the Swedish government announced that it will give 40 million Swedish crowns (SEK) in humanitarian aid to Côte d'Ivoire. Along with the 37 million SEK provided by the Swedish International Development Agency in mid-March, Sweden has now donated 77 million SEK to Cote d´Ivoire since the beginning of the year.
DN 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4l0E7
UNHCR in the news
Up to one million persons have fled their homes in Côte d'Ivoire
UNHCR estimates that one million persons are fleeing the current fighting in Côte d'Ivoire. The massive displacement is due to fear that the tense situation in the country will degenerate into full civil war, says UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming. Most of the persons are fleeing the city Abidjan. UNHCR spokesperson Jacques Franquin says that Liberian mercenaries are taking advantage of the current situation in Côte d'Ivoire. In the west of the country, some hundred Liberian mercenaries have raped, looted and killed. He adds that Guiglo is a lawless zone, where everyone does what they want and the inhabitants are panicking. The conflict in the West African country has escalated in recent weeks.
Berlingske 25 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4m0E8
DR 25 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4n0EA
Aftenbladet 25 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4o0EB
Dagbladet 27 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4p0EC
Verdens Gang 26 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4q0ED
Laholms Tidning 26 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4r0EE
Norra Skåne 26 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4s0EF
Sveriges Radio 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4t0EG
SVT 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4u0EH
Sydsvenskan 26 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4v0EI
West drew fewer asylum-seekers in 2010
According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR the number of asylum-seekers dropped in 2010. In southern Europe the number of asylum-seekers originating from Africa and Asia decreased with one third. A total of 358,000 people sought asylum last year, which is a 5 per cent drop compared to the previous year and some 40 per cent lower than ten years ago. It is the fourth lowest figure in the last decade.
Norran 28 March (in Swedish)
http://norran.se/nyheter/utrikes/article1147652.ece¨
Skånskan 28 March (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4w0EJ
Boat with migrants and refugees from Libya arrive in Italy
On Sunday 27 March 2011, the first boat with African migrants fleeing the ongoing conflict in Libya arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Following the significant influx of Tunisian migrants in February 2011, the Italian government now fears a big migration flow from Libya. Laura Boldrini, Senior Regional Public Information Officer at the UN Refugee Agency in Rome, explains that so far only migrants from Tunisia have arrived at the island of Lampedusa. This is thus the first boat with people fleeing the military violence in Libya, she adds. Laura Boldrini argues that more solidarity is needed among the European Union (EU) countries that have to face the waves of migrants fleeing Libya. The island of Lampedusa has now over 15,000 migrants and refugees from Tunisia. Approximately 1,000 people arrived on the small island on Saturday 26 March.
TV4 27 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4x0EK
Aftonbladet 27 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4y0EL
Borås Tidning 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR4z0EM
DN 25 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR410E8
Expressen 27 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR420EA
Göteborgs-Posten 25 March (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR430EB
Berlingske 27 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR440EC
Information 27 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR450ED
Jyllands-Posten 27 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR460EE
TV2 27 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDifP0ZqnfK0aYE0KR470EF
Tuesday 29 March to Wednesday 30 March 2011
Denmark
Prime Minister says foreigners should earn the right to social welfare
Despite scepticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Alliance, Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen continues to support the proposal to limit none-Danish citizens' access to social welfare. Lars Løkke Rasmussen defends the idea and argues that social services should be earned and not simply given to foreigners. The Government is, nevertheless, split over the issue. In fact, the other governmental party, the Conservatives, fears that this might eventually deter highly educated foreigners from coming to work in Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 29 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpZ0Em
Finland
The Finnish Immigration Service finds Minister's criticism unfounded
Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, has criticized the Finnish Immigration Service for still having too long processing times for asylum applications. Now the Director-General of the Finnish Immigration Service, Jorma Vuorio, reacts to the criticism saying that the processing times have decreased. In a press release on Monday, Vuorio says that the Finnish Immigration Service in general terms has met the goals set up by the Ministry of the Interior. Vuorio stresses that a thorough processing of the application is also in the interest of the asylum seeker.
HBL 28 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpa0Et
Asylum-seekers down by one-third
During last year 3,090 persons applied for asylum in Finland, compared to 4,915 in 2009. Thus, the statistics released by Eurostat show that the number of applicants has decreased by nearly 40 per cent. Furthermore, of 4,260 first instance decisions made in Finland, refugee status was granted to 1,595 applicants and 2,665 were turned down. The largest numbers of asylum-seekers came from Somalia, Iraq and Russia.
YLE 29 March 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpb0Eu
Few immigrant candidates in Finland's general election
Even though immigration is a main topic in the campaign for Finland's parliamentary election, the number of immigrant candidates remains small. A total of 45 candidates are standing in the election 17 April. Candidates born in Finland to foreign parents are also considered immigrants. Only Finnish citizens can stand as candidates or vote in the upcoming general election.
YLE 27 March 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpc0Ev
Finland is facing a political revolution
Finland is facing a political revolution in the upcoming general elections taking place in three weeks. The True Finns, a party of discontent, might become the biggest party in the government. In the latest pre-election polls the party had up to 18 per cent of support. The True Finns wants to dissolute EU, terminate international climate and refugee conventions and make changes in the current Language Act. Göran Djupsund, Professor of Political Science at Åbo Akademi, says many of their supporters are dissatisfied with Finland's EU membership. True Finns' leader Timo Soini does not want to be compared to the Swedish Democrats. Djupsund says the party has a xenophobic approach but puts more emphasis on the fear of the unknown. The party has more in common with the Norwegian Progress Party. Djupsund fears that if the True Finns are elected into the government there will be stricter rules for asylum, decreased humanitarian aid and changes in the language policy.
N.B. This story was covered in Sweden.
DN 30 March 2011 I:16 (in Swedish)
Finnish Minister on the rancorous debate on immigration
Finland's Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, is the most heavily attacked Minister in Finland. She has faced death threats and requirements to resign by other parties. Astrid Thors says she is sad about the current rancorous ambience in Finnish society. Thors has, among other things, been criticized for the increased number of asylum-seekers to Finland. Thors says the rumour about her influence on the migration policies is exaggerated. She says her biggest blunder seemed to be that she tried to have the same rules as Sweden regarding labour migrants. Other legislative changes, such as a modification of the paragraph on family reunification, were voted down. Therefore, the migration policies have remained the same, says Thors. Due to the restrictive immigration policy only 200,000 of Finland's 5,3 million inhabitants have another mother tongue than Finnish, Swedish or Sami language.
N.B. This story was covered in Sweden.
DN 30 March 2011 I:16-17 (in Swedish)
Norway
Norway must accept refugees from Libya
Trine Skei Grande, the leader of the Liberal Party, says Norway must accept North African refugees coming to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Grande thinks Norway needs to help Italy with processing the applications and that the refugees should be divided among the European countries. If they are not in need of protection they are to be sent back, continues Grande. The EU commissioner Cecilia Malmström has urged all EU countries to help by accepting some of the refugees arriving in Italy.
Aftenposten 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpd0Ew
Verdens Gang 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpe0Ex
Asylum-seeker risking death sentence deported to prison in Iran
The 19-year old rejected asylum-seeker Rahim Rostami was sent back to Iran in February although being sentenced to death there. Rostami is now being held at the notorious prison Evin in Teheran. He is accused of dissemination of false propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rostami came to Norway in October 2008 at the age of 17. He applied for asylum showing documents that he was to be sentenced to death if returning to Iran. Despite this the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) rejected his asylum-application. Rostami is now the first known asylum-applicant to be sent back to prison and the case has raised strong reactions. State Secretary Pål Lønseth says the decision to send Rostami back is "severe". The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) and UDI did not investigate the authenticity of the death sentence. The government and UDI have begun to investigate the deportation and are trying to find out what is happening to Rahim Rostami.
Ny Tid 28 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpf0Ey
Ny Tid 26 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpg0Ez
Ny Tid 23 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZph0E1
Asylum-seekers take Norway to court for deportation to Greece
Three asylum-seekers have taken legal actions against the Norwegian authorities for having wrongfully deported them to Greece, although it has been well known that the conditions for asylum-seekers are horrendous. Norway has, in fact, sent back 360 people even though the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that asylum seekers' human rights are being systematically violated in Greece. Andrew Furuseth, Legal Advisor at the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, believes that Norway probably knew about the conditions for deportees in Greece and should look into the matter further.
Dagsavisen 28 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpi0E2
Sweden
Many asylum applications in Sweden
In 2010 some 257,800 persons sought asylum in EU. Sweden received the third largest number of asylum applications, after France and Germany. Nevertheless, in Sweden three out of four applications were rejected.
SvD 29 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpj0E3
UNHCR in the news
Mass exodus from Côte d'Ivoire
The situation in Côte d'Ivoire has escalated into an armed conflict. The mass exodus has risen dramatically and nearly 1 million people have fled their homes, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number of displaced persons has doubled in merely two weeks. So far, the United Nations has confirmed that 462 people have been killed in confrontations between opposing parties. Jean Ping, President of the African Union fears a deteriorating security situation and a possible invasion from neighbouring countries. I am afraid that there is no possibility for a peaceful resolution, he says.
SvD 29 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpk0E4
Cecilia Malmström in Tunisia
Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, and Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, are visiting Tunisia to assess the refugee situation on the ground, discuss possibilities for long-term cooperation and EU's assistance to the Tunisian transitional government. During the visit Cecilia Malmström will meet with, among others, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Tunis. Malmström says that EU is providing Tunisia with humanitarian aid, financial and practical support, and that the organization is ready to extend that help.
Presskontakt 29 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpl0E5
Webfinanser 29 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDizn0ZqnfK0aYE0KZpm0E6
Thursday 31 March to Friday 1 April 2011
Denmark
Eva Singer joins the Danish Refugee Council
Eva Singer has been appointed new Head of the Asylum Department of the Danish Refugee Council. Previously she worked as Head of the Danish Immigration Service. Singer has worked with human rights and refugee issues for many years e.g. for the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) and the Danish Refugee Council. Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council, is confident that Eva Singer has a thorough knowledge of both Danish legislation and international conventions relating to refugee protection and human rights.
Jyllands Posten 1 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfGu0EI
Foreigners should earn the right to welfare benefits
Most Danes are in favour of Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen's proposal that foreign citizens should earn the right to welfare benefits. According to a public opinion poll for the daily newspaper Berlingske, up to 59 per cent think that non-Danish citizens should have limited access to social services. - The number is surprisingly high, says Jon Kvist Professor at the Centre for Welfare State Research at the University of Southern Denmark. He argues that Denmark has a tradition of supporting equal access to welfare benefits. The Conservatives are still very sceptical to the new proposition as they fear it might discourage highly educated foreigners from coming to Denmark.
Information 31 March 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfGy0EM
Finland
The number of asylum-seekers decreased
The number of asylum-seekers in Finland decreased significantly last year compared to 2009. The number of Somali and Iraqi asylum-seekers dropped significantly. The Iraqi designer Ismail Hussein, who has a residence permit in Finland, explains that he and his friends have told other Iraqis that Finland is no paradise. Hussein says it is impossible to find work if you cannot speak the local language. He has been waiting to attend a Finnish course since he came to Finland in 2009. UNHCR confirms that hearsay may affect asylum-seekers' destination. The Finnish Immigration Service says there is no clear explanation why the number of applications has decreased. One possible explanation might be the legislative changes making it harder for asylum-seekers originating from another EU country to get income support.
Uusi Suomi 31 March 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfGz0EN
Norway
Iran trying to recruit asylum-seekers as spies
The Islamic Republic of Iran has tried to recruit Iranian asylum-seekers to spy on the Iranian opposition living in Norway. One asylum-seeker tells how he was offered cash, paid lawyers' fees and onward transport to another country if his asylum application would be rejected in Norway if he agreed to spy on the Iranian opposition. Sources within the Iranian opposition living in Norway say that Iran, after the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009, has strengthen its surveillance of the Iranian opposition living abroad. The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) is aware of the problem called 'refugee espionage' and pays particular attention Iran's refugee espionage.
NRK 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG10EA
NRK 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG20EB
Asylum organisation to escort asylum-seekers back home
The Norwegian organization for deported asylum-seekers, Peoplepeace, wants to document and follow-up rejected asylum-seekers' situation after being sent back to their country of origin. Jon Ole Martinsen, advisor at a voluntary organisation for refugees and board member of Peoplepeace, says the aim is to monitor the returned asylum-seeker to secure that the person is not returned to inhuman conditions. Peoplepeace stresses that the refugee convention and the Norwegian Immigration Act state that no one is to be returned to death penalty, torture or inhuman treatment. Yet, there is no one controlling what happens to returned asylum-seekers.
Aftenposten 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG30EC
Deported may return for work purposes
The Ministry of Justice and the Police has made an amendment to the rules regarding labour migration. State Secretary, Pål Lønseth, explains that rejected and returned asylum-seekers may come back as labour migrants if they fulfil the requirements set for labour migrants. The amendment has raised different reactions among the parties in Norway, with the Socialist Left Party in favour while the Progressive Party is critical. The amendment will probably enable the return of Maria Amelie, who before she deported to Russia in the beginning of the year was offered a job.
Dagbladet 1 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG40ED
Dagsavisen 31 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG50EE
Verdens Gang 1 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG60EF
Verdens Gang 31 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG70EG
Sweden
Easier for rejected asylum-seekers to get work permit in Sweden
A new proposition grating work permit to rejected asylum-seekers has been presented to the Swedish government. Since 2008, about 1,000 people have been given the opportunity to work in Sweden although being rejected asylum. It is called changing tracks; from asylum-seeker to labour migrant. The new proposition will make it easier to change tracks e.g. the work permit application period will be extended from two to four weeks and employment giving the right to work will be reduced to three months, instead of six. The new proposition also suggests making it possible for immigrants to live abroad for up to five years without losing their residency permit in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfG80EH
Migration Policy agreement criticised
In the beginning of March 2011, the Government and the Green Party reached an agreement regarding Sweden's migration policy. It was proposed for instance that asylum-seekers without residence permit should receive the right to education as well as health care. However, in a recent parliamentary debate the agreement was severely criticised from both the Sweden Democrats and the Left Party.
Sveriges Radio 30 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHA0ER
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR estimates 500,000 will flee during the coming months
The armed conflict in Cote d'Ivoire continues and the UN has now introduced sanctions against the incumbent leader Lauren Gbagbo and his close advisor. Currently the UN has 10,000 soldiers in the country, but the force is unable to protect the civilian population. UNHCR now estimates that some 500,000 persons will flee to Liberia to seek refuge during the coming two months. Up to now some 112,000 have entered Liberia. The refugees have told horrible stories of what has happened inside Cote d'Ivoire.
Aftenposten 31 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHB0ES
Verdens Gang 30 March 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHC0ET
Cecilia Malmström urges EU to help refugees from Libya
Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, appeals to the European Union (EU) member countries to give refugees from Libya a safe haven in Europe. It concerns some 2,000 Eritrean, Somali and Sudanese people who have fled to Italy and Malta. Cecilia Malmström, who is currently visiting Tunisia, urges EU member states to give them protection, as they no longer can return to their home countries. Since last weekend, five boats with nearly 1,500 refugees on board arrived in Italy and two boats with 500 people arrived in Malta. Many have previously lived under the auspices of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), who is presently unable work in Libya due to the ongoing violence.
Dagens Arena 1 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHD0EU
Sveriges Radio 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHE0EV
Asylum-seeking minors subjected to sexual abuse
An increasing number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors have been subjected to sexual abuse during their journey to Sweden. The personnel at the Child and Youth Psychiatry (BUP) in Malmo wants the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to look further into the matter. A working group is currently preparing a document that will be presented to UNHCR and Swedish authorities. Marie-Louise Lundberg, psychologist and Head of the BUP, suspects that there is an organised system run by adults in which children are victims of sexual exploitation. Last year 2,400 unaccompanied children and youth sought asylum in Sweden.
SvD 1 April 2011: 18 (in Swedish)
Metro Nyheter 1 April 2011 I: 23 (in Swedish)
Östersunds Posten 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHF0EW
Skånskan 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHG0EX
Helab Gotland 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHH0EY
Landskrona Lokaltidning 31 March 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjEJ0ZqnfK0aYE0KfHI0EZ
Saturday 2 April to Monday 4 April 2011
Denmark
Immigration policy important in upcoming elections
Immigration issues will play an essential role in the forthcoming parliamentary elections which will be held no later than November 2011. In an opinion poll conducted for the daily newspaper Berlingske, up to 64 per cent state that immigration policy will significantly or somewhat significantly influence who they are going to vote for. According to Johannes Andersen, Election Expert at the Aalborg University, the figure is surprisingly high. Henrik Dam Kristensen, Immigration Spokesperson for the Social Democrats is, however, not surprised that immigration matters are so important. He argues that Danes want to see immigration issues solved. The Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, says that even though immigration policy will be a major topic in the elections it will not influence his campaign message about cultural values. The poll shows that up to 72 per cent believe that non-Danish citizens should mainly live by Danish norms.
Berlingske 3 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYK0E3
DR 3 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYL0E4
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
DN 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYM0E5
Finland
Security Police select quota refugees, immigrants and travelers coming to Finland
The Finnish Security Police (SUPO) is trying to prevent potential terrorists from coming to Finland. SUPO is involved in the selection of quota refugees, and in the selection of persons coming to Finland from some of the countries in Middle East and Africa. The number of persons refused entry to Finland, due to security reasons is not official. Last year SUPO was involved in selecting quota refugees from Syria, Thailand and the Islamic Republic of Iran. This year Finland will receive 750 quota refugees from for example Thailand, Iran and Rwanda. SUPO has not yet decided in which countries it will take part in the selection process.
Aamulehti 2 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYN0E6
More than 50,000 immigrants will vote in the parliamentary elections
In the upcoming parliamentary elections 52,500 immigrants have the right to vote. This is 40 per cent more than in the elections four years ago, according to Statistics Finland. Still, immigrants constitute only 1 per cent of the electorate. The participation of immigrants in general elections in Finland has not been studied. However, in municipal elections immigrants have had a lower rate of participation compared to Finns.
Aamulehti 4 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYO0E7
Turun Sanomat 4 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYP0E8
Norway
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran rejects claim of espionage
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Oslo denies that Iran would pay asylum-seekers for espionage on the Iranian opposition living in Norway. Last week the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) interviewed an anonymous Iranian asylum-seeker who claimed that he was offered money to spy on the opposition. Iran's ambassador has now sent a letter to NRK stating that the claims of espionage are unfounded. The embassy has also sent out a press release, in which it says that the news is invented in order to weaken the relationship between Iran and Norway.
NRK 1 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYQ0EA
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration affected by media
Last week NRK published an article about a pregnant woman in Lillehammer whose husband, living in Pakistan, was denied entry to Norway. An appeal had been sent already in November last year. One day after the media attention, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) decided to allow the husband to come to Norway. Ingvald Bertelsen at the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) says this is not a coincidence and that media has power over UDI. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration rejects the statement. However, Snorre Sæther, Head of Division in the Managed Migration Department at UDI, confirms that media attention might speed up the decision making. The Norwegian Press Association's Per Edgar Kokkvold says that media should have power to monitor and influence those in charge.
NRK 1 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYR0EB
Sweden
Church of Sweden: Asylum-seekers should not be Christianized
Bishops in the Church of Sweden have advised their priests not to baptize asylum-seekers. One of the reasons for the recommendation is that rejected persons might risk persecution upon being deported to their home country. Furthermore, it is argued that converting to Christianity should not be used as a reason to stay in Sweden. Bishop Ragnar Persenius explains that baptism is a sacrament of the Catholic Church and thus should not be utilized as a pretext in asylum-seeking processes. He adds, nevertheless, that it is a complex situation due to the growing number of people coming from various cultural backgrounds and therefore a risk assessment of each case is needed. Archbishop Anders Wejryd, claims that one must engage in a more individual assessment when evaluating which kind of problems may rise when an individual leaves the Muslim community.
Svt 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYS0EC
Sveriges Radio 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4435874
SvD 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYT0ED
DN 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYU0EE
Göteborgs-Posten 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYV0EF
Upsala Nya Tidning 3 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYW0EG
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR condemns combating parties in Côte d´Ivoire
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has condemned combating parties supporting both incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo as well as his opponent Alassane Ouattara, for human rights abuses towards civilians in new fighting that occurred last week. In addition, Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations urged both sides to refrain from engaging in revenge attacks. According to UNHCR around 116,000 Ivorians have fled to eight countries in West Africa, of which nearly 112,000 have fled to Liberia. Fatouma Lejeune-Kaba, Communication Officer at UNHCR in Geneva, explains that the current situation is precarious. There is acute shortage of food, water and medicines among internally displaced refugees and among refugees who have crossed the border to Liberia, she adds.
Aftenposten 2 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYX0EH
SvD 1 April 2011 (in Sweden)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjbk0ZqnfK0aYE0KnYY0EI
Tuesday 5 April to Wednesday 6 April 2011
Finland
Further integration of immigrants needed
According to an international study, Finland's integration policy looks good on paper, but more resources are needed. For immigrants the most common difficulties are to find a job and build a life in Finland. Contributing factors are the difficulties to get residence permit or Finnish citizenship. Positive aspects of integration in Finland are the possibilities for education and political involvement. During an election debate last Tuesday in Helsinki, with participation of candidates of immigrant background from all political parties, it was stressed that there is a need for further integration of immigrants into Finnish society. Astrid Thors, Minister of Migration and European Affairs, is reminding about the new law entering into force this autumn which is demanding frequent evaluations of immigrants' knowledge, and the need for education, traineeship, or employment. The law is to be part of the future integration policy.
YLE 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktto0Eg
YLE 6 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttp0Eh
"Immigrants do not steal jobs from Finns"
The fear of immigrants replacing the Finnish workforce is exaggerated, according to Dr. Jan Saarela at Åbo Akademi University. Yesterday Saarela presented the results from his study on the economic importance of immigration. Today there are 168,000 foreign citizens in Finland. Currently the unemployment rate is 15 per cent among immigrants and 6 per cent among Finns. Saarela says that immigrants supplement the Finnish workforce, and in the long run Finland cannot afford to be without immigrants. The great challenge for the society is to take care of the resource each immigrant can provide.
HBL 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttq0Ei
YLE 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttr0Ej
Sweden
Increase of labour migration
Labour migration has continued to grow significantly. During the first quarter of this year the number of working permits issued increased with 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. Jonas Lindgren, Migration Officer at the Swedish Migration Board, explains that the trend has remained strong due to the great demand for labour and the good economy. The increase is in line with the Government's and the Green Party's 2008-agreement to open the borders for migrant workers.
DN 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktts0Ek
SVT 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttt0El
Deportation protesters evacuated by police
The police evacuated and arrested several activists who gathered on 5 April outside the Swedish Migration Board's detention centre for asylum-seekers in Kållered, south of Gothenburg. The demonstrators were trying to prevent the deportation of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to the organization Action Against Deportation, the deportation concerns some twenty Iraqis who will be sent back to Iraq on 6 April. - We are concerned for minorities at risk of both persecution and death, said Sara Johansson, member of Action Against Deportation.
Göteborgs-Posten 6 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttu0Em
SvT 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttv0En
UNHCR in the news
Refugees from Libya missing
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) more than 400 African migrants have gone missing since March 22, after attempting to flee the violence in Libya by boat across the Mediterranean Sea. A representative from the Vatican has reported that at least 10 persons have been found dead on the beaches of Tripoli. – We understand the people on board were of different nationalities, mainly from Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, says UNHCR's spokesperson Andrej Mahecic. Meanwhile, the migration influx to the island of Lampedusa in Italy has continued to increase significantly. Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, has announced that the European Commission is prepared to use a directive that will provide immediate protection for the refugees who are unable to return to their home country.
DN 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttw0Eo
DN 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttx0Ep
MNS Nyheter 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktty0Eq
Skånskan 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Kttz0Er
SN 24 4 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt10Ee
NRK 4 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt20Ef
Verdens Gang 4 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt30Eg
Antonio Guterres: risk of spill over in West Africa
President Laurent Gbagbo has finally agreed to negotiate his departure from power. Meanwhile, Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has warned that a continuation of the conflict might lead to a spill over effect in the entire West African region and not solely Liberia. The ongoing conflict in Côte d'Ivoire has had severe consequences on the civilian population, and several cases of human rights abuses have been reported. The United Nations is currently investigating allegations of a massacre that occurred in the city of Duékoué, in the western part of the country.
Göteborgs-Posten 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt40Eh
TV4 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt50Ei
Skånskan 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt60Ej
SvD 5 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt70Ek
Angelina Jolie urges international community to give more aid to Libya
Angelina Jolie, Hollywood actress and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) urges the international community to provide more humanitarian aid to the thousands of persons fleeing the ongoing conflict in Libya, as well as those who find themselves stranded in the country.
DT 6 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDjrx0ZqnfK0aYE0Ktt80El
Thursday 7 April to Friday 8 April 2011
Denmark
Prime Minister to be scrutinized
Now also Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will be scrutinized in the case concerning the stateless Palestinians. The Minister of Justice, Lars Barfoed, has agreed to change the terms of reference in the investigation of the Danish born stateless Palestinians wrongfully denied Danish citizenship. The case led to the resignation of the former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech, since she knew about the issue but neglected to inform the stateless persons concerned. The commission who conducts the investigation is to find out if the Prime Minister's office was aware of the problem and if the Prime Minister has lived up to his responsibilities. Furthermore, the investigation period will be extended to include the year 2011 and the commission is expected to provide recommendations on how to prevent a similar case in the future. The work of the commission has to be concluded within three years.
DR 7 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Am0EZ
DR 7 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2An0Ea
Berlingske 7 April (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Ao0Eb
Information 7 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Ap0Ec
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
SVT 7 April 2011 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Aq0Ed
Svenska Dagbladet 7 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Ar0Ee
Göteborgs-Posten 7 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2As0Ef
Skånskan 7 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2At0Eg
Finland
Approximately 6,000 persons were granted Finnish citizenship
Last year, Finnish citizenship was granted to about 5,900 persons, reports the Finnish Immigration Service. This was a decrease from year 2009, when some 7,500 were granted citizenship. Most applicants were from Russia, Estonia and Iran.
YLE 7 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Au0Eh
Turun Sanomat 7 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Av0Ei
Aamulehti 7 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Aw0Ej
Sweden
Deportations to Iraq against UNHCR's guidelines
On Tuesday night 41 persons from Sweden and 7 from Norway were deported from Gothenburg. A total of 169 Iraqis have been deported this year, even though the Ministry for Foreign Affairs advices against travel to Iraq due to the security situation in the country. A majority of the European countries does not deport people to Iraq. – We do not think that any one should be forced to return to Iraq due to the unstable security situation, says Madelaine Seidlitz, lawyer at Amnesty International in Stockholm. Alexandra Segenstedt from the Swedish Red Cross points to the fact that Sweden deports persons who belong to vulnerable minority groups. – Over all one can say that Sweden does not follow UNHCR's guidelines for persons in need of protection in Iraq, says Alexandra Segenstedt.
Göteborgs Fria 7 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Ax0Ek
UNHCR in the news
Over 200 migrants drowned in boat tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea
Early Wednesday morning a boat with up to 300 persons fleeing Libya capsized close to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The boat was overcrowded and the situation worsened when panic and chaos broke out in addition to the stormy weather. The Italian coastguard managed to save the lives of 53 persons, but up to 230 persons drowned, among them several children. The majority of the passengers were sub-Saharan Africans. UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, says the persons were refugees twice, first they fled war and persecution in their own countries and then they had to flee Libya. UNHCR spokesperson in Italy, Laura Boldrini, says Italy has to be prepared for an influx of migrants fleeing Libya in the coming weeks. Europe is now under increased pressure to accept refugees. UNHCR has so far registered some 8,000 refugees inside Libya and more than 20,000 migrants have come to Italy and Malta since January. EU-commissioner Cecilia Malmström has urged EU countries to accept refugees still stuck in Libya to avoid further desperate actions by refugees putting their own lives at risk. One week ago, Malmström urged EU-countries to show solidarity, but only a handful have responded, among them Sweden. The European Union's Heads of State and Government have urged migration ministers to develop a plan how the EU can improve the ability to handle major migration and refugee influxes. Meanwhile, the governments in the EU member states are under heavy pressure due to the increased support for anti-immigration and populist parties. Therefore the negotiations about a common European migration and asylum policy are progressing slowly.
DR 6 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Ay0El
Berlingske 6 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2Az0Em
Jyllands-Posten 6 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A10EZ
Information 6 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A20Ea
Dagbladet 6 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A30Eb
Hufvudstadsbladet 6 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A40Ec
Aamulehti 6 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A50Ed
Helsingin Sanomat 6 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A60Ee
Ilta-Sanomat 6 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A70Ef
Dagens Nyheter 8 April 2011: 1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2A80Eg
Dagens Nyheter 8 April 2011: 2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2BA0Eq
Angelina Jolie visits refugee camp at the Tunisian-Libyan border
In the refugee camps at the Tunisian-Libyan border UNHCR's Goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie met some of the 400,000 people who have fled the war in Libya. Jolie urged for more international support for the refugees. Jolie has also contributed with a significant donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
TV4 Nyhetskanalen 6 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2BB0Er
NRK 6 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2BC0Es
Jydske Vestkysten 7 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDj8n0ZqnfK0aYE0K2BD0Et
Saturday 9 April to Monday 11 April 2011
Denmark
Fewer persons granted permanent residence permits
The number of permanent residence permits granted to non-Danish citizens has dropped significantly since the implementation of a new points based immigration system last year. Of some 1,673 applicants, merely 4 per cent received the permit. Before the new immigration rules the approval rate was 59 per cent. The majority of those rejected have failed to meet the criteria for "active citizenship" in which they are expected to be involved in associations and leisure activities. Astrid Krag, Integration Spokesperson for the Socialist People's Party, argues that the points system is deeply problematic as it excludes people who have largely contributed to the Danish society. However, Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs is not surprised by the high rejection rate and states that it is normal after introducing new rules.
Jyllands-Posten 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnq0Ep
Asylum-seeking children in state of emergency
Asylum-seeking children constitute about one third of all asylum-seekers in Denmark. Whether they are unaccompanied or with their family, they often reside in reception centres while their case is being processed. Kathrine Vitrus, Senior Researcher at the Danish National Centre for Social Research, argues that these children become accustomed to a sort of state of emergency. She refers in particular to the numerous times they have to move while staying in Denmark. It is thus difficult for them to establish friendships with peers and adults, she adds. UNHCR estimates that there were a total of 827,000 asylum-seekers in 2008, around 44 per cent of them were children. In Denmark 3,855 persons applied for asylum in 2009.
DR 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnr0Eq
Finland
More humanitarian assistance for people fleeing the crisis in Libya
Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, has granted an additional 1.5 million euros in humanitarian aid to people who suffer from the crisis in Libya. The aid is channelled through UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF. Each organization gets 500,000 euros. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has earlier granted 1.35 million euros to the Finnish Red Cross's aid work for Libyan refugees. In total Finland has given 2.85 million euros in humanitarian assistance to those fleeing the crisis in Libya.
YLE 8 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBns0Er
Norway
Psychological test for asylum-seekers to prevent rape
Last weekend five women were raped in central Oslo. This has led Libe Rieber-Mohn from the Labour Party to suggest that asylum-seekers undergo a psychological test to detect possible rapists. According to Rieber-Mohn sexual assaults in Norway are often committed by men with a foreign background. However, she admits it might be challenging to spot potential rapists with a test. Meanwhile, Ragnhild Bjørnebekk, researcher at the Norwegian Police University College, says 90 per cent of rapists have some form of a personality disorder which makes it possible to detect them with a psychological test. The proposal by Rieber-Mohn is supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre.
Aftenposten 8 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnt0Es
Dagsavisen 8 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnu0Et
Verdens gang 8 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnv0Eu
Maria Amelie gets work permit in Norway
The rejected asylum-seeker Maria Amelie, who was deported earlier this year, has been granted a work permit in Norway. Some weeks ago an amendment of the rules regarding labour migration made it possible for deported asylum-seekers to return to work in the country. So far, the only applicant is Maria Amelie, but the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) does not leave out the possibility of receiving additional applications. It is still not known which date Maria Amelie will return to Norway.
Aftenposten 9 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnw0Ev
Dagsavisen 9 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnx0Ew
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 9 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBny0Ex
Turun Sanomat 9 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBnz0Ey
Sweden
Center Party wants new integration policy
The Center Party wants the government's new integration policy to be revised. Michael Arthursson, from the Center Party, argues that working conditions for non-Swedish citizens must be ameliorated. He draws attention to the decreasing employment rate among foreign-born persons since the centre-right alliance came to power. In addition, the Centre Party wishes to increase labour migration by making it easier for employers to hire. As a result, it will be more difficult for the Sweden Democrats to defend their thoughts on immigration, if more people come here to work, explains Michael Arthursson.
DN 11 April 2011 I: 9 (in Swedish)
Being a Christian Iraqi is not enough to get asylum in Sweden
According to Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, being a Christian Iraqi or coming from a war torn country is not enough to be granted asylum. There must be an explicit threat against the individual, he adds. He later argues that even though the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Amnesty International condemn the deportation of asylum-seeking Iraqis, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has stated that emphasis should be put on the individual case when determining the asylum claims. Hence, while taking into account recommendations from UNHCR, the Swedish immigration authorities also must make an individual assessment of each case.
Göteborgs Fria 8 April 2011(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBn10El
UNHCR in the news
UN is asking for safe areas for refugees from Côte d'Ivoire
Several UN organizations call for protection of civilians fleeing Côte d'Ivoire. Safe areas are needed for the persons fleeing so they can get access to humanitarian aid, such as supplies, inside Côte d'Ivoire. So far at least 150,000 have fled to neighbouring countries, most of them to Liberia, reports UNHCR. The agency's spokesperson Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba says the situation is heading towards a humanitarian crisis. UNHCR is asking the government to repair bridges and roads to make it easer for refugees to flee. Currently, it takes a long time to move short distances, says Lejeune-Kaba. She explains that many refugees have been walking for days and are tired and scared.
NRK 9 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBn20Em
Verdens Gang 8 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBn30En
Aftenbladet 8 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBn40Eo
Tens of thousands fleeing fighting in Somalia
In south and central Somalia fighting between government forces and the Al-Shabaab militia have forced tens of thousands of people to flee, reports UNHCR. During the last six weeks, up to 33,000 persons have been displaced. At the moment, 1.4 million internally displaced refugees are living inside Somalia, and some 680,000 refugees originating from Somalia are staying in neighbouring countries.
YLE 8 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDkXW0ZqnfK0aYE0LBn50Ep
Tuesday 12 April to Wednesday 13 April 2011
Denmark
Denmark might accept refugees fleeing Libya
Denmark might receive around 10 refugees from Libya, as part of their annual resettlement quota. However, Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, says the request for resettlement must come from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) first and he also wants to explore the political climate. Denmark is one of the European Union (EU) member states that has agreed to receive some of the thousands of refugees who have fled from Libya. Søren Pind says that the people who have sought refuge in Malta are genuine refugees in need of humanitarian assistance.
TV2 Nyhederne 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVT0Ex
Jyllands-Posten 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVU0Ey
Berlingske 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVV0Ez
Politiken 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVW0E1
Information 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVX0E2
Finland
Finland ready to accept 72 refugees fleeing Libya
Finland is prepared to receive 72 refugees fleeing the crisis in Libya. This is within the annual resettlement quota. This year Finland's resettlement quota is 750. On Monday Italy and Malta appealed to other EU countries to share the burden of the influx of refugees from North Africa. However, the willingness to help is low. The majority of the around 20,000 Tunisians who have fled to Italy are economic migrants and do not qualify for refugee status. Many EU member states have also stressed that each country should regulate its own borders. However, Malta's appeal received more understanding, since some 2,000 refugees from Libya are unable to return home. For example Germany, Slovakia and Sweden have agreed to accept refugees from North Africa. Finland accepts refugees in need of emergency assistance only if requested by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
YLE 11 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVY0E3
YLE 11 April 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVZ0E4
Aamulehti 11 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVa0EC
Misleading information on family reunification
Some 300 persons are annually granted residence permits on the grounds of family reunification, according to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior. The information concerns the last 12 years. The number of persons granted family reunification is significantly lower compared to the number of applications processed. The Finnish Refugee Advice Centre and the Finnish Refugee Council are concerned that misleading information reinforces xenophobia. For example in February the Finnish Immigration Service informed that they were processing around 5,600 family reunification applications from Somalis. According to the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre and the Finnish Refugee Council this gives the false impression that several thousand people come to Finland annually on the grounds of family reunification. However, the application process for family reunification often takes several years and over half of the applications are rejected.
Aamulehti 12 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVb0ED
MTV 3 12 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVc0EE
Turun Sanomat 12 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVd0EF
Yle 12 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVe0EG
Immigration issues hot topic in the upcoming Parliamentary election
Political parties disagree about what position the next government should have on immigration. The question will not dictate the outcome in the Parliamentary elections 17 April, but immigration is one the main topics in which the parties have different views.
- The discussion is largely triggered by the True Finns, says adjunct professor Arno Tanner from the University of Helsinki. Lawyer Ida Staffans at the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre says that immigration is one the most prominent issues in the election campaign. Staffans adds that "immigration has an effect on the budget, but this does perhaps not stand in fair relation to the importance of the subject in the discussions". When looking at the scale of immigration in Finland the number of arrivals is low compared to many other countries like Sweden, Great Britain, Germany and France. Esko Repo, Director of the Asylum Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service, concludes that Finland has almost the same level of asylum-seekers as Denmark and Norway. Ida Staffans points out that the difficult local language, the cold climate and the remote geographical location may influence the relatively low number of asylum-seekers in Finland.
YLE 12 April 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVf0EH
Increasing pressure on municipalities to receive refugees
The state has taken additional measures to get municipalities to receive more refugees. According to the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities this is almost forced resettlement. Since the municipalities have been reluctant to voluntarily accept asylum-seekers who have been granted residence permits and quota refugees, the state has begun to speed up the process in other ways. For example if refugees find their own apartment in a municipality the reception centres help by paying their deposit.
Aamulehti 11 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVg0EI
Hufvudstadsbladet 11 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVh0EJ
Turun Sanomat 11 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVi0EK
Österbottens tidning 11 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVj0EL
Norway
Additional aid for Côte d´Ivoire
As a result of the deteriorating situation in Côte d´Ivoire, Norway has decided to contribute with additionally 30 million Norwegian crowns in humanitarian aid. The money will be directed through, among others, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and utilized to meet the most basic needs of fleeing refugees.
Verdens Gang 11 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVk0EM
Amnesty and NRC advice against forced return to Syria
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Amnesty International Norway say Norway should be careful in sending back asylum-seekers to Syria due to the current situation in the country. According to the Syrian born Norwegian politician Mohamed Jaman it is irresponsible of Norway to send back Syrian asylum-seekers while peaceful protestors are being killed on the streets. During the last four weeks at least 173 persons have been killed in Syria. NRC's Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson cites media reports about arrests and abuse of those arrested. Rasmusson says that Norway should carefully consider to stop all forced returns to Syria since the situation there is violent and unstable. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has previously informed that no one will be forcibly returned to Libya, Côte d'Ivoire and Yemen due to the security situation in the countries. Rasmusson states that if Norway continues to forcibly return Syrians to this violent and unstable situation, NRC will challenge the authorities and ask how they can be sure that the returnees are safe and do not risk persecution or torture. Also Amnesty is concerned about the forced return to Syria.
Stavanger Aftenblad 12 April 2011 I:13 (in Norwegian)
Stavanger Aftenblad 13 April 2011 I:16 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Additional aid for Libya
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) have decided to provide an additional 10 million Swedish crowns in humanitarian aid to Libya. The reason for this is the difficult situation in Libya and its impact on neighbouring countries. So far, some 489,319 persons have fled from Libya, of which 91,211 have been evacuated by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Aftonkuriren 12 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVl0EN
Deportation stop to Gaza Strip revoked
The halt to deport rejected asylum-seekers to the Gaza Strip introduced on February 1 2011 has now been revoked by the Swedish Migration Board. The decision was taken following the reopening of the Rafah crossing linking Egypt with the Gaza Strip.
SVT 12 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVm0EO
UNHCR in the news
No to EU protection directive
European Union (EU) Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs gathered on Monday 11 April in Luxembourg to discuss the current migration flow from North Africa to Europe. The discussion concerned whether the EU should implement an EU protection directive which will allow EU members states to, in situations of mass influx, provide temporary residence to all incoming asylum-seekers. Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, argues that it is premature to activate the directive, as the present situation does not characterize a situation of mass influx. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, concurs and states that more emphasis ought to be put on a resettlement model that enables EU member states to receive asylum-seekers in proportion to their own population. By doing so, the EU will be able to offer the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) 100,000 resettlement places, he adds.
Sveriges Radio 11 April 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVn0EP
Sveriges Radio 11 April 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVo0EQ
Svenska Dagbladet 11 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVp0ER
Göteborgs-Posten 11 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVq0ES
DR 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVr0ET
Politiken 11 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDknw0ZqnfK0aYE0LIVs0EU
Over 500,000 refugees from North Africa
Over 500,000 people have fled the unrest and violence in North Africa. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) appeals to all EU countries to share the burden of the immigration influx. – The most obvious way is to aid the Mediterranean countries financially and technically, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR Regional office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries. – We also wish that member states would take refugees above their annual resettlement quotas, she adds. - Furthermore, if asylum-seekers leave the Mediterranean countries and travel to for example Finland, Finland could process the asylum applications and not return the asylum-seeker to countries where it is already crowded, Mathisen says. - If the influx of refugees exceeds a critical mass, the EU could use the temporary protection directive developed after the war in Kosovo, says Mathisen, adding that the directive never has been used. In practice the directive means that Italy and other governments would not have to process asylum applications individually; all the arrivals would be allowed to wait to see how the situation develops.
Helsingin Sanomat 12 April 2011 (in Finnish) I:B1,1
Thursday 14 April to Friday 15 April 2011
Denmark
Denmark halts deportation to Syria until further notice
On request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Refugee Appeals Board has decided to temporarily suspend all deportations to Syria, due to the violence in the area. Pending asylum applications will continue to be processed in order to grant residence permits to asylum-seekers who meet the conditions of the Danish Alien Act. Cases that do not qualify will be postponed until further notice.
Jyllands-Posten 14 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOJ0El
Berlingske 14 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOK0Em
Information 14 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOL0En
Politiken 14 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOM0Eo
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Göteborgs-Posten 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPON0Ep
SvD 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOO0Eq
Søren Pind insults EU Commissioner for Human Rights
The Swedish EU Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, has criticised Denmark and other EU member states' lack of engagement in helping Italy to deal with the 25,000 North African refugees who recently have arrived to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, has reacted strongly to Thomas Hammarberg´s criticism. According to Pind, Thomas Hammarberg is "obviously an idiot and not worth wasting time on". Mogens Jensen, Member of the Socialist Party, does not agree with Søren Pind and argues that Pind's comment might damage Denmark in diplomatic contexts.
Politiken 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOP0Er
TV 2 Nyhederne 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOQ0Es
Information 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOR0Et
Jyllands-Posten 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOS0Eu
Berlingske 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOT0Ev
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 15 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOU0Ew
SVT 15 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOV0Ex
Finland
Thors: Integration is sacrificed on the altar of hate
- We should be aware that xenophobic forces in Finland are part of a well-organized network in Europe. This development could mean that we sacrifice good integration on the "altar of hate", says the Minister of Immigration and European Affairs Astrid Thors. According to Thors the attitude towards immigration changed in the years 2008-2009. This was partly caused by fear when the number of asylum-seekers increased. Now, when the number of asylum-seekers has declined, Thors is afraid that fear of immigration remains. She wonders how many of citizens in Finland are aware that Sweden received 32,000 asylum-seekers last year compared to 4,000 in Finland. Thors states she has done her best to change the misconceptions regarding the number of asylum-seekers, but points out that there are groups of people who turn a deaf ear to such government information.
YLE 13 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOW0Ey
Sweden
Billström received petition
A support group of a girl from Örebro who died last fall while faced with imminent deportation threats demands amendment of the Aliens Act to make it more humanitarian. One of the leaders of the support group, Left Party member Murad Artin, says the group thinks there has been a tightening in the Aliens Act which conflicts with the Child Convention. On Thursday the support group met with Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, to hand over a petition with 4,000 signatures and to present its demands of legislative changes in order to avoid a repetition of similar cases.
Sveriges Radio 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOX0Ez
Sweden will get a fourth Migration Court
As a result of the Government and the Green Party's new agreement regarding Sweden's migration policy, a fourth Migration Court will be established. The Government has asked the National Courts Administration to suggest where the new court should be placed. Currently, appeals on the Swedish Migration Board's decisions are submitted to the Migration Courts located in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo.
Dagens Nyheter 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOY0E1
Svenska Dagbladet 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOZ0E2
Swedes more positive towards immigration
New figures from an opinion poll conducted by the Society Opinion Media Institute (SOM) at the University of Gothenburg in 2010, indicate that Swedes have never been more positive towards receiving refugees. The poll shows that in comparison to prior years, up to 30 per cent think that Sweden should receive more refugees. Furthermore, the percentage of Swedes who think that Sweden should receive fewer refugees has decreased from 46 per cent to 42 per cent. The survey was conducted during the same period as the far-right political party Sweden Democrats successfully entered Parliament, with 5,7 per cent of the votes. Marie Demker, Professor of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg, explains that the Sweden Democrats have been able to mobilize voters for which issues on immigration and refugees have been very important. In addition the study illustrates that even though Swedes have become more positive towards immigration, a large majority still think that Sweden should tighten the influx of refugees.
Dagens Nyheter 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOa0EA
Svt 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOb0EB
Sveriges Radio 14 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDk4s0ZqnfK0aYE0LPOc0EC
UNHCR in the news
Sweden will receive quota refugees from Libya
Sweden will become the first country to take quota refugees from Libya. The refugees are mostly Somalis and Eritreans who have found themselves stranded in Libya, following the country's ongoing armed conflict. The Swedish authorities will along with the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) choose 200 persons for resettlement by the end of April. Although Cecilia Malmstöm, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, and UNHCR have drawn strong attention to this situation the EU member countries have not shown a great engagement in receiving refugees from Libya.
Dagens Nyheter 14 April 2011 I: 12 (in Swedish)
Saturday 16 April to Monday 18 April 2011
Denmark
Around 10 per cent are immigrants
According to the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, first- and second-generation immigrants constitute 10.1 per cent of the Danish population. This represents more than 562,000 persons. The number has increased with 147,000 since the centre-right parties came to power in 2002. The nature of immigration has, nevertheless, changed during the past 10 years. The percentage of asylum-seekers who come as refugees or through family reunification has decreased from 50 per cent to merely 15 per cent. Most of the current immigrant population has come to work or study in Denmark.
DR 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCt0ES
Information 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCu0ET
Jyllands-Posten 17 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCv0EU
Berlingske 17 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCw0EV
Lars Løkke Rasmussen criticizes Søren Pind
Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wants to distance himself from the insulting comments made by the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, about the Swedish EU Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg. Pind called Hammarberg an idiot for criticizing e.g. Denmark's lack of engagement in helping Italy with its current refugee situation. Løkke Rasmussen stresses that the words used were inappropriate and that he would not have chosen such a vocabulary himself. However, Søren Pind will not be reprimanded for his harsh comments, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Thomas Hammarberg is disappointed with Søren Pind's reaction and hopes that it was merely an emotional and impulsive one, as the refugee issue should not be neglected.
DR 15 April: 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCx0EW
DR 15 April: 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCy0EX
Politiken 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYCz0EY
Stricter language requirements jeopardize family reunification in Denmark
The Government and the Danish People's Party have decided to further tighten the test that provides access to family reunification in Denmark. This means that foreigners will have to possess some basic language skills before having the possibility to obtain a residence permit. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) estimates that an average of 600 lessons in Danish will have to be taken in order to meet the requirements. It is thus clear that foreigners will have to start learning Danish before coming to Denmark. Eva Ersbøll, Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, is critical about this endeavor and argues that it will limit the number of family reunifications significantly. The Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, has not given any comments regarding the new changes.
Berlingske 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC10EL
Jyllands-Posten 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC20EM
Information 17 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC30EN
Denmark fails to mention violation of UN Convention
The Danish Government has failed to mention violations of the United Nations "Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons" in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Both Claus Juul, Legal consultant at Amnesty International, and Jørgen Estrup, Chairman at the Danish UN Association, find it very surprising that the issue regarding the stateless Palestinians who were wrongfully denied Danish citizenship is not mentioned and argue that the report is very deficient.
Politiken 16 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC40EO
Berlingske 16 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC50EP
Finland
Historical victory for True Finns in Parliamentary Elections
In the Finnish Parliamentary elections Sunday 17 April 2011 the centre-right National Coalition Party (NCP) became the largest party with 44 seats, followed by the Finnish Social Democratic party with 42 seats in the 200-member Parliament. The third biggest party, the anti-immigration True Finns, won 39 seats, increasing its support from 4.1 per cent in 2007 to around 19 per cent. All parties lost seats except True Finns and Swedish People's Party in Finland that managed to hold on to its 9 seats. The Finnish Centre Party was toppled from power losing 16 seats. The party is now the fourth largest party with 15.8 per cent of the votes. In the new Parliament, 84 parliamentarians are totally new. There are 86 women, a higher number than ever before. The voting turnout was 70.4 per cent in the whole country. Government formation is expected to be difficult, since True Finns' party leader Timo Soini is negotiating hard about for example support for eurozone economies.
Yle 17 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC60EQ
Yle 18 April 2011:1 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC70ER
Yle 18 April 2011:2 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYC80ES
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 April 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDA0Ec
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 April 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDB0Ed
Svenska Yle 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDC0Ee
Aamulehti 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDD0Ef
Turun Sanomat 17 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDE0Eg
NB. This story was also covered in Norway
Aftenposten 18 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDF0Eh
NRK 17 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDG0Ei
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sveriges Radio 18 April 2011: 1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDH0Ej
Sveriges Radio 18 April 2011: 2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDI0Ek
Sveriges Radio 18 April 2011: 3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDJ0El
Dagens Nyheter 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDK0Em
Svenska Dagbladet 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDL0En
Immigrant candidates did not do well in the elections
Many candidates with an immigrant background were expected to do well in the Parliamentary elections 17 April. However, only one immigrant candidate was elected. Technically speaking the parliamentarian Elisabeth Nauclér from the Åland Islands has an immigrant background since she is born in Sweden. When she was elected in 2007 she was the first parliamentarian with an immigrant background.
Turun Sanomat 17 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDM0Eo
Yle 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDN0Ep
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDO0Eq
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
SR Sisu Radio 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDP0Er
True Finns party leader has no new demands on immigration
True Finns party leader Timo Soini is waiting for an invitation from the largest party, the National Coalition Party, for talks on a new Government. – The National Coalition Party now has the opportunity and responsibility to form a Government, Soini concludes. The National Coalition Party, Finnish Social Democratic Party and True Finns together have 125 seats in the 200-member Parliament. – The small parties are not required to form a Government, Soini says. Soini wants changes regarding Finland's EU policy and taxation. Regarding the immigration policy Soini did not immediately have any new demands for the Government Programme. – We will see, the Parliamentary groups are also discussing these things, Soini says. According to Soini the outgoing Government's tightening of the immigration policy was good.
Helsingin Sanomat 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDQ0Es
Yle 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDR0Et
A majority of the new parliamentarians wants fewer immigrants
According to a compilation of the new parliamentarians' answers in the public broadcasting company YLE's election machine, a majority wants fewer immigrants. Some 191 candidates have expressed their opinion about the sentence "The reception and the tax funded support of immigrants should be reduced." Of these 191 candidates, 45 totally agreed and 74 partially agreed with the statement. Amongst True Finns' parliamentarians everybody totally agreed or partially agreed with the statement,
YLE 18 April (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDC0Ee
Norway
Norway might accept 85 refugees fleeing Libya
One month after the crisis in Libya broke out, the UN Refugee Agency UNCHR sent a formal appeal for assistance. It asked Norway and other countries to receive additional refugees from Libya. So far Sweden has responded to the request, it will receive 200 quota refugees. – We have not yet heard back from Norway, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries. Norway's State Secretary Pål K. Lønseth from the Ministry of Justice and the Police says UNHCR will receive an answer after Easter. - Norway has 85 places within its annual resettlement quota, however, the Government has not yet made a decision, but we are sympathetic towards using these places for the Libya crisis, states Lønseth. Over 500,000 people have fled from Libya to neighbouring countries during the last two months. UNHCR is especially concerned over some 8,000 persons now forced to flee a second time. These are people who have fled to Libya from Iraq, Palestine, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries. – In one way it is important to get a swift answer. It concerns people UNHCR sees as refugees. They have been in Libya and are forced to flee in the same way as migrant workers and others. At the same time there is a need for us to assess their claims to identify that they are who they say they are. We also have to prioritize among these 8,000. Even if there is a positive response from Norway later on, that is positive as well, Mathisen says. Mathisen doesn't want to concretize how big the need is, but reminds of the fact that the Government previously has indicated an increase of the resettlement quota from 1,200 to 1,500. – It is up to Norway to decide how many it can receive. Norway is already an important resettlement partner, however, we would naturally appreciate if Norway would receive some above the decided quota, Mathisen continues. Lønseth states that increasing the resettlement quota is the Government's ambition, but it will be in connection with a stabilization of the influx of other refugees. Lønseth adds that the decision to use the 85 emergency resettlement places for refugees fleeing Libya will affect the needs of refugees in other parts of the world.
ABC Nyheter 15 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDS0Eu
NRK 15 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDT0Ev
P4 Nyheder 15 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDU0Ew
Sweden
Difficult to get asylum for Afghan aid workers
The Taliban related violence directed at Afghan aid workers has risen drastically since last year. However, this threat might not be enough to be granted asylum in Sweden. Samiullah Musharraf, previously an assistant to the Governor of Badghis, has recently gotten his asylum application rejected, although being constantly harassed and threatened by the Talibans. The Swedish Migration Board believes that there is no indication that the threats were directed at him personally. A Spanish humanitarian organization paid Musharraf's salary. According to the UN Refugee Agency women are particularly targeted as they often are accused of having committed immoral acts. However, the situation seems to be of a lesser concern for the Afghan local authorities. The UNHCR argues that Afghan aid workers are in need of serious protection.
DN 18 April 2011 I:8 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
The UN warns of lack of funds in Libya crisis
The funds aimed to help people suffering from the crisis in Libya are running out, warns the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. The UN has just received under half of the around 200 million Euros it appealed for. – If we do not urgently get funds from donor countries, this will impact the emergency aid given to tens of thousands of people who have fled the violence, says UNHCR's spokesperson Andrej Mahecic. UNHCR needs funds for humanitarian aid and to support the influx of persons fleeing to Libya's neighbouring countries.
YLE 15 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDV0Ex
Harstad Tidene 15 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDW0Ey
Framtid Nord 15 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDX0Ez
Refugee camp built by DRC and UNHCR
Ongoing tensions in Côte d'Ivoire have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. Although the massive exodus from the countryside has decreased, large groups of people continue to cross the border with Liberia every day. An estimated 12,000 refugees are now located in Maryland County, where a new refugee camp is being built under the guidance of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). The camp will be constructed in order to ensure protection and assistance for arriving refugees and it should be able to accommodate up to 15,000 persons. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has, in addition built a refugee camp near the Nimba County, so as to help the surrounding villages to cope with the massive influx of refugees.
My News Desk 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDY0E1
U-landsnyt 17 April 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDZ0E2
The Liberals ignores UNHCR recommendation
The Liberals do not agree with UNHCR's recommendation to relocate refugees from North Africa among the European Union (EU) Members states. Instead, they argue that the situation is not urgent and that it would be far more effective to directly assist refugees in the field. According to Thomas Hammarberg, Swedish EU Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCR's recommendations are constantly being ignored. The organization has gradually been reduced to a non-governmental organization (NGO) although it is an expert organization with competent staff, he adds. Laura Boldrini, Senior Regional Public Information Officer at UNHCR in Rome concurs, and argues that many governments do not act in line with the Geneva Convention, but handle immigration in ways that are more political rather than technical as they always have the next elections in mind.
Information 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDa0EA
Altinget 15 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlUS0ZqnfK0aYE0LYDb0EB
Tuesday 19 April to Wednesday 20 April 2011
Denmark
Opposition against stricter rules for family reunification
The opposition in Denmark has announced that it will reverse the Government's and the Danish People's Party's (DPP) newest tightening of requirements for family reunification if it wins the upcoming parliamentary elections. Henrik Dam Kristensen from the Social Democrats says that the Government and DPP have gone too far. Marianne Jelved, member of Social Liberals, concurs and calls the proposal "extreme" and "completely exaggerated".
DR 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfB80ES
Nyherderne 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCA0Ec
Jyllands-Posten 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCB0Ed
Berlingske 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCC0Ee
Politiken 19 April 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCD0Ef
Information 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCE0Eg
Roma were illegally deported
The Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has overturned the deportation of 14 Roma people who were arrested last summer in Amager, subsequent to a police incursion. The deportation is, in fact, a violation of both Danish and European Union (EU) regulations, according to the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. The decision has raised political concern from both the Social Democrats and the Danish People's Party who argue that Denmark should have the right to "protect itself from street beggars". Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, has not been available for comments on the matter.
Politiken 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCF0Eh
Jyllands-POsten 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCG0Ei
Berlingske 19 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCH0Ej
DR 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCI0Ek
Danish People's Party congratulates True Finns
The European Parliament member Morten Messerschmidt from the Danish People's Party congratulates his Finnish colleague Timo Soini, party leader of True Finns, on the party's historical victory in the Finnish parliamentary elections 17 April. Messerschmidt says the opposition against large-scale immigration and EU's efforts to centralize power have resulted in massive election victories for parties in for example the Nordic countries.
DR 18 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCJ0El
Finland
NGOs worried by True Finns policies
Non-governmental organizations are worried about the future of development aid under the next government. The organizations hope that the National Coalition Party (NCP) and Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) do not change their stances because of the True Finns, if they would form a coalition. The Service Centre for Development Cooperation (KEPA) fears that development aid will not increase under the next government. True Finns have said that people living under dire conditions should be helped in their country of origin not in Finland. Therefore it is surprising that some True Finns want to stop development aid partially or completely. – It seems rather contradictory, True Finns ought to decide what their policy is, says Timo Lappalainen, Executive Director of KEPA.
YLE 20 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCK0Em
Anti-immigrant politician desires Immigration Portfolio
Jussi Halla-aho, one of True Finns' parliamentarians known for his racist comments, is interested in becoming the new Minister of Immigration. Halla-aho wants to decrease Finland's development aid and costs related to asylum-seekers. – Like the other parties, True Finns, believes that those who come here to work are welcome, Halla-aho says. However, he sees humanitarian immigration as a problem and argues that family reunification is used as a channel for immigration. Halla-aho concludes that Finland can still offer protection to persons considered refugees under the international definition.
Yle 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCL0En
Svenska Yles Nyheter 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCM0Eo
True Finns' supporters want a fantasy world
The True Finns party's victory in the Parliamentary elections 17 April does not necessarily lead to an as rigorous anti-immigration policy as in many other European countries. Laura Parkkinen, researcher at Turku University, is familiar with populism and True Finns policies. She argues that there is no extreme racism present in the party leader Timo Soini's goals and that Soini differs from many other European populists since he has not been associated with violence. Parkkinen says Soini has no particular enemy, nor are his speeches or demands directed at any specific group. Parkkinen believes that True Finns' support is due to an old-fashioned domestic rural conservatism, people opposing modernization. In foreign media True Finns has been presented as an anti-immigrant populist party. BBC even associated the party with Nazism, which is something the party leader, Timo Soini, wants to correct. Soini has told BBC that people in Europe can sleep in peace, since True Finns is not a radical party.
Helsingin Sanomat 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCN0Ep
Aamulehti 18 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCO0Eq
Hufvudstadsbladet 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCP0Er
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
SVT 18 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCQ0Es
Norway
Fewer persons reside in reception centres
During the first quarter of this year 16,538 persons lived in Norwegian reception centres. This is 2,300 fewer compared to the same period last year. The top three countries of origin were Afghanistan (2,747), Eritrea (2,139), and Somalia (1,905).
Verdens Gang 19 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCR0Et
Marie Amelie's case gives hope to Kosovo Serbs
Last year hundreds of Kosovo Serbs were forcibly returned to Serbia. Many of them had spent several years in Norway and were well integrated in local communities with jobs and big social networks. Their lawyer, Trond Olsen Næss, says the new regulations applied in conjunction with Maria Amelie's case can make it possible for many of these Kosovo Serbs to return to Norway. The regulation changes make it possible for illegal immigrants deported from Norway to get the expulsion decision cancelled and return to the country if he/she has a job offer relevant to his/her higher education. Karl Erik Sjøholt from the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) says UDI is prepared for applications from the group of Kosovo Serbs who was deported last year.
Verdens Gang 20 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCS0Eu
NRK 20 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCT0Ev
UNE does not regret the deportation of Rahim Rostami
The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has asked the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) in Stockholm to review the documents regarding the 19 year old Rahim Rostami´s deportation to Teheran. Rahim Rostami was sent back to Iran on February 8 2011 despite having a document showing he was risking a death sentence if deported. His case received a lot of media attention and even the Government asked UNE to re-examine his asylum application. The review is now complete and UNE says that the reality of the matter is substantially different from what has been shown in the media. In the report it is stated that both the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and UNE have concluded that Rahim Rostami's document was false and that he does not face a death penalty. His family and friends are, however, still concerned that he may be executed. Rostami is still in jail.
NRK 19 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCU0Ew
NRK 20 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCV0Ex
Sweden
Södertälje municipality requests meeting with Government
Anders Lago, Mayor of Södertälje Municipality, has requested a consultation meeting with the Government to discuss sustainable solutions for the municipality's large influx of asylum-seekers. Södertälje receives the highest number of asylum-seekers after Stockholm.
SVT 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCW0Ey
Dagens Nyheter 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCX0Ez
Sveriges Radio 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCY0E1
Asylum-seekers risk deportation due to inadequate information
Asylum-seekers are at risk of being forcibly returned due to misleading information from the Swedish Migration Board. Pejam, who has gotten her asylum application rejected, will be deported to Kurdistan where she is threatened by honor related killing by her family. According to the Swedish authorities, this is a matter for the Kurdistan Police and women shelters. Following the Swedish Migration Board's assessment trip to Kurdistan, the Migration Court of Appeal stated that there are places available in women shelters and that it is, thus, better for Pejam to stay in Kurdistan. Women shelters in Kurdistan, the Swedish Refugee Advice Center and the Red Cross that also took part in the trip, argue otherwise, and talk about overcrowded women shelters with poor security. Khanim Latif, Director at the Organization for Combating Violence Against Women (ASUDA) says that it is therefore better for women in similar situations to remain in Europe.
Svt 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCZ0E2
Svt Play 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCa0EA
Christian organizations met with Iraq's ambassador to Sweden
Sweden has continued to forcibly return Christian Iraqis back to their homeland, despite strong criticism from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The UNHCR has, in fact, highlighted the particular risk faced by Christian minorities in Iraq. The Swedish Evangelical Alliance (SEA) met with Hussain M. Al-Ameri, Iraq's ambassador to Sweden, to talk about the forced deportations. - We wanted to know how Iraq looks at the forced deportations, says Jacob Rudolph Peterson, coordinator at SEA. The Iraqi ambassador has been critical to the deportations and previously he has talked about possibilities to renegotiate the readmission agreement signed on February 2008, enabling Sweden to return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. According to the Swedish Migration Board, there are more than 2,600 Iraqis in Sweden who have been notified that they will be deported. However, Dan Eliasson, General Director at the Swedish Migration Board, argues that persons who may be exposed to violence upon their return will under no circumstances be sent back.
Världen Idag 20 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCb0EB
NB. Correction of Thomas Hammerberg's title
In Baltic and Nordic Headlines 16-18 April 2011, Thomas Hammerberg was wrongfully named Swedish EU Commissioner for Human Rights. He is of course the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe.
UNHCR in the news
Some 10,000 Libyan refugees have fled into Tunisia
According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR some 10,000 Libyans have fled fighting in West Libya and crossed into Tunisia during the last 10 days. A majority of the fleeing Libyans have arrived in the Dehiba area in southern Tunisia. - A growing number of Libyan refugees have been arriving in Tunisia from the Western Mountains regions, says Andrej Mahecic UNHCR spokesperson in Geneva. The Libyans tell that the area has been under siege by government forces for a month and the civilians are suffering more and more. A majority of those fleeing are from the town of Nalut, some 50 kilometres from the Tunisian border, reports UNHCR.
Aamulehti 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCc0EC
Iltalehti 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCd0ED
Kaleva 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCe0EE
Turun Sanomat 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCf0EF
Uusi Suomi 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCg0EG
Vasabladet 19 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCh0EH
YLE 19 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCi0EI
Dagbladet 19 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCj0EJ
Göteborgs-Posten 20 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCk0EK
Humanitarian aid now allowed into Libya
Humanitarian aid workers are now allowed into Libya, following an agreement between Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) and Muammar Gadaffi´s regime. However, due to lack of information, it has been difficult to assess the humanitarian needs within Libya. It is unclear how many Libyans are internally displaced and it is very difficult to estimate how much help is needed, says Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Stockholm. As there are no organized refugee camps inside of Libya, internally displaced persons have been forced to rely on the kindness of their compatriots. Most refugees have, accordingly, been cared for by friends or relatives. People have opened their homes, schools and so on, Mathisen adds.
Sveriges Radio 19 April 20 11 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDlll0ZqnfK0aYE0LfCl0EL
Thursday 21 April to Wednesday 27 April 2011
Denmark
Danes positive to the current immigration debate
In Denmark the tone of the current immigration debate has been heavily criticised. Despite this, a new opinion poll for Berlingske shows that 60 per cent of Danes find the tone in the debate as rather "fair" or "too soft". One third, however, think that it is too harsh. Klaus Kjøller, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, is surprised by the results, as past studies have shown the opposite. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, explains that people nowadays are more prone to express their concerns about immigration matters compared to previous years. However, he does not think that the discourse on immigration issues in Denmark can get any tougher, and adds that all racist statements should be condemned.
Berlingske 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Oo0EE
Jyllands-Posten 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Op0EF
Søren Pind is not too tough on immigration
New studies show that despite the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind's recent statements regarding immigration issues, 14 per cent of Danes think that the debate on immigration matters has remained unchanged. In fact, 22 per cent believe that the debate has improved compared to when Birthe Rønn Hornbech was Minister. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds do not think that the ministerial shift has changed the tone of the immigration debate. This shows that it is not the Minister who sets the tone for the public debate about immigration, but the Danish population, says Klaus Kjøller, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen.
Berlingske 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Oq0EG
Finland
Project for comprehensive integration
The state, local authorities, the Swedish Cultural Foundation and the Finnish Cultural Foundation have started the nationwide project "Involved in Finland". The goal is to reach groups that currently have had limited access to integration training, for example parents who are staying home to take care of their children, explains Kristina Stenman, Director of Migration at the Ministry of the Interior. In Helsinki, special emphasis will be put on preparatory training for young people who want to continue studying after primary school. Currently, many migrant adolescents do not enter high school.
YLE 26 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Or0EH
Norway
Ethiopians spend the night outside Oslo Cathedral
Some 20 rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers have spent the night outside Oslo Cathedral after being kicked out from two reception centres in Oslo. It is the same group that was on hunger strike in Oslo Cathedral in February, protesting against the authorities handling of their cases. After the hunger strike in February the group had been allowed temporary residence in the transit centres. Most of the rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers have lived more than 5 years in Norway, and refuse to return voluntarily and they cannot be forcibly returned since Norway has no return agreement with Ethiopia. According to UDI's communication advisor, Åsmund Eide, the Ethiopians have been offered places at reception centres elsewhere in Norway, but have refused to accept the offers. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) the majority of the asylum-seekers claim they risk persecution by the Ethiopian authorities due to their own or a family member's political affiliation. Last year 566 Ethiopians sought asylum in Norway. In the same year, some 314 Ethiopians were rejected and 150 persons were granted asylum, according to statistics from UDI.
Aftenposten 27 April 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Os0EI
Aftenposten 27 April 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Ot0EJ
Dagbladet 27 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Ou0EK
Dagbladet 26 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Ov0EL
NRK 26 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Ow0EM
Verdens Gang 27 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Ox0EN
Norway should accept more quota refugees
Norway should accept more quota refugees because of the war in Libya, says the Socialist Left Party. The Party suggests an increase of 250 quota refugees this year. The government has reported that Norway will accept 60 refugees from Libya as part of their annual quota of 1,200 persons.
Dagens Næringsliv 25 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Oy0EO
Drammens Tidende 25 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2Oz0EP
Hegnar Online 25 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O10EC
P4 Radio 25 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O20ED
NGOs criticise 60 quota places for Libya refugees
Norwegian NGOs such as Amnesty International, NRC and Norwegian People's Aid are critical to the Norwegian government's decision to offer 60 quota places to refugees ex-Libya within its annual quota of 1,200 places. The number is too small and the places should have been additional, according to the NGOs. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR spokesperson for the Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, says that the 60 refugees Norway has agreed to receive should ideally have been in addition to the annual resettlement quota. However, Norway's contribution is important not only for the 60 persons concerned but also because it shows solidarity with the neighbouring countries who have provided asylum space to many and kept their borders open. UNHCR looks forward to dialogue with Norway on the selection process and to a possible further intake later on.
NRK P2 24 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O30EE
NOAS: Stop forced returns to Syria
The Foreign Ministry in Norway condemns the violence against civilians and peaceful demonstrations in Syria. Due to the dramatic situation in Syria, the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) demands that Norway stops the return of asylum-seekers to the country. According to NOAS, 15 persons have been deported from Norway this year, 11 of them in March. But the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has still not decided to halt the deportations. Terje Sjeggestad, Director of the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE), says they are following the situation in Syria closely and will avoid any returns if there is a risk for persecution or fear for their life.
NRK 26 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O40EF
Aftenposten 26 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O50EG
Aftenbladet 20 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O60EH
UNE says it has acted correctly in Rahimi Rostami's case
The deportation of the 19-year-old Kurd, Rahim Rostami to Iran in the beginning of February raised a lot of criticism. Now, the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has reviewed the decision and says the criticism is unfounded, stating that the facts of the case are different to what has emerged in the media. The document showing the death penalty of the 19-year-old is assessed to be false. The deported man is now reported to be in prison. UNE alleges that Rostami's family can visit him in prison. However, this information is disputed by human rights organizations. Rostami's case file has been submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office in Stockholm. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR spokesperson for the Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, confirms that UNHCR will look into the case. - It is a case that has received much attention, and UNHCR therefore wants to look at it as a natural part of its mandate activities, says Mathisen. If any questions arise, they will be communicated directly to UNE and Norwegian authorities, continues Mathisen. She says that the responsibility for Rostami's security now lies in the hands of the Iranian authorities. Since 7 April, ten NGOs jointly demanded Norway to stop forced returns to Iran and to take responsibility to help Rostami return to Norway.
Ny Tid 23 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O70EI
Verdens Gang 23 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2O80EJ
Sweden
UNHCR in collaboration with Hydroforming Design Light
The Swedish company, Hydroforming Design Light, will assist the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), by providing customized equipment for up to 250,000 UNHCR tents, during three consecutive years.
Metal Supply 26 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PA0ET
Dalarnas Tidningar 26 April 2011(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PB0EU
Illegal immigrants benefit from free health care
Örebro County Council has decided that all illegal immigrants should have access to free health care. The decision was unanimous. However, the Sweden Democrats argue that there are Swedes with financial difficulties who cannot afford to pay for health care.
Sveriges Radio 27 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PC0EV
UNHCR in the news
Cities in West Libya abandoned
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) some 30,000 Libyans have fled the West Mountains regions in Libya and crossed into Tunisia during the last 3 weeks. The villages Nalutand and Wasini have been transformed to ghost towns due to the significant migration flow. Only a few men are left, no women or children are present, says a UNHCR spokesperson.
UNT 26 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PD0EW
SvD 26 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PE0EX
Göteborgs-Posten 26 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PF0EY
North Africa bears the biggest refugee burden
Both France and Italy argue that it may become necessary to temporarily restore border controls within the Schengen Area due to the increasing influx of persons fleeing the violence in Libya. Approximately 25,000 North African migrants, mainly Tunisian, have fled to the Italian island of Lampedusa. Jean-Philippe Chauzy, spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), does not agree, and says that it is important to put the situation back into context. Over 600,000 people have fled from Libya into neighbouring countries: Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Algeria, Chad and Sudan and solely 5,182 of them have reached Italy and Malta. Accordingly, North Africa bears the biggest refugee burden not Europe, he adds. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) explains that it is necessary to distinguish between the people fleeing fighting or possible persecution in Libya, and economic migrants who have left Tunisia.
Folketinde 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PG0EZ
Jyllands-Posten 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PH0Ea
Information 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PI0Eb
Information 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PJ0Ec
Jyllands-Posten 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmgR0ZqnfK0aYE0L2PK0Ed
Thursday 28 April to Friday 29 April 2011
Denmark
Denmark's tight immigration policy saves money
Denmark has saved some 5 billion Danish crowns each year during the last 9 years by having a tighter immigration policy, says a report from five Ministries. One reason for this is that more western immigrants and fewer non-western immigrants have come to Denmark. According to the report non-western immigrants and their descendants cost Denmark almost 16 billion Danish crowns (DKK) each year in lost taxes and transfer payments, while western immigrants and their descendants contribute with 2.2 billion DKK in revenues. The Government and the Danish People's Party (DF) will use the conclusions to argue for a further tightening of immigration rules. – When we now can see that it matters who gets into the country, I have no scruples in further tightening the rules for those suspected of becoming a burden to Denmark. On the other hand, I would gladly allow more persons into the country who can and want to contribute to improve the Danish economy, says Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs. The Social Democrats welcomes the report and says it would continue the current immigration policy if it came into power. However, Social Democrats say the Government and the Danish People's Party have failed to integrate immigrants and this is something Social Democrats would focus on improving. The Social Liberal Party criticize the report, saying it is undignified, discriminating and very unfortunate that the Government and DF want an immigration policy focused on how much immigrants cost the society. – We should live up to international conventions and take our share of refugees. This will of course cost money, but we should cover these expenses since we are part of the international community and we take our share of the responsibility, says Marianne Jelved from the Social Liberal Party.
Jyllands-Posten 27 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3A0Ew
Berlingske 27 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3B0Ex
DR 28 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3C0Ey
The Copenhagen Post 28 April 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3D0Ez
Politiken 28 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3E0E1
Danish People's Party wants to reintroduce border controls
The Danish People's Party wants to reintroduce border controls as soon as possible. According to the party leader Pia Kjærsgaard this is what the Danish people want. She says people do not understand why there should be open borders, since it increases criminality. – We have problems with East Europeans and now we risk problems with North African immigrants, therefore I think border controls are almost a national demand from the people, says Kjærsgaard. The Danish People's Party (DF) announced its demand for stricter border controls as a requirement for agreeing with the Government's 2020 budget reform plan. However, experts say border control is really bad for the economy and against the Schengen agreement. The opposition does not support DF's demand.
Jyllands-Posten 27 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3F0E2
Berlingske 27 April 2011: 1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3G0E3
Berlingske 27 April 2011: 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3H0E4
DR 28 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3I0E5
Information 27 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3J0E6
Fewer Somalis want to stay in Denmark
Somalis are the only group of immigrants who become fewer every year. Somalis meet many prejudices in Denmark and more and more Somalis leave the country and move to for example Great Britain. In a report for EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) 31 per cent of Somalis living in Denmark say they have experienced racial discrimination at least once. The report is from 2009, but they have been targeted by racist prejudice long before this. In 2010 some 123 Somalis were granted Danish citizenship, but it is not sure they will stay in Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 28 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3K0E7
Opposition rejects UN's appeal for receiving Libyan refugees
Right now, thousands of refugees who have fled the war-torn Libya live in camps in Tunisia and Egypt, while others have travelled to Malta and Italy. Despite this, Denmark does not seem willing to accept more refugees, although the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) calls it an emergency situation where all countries should receive more refugees than normal. - This is an emergency that requires a different approach than usual, and therefore we appeal to all countries to consider whether they can at least offer resettlement to some of the people who right now are in a very precarious situation in the camps, says Andrei Mahicic spokesperson for UNHCR. He stresses that while European countries are working to find a common solution on how to share the burden of Libyan refugees, each EU member state should volunteer to receive refugees above the agreed resettlement quota. People who were refugees already in Libya are especially vulnerable. Earlier this week the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, said that Denmark should take 10 refugees from Malta. He said that the number of refugees should not exceed the annual quota of 500. - It seems like a very bad joke, when the Minister says that we should only take 10 refugees, says the Unity List – Red – Green Alliance's political spokesperson Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, reminding that all asylum-seekers are entitled to have their cases processed. However, nothing suggests that the rest of the opposition, even if they would win the Parliamentary elections, would offer emergency resettlement to new refugees from countries outside the EU.
Information 26 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3L0E8
Finland
True Finns to chair key Parliamentary committees
The True Finns will chair the Administrative, Defence and Foreign Affairs committees. True Finns' Jussi Halla-aho will lead the Administrative Committee unless he gets a ministerial portfolio. The outspoken immigration critic Halla-aho will thus be able to influence in the processing of legislation affecting immigration, municipal and police issues. True Finns' Party leader Timo Soini is appointed leader of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The Defence Committee will be chaired by True Finns' Jussi Niinistö. The outgoing Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors says it is interesting to see which posts the party has chosen. If the party really wants to change poverty and marginalisation inside Finland, it should have chosen other committees, says Thors.
Helsingin Sanomat 27 April 2011:1 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3M0EA
Helsingin Sanomat 27 April 2011:2 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3N0EB
YLE 27 April 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3O0EC
YLE 27 April 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3P0ED
Soini scolds party colleague for immigration statements
In an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Teuvo Hakkarainen, a fresh True Finns member of Parliament, complained about "Negros" arriving at Finland's borders and warned that minarets would arise all over Helsinki. Hakkarainen's statements have caused strong reactions. True Finns leader Timo Soini has talked with Hakkarainen advising him to be more careful with his language in the future. Hakkarainen himself explained his mistake by saying he is from the countryside.
YLE 29 April 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3Q0EE
YLE 28 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3R0EF
YLE 28 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3S0EG
Aamulehti 28 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3T0EH
Turun Sanomat 28 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3U0EI
Tolerance demonstration attracted over thousand persons
Some 1,200 persons met up outside the Parliament House in Helsinki to demonstrate for tolerance and multiculturalism. In the invitation on Facebook the demonstrators are asking for an open and tolerant Finland which takes care of minorities and takes responsibility for global problems. A major reason for the demonstration is the anxiety over the results in the recent election, with the True Finns winning a lot of support. The police reported that the demonstration went peacefully.
Aamulehti 28 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3V0EJ
YLE 28 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3W0EK
Turun Sanomat 28 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3X0EL
Asylum-seeking children's guardians lack training
Guardians lack sufficient training to support unaccompanied minors who seek asylum. The guardians need good knowledge in law and an ability to handle severely traumatized children. According to the national association Guardians for Asylum-seeking Children (ETU) there is a lack of sufficient training for guardians that makes the current service unfair for the unaccompanied minors. To become a guardian an entery test is made to check basic knowledge, but after that it lies in the hands of the guardians to participate in the training. The Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry of the Interior say that training is provided when needed, for example when there is a change of a law. Nevertheless, ETU is stating that the guardians, both new and old, are in need of additional training. The authorities are currently debating who is in fact responsible for the training of the guardians.
YLE 28 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3Y0EM
Norway
Norway accepts more refugees from North Africa
Norway will accept an additional number of 30 refugees who have fled the violence in Libya and are currently staying in Malta. The decision was taken because of the severe situation in Malta where all refugees are in need of international portection, says State Secretary Pål K. Lønseth from the Ministry of Justice and the Police. EU has currently asked all Schengen-countries to help Malta, and Lønseth says Norway therefore has taken the decision after being in contact with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, and the Minister of Home Affairs in Malta. A total number of 90 refugees in the region and in Malta will be chosen together with UNHCR and local authorities in Malta. Amnesty is still criticising Norway, saying the country should accept even more refugees.
Dagbladet 28 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3Z0EN
NRK 28 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3a0EU
Ethiopians want to leave Norway
Adane Asres Fered, spokesperson for the Ethiopians staying outside Oslo Cathedral, says they do not wish to continue staying in Norway. Ferede says they are asking for the international community to help them leave Norway. –We want to go to any country that is willing to accept us, Ferede continues. The Ethiopians staying outside the Cathedral have reported they will continue to do so until their situation is solved. They have been offered places in receptions centres outside Oslo, but have rejected the offers. The current agreement with Ethiopia makes it impossible for Norway to forcibly return the group. The lawyer Cecilie Schjatvet asks Norwegian authorities to put the clients' cases on hold until further notice. It is expected that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will come up with new recommendations on Ethiopia in the near future.
NRK 27 April 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3b0EV
NRK 27 April 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3c0EW
Dagsavisen 27 April 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3d0EX
Sweden
Uproar in detention center
A row broke out in the Swedish Migration Board's detention centre in Kållared during lunch time on Wednesday. Some 20 persons were involved, among them persons who have recently decided to start a hunger-strike. Seven persons were placed in custody. Magnus Jotunheim, chief operating officer for the part 16 in the detention centre, has no direct explanation to the row but says there is a general frustration among the persons for being locked up and not knowing what will happen. The persons staying in detention centres are not criminals but are locked up because the Swedish Migration Board does not think they have reason to stay in Sweden.
Göteborgs-Posten 28 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3e0EY
UNHCR in the news
Acute situation for refugees from Côte d'Ivoire
The 150,000 persons who have fled Côte d'Ivoire to Liberia are now suffering from shortage of food. There is a risk of an increased severity of the situation due to the upcoming rain period. Inga-Lill Hagberg from the Red Cross says the conditions are harsh and there is a severe lack of food, medicine and clean water. According to UNHCR the humanitarian catastrophe in the country is escalating. Some half a million persons inside Côte d'Ivoire are fleeing their homes. Although the fighting has more or less stopped, the Ivorians are afraid to return home, or have no home to return too.
DN 28 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDmvm0ZqnfK0aYE0MA3f0EZ
Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May 2011
Denmark
Economists criticise report on immigration
The Government's conclusions in its new report on immigration are being criticised by a number of economic experts and organizations. The Government and the Danish People's Party argue that the report shows that stricter immigration legislation has saved a lot of money, and therefore further restrictions on immigration should be introduced. However, Jørn Neergaard Larsen, CEO of the Confederation of Danish Employers, argue that Denmark, in fact, needs immigration and that it does not matter what origin the immigrants have. Accordingly, Torben Tranæs, Research Director and Professor at the Rockwool Foundation, explains that the report clearly demonstrates the immense task it would be if Danes had to provide for themselves in future. The Danish Rational Economic Agents Model (DREAM), who conducted the analysis, wants to distance itself from the Government's interpretation of the study. - The numbers do not accurately represent the reality of the situation. For a more correct portrayal concerning the state of immigration in Denmark, the results must be examined even further, explains Marianne Frank Hansen from DREAM. Erik Bonnerup, from the Copenhagen Business School, and Mads Lundby Hansen, from the Danish Centre for Political Studies (CEPOS), do not question the correctness of the results, however, they point out that the report shows an opportunity to improve integration measures for foreigners in Denmark. Søren Pind has chosen not to respond to these critics.
Information 28 April 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJu60Ep
Berlingske 2 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJu70Eq
Politiken 2 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJu80Er
Jyllands-Posten 2 May 2011 (jn Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvA0E2
Denmark criticised by NGOs
Several non-governmental organizations have criticised the Danish authorities for not giving an accurate picture of the country's human rights situation, in its Universal Periodic Review (UPR), to be examined by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday 2 May 2011. One of the critics concern former Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbech´s failure to follow recommendations by the Refugee Appeals Board concerning the stateless Palestinians who were wrongfully denied Danish citizenship. - The mere point of the report is to be self-critical, which Denmark has not succeeded in, says Save the Children. Michael Aastrup Jensen, Spokesperson for the Liberal Party, rejects the NGOs criticism of the report, and claims that even though small things need to be improved Denmark is a country where human rights are at an excellent international standard. He later adds that he has no doubt that Denmark will greatly succeed the examination.
Politiken 2 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvB0E3
Finland
Immigration decreased last year
A total of 25,650 persons moved to Finland last year, reports Statistics Finland. This was a decrease of more than 1,000 persons compared to 2009, and the lowest number since 2006. Almost half of the immigrants came from another EU country.
Svenska Yle 29 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvC0E4
Aamulehti 29 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvD0E5
Biaudet sends Prosecutor General on Hakkarainen
The Ombudsman for Minorities, Eva Biaudet, has asked the Prosecutor General to investigate whether the Member of Parliament Teuvo Hakkarainen (True Finns) is guilty of incitement against a population group or illegal hate speech. Biaudet is referring to Hakkarainen's comments in an interview for Helsingin Sanomat last week, in which Hakkarainen talked about "Negros" arriving at Finland's borders and warned that calls to prayer from minarets might cause disturbance. According to Biaudet, Hakkarainen's comments are racist and demeaning, and she therefore wants a judgment whether this is warrantable within the freedom of speech. Hakkarainen refuses to apologize for his statements. He has explained his mistake by his rural background. However, this has caused reactions among persons from the countryside. Timo Laaninen, the party secretary of the Finnish Centre Party, says it is difficult to come up with a worse insult of persons living and born in the countryside. Laaninen stresses that one of the characteristics of the Finnish countryside is hospitality to foreign guests.
Aamulehti 29 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvE0E6
Hufvudstadsbladet 29 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvF0E7
Yle 29 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvG0E8
Turun Sanomat 29 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvH0EA
MTV 3 29 April 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvI0EB
Aamulehti 1 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvJ0EC
Iltalehti 2 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvK0ED
Kiviniemi: Many get votes by intimidation
The Chairman of the Center Party, Mari Kiviniemi, wishes that the debate on immigration will become more versatile. At her speech in Helsinki on May Day, she said an honest discussion is needed, without generalization or intimidation. According to her it is clear that many candidates received votes in the recent parliamentary elections because of the fear of the unknown.
Aamulehti 1 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvL0EE
Hufvudstadsbladet 1 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvM0EF
Nazi party being founded in Finland
A formal registration of the National Socialist Worker's Party in Finland is underway. The party plans to participate in the next local elections. The process to gain official legal status has been complicated, and a revision of the original openly racist party rules are part of what has had to be modified. Päivi Kaukoranta, Director General of the Legal Services section of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, says the Foreign Minister has not found reasons to forbid the registration of the party and that nothing of a fascist nature was found. - The freedom of association is a right recognized in very key human rights agreements and in the practice of human rights courts it is established that very few restrictions can be placed upon it, she continues. The party's concept is "the people and the fatherland" and the party uses Nazi symbols. The chairman of the National Socialists, Pekka Luoma, says they are struggling against immigration, especially coloured immigrants. The party's supporters are dozens of Nazi activists around the country and it only accepts members with blood ties to the Finnish people.
Yle 2 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvN0EG
Yle 2 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvO0EH
Sweden
Swedish Government sued for 10 millions SEK
Peter Ekweri, a Sudanese asylum-seeker, has filed a 10 million Swedish crown lawsuit against the Swedish Government, for having forcibly deported him to the wrong country. Following his asylum application rejection in 1995, he was sent to Ghana, despite being Sudanese. A language analysis test had been conducted by the Swedish Migration Board, concluding that he had origins in Ghana. Prior to his deportation, he was given a document that confirmed that he would be returned to Sweden if it were to come out that he was not from Ghana. This promise was never kept and in Ghana he was imprisoned for several years, as it was believed that he was an illegal immigrant. Per E Samuelsson, Peter Ekwiri's lawyer, is convinced that there are similar cases to this one, and adds that the Swedish authorities have, for years, used Ghana as a country where rejected asylum-seekers are deported to.
Dagens Nyheter 30 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvP0EI
Aftonbladet 30 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvQ0EJ
Sveriges Radio 30 April 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnLO0ZqnfK0aYE0MJvR0EK
Tuesday 3 May to Wednesday 4 May 2011
Denmark
Denmark says no to share burden of immigration influx
Denmark will not accept refugees who have been granted asylum in other European Union (EU) countries. In fact, the Danish People's Party has chosen to oppose the EU Commission's proposal to share the burden of a possible significant immigration influx of North African refugees into Europe. Instead Peter Skaarup, Integration Spokesperson for the Danish People's Party, argues that solidarity must be shown by helping the refugees in their own countries. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Prime Minister, agrees and adds that support for the EU's border agency Frontex must accordingly be enhanced. Henrik Dam Kristensen, Integration Spokesperson for the Social Democrats, thinks likewise and believes that it is important to maintain the principles of the Dublin Regulation.
DR 3 May 2011: 1 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2011/05/03/161341.htm
DR 3 May 2011: 2 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2011/05/03/122759.htm
DR 3 May 2011: 3 (in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Politik/2011/05/03/153205.htm
Family reunification – more expensive than ever
As part of the Danish Government's action to tighten the country's immigration policies, costs for family reunification will increase drastically starting from 1 July 2011. Under the new rules, the application fee for family reunification of spouses will rise from 5.975 to 7.775 Danish crowns. Furthermore, it will no longer be sufficient for the spouse to have been in Denmark once. Instead, there will be a minimum requirement of two visits before family reunification is possible. In addition, the spouse will be obliged to pass a Danish language test that costs 3.600 Danish crowns, during one of the visits. Poul Neergaard, Chairman of the Language Centers Leader Association, says that only a few will be able to pass the Danish language test in the 10 weeks available on a visitor's visa.
Politiken 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/ECE1272094/prisen-paa-familiesammenfoering-stiger/
Information 3 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.information.dk/267060
Denmark's implementation of human rights examined
On Monday Denmark was examined by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Some 48 countries took the floor during the examination and half of them mentioned the treatment and conditions for immigrants in Denmark. Some of the questions concerned the tight rules for family reunification, forced returns of Iraqis and illegal deportation of Romani people. NGOs in Denmark hope that the critical questions will lead to a debate on the current implementation of human rights. Jonas Christoffersen, Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, said the general feeling from the debate was that Denmark is a state respected for its work with human rights both at home and abroad.
Information 3 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.information.dk/267050
Jyllands-Posten 2 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2417878.ece
Information 1 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.information.dk/266810
Latvia
Latvia needs immigrants to stabilize its labour market
The Finance Minister Andris Vilks says that Latvia will need immigrants to successfully develop and stabilize the country's labour market. He is not worried about a mass emigration of Latvian labour forces but says that Latvian residents will not be willing to work in low-paid jobs. The wages differ across Europe and Vilks predicts that it will take some time before the wages in Latvia are close to the European levels. Vilks believes that the issue of immigrants will be on the Government's agenda soon.
The Baltic Course 2 May 2011 (in English)
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=40387
Sweden
Fewer granted residency after new directive
According to a new mapping, the number of people who have been granted a residence permit under "particularly distressing circumstances", has declined since the new directive was introduced. Approved asylum applications have dropped from 3.657 in 2006 to 858 in 2010. Maria Ferm, Member of the Green Party, argues that more people might be granted asylum on the basis of protection needs, which was the intention in the first place. However, she is concerned that the assessment might have become stricter and that the assessments of what constitutes particularly distressing circumstances vary a lot in different parts of the country. The Swedish Migration Board's Director for Legal Affairs, Mikael Ribbenvik, disagrees with the criticism. On the contrary he argues that the Swedish Migration Board has been more lenient in their consideration of what characterizes particularly distressing circumstances than the law stipulates. Since the new directive is being used as was intended when the Government made its decision on the new immigration policies in 2005, Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, sees no reason for further reforms at present.
Dagens Nyheter 2 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/farre-fick-stanna-av-ommande-orsaker
Svenska Dagbladet 2 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/billstrom-far-ron-om-ommande-fall_6132333.svd
The Swedish Migration Board criticized for jeopardizing children's safety
The Swedish Migration Board's decision to deport two parents and their Sweden-born children to separate countries has been strongly criticized by, amongst other, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, as well as Child and Youth Psychiatry (BUP). The mother who suffers from severe mental illness is to be sent with her sons to Uzbekistan, whereas the father is to be deported to Azerbaijan. It is documented that the mother cannot take care of the kids, says the children's psychiatrist Ann-Mari Appelberg. Christine Bertline, psychologist at BUP, argues accordingly that Sweden has not lived up to the principles of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, Maria Hammarberg, judge at the Migration Court of Appeal, claims that all aspects of the case have been looked into and that the decision cannot be overruled. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, has not been available for comments.
Sveriges Radio 2 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=3437&grupp=14664&artikel=4483455
Sveriges Radio 2 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=3437&grupp=7703&artikel=4477895
Dagens Nyheter 2 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/dodshotade-barn-utvisas
Göteborgs-Posten 2 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.gp.se/nyheter/goteborg/1.616454-utvisning-av-barn-star-fast
Paperless Iranian asylum-seekers on a hunger strike
Six paperless Iranian asylum-seekers have started a hunger strike to shed light on their cause. All of them have resided in Sweden from six to twelve years, but have yet to receive a residence permit. The hunger strike will carry on if no affirmative answer is given by the Swedish Migration Board.
Sveriges Radio 3 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=986&artikel=4485236
Iraq's ambassador in Sweden – against forced deportation
Hussain M. Al-Ameri, Iraq's ambassador in Sweden, believes that the Readmission agreement signed on February 2008, enabling Sweden to return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers, shall remain unchanged. However, it should primarily concern those who want to return voluntarily. Furthermore, close attention should be paid to humanitarian aspects for those who are sent back against their will. Despite strong criticism from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Swedish authorities have continued to forcibly return rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. The Iraqi ambassador, who has been critical to the deportations, will in the near future meet with Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, to discuss possible interpretations of the readmission agreement.
Världen idag 4 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.varldenidag.se/nyhet/2011/05/03/Inte-ratt-att-tvangsavvisa/
UNHCR in the news
Influx of refugees increases from Libya
More than 8,000 persons, most of them ethnic Berbers, arrived in Tunisia last weekend fleeing the civil war in Libya, reports the UN refugee agency UNHCR. The Berbers are on the rebel side and have therefore been targeted by the Government troops in the Western Mountains region. In the cities there are several wounded civilians without access to medical care. A lot of Libyan refugees are continuously fleeing to Italy.
YLE 3 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/teemat/kansannousut/2011/05/pakolaisvirta_libyasta_kiihtyy_2561485.html
Thursday 5 May to Friday 6 May 2011
Finland
Quota refugees arrive in Kronoby
On Wednesday 23 Afghan quota refugees arrived in Kronoby, the majority youth and single mothers. They were welcomed by volunteers from the Red Cross representing the different housing municipalities. In June the region will receive additionally 56 Afghan refugees. At the same time, an Afghan family who has stayed 2 year in Jakobstad is to be forcibly returned. This has caused reactions and on Wednesday friends of the family and asylum-seekers demonstrated outside the police station in Jakobstad.
YLE 5 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNQ0E5
YLE 5 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNQ0E5
YLE 4 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNR0E6
Identification of asylum-seekers difficult
The Finnish authorities face challenges with the high number of asylum applicants. Especially since many applicants are unable to provide documents to establish their identity when seeking asylum in Finland. This is stated by an investigation of the collaborative work between authorities during the asylum-process, done by the Police Collage of Finland and the Border and Coast Guard School. The asylum process starts by the border control and at the police, where identification of the person and family relationships is initiated, and an investigation into the travel route and entry took place. The police and the border control collaborate with the Finnish Immigration Service. The investigation shows that a high quality of asylum investigation requires adequate resources and systematic cooperation of authorities. 30 experts from the involved authorities were interviewed. In 2010 approximately 3,800 asylum-seekers arrived in Finland.
YLE 5 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNS0E7
Aamulehti 5 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNT0E8
Norway
Gaddafi's nurse fled to Norway
The Ukrainian Galyna Kolotnytska, who has worked as Muammar al-Gaddafi's nurse for 8 years, has sought asylum is in Norway. The Ukraine nurse got world famous because of leaks from Wikileaks documents, where she was referred to as Gaddafi's "luxuriant blonde". The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has confirmed that she is in Norway, but neither the PST, the Ministry of Justice and the Police nor the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) want to give any further information about her case. A representative for UNHCR in Ukraine has told the news bureau Interfax that Kolotnytska might have a right for asylum in Norway if she can demonstrate the connection to Gaddafi and that she cannot receive protection from the Ukraine authorities. According to Norwegian authorities persons originating from Ukraine are normally not granted asylum, but the situation for Kolotnytska might differ. Kolotnytska fled to Kiev in February and came to Norway in beginning of this week.
Dagbladet 5 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNU0EA
NRK 5 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNV0EB
Verdens Gang 5 May 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNW0EC
Verdens Gang 5 May 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNX0ED
N.B. This was also covered in Denmark and Finland
Jyllandsposten 5 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNY0EE
YLE 5 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNZ0EF
YLE 5 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNa0EM
Never before as many immigrants and emigrants as last year
In 2010, Norwegian immigration and emigration set a new record of the total number of persons moving in and out of the country. A total of 73,850 persons moved into Norway last year and nearly 8,800 of them were Norwegians who moved back home. The rest had foreign nationalities, with two thirds originating from countries outside the EU. A high number came from Eritrea and the Philippines.
Dagsavisen 5 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNb0EN
Sweden
The EU tightens its borders
The European Commission has, in the wake of the recent immigration influx from North Africa, suggested a new proposal enabling EU member states to reintroduce border controls. Border controls have previously only been reinstated in extreme cases based on the threat to public order. According to Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, the approximately 25,000 North Africans who have arrived in Italy since January 2011, is no reason for such an action. She announced, however, that the European Commission would be reviewing the Schengen rules as "it may be necessary to temporarily reimpose border controls under very exceptional circumstances", for instance, if some of the EU's external borders came under "heavy, unexpected pressure". Cecilia Malmström has, in addition, promised a long list of new proposals concerning immigration policy, later in May 2011.
DN 6 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNc0EO
SvD 4 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNd0EP
Sveriges Radio 4 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNe0EQ
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark
Politiken 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNf0ER
DR 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNg0ES
Information 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNh0ET
Jyllands-Posten 4 may 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNi0EU
Berlingske 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNj0EV
NB. This story was also covered in the Baltics
Balkans Business News 6 May 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNk0EW
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 4 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNl0EX
One of four asylum-seekers comes from Serbia or Kosovo
The latest statistics from the Swedish Migration Board show that one out of four persons who sought asylum in Sweden last year came from either Kosovo or Serbia. It is a significant increase compared to previous years, when no more than 8 per cent of all asylum-seekers were from these areas. Furthermore, the number of Iraqi asylum-seekers has declined drastically in comparison to 2008, when half of all asylum-seekers constituted Iraqis. On the under hand, asylum-seekers from Somalia has augmented considerably and is continuing to do so. Three years may pass from the time a person applies for asylum, until he/she is granted a residence permit. 2006 was the year when most asylum applications were approved. Nevertheless, the approval rate fell down to 42 per cent in the following year, and in 2008 the figure was 29 per cent.
DN 5 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNm0EY
UNHCR in the news
A former Danish ship caught in crossfire in Libya
The former Danish ship "Red Star One" is used by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to evacuate refugees from the port of Misrata, Libya. So far it has been used to evacuate thousands of refugees. But on Wednesday the ship was caught in crossfire when docking in the harbor. This resulted in the death of five persons. The Transport Minister of Libya says the port is closed, and any foreign ships trying to enter the port will be targets of the regime's forces. The ship was able to leave later on Wednesday carrying 800 refugees and journalists onboard, leaving several hundred refugees in the harbor. According to UN the influx of refugees from Libya has increased during the last days. Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for UNHCR, says that over 8,000 persons, most of them ethnic Berbers, arrived in Tunisia last weekend.
Verdens Gang 4 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNn0EZ
ABC Nyheter 4 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNo0Ea
Over 41 000 have fled ongoing violence in Libya
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 41,600 people have, over the past four weeks, fled ongoing violence in Libya into neighboring country Tunisia. Manes Ghanem, Protection Officer at the UNHCR Iraq Operation Unit in Amman, says that the UNHCR is working with the Tunisian authorities and non for profit organizations in order to provide shelter, food and water for the many fleeing refugees. Since the uprising against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi began in mid-February 2011, tens of thousands have fled the country into Tunisia, Egypt or the Mediterranean coast. The vast majority are foreign nationals who have been guest workers in Libya.
DR 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNp0Eb
Folketidende 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNq0Ec
BT 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNr0Ed
Berlingske 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNs0Ee
DR 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNt0Ef
Politiken 4 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDnr70ZqnfK0aYE0MWNu0Eg
Saturday 7 May to Monday 9 May 2011
Denmark
Deportation despite integration
Following a verdict from the High Court of Eastern Denmark, forced return will not be avoided on the basis of successful integration. In 1995, Croatian asylum-seeker Refik Saric was sentenced to 8 years in prison for having tortured inmates at the Croatian penitentiary in Dretelj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Refik Saric was, nevertheless, granted a permit for tolerated stay, as the Danish authorities considered that an expulsion would be too dangerous. Since his release, Saric has lived in Denmark with his now Danish wife and children, working at a Red Cross cafe. However, the Danish Immigration Service concluded in 2010 that it was now safe for the convicted asylum-seeker to be sent back home.
DR 6 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecp0Ef
Integration failure for Stateless Palestinians in Denmark
A new report from the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, shows that the integration of the Stateless Palestinians who were granted a residence permit in 1992, has been unsuccessful. Out of the 321 who were given asylum, 218 received some form of social assistance in 2009. The report also shows that 63 persons have been giving prison sentences, while 114 have been fined during the period between 1992 and 2009.
DR 5 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecq0Eg
Tightening of Danish borders
The Danish People's Party met on Friday 6 May 2011 to discuss how Denmark can tighten its borders, without infringing on the Schengen rules. The party wishes to reinstate border control, with the purpose of reducing the number of incoming asylum-seekers and persons who have committed criminal offenses. - Customs officers will be able to carry out this task, says Kristian Thulesen Dalh, finance spokesperson for the Danish People's Party. Peter Skaarup, legal affairs spokesperson for the Danish People's Party, says that customs will be operational 24/7 to protect the country's borders.
DR 6 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecr0Eh
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sydsvenkan 6 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecs0Ei
Finland
Halla-aho collects many disciples
19 of the 39 members of the True Finns party elected into Parliament are ready to tackle a multi-cultural society. A dozen of its MPs views immigrants as a threat, in particularly Muslims. The leader of the True Finns, Timo Soini, views gaps in EU policies generally and growing income gaps in Finland as his main areas of preoccupation. Meanwhile, True Finns' MP Jussi Halla-aho, who is also a member of the nationalist-minded and anti-multiculturalism interest group Suomen Sisu , focuses on restrictive measures in the asylum field. Matias Turkkila, also member of the Suomen Sisu board and chairman of the immigrant critical Hommaforum, says they think quota-refugees are okay, but want to allow only immigrants that Finland has economic and intellectual benefit from. According to him, the current system grants asylum to persons who are not in need of protection.
HBL 8 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mect0Ej
New integration methods tested in Raseborg
The new integration project "Involved in Finland" has started in Raseborg. The pilot project is one of 10 in Finland to test new methods to get immigrants employed. According to the Raseborg immigrant coordinator Börje Mattsson there is a need for such projects to fill the current gaps in the integration system. Several employers have showed interests in the project and according to Mattson many want to develop more of a multicultural work environment.
YLE 6 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecu0Ek
Norway
Government to take more Libyan refugees
The government has, in the revised national budget, decided to increase the intake of ex-Libya quota refugees from 90 to 340 persons. The decision comes as savings are identified due to a drop in the number of asylum-seeker arriving this year, reports the Ministry of Justice and the Police. According to the Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget, it will not take long before the refugees are resettled in Norway. The quota refugees will be chosen in consultation with UNHCR and the local authorities.
TV 2 7 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecv0El
NRK 6 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecw0Em
Norway hopes for return agreement with Ethiopia
The Ethiopian authorities have signaled a possible willingness to enter into an agreement regarding the return of rejected asylum-seekers. The Norwegian authorities have tried to get such an agreement in place for over 20 years. State Secretary Paul Lønseth is optimistic, saying there might still be obstacles, however Norway has not received a similar response from Ethiopia before. Adane Asras Ferede, spokesperson for the group of rejected Ethiopians, emphasizes that they will not be able to return to their home country due to the political situation. –If the Norwegian authorities get an agreement on the return, we might as well die here, he says.
Dagsavisen 6 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecx0En
NRK 6 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecy0Eo
Verdens Gang 6 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mecz0Ep
Most asylum-seekers from Somalia and Eritrea
643 persons applied for asylum in Norway last month. The majority came from Somalia and Eritrea. Until now, the number of applicants has decreased with 8 per cent compared to the same period last year. The numbers provided by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) show that 23 persons originating from Tunisia, Egypt and Libya applied for asylum in Norway in April. They represent 3,6 per cent of the total number of asylum applicants. The current situation in North-Africa has so far not resulted in an increase of applicants.
Verdens Gang 6 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec10Ec
Sweden
Sweden receives refugees from Libya
Some 6000 refugees, mostly Somalis, Eritreans and Sudanese, have found themselves stranded at the Libyan border following the country's ongoing armed conflict. Sweden will become the first European Union (EU) country to receive 200 quota refugees from Libya. - The people whom we accept are people in need of protection, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. - They are definitely exposed and vulnerable in the situation they are in today, he adds. As for question concerning the EU´s responsibility to receive refugees, the Minister points out that it must be based on the principle of humanitarian aid and that each case must be individually assessed.
Sveriges Radio 5 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec20Ed
Disagreement in Swedish government regarding border controls
Following the recent immigration influx from North Africa, several European Union (EU) member states have suggested the reintroduction of border controls. This has led to a political debate in Sweden. The Minister for Education and Deputy Prime Minister, Jan Björklund, and Marie Granlund, member of the Social Democratic Party, are strongly against the reinstatement of border controls, as it implies a restriction on free movement within the EU. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, argues however, that border controls might be a positive endeavor, as it could help member states cope with significant flows of incoming asylum-seekers. The European Commission will discuss this question further on Thursday.
Sveriges Radio 8 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec30Ee
Action against Deportation: Swedish legal system not safe for asylum-seekers
Action against Deportation arranged a public meeting during the inauguration of the Swedish Migrations Board's new detention centre in Åstorp, in southern Sweden. The organization claimed that the Swedish legal system does not provide full protection for asylum-seekers. Ylva Sjödin, member of Action against Deportation, argues that even though the new facility provides more comfort, what asylum-seekers really need is freedom. The General Director of the Åstorp detention center, Anna Eriksson, explains that rejected asylum-seekers will be detained for having failed to follow the directions of the Migration Court and the Swedish Migration Board.
Sveriges Radio 6 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec40Ef
More pressure on municipalities
New figures show that merely one in three unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors will be accommodated when arriving in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board will have to put more pressure on the municipalities. 500 new housings units are needed to accommodate all children, however, only 200 might be in place by the end of the year and so far only 40 have been made available. - This does not meet the required needs and it is very worrisome, says Dan Eliasson, Director General at the Swedish Migration Board.Furthermore, the application assessment period must be reduced. This will result in additional responsibility for the host municipalities, says Dan Eliasson. 2,400 children and youth are expected to apply for asylum this year.
Sydsvenskan 7 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec50Eg
DN 5 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec60Eh
Demonstration against deportation
300 people gathered on Sunday 8 May 2011 on Gustav Adolf´s Torg, Stockholm, to show their support for the ten hunger-striking Iranian asylum-seekers. All have gotten their asylum-application rejected. According to the Iranian asylum-seekers, they risk prison or execution if deported to Iran. While awaiting an affirmative answer from the Swedish Migration Board, the hunger strike will carry on for at least one more month. Further support-demonstrations are planned for the upcoming week.
Göteborgs-Posten 9 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec70Ei
Göteborgs-Posten 7 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0Mec80Ej
UNHCR in the news
Immigrants were left to die in the sea
61 African migrants were left to die in the Mediterranean despite requests for assistance. Emergency calls were made to military helicopters, Nato warships and the Italian coastguard but no rescue efforts were attempted. All but11 persons died on board from thirst and hunger after their vessel was left to drift for 16 days. International maritime law compels all vessels, including military units, to offer help when possible. Due to this the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, calls for stricter co-operation among commercial and military vessels.
Uusi Suomi 9 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0MedA0Et
Sweden sends tents to help Libyan refugees
In response to a request from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), three hundred tents as well as nine hospital tents were flown from Örebro in Sweden to Djerba in Tunisia, in order to help Libyan refugees.
Norran 9 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0MedB0Eu
Skånskan 7 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0MedC0Ev
NorraSkåne 7 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDoHA0ZqnfK0aYE0MedD0Ew
Tuesday 11 May to Wednesday 12 May 2011
Denmark
Socialist People's Party outraged at NATO's failure to rescue refugees
The Socialist People's Party is outraged over the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) failure to rescue some seventy refugees, who found themselves shipwrecked at sea, while attempting to flee ongoing conflicts in Libya. As a result, a total of 63 persons lost their lives. - If the story is true, it is utterly unacceptable, it is a disaster, says Kamal Qureshi, Spokesperson on Minority and Human Rights issues for the Socialist People's Party. The whole purpose of NATO's military operation and Denmark's participation is to protect the civilians. The refugees should, accordingly, not have been left at sea, Qureshi adds. Kamal Qureshi encourages the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lene Espersen, to investigate this tragic incident.
Politiken 9 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.i.pol.dk/udland/article1276847.ece
Immigration policies damaging to competitiveness
New studies show that one third of the largest companies in Denmark think that the Government's immigration policy has a negative impact on their global competitiveness. In fact, several of Denmark's major companies have notified that Denmark is being perceived as a bureaucratic and unfriendly country. Among the critical voices are Microsoft, Copenhagen Airports, Dampskibsselskabet Norden A/S and ISS A/S. Henrik Peter Jørgensen, Vice President of Communication at Copenhagen Airports, argues that in terms of cultural diversity, Denmark has become known as a country that is difficult to enter. Anne-Marie Skov, Communications Director at Carlsberg, concurs and adds that there already are companies who relocate their headquarters to, for instance, Asia or the United States of America, due to the difficulty of attracting foreign workforce to Denmark.
DR 9 May 2011(in Danish)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2011/05/09/070209.htm?rss=true
Governmental negotiation leads to tougher immigration policy
Following a rather chaotic meeting regarding the Danish Government's 2020 Economic Plan, there are reports that consensus has been reached regarding: the introduction of fulltime customs officers at the Danish borders, harsher punishments for none-Danish citizens who have committed criminal offences as well as a modified points based system for foreigners in need of social welfare payments. The Danish People's Party has managed to get these three issues approved in exchange for its support of the Government's plans for a reform of the early retirement system.
Berlingske 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/politiko/dramatisk-slutspil-i-2020-forhandlinger
Jyllands-Posten 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://jp.dk/indland/indland_politik/article2426818.ece
Politiken 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://politiken.dk/politik/ECE1278452/dansk-folkeparti-faar-tre-stramninger-i-betaling-for-efterloen/
Finland
Police: Hakkarainen's comments on foreigners not a crime
The True Finns' MP Teuvo Hakkarainen's comments about foreigners do not constitute a crime, according to the Helsinki police. In an interview Hakkarainen used the word "nigger" and said that minarets would rise all over Helsinki and people's sleep would be disturbed by the Muslim call to prayer. Eva Biaudet, Ombudsman for Minorities, requested an investigation into whether Hakkarainen had crossed the boundaries of what is acceptable freedom of expression. The police found that his comments did not reach the level of hate speech and have notified the Prosecutor General's office that they will not conduct a preliminary investigation into the matter.
YLE 10 May 2011 (in English)
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/05/police_hakkarainens_foreigner_comments_not_a_crime_2580887.html
YLE 10 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/talous_ja_politiikka/2011/05/poliisi_hakkaraisen_ulkomaalaispuheet_eivat_rikos_2580191.html
The Supreme Court review Halla-aho's blog posts
The blog post where the True Finns' MP Jussi Halla-aho combined Islam with pedophilia will be reviewed by the Supreme Court. In September 2009 Halla-aho was sentenced to 30 day-fines due to the blog posts. The Courts of Appeal has confirmed the sentence.
Aamulehti 10 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194678179032/artikkeli/halla-ahon+blogikirjoittelua+kasitellaan+korkeimmassa+oikeudessa.html
Norway
MUFs have been granted residence permits
The last group of the so called MUF Iraqi Kurds have now been granted residence permit. MUF stands for temporary residence permit without entitlement to family reunification. The group has been waiting for more than 10 years for a formal status. The legal advisor Jon Ole Martinsen working for the organisation "Selvhjelp for innvandrere og flyktingar" (SEIF) says this is a big relief, but adds that 10 of them are still waiting for a decision. SEIF has been working with the cases since 1999.
NRK 10 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/programmer/tv/migrapolis/1.7627507
More immigrants need to start working
In order to maintain the Norwegian welfare state more immigrants need to start working, says Audun Lysbakken, Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion.
– Immigration will continue and we do not wish to downsize the Norwegian welfare state, he says. Therefore Norway needs to lead an integration policy making it possible for the majority of immigrants to get jobs, concludes Lysbakken.
NRK 9 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7626250
Sweden
Cecilia Malmström criticised
Both Anna Hedh, Member of the Social Democratic Party and the European Parliament, and Cecilia Wikström, Member of the Liberal Party and the European Parliament, strongly disagree with Cecilia Malmström´s, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, proposal to strengthen EU's external borders, as free movement within the EU is a fundamental part of the Schengen rules. To reintroduce border controls as a response to the recent influx of immigrants from North Africa is wrong, they say. Cecilia Wikström argues that there might be situations in which border controls should be reinstated. However, these must be implemented under strict regulations decided at an EU level. In a response, Cecilia Malmström emphasizes that the intention is not to undermine EU's freedom of movement, but to strengthen its present legislation, in exceptional circumstances.
Göteborgs-Posten 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.gp.se/nyheter/varlden/1.623073-passunion-slagtra-i-migrationsdebatt
Dagens Nyheter 10 May 2011 I:19 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
600 might have drowned
A vessel with over 600 refugees sank near the coast of Libya on Friday 6 May 2011. Some of the persons onboard managed to swim ashore but UN fears that the majority of the refugees have drowned. UNHCR spokesperson Laura Boldrini says they base the information on eye-witnesses and compare it with the stories of the survivors. UNHCR and the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) have interviewed refugees who arrived in another vessel. They reported that they witnessed dead person's bodies floating in the sea. At least three vessels that have left Libya in the last few months amd did not make it to Italy. It is feared that hundreds of refugees have drowned. The UN now claims the Libyan Government to be partly guilty for this, and IOM reports that Libyan soldiers have forced refugees onboard already overcrowded vessels. UNHCR spokesperson Sybella Wilkes says the vessels are organised by smugglers. She continues saying it is impossible that the authorities are unaware of this if 2,000 persons are escorted every day and the port in Tripoli is controlled by the Government. The Italian Government has stated that Gaddafi organises the refugee-vessels as revenge towards Europe. More than 25,000 persons have so far reached Italy after fleeing the violence in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
Norran 11 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://norran.se/nyheter/utrikes/article1160947.ece
MSN Nyheter 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://nyheter.se.msn.com/utrikes/article.aspx?cp-documentid=157399830
Skånskan 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.skanskan.se/article/20110510/TTUTRIKES/105109868
DN 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/varlden/fn-oroliga-for-migrantbatar
TV4 Nyheterna 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.nyheterna.se/1.2131736/2011/05/10/fn_oroas_over_libyenflyktingar
YLE 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=215597
Aftenposten 10 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article4117365.ece
Verdens Gang 10 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article4117365.ece
Dagbladet 9 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/05/09/nyheter/libya/utenriks/muammar_kadhafi/16472544/
Nettavisen 9 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/article3147726.ece
TV2 9 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/utenriks/-skip-med-600-flyktninger-sank-utenfor-tripoli-3489922.html
Politiken 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.i.pol.dk/udland/article1278428.ece
UNHCR appeals for help
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) calls on all European countries to help the refugees who are fleeing ongoing conflicts in Libya in small unseaworthy and overcrowded boats. It has in fact become nearly as dangerous to escape the violence in Libya as it is to stay behind and engage in the armed conflict. Most of the people who are trying to leave Libya are migrant workers with origins in the Sub-Saharan countries, says UNHCR. There are no exact figures as to how many lives have been lost while attempting to flee from Libya, but it is most probably thousands. Melissa Fleming, Head of the Media Relation and Information Service Unit at UNHCR in Geneva, urges European countries to take immediate action and carry out effective rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the UN Refugee Agency, sea-related deaths can be reduced if more lifeboats are made available. - Those at sea who do not rescue people in distress cannot go unpunished, says Laura Boldrini, Senior Regional Public Information Officer at UNHCR's office in Rome.
Folketidende 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://folketidende.dk/fn-beder-om-hjaelp-til-libyens-flygtninge
BT 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.bt.dk/udland/fn-beder-om-hjaelp-til-libyens-flygtninge
TV2 Nyhederne 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/article.php/id-39706170:fn-hjælp-libyens-bådflygtninge.html
TV2 East 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.tv2east.dk/artikler/fn-beder-om-hjaelp-til-libyens-flygtninge
Information 10 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.information.dk/telegram/267696
Berlingske 9 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://www.b.dk/globalt/lod-nato-61-baadflygtninge-doe-af-sult-og-toerst
Sveriges Radio 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4498004
Expressen 10 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/1.2430477/nato-lamnade-batflyktingar-som-dog-av-torst
Thursday 12 May to Friday 13 May 2011
Denmark
Border control leads to heated debate
More customs and police officers will patrol the Oresund train in the coming weeks, following an agreement between the Danish People's Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party, to resume controls at the Swedish and German borders. This has not only raised apprehension from the European Commission, who warns that the new decision might jeopardize the freedom of movement within the European Union (EU), it has also received severe criticism from fellow EU member states, Germany and Sweden. Both countries have strongly condemned Denmark's decision to reintroduce tighter border controls as it breaches the Schengen rules. lIimar Reepalur, Mayor of Malmö, argues that Denmark cannot engage in domestic politics by setting aside laws and regulation. If they want to be a part of Europe, they must live by the rules, he adds. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, does not agree and claims that the increased border controls will merely concern custom matters. Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, explains that the inspections will not violate the Schengen rules, as it simply is about strengthening customs controls, to manage criminal activity. Peter Skaarup, Spokesperson on Integration Affairs for the Danish People's Party, is content about the reached agreement, and argues that Denmark is setting an example among EU member states.
Information 12 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbI0Eb
DR 12 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbJ0Ec
DR 12 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbK0Ed
Politiken 12 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbL0Ee
Politiken 12 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbM0Ef
Politiken 12 May 2011:3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbN0Eg
Berlingske 12 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbO0Eh
Berlingske 12 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbP0Ei
Berlingske 12 May 2011:3 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbQ0Ej
Jyllands-Posten 12 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbR0Ek
Information 11 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbS0El
Berlingske 11 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbT0Em
Berlingske 11 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbU0En
Politiken 11 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbV0Eo
Politiken 11 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbS0El
DR 11 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbX0Eq
DR 11 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbY0Er
Jyllands-Posten 11 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0MsbZ0Es
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sydsvenskan 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msba0Ez
Svenska Dagbladet 13 May 2011(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbb0E1
Sveriges Radio 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbc0E2
Svenska Dagbladet 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbd0E3
Sydsvenskan 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbe0E4
Finland
Social services surveys important for immigrant integration
A low number of immigrants and refugees in Helsinki are responding to surveys relating to social work and income support. This makes the integration of refugees more difficult, says Helsinki's Social Services Department. Now the authority considers replacing surveys with personal interviews. Leila Palviainen, the Department's Head of Social and Financial support, says they have not been able to invest enough into immigrants as their life situations would require. Palviainen adds that immigrants often need more and different help than Finns.
YLE 11 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbf0E5
Crackdown nets 21 illegal aliens
The police have found some 21 people without proper residence permits. Some lacked identity documents, but they were determined to be from Afghanistan, Gambia, Ghana, Iran and Vietnam. The police also detained individuals suspected of arranging illegal immigration, forgery, pimping and of violating national borders. According to officials, the number of illegal aliens in Finland has been higher during the past three years than earlier this decade. However the number declined last year to just over 4,000. In 2009 the number was nearly 6,900.
YLE 11 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbg0E6
Lack of will and knowledge to integrate refugees
Both Väståboland and Kimitoön municipalities are highly qualified to receive refugees, but it requires political will, says Kalle Myllymäki, Immigration Manager at the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. Last week the representative assembly of Väståboland decided to receive more refugees. What is needed now is a will to fulfill the decision, says Myllymäki. He questions the arguments that integration is expensive or that refugees should not be placed in rural areas because they will later move into the city. Myllymäki says most persons want to move during their life-time and adds that what is important is to give refugees a first step into society.
YLE 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=215908
Norway
Norway pick up refugees in Sri Lanka
Norwegian authorities have in secret bought flight tickets and granted political asylum to persons who are deemed to be at risk in Sri Lanka. The civil war in Sri Lanka ended two years ago and persons who supported the rebel group Tamil Tigers are still hiding from the authorities because of the role they played during the civil war. Up to now 12 persons have arrived in Norway and around 24 are waiting for similar assistance. The Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, says Norway has a long tradition of helping people in danger, and in this case it has gone one step further. - We believe we have a humanitarian obligation to help, he continues. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party's Marie Eriksen Søreide, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, is surprised and says it is unusual and risky to secretly help refugees.
Aftenposten 13 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbi0E8
Verdens Gang 13 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbj0EA
Eritreans sought asylum after youth conference
The Eritrean youth party, Young People's Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ), held a meeting in Norway during Easter. Right after the conference four participants from Eritrea applied for asylum in Norway. Hundreds of thousands are fleeing the country due to the severe human rights violations by the one-government state. Norway has received 500 Eritrean asylum-seekers so far this year.
NRK 12 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbk0EB
Sweden
European Home Affairs Ministers meet to discuss recent immigration
The recent immigration influx from North Africa has forced the European Union (EU) to reconsider its policy on border control. Accordingly, the European Home Affairs Ministers held a meeting on Thursday 12 May 2011, in Brussels, to discuss how to cope with the significant flow of incoming refugees and asylum-seekers. -Those that are fleeing are no longer merely migrant workers, but also people fleeing Libya, who might be in need of protection, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. During the meeting, Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, suggested that it may be necessary to temporarily reinstate border controls as a last resort in extreme cases. It may concern a country that is unable to control its external borders, she adds. Sweden has no objection to this principle, says Tobias Billström. Cecilia Malmström emphasizes, however, that the proposal is not a response to the 25,000 refugees who have fled the violence in Libya. In fact, she continues to urge EU member state to accept refugees who have found themselves stuck at the border in Libya.
Sveriges Radio 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbl0EC
Svenska Dagbladet 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbm0ED
DN 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbn0EE
Göteborgs-Posten 12 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbo0EF
No hope for family reunification
Family reunification remains a far-off reality for the thousands of Somalis residing in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Court of Appeal has delivered a verdict stating that in order to facilitate family reunification, there is a need for a legislative change. Somali families have had no opportunity to reunite in Sweden during the past year. There are presently some 1,500 Somali refugee children in Kenya and Ethiopia who are still waiting to be reunited with their parents in Sweden. It has been nearly impossible for Somalis to obtain a residence permit through family reunification, as both passports and ID documents issued by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia are not recognized by the Swedish authorities. According to Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, the Swedish authorities cannot derogate from the identification requirements for a particular group. It is now entirely a political question whether the right to family reunification should take precedence over the requirements for identity authenticity, he adds. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, has not commented on the matter.
DN 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbp0EG
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR criticizes the EU
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is criticizing the European Union (EU) for not doing enough to help refugees attempting to flee the ongoing violence in Libya to Italy and Malta. Over the past few months, nearly 1,000 people have lost their lives, and the risk for drowning in the Mediterranean Sea is now so great, that UNHCR is highly concerned over the current situation.
Kristeligt Dagblad 12 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDool0ZqnfK0aYE0Msbq0EH
Saturday 14 May to Monday 16 May 2011
Denmark
EU Commission criticizes Denmark's decision to impose border controls
The European Commission has criticized the Danish authorities' decision to impose border controls and argues that it breaches the Schengen rules. Accordingly, José Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Lars Løkke, stating that in principle European Union (EU) member states, should not systematically control its borders to other EU countries. Both Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner of Home Affairs, and José Manuel Barroso have urged Denmark not to adopt this type of unilateral action. They have, furthermore, stressed that the European Commission is prepared to use all the tools available to ensure that EU laws are followed.
NB. This story was covered in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2Aw0Ea
Amnesty International criticizes Denmark
Amnesty International has accused the Danish authorities for undermining the international guidelines for human rights. The criticism concerned for example forcibly returning at least 62 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers to Baghdad in 2010 despite the risk of persecution. This decision was against UNHCR's recommendations. Furthermore, Amnesty International agrees with the Committee for Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination's (CERD) criticism of Denmark for not providing adequate protection for Romani people. In addition, Amnesty criticizes the new points based immigration system, which has consequently led to the exclusion of vulnerable persons. Finally, Denmark has received criticism for having misused the Dublin II regulation, by returning rejected asylum-seekers to Greece, regardless of the country's remarkably deficient asylum procedures.
Politiken 13 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2Ax0Eb
Finland
Researcher: Immigration debate politicised
The media's task is to eliminate racism, says media researcher Camilla Haavisto. In her dissertation for the University of Helsinki she analysed media articles on immigration from 1999 to 2007. According to her the immigration debate became particularly politicised three years ago, after the 2008 municipal elections. The Finnish press often discusses immigrants according to what benefits or costs they bring to the country and people with foreign background find the media reporting one-sided, she says. Matias Turkkila, chairperson of the anti-immigrant Homma Forum, agrees that the communication in media has changed but thinks media's primary role is to convey information, not to promote multiculturalism.
YLE 13 May 2011:1 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2Ay0Ec
YLE 13 May 2011:2 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2Az0Ed
Norway
The Progress Party returns to its roots
On Friday the Progress Party gathered for the Annual National Convention. The Party stands for the same values as it did when founded in 1973, says the Progress Party's MP Per Arne Olsen. The party is aiming for strict immigration and integration policies. It wants the municipalities to keep an eye on the expenses of resettlement and integration of refugees. The municipalities will also be able to refuse immigrants and reception centres. Additionally, the Progress Party thinks asylum-seekers are to be detained while waiting for a decision and asylum-seekers without residence permit should be prohibited to travel freely.
Dagsavisen 13 May 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A10EQ
Dagsavisen 13 May 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A20ER
Nansen and those who followed
On 13 May 2011, the Nobel Peace Center opened the exhibition "Transit" in collaboration with the award-winning photographer Espen Rasmussen. The exhibition tells the story of the first League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and polar explorer, Fridtjof Nansen's efforts to help prisoners of war, victims of famine and refugees in the early 20th Century. The exhibition shows Nansen's own photographs as well as more recent photographs taken by Espen Rasmussen from refugee camps around the world. Barbara Hendricks, the goodwill-ambassador for UNHCR since 1987, was present during the opening. Both Rasmussen and Hendricks have travelled around the world meeting refugees and seeing many refugee situations. They both mention how impressed they are by how these persons exposed to vulnerable situations still preserve their dignity and pride.
Dagsavisen 13 May 2011 I: 36-37 (in Norwegian)
Sweden
Amnesty International criticizes Sweden
The Swedish authorities have received criticism from the human rights organization Amnesty International, for not taking into account UNHCR's recommendations, by forcibly returning rejected Eritrean and Iraqi asylum-seekers. Furthermore, Sweden is criticized for its poor treatment of Roma asylum-seekers from Serbia and Kosovo. - By classifying all cases as "manifestly unfounded" Sweden does not live up to the international standards for the protection of refugees, says Madelaine Seidlitz, Lawyer at Amnesty International. Oskar Ekblad, Head of Unit at the Swedish Migration Board, does not share Madelaine Seidlitz's judgment and argues that the Swedish Migration Board always makes an individual assessment of all cases. He does, nevertheless, agree that asylum application cases with regard to Roma from Kosovo should not be deemed as "manifestly unfounded".
Sveriges Radion 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A30ES
KT 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A40ET
UNICEF requires legal changes
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has required a change of the law, following the Swedish Migration Board's decision to deport two parents and their Sweden-born children to two separate countries. In a letter addressed to the government, UNICEF inquires that children who are forcibly taken into care by the State should not be deported together with their parents. The Green Party, who recently reached an agreement with the Government regarding Sweden's migration policy, has sided with UNICEF. - I think it is quite unreasonable. It is an example that there is a very restrictive legislation and it appears to me that a change in the legislations is needed, says Maria Ferm, Member of the Green Party
Sveriges Radio 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A50EU
Temporarily suspension of deportations to Côte d'Ivoire revoked
According to the Swedish Migration Board, the situation in Côte d'Ivoire has now improved. Thus, the halt to deport rejected Ivorian asylum-seekers introduced in December 2010 has now been revoked.
Dagens Nyheter 14 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A60EV
Göteborgs-Posten 24 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A70EW
Svenska Dagbladet 14 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2A80EX
1,500 asylum-seeking minors, still waiting to be reunited with their family
Some 1,500 Somali asylum-seeking minors in Kenya and Ethiopia are still waiting to be reunited with their parents in Sweden. However, both passports and ID documents issued by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia are not recognized by the Swedish authorities. Therefore it has not been possible for Somali refugee children to obtain a residence permit through family reunification. For the children to be reunited with their paretns a political verdict is needed, says the Migration Court of Appeal.
Svenska Dagbladet 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BA0Eh
Dagens Nyheter 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BB0Ei
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR fear 1,200 cases of death
The UN Refugee Agency fears that 1,200 refugees might have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea, while attempting to flee the current violence in Libya. - About 12,000 people have arrived in Italy or Malta and we believe that as many as 1,200 are dead or missing, says Melissa Fleming, Head of the Media Relation and Information Service Unit at UNHCR in Geneva.
PS 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BC0Ej
Nyhetspressen 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BD0Ek
Göteborgs-Posten 13 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BE0El
Syrian soldiers attacked civilians
At least 7 civilians were killed on Sunday when Syrian forces attacked the village Tall Kalakh, North West of Damascus. Since Saturday some 25,000 have fled Tall Kalakh to the northern part of Lebanon. On Friday some thousands were demonstrating against the current regime in different parts of Syria. At least one man was killed by security forces. UNHCR reports that 850 persons might have been killed so far during the two months of demonstrations.
Verdens Gang 15 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BF0Em
Nordlys 15 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BG0En
ABC Nyheter 15 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BH0Eo
Drammens Tidende 13 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BI0Ep
Tromsö 13 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpEP0ZqnfK0aYE0M2BJ0Eq
Tuesday 17 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011
Denmark
Søren Pind in favour of positive discrimination
Despite several warnings from legal experts, Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, wants to explore the possibility for positive discrimination with regards to family reunification. The proposal would entail that citizens from the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be exempted from taking the Danish language test. - It is a huge problem that our immigration policies are so equality-driven that it harms people who can and want to come to Denmark. The rules are full of legalisms, says Søren Pind.The Minister draws on experience from Germany and Holland where similar measures have been implemented.
TV2 Nyhederne 17 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGq0Eb
Politiken 17 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGr0Ec
Information 17 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGs0Ed
Jyllands-Posten 17 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGt0Ee
Berlingske 16 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGu0Ef
Berlingske 16 May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGv0Eg
Politiken 16 May 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGw0Eh
Politiken 16May 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGx0Ei
TV2 Nyhederne 16 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGy0Ej
DR 16 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAGz0Ek
Jyllands-Posten 16 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG10EX
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 16 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG20EY
Sydsvenskan 16 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG30EZ
Finland
Number of asylum-seekers dropped significantly
From January to April this year some 913 persons sought asylum, compared to 1,505 in 2010 - a 40 per cent decrease. The most significant drop is seen among persons from Iraq, Somalia and Russia. Esko Repo, Director of the Asylum Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service, says the number of asylum-seekers has dropped in Finland and many other European countries. Meanwhile, the number of asylum-seekers has increased in Sweden. According to Sirkku Päivärinne, Director of Immigration at the Ministry of the Interior, Sweden attracts more asylum-seekers than Finland because there already is a large foreign population there. Another factor could be that Finland has reduced the allowance for asylum-seekers, Päivärinne says.
Aamulehti 15 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG40Ea
Dangerous to separate an Afghan family
The forced return of the rejected Afghan asylum-seeking family Zaheri to Kabul has been postponed. UNHCR criticizes that the family would be separated if the forced return had taken place. The Ghazni family has lived for more than 2 years in the town of Pietarsaari. Now the father and two sons are kept in detention in the reception centre in Metsälä, Helsinki. Meanwhile, the mother and the youngest son are in a hospital in Pietarsaari. The father and two sons will be deported first, and the mother and the youngest son will follow later. Ove Storvall from the Pietarsaari Police says they have not been able to get seats for the whole family on the same flight. Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries, says it is worrying if the Afghan family is being separated. Mathisen adds that it is an important principle for UNCHR to keep a family together. She fears it may be dangerous for the mother and son to travel alone internally in Afghanistan. At the same time as this Afghan family is to be deported, Finland is receiving a number of Afghan quota refugees. Mathisen explains that it might seem like a paradox, but not all Afghans are in need of international protection. Quota refugees are selected by UNHCR according to their need of international protection.
YLE 17 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG50Eb
YLE 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG60Ec
YLE, Radio Vega Österbotten 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG70Ed
Österbottens tidning 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAG80Ee
Canadian immigration researcher warns against the "Swedish model"
Finland must run its own immigration policies, says immigration researcher Howard Duncan from Canada. The economic benefits instead of humanitarian values should be emphasized, he continues. According to him, Sweden is a prime example of failed immigration policies, where the moral desire to help has been the driving force. This can easily lead to problems, says Duncan. He held a lecture in Turku yesterday.
Turun Sanomat May 17 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHA0Eo
Identity cards for asylum-seekers
Up to 80 per cent of asylum-seekers lack an identity card or other travel documents upon arrival. The Ministry of the Interior will now appoint a committee to devise identity documents to asylum-seekers. People applying for asylum are currently allowed working permits, but without ID-cards they cannot for example open a bank account. The salaries are therefore often paid to a relative's bank account. However, this is not seen as a durable solution.
YLE 17 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHB0Ep
Norway
Norwegian ambassador summoned to meeting with Sri Lankan authorities
The news that 12 Tamil refugees have been assisted in seeking asylum in Norway has caused media attention in Sri Lanka. The authorities in Sri Lanka have reacted strongly and the President has now asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to investigate this matter further. The Norway's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hilda Haraldstad, was summoned to a meeting with the MFA. Haraldstad explained that Norway has a humanitarian asylum policy and processes all political asylum-applications according to the UN Refugee Convention. According to a recently published UN report some 40,000 civilians were killed during the last five months of the civil war in Sri Lanka. Several persons are still living in hiding due to their position during the war. Some of them have been able to escape with assistance from Norway.
Aftenposten 17 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHC0Eq
Dagsavisen 17 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHD0Er
Sweden
Hunger strike goes on
More people will join the 13 paperless Iranian asylum-seekers that are hunger striking on Gustav Adolf's Square in Stockholm. All of them have resided in Sweden between six to twelve years, for fear of persecution upon return. Nevertheless, none have been granted a residence permit. So far, approximately 70 Iranians, both activists and political refugees, have participated in demonstrations, to show their support and to highlight the situation.
Sveriges Radio 18 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHE0Es
Homeless EU-citizens in search for work
While the European Union (EU) member states are trying to find a solution in regard to the current immigration influx from North Africa, Sweden is facing a new form of labour migration. It concerns persons who have been granted residence permit in another EU country and come to Sweden in search of employment. When coming to Sweden they often cannot find accommodation. Arto Maksunen, Director of Activities for Homeless Foreigners at Stockholm's Stadmission, explains that there are few employment opportunities in Spain, France and Italy, therefore some travel to Scandinavia. Statistics from the Swedish Migration Board indicate how big this problem is. According to their statistics 10,000 persons with a resident permit or nationality in another EU country wished to stay in Sweden last year, so far the number is 4,700 this year. The non-profit organization Stockholms Stadsmission receives 200 job-seekers every month.
SR Nyheter P4 Västernorrland 18 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHF0Et
Negotiations to accommodate unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors
The County Administrative Board is currently negotiating with numerous municipalities in order to resolve the accommodation deficiency for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. The Swedish Migration Board estimates that around 550 housings facilities will be needed to accommodate arriving children. – Some 2,400 come to Sweden every year so the need is great, says Pontus Karlbom, Integration Coordinator at the County Administrative Board. Meanwhile, nearly 100 municipalities have no agreement to receive unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. The response from negotiating municipalities has, nevertheless, been positive. - Willingness to help is great in our county. However, the children's best interest should never be overshadowed by the negotiations on how many children municipalities can receive, explains Magnus Holgersson, from the County Administrative Board.
SVT 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHG0Eu
Improvement for Somali families
The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, promises legislative changes so that separated Somali families denied family reunification can reunite. – We shall solve this, we have agreed with the Green Party to do this, says Tobias Billström. The Somali families have been denied family reunification since passports and ID documents issued by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia are not recognized by the Swedish authorities. Previously the Migration Court of Appeal has said that legislative changes are needed in order for Somali refugee children in Kenya and Ethiopia, who have parents in Sweden, to get their family reunification claims assessed.
Dagens Nyheter I:9 14 May 2011 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Possible influx of refugees in Turkey
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is preparing for a potential influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey. - We are envisaging all kind of scenarios, says Metin Corabatir, External Relations Officer at UNHCR in Ankara. It is important that we are well organized in order to really help those who might show up, he adds. So far, some 270 Syrian refugees have received protection in Turkey.
Sveriges Radio 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHH0Ev
UN: Gaddafi causes illegal immigration
Illegal immigration to Europe has increased due to the Libyan Gaddafi regime, reports the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). According to UNHCR Libyan authorities are not doing anything to stop persons from making the dangerous journey crossing the Mediterranean Sea. On the contrary, there are indications that Libyan authorities encourage persons to make these boat journeys to Europe, says UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming. So far, 14,000 Africans have fled Libya to Europe this year.
YLE 17 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHI0Ew
YLE 17 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDpU10ZqnfK0aYE0NAHJ0Ex
Thursday 19 May to Friday 20 May 2011
Denmark
Leave Denmark and get money
As part of the ongoing 2020 Economic Plan negotiations, the Danish People´s Party has proposed to reinforce Denmark´s repatriation policy. It is aimed at immigrants from non-Western countries who have failed to integrate into Danish society. Peter Skaarup, Integration Spokesperson for the Danish People's Party, explains that the arrangement has been a success and that the number of immigrants who have participated in the Danish Repatriation Scheme has tripled. – But we want to go further and we will provide an incentive for municipalities so as they use this system more. The Party has suggested to financially reward municipalities with an amount of 25, 000 Danish crowns every time they get one of their foreign residents to repatriate.
Politiken 19 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpk0E3
Sweden
Worst in OECD regarding employment for immigrants
According to a report from the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Sweden has the greatest difference in employment rates between native and foreign born citizens, when compared to other countries within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). - It is unacceptable that we have so many immigrants who are inactive, says Maud Olofsson, leader of the Center Party. It is due to deficiencies in the migration policy, she adds. The study also shows that Sweden has, in relation to other countries, a high proportion of refugee immigration. This might explain the low employment rate among persons who are born abroad. The labor migration is, nonetheless, lower in than in other countries.
Sveriges Radio 19 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpl0E4
SIDA gives SEK 25 million to IOM
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has decided to give 25 million Swedish crowns to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Some of the money will be used to prevent sexual violence in refugee camps in Haiti.
DN 18 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpm0E5
MSF criticizes EU
In an open letter addressed to among others Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish section of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accuses the European Union (EU) member states for having double standards concerning their involvement in Libya. While it is claimed that their presence in Libya is to protect the civilian population, the EU also aims at closing its borders on the pretext of preventing a massive influx of illegal immigrants. –The European countries, including Sweden, which are involved in the war against Libya, are avoiding both the legal and moral obligations by neglecting the victims of the conflict, says Kristina Bolme Kuehn, President of MSF in Sweden. MSF urges the EU member states to respect the principle of non-refoulement and argue that refugees who are fleeing ongoing conflicts in Libya should have the possibility to seek asylum. The open letter has also been sent to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
My News Desk 19 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpn0E6
Webfinanser 19 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpo0E7
Bamse cartoon made for asylum-seeking children upset
A Bamse cartoon magazine written in cooperation with the Swedish Migration Board for asylum-seeking minors has met criticism. The cartoon is explaining the asylum process in Sweden. In the magazine, the rejection and return to the country of origin is pictured as something positive. In debates and on social forums persons have expressed their criticism. Director General at the Swedish Migration Board Dan Eliasson meets the criticism saying there are often positive elements included in the return to the country of origin. Eliasson does not see any reason to scare children with a possible return to their home country. Ola Andreasson, owner at Bamse Forlaget AB, says he does not understand the criticism being raised.
SvD 18 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpp0E8
SvD 18 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpq0EA
SvD 18 May 2011:3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpr0EB
SVT 18 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHps0EC
SVT 18 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpt0ED
Sydsvenskan 18 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpu0EE
N.B. This was also covered in Finland and Norway
HBL 18 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpv0EF
NRK 18 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDplG0ZqnfK0aYE0NHpw0EG
Saturday 21 May to Monday 23 May 2011
Finland
All asylum-seekers cannot count on publicity
The faith of the Afghan family Zaheri has received a lot of publicity and raised involvement among citizens in Pietarsaari. However, many asylum-seekers get rejections without ever reaching out to the public, says Sanna Rummakko, Information and Media Officer at the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre. UNHCR provides guidelines on how asylum applications are to be treated. According to the Finnish Refugee Advice Center shortcomings might arise when these guidelines are applied in practice at the Finnish migration board. I.e. two asylum-seekers who are in the same position might get completely different decisions on their applications, says Rummakko. This may be due to a lack of insight by the authorities into a case if the person for example is traumatized and not able to correctly recount the grounds for seeking asylum. Rummakko stresses the need for the authorities to better identifying those cases. Regarding media attention, Rummakko says it is often random who receives publicity. Rummakko fears that the worst cases never reach the public's eye. According to Rummakko media should aim to give a fair picture of asylum-seekers. – The number of asylum-seekers in Finland is extremely small. Nevertheless, people talk about "influx of refugees" and describe asylum-seekers as a very big problem, she says. Rummakko does not want to comment on the case of the Afghan family Zaheri, but according to a report from the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) on 21 May, thedeportation is postponed and the family has received a permission to stay during the summer.
YLE 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSJA0E5
YLE 21 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSLk0Eo
Sweden
The Center Party wants improved migration policy
The Center Party wants to introduce an incentive allowance for companies who invest in integration-oriented activities. It is time to change perspective and see immigrants as a resource, says Maud Olofsson, leader of the Center Party. - It takes seven years on average for an immigrant to get a job. This is not right, she adds and emphasizes that immigrants are not to blame. The Center Party also wants to change the rules regarding temporary work permit and argues that labor migrants should be free to work in any industry or start their own business occupation after two years. Presently, labor migrants are bound to work within the same professional field.
SVT 20 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMA0E8
SVT 20 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMK0EJ
DN 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMS0ER
Media reinforces prejudices against immigrants
This week the Swedish Red Cross (SRC) celebrated the fifth anniversary of its anti-discrimination bureau. At the event Arash Mokhtari, Project Leader at Quick Response, presented examples of how the media reinforces stereotypes and divides people in an "us" and "them" discourse. – What is distinctive is that it portrays immigrants as if they do not belong to society or that they do not add anything positive. They are not part of the community, he adds.
SVT 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMA0E8
New residence permit card
The Swedish Migration Board will issue new residence permit cards. Until now, a special residence permit sticker was glued into the passports of foreign nationals.This has led to security problems as some have disappeared or been sold illegally on the black market. The new residence permit cards will look the same throughout the European Union (EU) and include biometric information.
Sveriges Radio 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMZ0EY
More children suffer from apathy
A new assessment report from the Swedish Migration Board shows that the number of apathetic children has risen with 45 per cents. Children at risk have increased with 65 per cent. According to the report, children at risk are those who show early signs of depression. Per Sörensen, Head of the Swedish Migration Board´s Unit for Children and Youth, explains that the symptoms develop during the asylum application process. It is, thus, essential to deliver a decision in a timely manner as time is an important factor, he adds.
SVT 22 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMf0Ek
JO condemns the Swedish Migration Board
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen (JO) has condemned the Swedish Migrations Board for keeping persons with mental health problems in detention centers. JO has on its own initiative initiated an investigation, and found a number of serious deficiencies and violations of human rights. According to JO, people who present no danger to anyone other than possibly themselves are usually locked up without receiving legal assistance. Such a practice involves severe restrictions of freedom, says Hans-Gunnar Axberger, Parliamentary Ombudsmen with Responsibility Area 4.
Sydsvenskan 22 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMk0Ep
SVT 22 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSMu0Ez
Sveriges Radio 22 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSM40Eu
UNHCR in the news
Deadly violence towards demonstrators in Syria
On Friday, thousands of persons demonstrated throughout Syria. The military forces stopped the demonstrations resulting with at least 34 persons being killed. The EU is now considering sanctions against president Bashar al-Assad because of the ongoing violence. Up to now, some 1,400 Syrians have fled to Lebanon, reports the UN Refugee agency UNHCR. UNHCR is cooperating with Lebanese authorities at the border to assist families by distributing mattresses, food and shelter as well as providing psychosocial support to those who have fled the violence.
ABC Nyheter 20 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSND0ED
Aftenposten 20 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNN0EN
Dagbladet 20 may 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNP0EP
Svt 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNS0ES
Expressen 20 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNV0EV
YLE 20 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNa0Eg
Influx of refugees back into Libya
An increased number of refugees are moving into Libya. Hundreds of persons have decided to leave the refugee camps at the Tunisian and Egyptian borders in order to try to flee through Libya and over the Mediterranean Sea to Lampedusa or Malta, reports UNHCR. The chances to be chosen as a quota refugee to Europe and US are not seen as high enough and therefore refugees decide to flee by boat. Libyan authorities previously had an agreement with Italy not to allow refugees over the sea but now the Libyan authorities are not doing anything to prevent persons from fleeing, says spokesperson Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries. Many thousand are planning to cross the sea and UN reports that one of ten risks their life when fleeing. Up to now, 1,200 persons might have drowned, says Mathisen. The UN now urges countries to accept 8,000 quota refugees from the refugee camps on the borders. Norway has responded accepting 340 refugees. Doctors Without Borders have reacted by sending a letter to the Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg saying Norway should accept more refugees since 750,000 persons are displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
Aftenposten 23 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNe0Ek
Verkkouutiset 23 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqFw0ZqnfK0aYE0NSNf0El
Tuesday 24 May to Wednesday 25 May 2011
Finland
UN listens to Refugee Women
Last weekend UNHCR organized a dialogue with refugee women in Finland. Around 30 women participated in the dialogue. During three days the women discussed for example their experiences of reception centers, integration issues, difficulties to adapt and their current role in the Finnish society. UNHCR's expert group has talked to refugee women in different parts of the world. Finland is the only European country who has participated. "Finland's way of guiding refugees to become part of the society is good and democratic", says Astrid van Genderen Stort from UNHCR. During the dialogue the women thanked Finland for receiving them but they also proposed improvements. One of the issues was the thorough language skills needed in order to get a job. Other issues are domestic violence, lack of trauma care and xenophobia. Senior spokesperson at UNHCR, Astrid van Genderen Stort, says the spread of racism is to be taken incredibly serious in Finland, and we need to minimize racism as much as possible. Astrid van Genderen Stort adds that we need to look at the causes and ask why people are worried about foreigners entering into the country. She says that racism often grounds in fear of the unknown. She emphasizes that the entry of foreigners should be turned into something positive and seen as a good contribution to the country. Louisa Cremonese from UNHCR says that women are the first and most critical link to achieve change. – If women are excluded from the society, integration will not work, says Cremonese. Lately there have been many discussions about hidden racism in Finland, however, Cremonese underlines that Finland is a good country for refugees. – There are of course problems, but in Finland you can at least discuss and develop your own stand-point and educate your children, Cremonese adds.
Helsingin Sanomat 24 May 2011 I:A11 (in Finnish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 May 2011 I:8 (in Swedish)
Min Morgon 23 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://areena.yle.fi/video/1306133470532
Iltalehti 23 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/2011052313769906_uu.shtml
Kainuun Sanomat 23 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.kainuunsanomat.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194680144325/artikkeli/pakolaisperheen+kotiutuminen+on+usein+aidin+varassa.html
YLE Uutiset 22 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://areena.yle.fi/video/1306134364315
True Finns' MP censured over racial comments
True Finns' new MP Teuvo Hakkarainen made yet another controversial statement in an interview for the newspaper Jämsän Seutu. In the article Hakkarainen is quoted using the word "nigger". He further suggested that refugees should be put to work clearing up forests instead of being unemployed. True Finns' Party leader, Timo Soini, is said to be furious over Hakkarainen's comments. Today True Finns parliamentary group has issued a censure over Hakkarainen's comments, but he has not been forced to resign. A month ago Hakkarainen made another offensive comment describing certain immigrants arriving at Finland's borders.
YLE Uutiset 25 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/teemat/vaalit_2011/2011/05/hakkaraiselle_huomautus_kohupuheista_2620012.html
Hufvudstadsbladet 25 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2011/5/25/w63899.php
Hufvudstadsbladet 25 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2011/5/25/w63898.php
YLE Svenska Nyheter 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=216741
Hufvudstadsbladet 24 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.hbl.fi/text/inrikes/2011/5/24/w63860.php
MTV3 24 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/2011/05/1334487/ilta-sanomat-soini-ottaa-hakkaraisen-taas-puhutteluun-rasistisista-puheista
Aamulehti 24 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.aamulehti.fi/cs/Satellite/Kotimaa/1194680265327/artikkeli/neuvottelijat+irtisanoutuvat+hakkaraisen+puheista+halonen+ottaa+erittain+vakavasti.html
Turun Sanomat 23 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.ts.fi/online/kotimaa/224085.html
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden.
Svenska Dagbladet 25 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/naringsliv/sannfinlandare-i-nytt-blasvader_6194263.svd
Halonen concerned about xenophobia
The President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, has expressed concern over racism and xenophobia among the populist party True Finns. Halonen voiced her concern in connection with the official visit of the Croatian President on Tuesday. While answering a question from a Croatian journalist Halonen said she does not think True Finns' victory is a typical expression of strong xenophobia, racism and opposition to the EU, but of course there are such features there. Halonen pointed out that every day we read about people who have said something not very civilized concerning people who have moved to Finland, or are of different racial or cultural background. Halonen stressed that she is taking this issue very seriously.
YLE Uutiset 24 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://yle.fi/uutiset/ulkomaat/2011/05/halonen_huolissaan_muukalaisvihasta_2617700.html
Ilta-Sanomat 24 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/yle-halonen-huolissaan-rasismista-perussuomalaisten-joukossa---otan-taman-vakavasti/art-1288391134703.html
Norway
Rejection of asylum-seeking parents violates children's human rights
Some 450 children in Norway have one parent who has been denied asylum and risk being deported from the country, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Janne Raanes, from Save the Children Norway, says forced deportation of rejected asylum-seeking parents violates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She emphasizes that the Convention states that a child has the right to receive care from both its parents.
NRK 20 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.nrk.no/nett-tv/indeks/264705/
Non-Western immigration is not profitable for Norway
The Welfare and Migration Committee (Brochmann Committee) recently issued a report on the prospects for the Norwegian welfare state in view of increasing immigration. The study claims that non-Western immigration is not profitable for Norway, and advises that social welfare benefits ought to be tightened. The Government, however, has chosen not to follow the proposal. According to Jens Ulltveit-Moe, from the Norwegian energy and service group UMOE Group, non-Western immigrants erode the Norwegian welfare system and their participation in the labour market is low. Per-Willy Amundsen, spokesperson on Immigration Issues at the Progress Party, adds that cultural background and religion play an important part in labour-market participation. - Muslim immigrants score poorly in these studies, he says. His statement has been harshly criticized by the Labour- and Christian Democratic Party.
Aftenposten 24 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article4129499.ece
Dagbladet 24 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/05/24/nyheter/politikk/innenriks/arbeiderpartiet/16629613/
Sweden
Increase in forced deportations
Forced deportations of rejected asylum-seekers are estimated to increase by 30 per cent in comparison to last year, following the Government and the Green Party's recent agreement concerning Sweden's migration policy. More specifically, a total of 3,200 people are expected to be forcibly deported this year to for instance Iraq. In the province of Scania, a pilot project has led to an increase of 40 per cent in forced deportation, which represents some 115 rejected asylum-seekers.
Dagens Nyheter 25 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/ny-asylpolitik-ska-fa-700-fler-tvangsutvisade
Dagens Nyheter 25 May 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/i-dag-tvingas-amjad-farhan-tillbaka-till-irak
Sveriges Radio 25 May 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=4522195
Sveriges Radio 25 May 2011: 2 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=103&artikel=4522261
Svt 25 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://svt.se/2.22620/1.2435772/tvangsutvisningarna_okar
Immigrant children fall behind in terms of education
The proportion of ninth graders who are not qualified for high school has increased over the past five years. A group which has increasingly fallen behind is immigrant children who have arrived in Sweden during the school year. According to the National Agency for Education, merely 51 per cent were enrolled in secondary school last year in comparison to 58 per cent the five prior years. These children receive an inadequate education, as schools are poorly equipped to meet their special needs, says the Schools Inspectorate.
Svenska Dagbladet 24 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/flyktingelever-halkar-efter-alltmer_6191587.svd
Sveriges Radio 24 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=83&grupp=10974&artikel=4521857
Thursday 26 May to Friday 27 May 2011
Denmark
DRC worried about UN sanctions
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is concerned that the United Nations (UN) sanctions against the Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen (HSM) in Somalia, might worsen the hunger problem. - The UN has placed the HSM on its list of terrorist organizations, which means that we can easily come under indictment if we help people in HSM-controlled areas, explains Peter Klansoe, Regional Director for DRC in Nairobi. He also points out that as a result Denmark has suspended its development assistance to Somalia. DRC hopes that the UN will refine its sanctions against HSM, to give aid organizations more room for maneuver.
DR 27 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEo0Eq
Become integrated or receive a residence permit – not both
Immigrants cannot obtain permanent residency in Denmark if they receive secondary school grants from the state. - It is ironic that the youth who ought to be integrated through for instance secondary education, find themselves in a situation where they have to choose between being integrated or receiving a residence permit, says Niels Glahn, Secretary General at the Association of Danish Folk High Schools. According to the Danish Aliens Act, one cannot be granted permanent residency if financial assistance from the government has been received within the last three years.
Berlingske 27 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEp0Er
Jyllands-Posten 27 May 2011 (in Denmark)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEq0Es
Søren Pind warned about law reform
The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind has acknowledged that the Ministry of Justice warned him about introducing a law reform that would entail family reunification for selected nationalities. According to Jørgen Grønnegård Christensen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Aarhus, the Ministry of Justice cannot support such a discriminative action, and the proposal will, thus, be presented at Pind´s "own risk". In case of a lawsuit, the Minister will find himself in a weak position, he adds. Søren Pind defends his standpoint by referring to Holland and Germany, where similar measures have been put in place. - Given that other countries have done the same, I am going to implement this law reform to modernize the Danish immigration policy, and then we will see what happens, he says.
DR 25 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEr0Et
Immigration can be profitable
A new report issued by the European Union (EU) reveal that while the immigrant population in Denmark is a costly affair, it is a good bargain in other European countries. According to Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, immigrants from the Western part of the world currently contribute with 4 billion Danish crowns, whereas none-Western immigrants cost Denmark 16 billion crowns. - Other countries seem to have been successful in making immigrants an economic asset. This is something we could learn from, he says. The European Commission argues that if Europe is to maintain its economic strength, more labour is needed. This is something Pind agrees with.
DR 25 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEs0Eu
MSF: Denmark should open its borders to Libyan refugees
The Danish section of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has sent an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Lene Espersen. In the letter MSF argues that Denmark is obliged to receive Libyan refugees as the country is taking part in the war against Libya. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind is prepared to accept ten Libyan refugees, however, solely under recommendations from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Arbejderen 25 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEt0Ev
Finland
Politicians in Espoo want to know the cost of immigrants
In Espoo city, 15 out of 67 council members demand a report on how much money is spent on immigrants. So far no report has been delivered. There is an ongoing debate whether to investigate the costs of immigrants or not. Seppo Huhta (True Finns) finds it ignorant not to investigate how much immigration costs. Meanwhile, others argue that such initiatives are discriminating and generalizing towards immigrants. On the other hand, some say there is a need to know the costs to reserve enough resources for integration.
Hufvudstadsbladet 25 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEu0Ew
Who is responsible for the Roma children?
Among the Roma people from Bulgaria and Romania arriving in Finland there are many children. Currently, no one is responsible for their social situation. Now Mannerheim League for Child Welfare has issued an appeal stating all children in Finland should be protected by the Child Protection Act. The nation should take this responsibility regardless of which municipality the Roma people stay in. Secretery General at the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Mirjam Kalland, says the situation is complex and it is strange that nothing is happening on a European level to find a solution with the countries from where the Roma people are coming. She says a solution needs to be found on both a European and a national level.
YLE 23 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEv0Ex
Better refugee compensation needed
In the Government Programme there is a demand to increase the compensation for municipalities accepting refugees, says Kristina Stenman, Director of Migration at the Ministry of the Interior. It is difficult to find places for refugees in municipalities since many municipalities have financial problems. The Government is divided on how much money should be distributed to the municipalities. According to Stenman successful integration is important and worth investing in.
Yle 24 May 2011 (in Swedish
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=216720
Norway
Somali children kept in emergency housing
Some 11 Somali-Norwegian children between the age of 1 and 14 are being kept in an emergency housing in Gjövik, Norway. According to the Norwegian police the children have been exposed to domestic violence and fear circumcision. An increasing number of Norwegian children with Somali origin is taken into care by the authorities. More communication is thus needed between the Somali families and the Norwegian authorities, says Bashe Musse, leader of the Somali Network in Norway.
NRK 26 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEw0Ey
Assault rapes committed by "non-Westerns"
A report released by the police on Wednesday states that all assault rapes during last year were committed by men with a non-Western origin. All the reported rapes during the last 5 years are done by men with a foreign origin. Police inspector Hanne Kristin Rodhe says the perpetrators often are unemployed, have been asylum-seekers during the last five years and come from a traumatized environment. She adds that their perception of women can be one of the motives behind the rapes.
NRK 25 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEx0Ez
Sweden
Rejected but not deported
A recent study from the University of Gothenburg shows that the Swedish Police is unable to deport some rejected asylum-seekers. The reason is that their home countries do not issue passports to their citizens.
Svt 27 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEy0E1
Amnesty International criticizes the Swedish Migration Board
The Swedish section of Amnesty International has accused Sweden for having improperly used the manifestly unfounded jurisdiction. In fact, last year the Swedish Migration Board rejected 68 per cent of Serbian asylum-seekers since they had no grounds for asylum. - The persecution of Roma in the Balkans means that some asylum-seekers might need protection, says Madelaine Seidlitz, lawyer at Amnesty International. She has previously argued that people are dying while the EU is working on developing a common asylum system.
Sydsvenskan 27 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeEz0E2
Malmö Fira 25 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeE10Eo
Difficult for immigrants to get employment
According to recent numbers from Statistics Sweden, more than one in three young immigrants are unemployed (SCB). This is both alarming and worrisome, says Integration Minister Erik Ullenhag. To break the cycle, more effort is required. Secondary school education plays a key role as well as apprenticeship, he adds. Another study also shows that immigrants with academic education go unemployed for years in comparison to Swedish nationals. This is due to lack of information on where and how to find job opportunities, says the Swedish Nation Audit Office.
Sveriges Radio 26 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeE20Ep
Dagens Nyheter 25 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDqjF0ZqnfK0aYE0NeE30Eq
Saturday 28 May Monday 30 May 2011
Denmark
Danish Repatriation Scheme increasingly popular
A growing number of immigrants choose to return to their home country after having lived in Denmark for several years. The number has, in fact, tripled from 138 in 2009 to 370 in 2010. Particularly Bosnian refugees choose to participate in the Danish repatriation scheme.
DR 29 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjU0Ec
Finland
Action against racism in the government program
Action against racism will be included in the new government program, says Johannes Koskinen from the Finnish Social Democratic Party, heading a working group on legal policy. The goal is to build a more tolerant climate and to care for the rights of minorities. President Tarja Halonen has also expressed a wish that measures against xenophobia and racism are to be included in the government program. The negotiations on forming a new government continue.
YLE 29 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjV0Ed
Turun Sanomat 29 May 2011:1 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjW0Ee
Turun Sanomat 29 May 2011:2 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjX0Ef
Integration of immigrants to be more effective
The government wants immigrants to integrate faster by implementing a new regulation to complement the "Act on Promoting the Integration of Immigrants". Starting from autumn, the municipalities will conduct an interview to assess for example the immigrant's language skills and proficiency to study and work. The aim is to provide immigrants basic knowledge about the Finnish society, language courses and other services to improve their integration. The new regulation will come into force 1 September, the same day as the new "Act on Promoting the Integration of Immigrants" is implemented.
YLE 27 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjY0Eg
Norway
Criticism against statement on Muslim immigrants
The Progress Party's MP Per-Willy Amundsen says immigrants originating from Muslim countries show low participation in labour market. Professor Grete Brochmann, who recently published the new report "Welfare and Migration", replies that work participation has little to do with religion; it is linked to culture, gender roles and lack of equality. According to Statistics Norway, immigrants from Somalia have the lowest participation in the labour market. They are followed by immigrants from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, Brochmann points out that persons coming from these countries have a refugee background which partly explains why many of them do not work. Other important causes are low basic education and weak qualifications to fit the Norwegian labour market.
Dagsavisen 27 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0NmjZ0Eh
Sweden
End of hunger strike
The paperless Iranian asylum-seekers who have gathered on Gustav Adolf's Square in Gothenburg since the beginning of May 2011, decided to stop their hunger-strike, following a meeting with the Swedish Migration Board. Next week they will meet several Parliamentarians.
Svt 27 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0Nmja0Eo
Paperless persons in hiding are more visible than expected
A new dissertation from the University of Gothenburg examines how rejected asylum-seekers who hide from the authorities navigate the city surroundings. Estimates suggest that over one thousand asylum-seekers live in Gothenburg without documents. However, they are more visible than expected. Several paperless persons were interviewed in the dissertation. They all agreed that public transportation cannot be avoided even though it increases the risk of getting caught by the police. - I have no solution to the problem with paperless persons, but I think that we must get used to this group of people living in Sweden and Gothenburg. Furthermore, we should cope with this. Schools, health care and social services have to deal with this, says Helena Holgersson, Doctoral Student at the University of Gothenburg.
Svt 27 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0Nmjb0Ep
International aid used for asylum-seekers in Sweden
The opposition has strongly criticized the government for taking money from its international aid budget to fund the reception and integration of asylum-seekers. This year, a total of 5.3 billion Swedish crowns are to be transferred, mainly to cope with the increasing number of asylum-seekers in Sweden. - Yes, we are very critical about this. It means that money allocated for humanitarian aid is used to fund other activities in Sweden, says Hans Linde, Group Leader for the Left Party. Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, rejects the criticism and says that the government is simply following accepted international rules. She argues that more money needs to be set aside for the reception and integration of asylum-seekers due to the growing number of for example unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors.
Sveriges Radio 27 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0Nmjc0Eq
Slow labour market integration
Governmental efforts to speed up the integration of newly arrived refugees into the Swedish labour market have not been implemented as expected. Instead of finding a job, many find themselves in contact with the social services upon their arrival in Sweden.
Sveriges Radio 30 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDq7X0ZqnfK0aYE0Nmjd0Er
Tuesday 31 May to Wednesday 1 June 2011
Finland
New rules and regulations on hate-crimes
New regulations on racist crimes and hate crimes come into force 1 June in Finland. The most important change is that the criminal regulation of hate crime also applies to crimes for other reasons than racism. Under the new law one can be convicted of hate crime by assaulting someone due to their skin color, origin, beliefs, sexual orientation or disability. The rules and regulations also clarify the responsibilities of web site administrators on racial or other hate crime related comments. The changes were approved by the parliament in March. They are linked to the country's international obligations, namely the protocol against racism in the Council of Europe's Convention on Cybercrime and the European framework decision on combating racism.
YLE 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmQ0EZ
YLE 31 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmR0Ea
Positive discrimination shows good results in schools
The National Coalition Party group in Helsinki City Council reports that positive discrimination in Helsinki shows good results. Wille Rydman, head of the Finland's National Coalition party's youth group has criticized the positive discrimination and says favoritism of minorities is racism. In Helsinki the grant for positive discrimination is now increased by 2 million euro, and is aimed to meet the needs of immigrants or pupils with special needs.
YLE 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmS0Eb
YLE 30 May 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmT0Ec
Norway
Stoltenberg wants to make it easier to imprison criminal asylum-seekers
The government is proposing to make it easier to detain and deport criminal asylum-seekers, especially those who sell drugs. According to Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg this proposal is important to combat crime, but also to create respect for persons who are persecuted and in need of asylum. Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretery General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), says that the proposal includes only asylum-seekers and does not include other immigrants and wonders if only criminal asylum-seekers therefore can be deported but not other immigrants. Furthermore, lawyer and leader of the Bar Association's Legal Committee Arild Humlen says the new proposal has nothing to do with the immigration law and claims the proposal is a political initiative without legal grounds.
NRK 31 May 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmU0Ed
Sweden
Unemployment gap between Sweden and foreign-born to be reduced
According to Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Erik Ullenhag, Minister for Integration, and Minister for Employment, Hillevi Engström, the employment gap between Swedish and foreign-born is "unacceptable" and ought to be reduced. Recent figures from Statistics Sweden (SBC) reveal that more than one in three young immigrants are unemployed. In addition, the unemployment rate among persons born outside of Sweden is twice as high as for native Swedes. The government has, thus, promised special measures to improve immigrants´ equal access to the labor market. These include for instance improved language classes. Timbro argues that the government should lower the minimum wage.
DN 30 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmV0Ee
Sveriges Radio 30 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmW0Ef
Sydsvenskan 30 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmX0Eg
Government divided on the subject of health care for asylum-seekers
A novel governmental inquiry suggests that illegal immigrants as well as asylum-seekers should have access to the same health care system as Swedish citizens. Such actions have already been implemented in the county of Västra Götaland, although still unknown to the majority of health workers. The new proposal is expected to generate a total cost of 2,2 billion Swedish crowns. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, has, accordingly, opposed to proposal and required its re-evaluation.
SvD 1 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmY0Eh
Sveriges Radio 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0NtmZ0Ei
New hope for paperless Iranian asylum-seekers
The paperless Iranian asylum-seekers who have gathered on Gustav Adolf's Square in Gothenburg since the beginning of May 2011 have been given new hope following some updated information from the Swedish Migration Board. - We have been told that our asylum-application cases are to be reviewed, says Aida Najafi, an Iranian Asylum-seekers who have reside in Sweden since 2005.
Göteborgs-Posten 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0Ntma0Ep
Tobias Billström in disagreement with Amnesty International: Roma are not mistreated
Amnesty International has criticized the Swedish authorities for their poor treatment of Roma asylum-seekers. The human right organization thinks it is unreasonable that the majority of the applications for asylum have been rejected without a thorough assessment. In opposition, Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, argues that Roma asylum-seekers are subjected to fair and effective asylum procedures. - Following an assessment by the Swedish Migration Board, one comes to the conclusion that there is no ground for asylum, he says. Therefore the verdict ought to be implemented immediately, he adds.
Sveriges Radio 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0Ntmb0Eq
Acute accommodation shortage for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors
The accommodation deficiency for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors is now acute. Approximately 550 housings facilities are needed to accommodate arriving children. The Swedish Migration Board is reviewing current housing requirements. Caroline Henjered, Head of the Reception Division at the Swedish Migration Board, is calling for a softer interpretation of the law. - What we have seen is that there are children with various backgrounds. In accordance to our legislation, many are regarded as children, however, numerous have lived and taken on the responsibility of an adult. Håkan Cederberg, Director at the National Board of Health and Welfare, argues that no changes will be made to the existing regulations.
Sveriges Radio 31 May 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0Ntmc0Er
Expelled Ethiopians look for help in Sweden
A group of 25 Ethiopians, who left Norway to Sweden after being rejected as asylum-seekers, are hoping for aid from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Stockholm. However, according to Hanne Mathisen, Spokesperson for UNHCR at the Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, there is not much that can be done. - I have great understanding that they have lived in Norway for long, have found jobs and integrated well, but these types of humanitarian issues lie beyond our mandate".
Metro 1 June 2011 I: 20 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Smuggling incident leads to death of 10 persons
At least 10 people died from suffocation and exhaustion following a boat-journey from Somalia to the Republic of Yemen. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), a team of smugglers as well as Sub-Saharan Africans passengers were on board. For fear of being detected by the Yemeni coastguards, several persons were thrown at sea and consequently left to die. - We condemn the unscrupulous and inhumane treatment of refugees and others who are desperately trying to flee the violence and human rights abuses", says Erika Feller, Assistant High Commissioner at the UNHCR.
Jyllands-Posten 31 May 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrO60ZqnfK0aYE0Ntmd0Es
Thursday 2 June to Friday 3 June 2011
Denmark
Shorter waiting time
Recent figures from the Danish Immigration Service reveal that the average stay of asylum-seekers in reception centers has decreased with 58 per cent since 2007. The decline is primarily due to the increasing number of deported asylum-seekers and a reduced application assessment period. - Ultimately, we expect a further reduction of the time spent in asylum centers, says Anni Fode, Centre Director at the Danish Immigration Service. Signe Smith Nielsen, researcher for the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen, argues that the shortened time is a step in the right direction, as an extended asylum process can be distressing. There are still adult and children, however, who continue to wait much longer than usual, she adds.
TVE 2 Nyhederne 2 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1kz0ET
Berlingske 2 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k10EG
Jyllands-posten 2 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k20EH
DR 2 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k30EI
Sweden
Controversial proposal on health care to be implemented
Despite strong criticism from the Moderate Party and Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, on the subject of free health care for illegal immigrants as well as asylum-seekers, the Government and the Green Party's recent agreement concerning Sweden's migration policy will follow thru. - We have to jointly care for this agreement, both the Moderate Party and the Green Party, says Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. In the beginning of March 2011, the Government and the Green Party reached an accord in which it was proposed, among other things, that asylum-seekers without residence permit – or 'paperless' -should receive the right to free health care. It has, nevertheless, not been decided to which specific group the new rules should apply.
Sveriges Radio 1 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k40EJ
New support to Libya from Sweden
Sweden will give a further 55 million Swedish crowns for the humanitarian assistance in Libya after a decision of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Most of the aid will go to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. According to Gunilla Carlson, the Minister for International Development Cooperation, the situation has gotten worse for Libyans, and she estimates that there are between 1.6 and 2 million people who need outside help.
Sveriges Radio 2 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k50EK
UNHCR in the news
Victim of rape forcibly returned to Libya
Qatar has forcibly returned a woman to Libya who accused soldiers of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi of having raped her. Vincent Cochetel, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) representative in Washington, says Imam al-Obeidi was returned to Benghazi on a military plane on Thursday. Cochetel says she expressed fear of returning to Libya and that her fear is well founded. The authorities in Qatar ignored UNHCR's repeated requests to allow al-Obeidi a temporary stay. The fact that al-Obeidi had refugee status and was in the process of getting a residence as an asylum-seeker in another country was not enough to stop the deportation back to Libya. Al-Obeidi first attracted international media attention when she stormed into the Rixos hotel in Benghazi in March and threw open her coat to reveal the scars and bruises on her body.
TV 2 3 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k60EL
NRK 2 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDrd70ZqnfK0aYE0N1k70EM
Saturday 4 June to Wednesday 8 June 2011
Denmark
Mayors criticise immigration policy restrictions
New studies reveal that more than half of Denmark's Conservative and Liberal mayors have had enough of the Government's restrictive measures on immigration. - Enough is enough. There is no need for more tightening. We need labour. For that reason alone, it is very unfortunate if the politicians continue to use a negative language, says Johannes Hecht Johansen, Mayor of Helsingør. Marianne Jevled, Member of the Social Liberals, concurs and believes that the Government is dealing with immigration issues in an unrealistic manner. Karsten Lauritzen, Spokesperson for the Liberal Party, explains that the tightening of the immigration policy cannot be disregarded. Karsten Lauritzen argues that the mayors come from municipalities with few immigrants and therefore do not understand the problem.
Berlingske 7 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsq0Ey
Politiken 7 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsr0Ez
Information 6 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHss0E1
Former Minister warned about cases regarding stateless persons
According to new information, the former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Bertel Haarder, was already in July 2003 informed about the mishandling of the cases regarding the stateless persons who were wrongfully denied Danish citizenship. Had this information been taken seriously already in 2003, the dismissal of the previous Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Birthe Rønn Hornbech earlier this year, could have been avoided.
DR 3 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHst0E2
Information 2 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsu0E3
Denmark fails to complete inquiry on statelessness
According to new information the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs in Denmark received an electronic survey from the UN Refugee Agency in March 2003, on the subject of statelessness. The survey was to be submitted on May 2003. However, it was not handed in until August the same year, says Carol Batchelor, Senior Regional Legal Officer from UNHCR. Nevertheless, seven questions in the survey remained unanswered, including one on Denmark's compliance with the 1961Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Information 4 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsv0E4
Børsen 4 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsw0E5
Medical clinic for illegal immigrants and rejected asylum-seekers
A medical clinic for illegal immigrants and rejected asylum-seekers will open 1 August 2011 in Copenhagen. The Danish Red Cross, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Danish Medical Association are behind the initiative. Nearly 80 doctors, specialists, dentists, midwives and nurses have already signed up as volunteers at the clinic. Various reports estimate that there are between 1,000 and 5,000 illegal immigrants in the country. The main groups are rejected asylum-seekers and people who have been denied family reunification. Peter Skaarup, Integration Spokesperson for the Danish People's Party, argues that the initiative is problematic. Although, he acknowledges that the concerned people are in a vulnerable situation, he requested that the legal basis for the clinic should be investigated.
Berlingske 4 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsx0E6
Berlingske 4 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsy0E7
DR 4 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHsz0E8
DR 4 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs10Eu
Politiken 8 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs20Ev
Politiken 8 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs30Ew
Information 4 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs40Ex
Information 4 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs50Ey
Jyllands-Posten 4 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs60Ez
Jyllands-Posten 4 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs70E1
Norway
Refugees from Libya will arrive in Norway in August
Norway will grant asylum to 250 refugees from North Africa. These are persons originating from Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan who are currently staying in the refugee camp in Shousha, on the border between Libya and Tunisia. Staff from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will travel to Libya this month to interview applicants who have been selected by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Dagbladet 6 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHs80E2
Asylum-seekers to be denied pocket money
- Minors escaping from reception centres should be denied pocket money, says Pål Lønseth State Secretery. He believes this can be a possible solution to make them stay at the reception centres. According to Nikolas Dannevig Gaarder, who works at Hvalstad reception centre, there are minors with addiction problems who do not care about loosing the pocket money (500 NOK per month), hence it is not a solution. The minors can earn much more by selling drugs, says Gaarder. Some 1,200 asylum-seekers between 15–18 years of age stayed in reception centres during 2010. Of these, 103 persons disappeared from the centres.
Dagbladet 8 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtA0ED
NRK 8 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtB0EE
More asylum-seekers should be able to work
A working group that has investigated the asylum-process in Norway presents its recommendations. - Asylum-seekers should have the possibility to receive a temporary work permit, says Gunnar Berge, head of the working group. According to Berge this is a way to integrate asylum-seekers and involve them in the Norwegian society. The working group supports the current model, but suggests some changes. Among other things, the working group states that health investigation should be strengthened to detect persons with special needs as a result of torture or abuse.
Dagbladet 6 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtC0EF
Immigration and integration costs 13,7 billion NOK
The state's costs for immigration and integration have more than doubled in four years, from 6,7 to 13,7 billion Norwegian crowns. Meanwhile, the number of asylum-seekers is increasing. In May, 859 persons applied for asylum. This is an increase of 33 per cent compared to the same period last year. - Most of the asylum-seekers originate from Somalia and Eritrea, says Ida Børresen, Director General at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, has visited Norway to, among other things, encourage Norway to share the burden of the influx of refugees from North East Africa.
Aftenposten 7 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtD0EG
Dagbladet 7 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtE0EH
Dagsavisen 7 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtF0EI
Sweden
Citizenship applications expected to increase
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has received 15,000 applications for citizenship this year. The number is expected to increase to 37,000. According to SMB's estimation the number 40,000 in 2012.
Sveriges Radio 7 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtG0EJ
Fewer refugees to Lund
Lund municipality limits the number of refugees from 125 to 100 a year as a result of housing shortage. The new arrangement with the Swedish Migration Board will take effect in January 2012.
Sydnytt 3 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtH0EK
Refugee trauma a problem for eldercare in the future
In 30 years, many of those who came to Sweden as refugees will need eldercare. According to the Red Cross around 100,000 of them suffer from post-traumatic stress. Most persons from countries such as Iraq, Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia and former Yugoslavia are now in the early middle age and will need eldercare in the future. Kenneth Johansson, a Centre Party politician and chairman of the Committee on Health and Welfare for the Swedish Parliament, says there is a need for a different type of care, which takes into consideration refugees as well as persons from other immigration backgrounds. It is mainly a responsibility of individual municipalities, but action needs to be taken on a national level as well, Johansson continues.
Svenska Dagbladet 6 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtI0EL
UNHCR in the news
Bodies found after a boat accident
According to Carole Laleve from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) about 150 bodies have been discovered in the sea near the coast of Tunisia. The persons are believed to be migrants from Africa who tried to reach Europe by sea earlier this week. The Tunisian coastguard and military have rescued around 570 migrants after their boats encountered bad weather on Tuesday.
DN 3 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtJ0EM
Refugee boat tragedies no longer stir up emotions
News about refugees who have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, while attempting to flee the current violence in Libya no longer stir up emotions.- It has become common occurrences, which we are now accustomed to and almost expect before we even open the newspaper, says the Italian writer Claudio Magris. The number of refugee boats trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea has increased this year. So far some 40,000 refugees have arrived on the Italian coast. It is estimated that five out of hundred boats will not complete the journey. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has recently updated the official figure for refugees who have died while trying to reach Europe since 1988, to 17,627 people.
Information 6 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsLV0ZqnfK0aYE0OHtK0EN
Thursday 9 June to Friday 10 June 2011
Denmark
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visited Sandholm asylum centre
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres visited Sandholm asylum centre during his stay in Denmark 7 June. Anders Ladekarl, Secretary General at the Danish Red Cross, wanted to show the High Commissioner a good example of an asylum centre. Guterres was impressed by the good treatment of asylum-seekers. However, he stressed that being a refugee is always complicated.
Allerødnyt 8 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://alleroed.lokalavisen.dk/fns-flygtningechef-antónio-guterres-besoegte-center-sandholm-/20110608/artikler/110609444/1008
Frederiksborg Amts Avis 8 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF30E1
Finland
Finland to tighten requirements for family reunification
Finland might tighten the requirements for family reunification of Somalis. Sweden recently started requesting identity documents from Somali citizens to process applications for reunification. In practice this has brought reunification of Somali families to an end since Somali citizens rarely have certificated identity documents, caused by the lack of a functioning government in the country during the last 20 years. Heikki Taskinen from the Finnish Immigration Service says stricter identity documentation requirements most probably will come into force in Finland as well. Starting next year, the family reunification application needs to be handed in by the person living outside Finland, as opposed to the family members in Finland. Which additional restrictions will be applied depends on the future Government.
YLE 9 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF40E2
YLE 9 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF50E3
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees appeals to Finland
While visiting Finland on Thursday 9 June, the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres expressed concern about the influx of refugees from Syria to Turkey. During the last 24 hours, more than 1,000 people have fled over the Turkish border. The events have a political impact since the UN's Security Council is preparing a resolution against Syria, which Russia opposes. Furthermore the situation in Syria is very difficult for aid agencies, since Syria has received thousands of refugees from surrounding countries. The UN Refugee Agency will do everything facilitate the aid operations in the area. – Of course the present situation is a huge humanitarian concern, Guterres states. Furthermore he pleads with Europeans. – Many people have nowhere to go. I have faith in the solidarity of Europeans and I am convinced Finns share it as well. The UN hopes that EU countries will take a greater role in the Libyan crisis. – Finland has one of Europe's most qualified resettlement systems, but there are problems in some local authorities, but we hope that even they can be hospitable under these circumstances.
YLE 9 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF60E4
YLE 9 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF70E5
Lithuania
Lithuania is ready to accept refugees currently residing in Malta
Lithuania's Government met on Wednesday to decide whether Lithuania should participate in the EU relocation of refugees from Malta (EUREMA). The issue was originally raised in Brussels in mid-May, and after the meeting the Minister of Home Affairs Raimundas Palaitis announced that the Government is ready to accept up to 6 persons. The first time Lithuania participated in resettlement projects was in 2007 when 2 families, total of 6 persons, were relocated from Malta. Both families now live individually without state help. According to Palaitis the relocation of refugees is largely financed by European Union funds, and a majority of the EU countries participate in the project.
Delfi 8 June 2011 (in Lithuanian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOF80E6
Alfa 7 June 2011 (in Lithuanian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGA0EH
Respublika 8 June 2011 (in Lithuanian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGB0EI
Balsas 7 June 2011 (in Lithuanian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGC0EJ
Norway
Climate change leads to increased displacement
- Norway contributes to climate change which leads to forced displacement, says Eric Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development. The statement was made during the opening of the "Nansen Conference on Climate Change and Displacement in the 21st Century" in Oslo 6 June. One of the main speakers at the event was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres. He underlined that environmental degradation and climate change will force people to move to other countries, from one continent to another.
ABC Nyheter 6 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGD0EK
Sweden
Romania and Bulgaria still closed off from Schengen
The decision whether to include Romania and Bulgaria to the list of Schengen countries has been postponed until September. The possibility of temporarily requesting visas from certain countries that have recently been freed from visa requirements has also been introduced. After given an exemption from visa requirements last year, more than 6,300 Serbs sought asylum in Sweden. Moreover the majority of Serbs and other nationalities from Western Balkans travelled visa-free without applying for an asylum. The criteria now proposed by the EU Commission in theory means the visa-requirement would be re-introduced for Serbia. – I personally have no problem with people who come looking for work. The problem is with the asylum-seekers who have no grounds whatsoever for their applications, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy.
SVT Rapport 9 June 2011 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGE0EL
UNHCR concerned about Syrian refugees and deportation of Iraqis
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is worried about the growing number of Syrian refugees fleeing to Turkey. - It's hard to predict what will happen, but we are very concerned, says António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees during his visit to Sweden 8 June. UNHCR has reinforced its staff capacity and strengthened its cooperation with the Government of Lebanon and Turkey's equivalent of the Red Cross. The High Commissioner explains that the Syrian regime has always been refugee-friendly. There are currently up to one million Iraqi as well as Palestinian refugees in the country. A different protection approach is therefore needed, as they are unable to return to their home country. During a meeting with Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, the High Commissioner also raised concern regarding the deportation of Iraqi asylum-seekers. The Swedish authorities were urged to not deport vulnerable minority groups, as for instance Christians, to Iraq. Despite strong criticisms from UNHCR, Sweden has continued to forcibly return rejected Christian Iraqi asylum-seekers to their homeland. - We will continue to be critical of such deportations, says António Guterres.
Sveriges Radio 9 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGF0EM
Dagens Nyheter 9 June 2011 I: 13 (in Swedish)
Sweden prolongs its involvement in Libya
The Swedish Government has decided to extend its involvement in the Libya operation by providing aerial reconnaissance services, and increase its humanitarian assistance through, among others, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Svenska Dagbladet 8 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGG0EN
UNT 8 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGH0EO
Sweden says no to European Border control
The European Border Agency Frontex's resources are often insufficient for dealing with immigration influx to the European Union (EU). All EU member states agree that more needs to be done with regard to border control. Opinions differ on whether border control should fall under the responsibility of Frontex or respective EU member states. The Swedish Government does not want a European border control. - Border control is the responsibility of each member state. We think it is an important principle to preserve. We do not want a European border monitoring force, it is a concern for each member state, says Beatrice Ask Minister of Justice.
Sveriges Radio 8 Juni 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDsbj0ZqnfK0aYE0OOGI0EP
Saturday 11 June to Monday 13 June 2011
Denmark
Repatriation instead of employment
It will be difficult for the Government and the Danish People's Party to get employment offices to promote voluntary repatriation to foreign job seekers. Many Danish authorities consider the idea inappropriate and harmful for integration and employment measures. - It is very problematic if we are required to mention repatriation as an opportunity for anyone with a foreign background. What we can and need to do is assist people in finding employment, not help them to leave the country, says Niels Gangsted, director at an employment agency in Copenhagen. Peter Skaarup, Integration Spokesperson for the Danish People's Party, dismisses the criticism and explains that the proposal also includes suggestions regarding how to integrate immigrants into the labour market. If unsuccessful, the Danish Repatriation Scheme might be the best option, he adds.
Information 9 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlR0E1
Sweden
Lions Sweden assists UNHCR's work in Libya
In order to help refugees who have fled the violence in Libya, Lions Sweden has provided the UN Refugee Agency (UNCHR) with three hundred tents as well as nine hospital tents.
Helsingborgs Dagblad 9 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlS0E2
Malmo under the surface
The city of Malmo conceals an underground labour market that no one wants to acknowledge but everyone is part of. Taking advantage of paperless asylum-seekers as cheap labour is most common among small businesses, but there is evidence that it is occurring in some of Malmo's fastest growing companies. Several rejected asylum-seekers reluctantly choose to go underground and work under precarious conditions, for fear of being forced to return to their home country. One of the persons interviewed is from Iraq. Despite strong criticism from Amnesty International, the Council of Europe and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), forced deportations to Iraq have nearly doubled in recent years.
Sydsvenskan 12 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlT0E3
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors in Sweden
In relation to other European countries, Sweden receives the highest number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. Last year 2,395 unaccompanied minors sought for asylum in Sweden, this represents 20 per cent of all unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors who came to Europe. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has interviewed minors about their journey to Sweden. - During their journey, they risk their lives. Young people are completely at the mercy of rumours and smugglers, who sometimes keep them locked up. When they arrive here they are often unaware of which country they are in, says Hanne Mathisen, Senior Regional External Relations Officer at UNHCR in Stockholm. For most of the unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors, the possibility to obtain a residence permit depends on whether they have turned 18 years or not. The Swedish Migration Board is therefore critical about the Government's reluctance to adopt an age determination method.
DN 13 June 2011 I:9 (in Swedish)
DN 12 June 2011 I:9 (in Swedish)
UNHCR in the news
Battles intensify in Syria, many arrested
Fierce fighting between the military and the armed demonstrators has taken place in the city of Jisr al-Shughour in Syria. A small number of persons have reportedly been killed, and many demonstrators have been arrested. Over 5,000 have fled from the city located next to the Turkish boarder, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is preparing for a further 2,500 refugees. According to UNHCR, more than 3,000 Syrians have now fled to Turkey. The UN Security Council is currently preparing a resolution against Syria, but it is believed that China and Russia will use their right of veto to prevent the resolution from coming into force, as they do not want to interfere in Syria's internal matters. Neither country participated in the meeting organized to discuss the matter on Saturday.
Berlingske 10 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlU0E4
Folketidende 10 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlV0E5
TV2 10 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlW0E6
YLE 13 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlX0E7
More refugees from Libya flee to Italy
In the last days, 660 boats have crossed over from Libya to the Italian island of Lampedusa and more boats are expected. There are many explanations to why there currently are so many refugees from Libya, but according to the UN Refugee Agency it is mainly due to the weather. – After ten days of bad weather it is now safer to cross over again. Thousands of refugees have already come to the small Italian island, but the situation is under control, states Laura Boldrini spokesperson for UNHCR in Italy. – The most important thing is to relocate the refugees from here, as Lampedusa is just a place where the refugees can rest before their onward journey, says Boldrini. The Italian authorities have introduced a rotation system of ferries to transport refugees from the island to other refugee centres in the country. However, according to Boldrini the system does not function well enough.
Sveriges Radio 11 June 2011 (in Swedish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlY0E8
Billström: The security situation in Iraq is better
According to UNHCR Sweden is the only country in the European Union (EU) to forcibly return Christian Iraqis. However, Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, explains that all asylum applications are individually assessed and no collective decisions are taken. Those who are found with no grounds for asylum are thus rejected. Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries, argues that decisions are made on an individual basis in all other countries as well; however, no Christian Iraqis have been deported. Contrary to for example France and Germany, the Swedish authorities believe that it is safe for Christian Iraqis to return to Iraq.
TV4 10 June 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWlZ0EA
TV4 10 June 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDszA0ZqnfK0aYE0OWla0EH
Tuesday 14 June to Wednesday 15 June 2011
Finland
Drop in number of asylum-seekers in Finland
Between January and April 2011 some 913 people sought asylum in Finland. This is a decrease by 39 per cent compared to the same time period the previous year. Unless the trend changes, the total number of asylum-seekers at the end of this year will reach 3,000 compared to 4,018 last year. The majority of asylum-seekers come from Iraq, Somalia, Russia and Afghanistan. The most significant difference to last year's statistics is the drop in the number of applications from EU countries, which can in part be explained by the pilot fast track approach adopted by the police and the Finnish Immigration Service relating to EU asylum-seekers. Overall about one third of the applicants are allowed to stay in the country.
YLE 14 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMo0ES
Kauppalehti 14 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMp0ET
Uusi Suomi 14 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMq0EU
YLE 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMr0EV
Kauppalehti 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMs0EW
YLE 14 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMt0EX
Norway
Taking the "Norwegian glasses" off child welfare
The Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, Audun Lysbakken, wants the Child Welfare Services to have better understanding of other cultures. However, this does not mean that physical abuse of immigrant children should be accepted, says Lysbakken. He wants to improve the multicultural competence in Child Welfare Services and the dialogue with immigrants. Currently immigrant children are over-represented in child welfare. Several families with immigration background have lately criticized the Child Welfare Services, saying their children are taken into care due to cultural and language misunderstandings. In most cases these decisions are taken due to domestic violence against the child or that parents suffer from mental illness. According to several studies, factors such as different understandings on what is good care have also had an impact.
Dagsavisen 13 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMu0EY
Sweden
Protest against forced deportation to Iraq
Several activists from the organization Action Against Deportation gathered on 14 June outside the Swedish Migration Board's detention centre for asylum-seekers in Märsta, Stockholm. The demonstrators were trying to prevent the deportation of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers.
Sveriges Radio 16 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMv0EZ
UNT 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMw0Ea
Dagens Nyheter 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMx0Eb
Parental leave traps immigrant women in poverty
According to new studies from the Expert Group for Public Economics (ESO) parental leave constitutes a poverty trap for newly arrived foreign-born women with children, as it hampers their entrance into the Swedish labour market. ESO suggests that the parental and child care allowances should be tied to the age of the child. Erik Ullenhag, Minister for Integration, is positive to the idea and explains that he will look further into the matter.
Svenska Dagbladet 14 Juni 2011 I:10 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 13 Juni 2011 I:5 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 13 Juni 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMy0Ec
Sydsvenskan 13 Juni 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeMz0Ed
Sveriges Radio 13 Juni 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM10EQ
Exploitation of asylum-seekers raises strong criticism
A recent reportage on how rejected asylum-seekers are being used as black labour in Malmö, has raised strong reactions. Amnesty International and Individual Relief (IM) require an increase in asylum-seekers allowance. - This is a blatant discrimination against people who are given different working hours and remuneration, just because they do not have residence permits. This demonstrates a lack of respect for human rights, says Madelaine Seidlitz, lawyer at Amnesty International. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy Tobas Billström has announced that the daily allowance for asylum-seekers will not be increased. Employers who exploit asylum-seekers will, however, be punished more severely, he adds.
Sydsvenskan 15 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM20ER
Sydsvenskan 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM30ES
Restrictive refugee policy
Sweden has been restrictive in recognizing asylum-seekers as refugees, but generous in providing asylum for other reasons. In fact, during the last fifteen years, less than three per cent of all asylum-seekers have received refugee-status, in comparison to fourteen per cent in Europe as a whole. Gregor Noll, Professor of Public International Law at Lund University, argues that Sweden's restrictive approach is a consequence of a bureaucratic system in which a flexible interpretation of who is categorized as a refugee has been beneficial to the Government in place. Liv Feijen, Senior Legal Officer for UNHCR at the Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, explains that the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees remains the only internationally binding document. It does not only define who a refugee is, it also accounts for their specific rights, she adds.
UR Play 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM40ET
UNHCR in the news
Increasing complexity of conflicts makes helping refugees more difficult
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres the complexity of new conflicts has made the work of UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations considerably more difficult. Today conflicts are not merely about governments and rebels, but there are also many international parties involved. Furthermore it can be the governments themselves making humanitarian work more difficult by denying international organizations entry into the country. – They do not want us to see what is really going on, Guterres says. – Every country has the right to have individual procedures concerning economic migration. But it is a different matter, if a person is forced to leave a country – these persons need protection despite the kinds of immigration policies the country in question has in place, Guterres continues. He also expresses concern about the fact that development countries host 80 per cent of the world's refugees, and emphasizes the need for the industrial countries to get more involved.
Kehitysyteistyön palvelukeskus Kepa ry 13 June 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM50EU
Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people in Côte d'Ivoire
There are still around 300,000 internally displaced persons in the country following the violence earlier this year. According to the UN Refugee Agency the evaluation of the situation is ongoing and they estimate the number of refugees to be higher. The troubles started at the end of the year 2010 when the ex-president Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after loosing the elections. After his arrest in April the situation has started to stabilize, but according to UNHCR it is still instable especially in the Southwestern parts of the country.
Helsingin Sanomat 15 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM60EV
Iltalehti 14 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM70EW
Ilta-Sanomat 14 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeM80EX
Svenska Dagbladet 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeNA0Eh
Effects of the conflict in Libya
The armed conflict in Libya has had a strong impact on women in particular. Libyan aid organizations have reported that they have received information about cases of rape and honour killing in the more conservative parts of the country. - When a rape occurs in Libya, it is like a whole village or town has been dishonoured, "said Arafat Jamal, Deputy Representative at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Dagens Nyheter 14 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtIC0ZqnfK0aYE0OeNB0Ei
Thursday 16 June Friday 17 June 2011
Denmark
Most Christian Iraqis are granted asylum
According to the Refugee Appeals Board, the vast majority of Christian Iraqi asylum-seekers are granted residency permit in Denmark. In fact, between 2007 and 2010, approximately 90 per cent of all asylum applications were approved on grounds of persecution upon return.
DR 15 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJa0Ef
Søren Pind: North African asylum-seekers are not genuine refugees
According to the Conservatives, many of the North African asylum-seekers are not genuine refugees but criminals who should be deported. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind agrees and argues that foreigners who come to Denmark to commit acts of crime have nothing to do in the country, and ought to be deported rapidly.
Jyllands-Posten 16 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJb0Eg
Information 16 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJc0Eh
Protest against deportation of Iraqi asylum-seekers
Several activists gathered outside the Swedish Embassy in Copenhagen on 16 June, to protest against the forced deportation of Iraqi asylum-seekers. Despite harsh criticism from Amnesty International as well as the UN Refugee Agency, Swedish authorities have continued to forcibly deport rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers.
Modkraft 16 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJd0Ei
Finland
Police to concentrate the asylum investigation to four localities
Police wants to concentrate the asylum investigation to the cities of Lappeenranta, Turku, Oulu and Helsinki. This would require a change in the law, as at the moment applications for asylum can be made anywhere in Finland. However the change is believed to benefit the rights of the asylum-seekers, as well as make the process faster and cheaper. Police has worked in cooperation with the Finnish Immigration service, and according to plans the piloting of the project would start during the autumn 2011 in Oulu.
YLE Etelä-Karjala 17 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJe0Ej
Kuopio will take Myanmaries next
The city of Kuopio has taken around 40 quota refugees yearly in recent years, although according to a council decision the number could be 65. This summer seven Myanmaries arrive from refugee camps in Thailand in addition to the 11 who arrived earlier this year. During the autumn Kuopio will furthermore take 20 quota refugees from Iraq. Overall the number of asylum applications has been on the decline both in Kuopio and in Finland in general. The law about the integration of refugees is changing this September, and more attention will be paid into language teaching and employment.
Savon Sanomat 15 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJf0Ek
Upper-Savo considers taking quota refugees
Migration manager Lisbeth Mattson from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment visited the Iisalmi cultural centre with the aim to tell local politicians about immigration. The emphasis was on the possibility of municipalities to take quota refugees. – We still tend to confuse the terms immigrant, refugee, quota refugee and asylum-seeker, she states.
Iisalmen Sanomat 16 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJg0El
An asylum-seeker can get a job, but not a bank account
Asylum-seekers without passports cannot open a bank account because of the strict interpretation of the Finnish law. To open a bank account, the applicant must have a piece of identification – something many asylum-seekers lack due to the chaotic situation in their home country. This puts asylum-seekers in the risk of drifting into the grey market. Päivi Keskitalo from the office of the Ombudsman of Minorities sees this as problematic as employment of the asylum-seekers is beneficial the society.
Pohjalainen 15 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJh0Em
Ombudsman for minorities: Evicting Roma will not solve the problem
The attitudes towards foreigners have hardened according to the Ombudsman of Minorities Eva Biaudet. She is also concerned about the recent changes in immigration policy, which have had an effect on the asylum-seekers right to family reunification, for example. According to Biaudet the breaking up of the Roma camps in Helsinki displays this hardening of attitudes and the tightening of the legislation.
YLE 16 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJi0En
YLE 16 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJj0Eo
Sweden
Little change following Aliens Act amendment
Recent amendments made to the Aliens Act in order to facilitate family reunification have had little effect. In fact, only a few have benefited from the changes. Many find themselves obliged to seek asylum from their home country, due to invalid passports.
Sveriges Radio 16 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJk0Ep
Expulsions increase
Following a new police strategy in the province of Scania, forced deportations of rejected asylum-seekers have increased with 40 per cent compared to last year.
DN 16 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJl0Eq
Tougher control of asylum-seekers
Last year, 800 asylum-seekers were under investigation by the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO), for possible espionage on refugees in Sweden. In several cases, SÄPO made sure that the Swedish Migration Board suspended the visas of people suspected to be intelligence agents.
Sydsvenskan 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJm0Er
Deportation order revoked
Throughout 2010, 878 rejected asylum-seekers have been granted residence permit, after having their deportation order revoked by the Swedish Migration Board. Hanne Mathisen, Spokesperson for the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries, argues that the varying quality of the legal aid is a challenge. - Lawyers must have knowledge of the Swedish aliens law, international refugee and humanitarian law and asylum law at a European level. Often asylum-seekers are not given enough time to prepare with their lawyers, she says.
Efterarbetet 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJn0Es
UNHCR in the news
Turkey continues to help Syrian refugees
The Turkish Red Crescent has set up more tents near the Syrian border, in order to help those who are fleeing the violence. - We will not close the door to our Syrian brothers. We are, however, hoping for a reform process that will prevent the increasing wave of refugees, says Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. According to a Turkish diplomat, Hollywood actress and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) ambassador Angelina Jolie has expressed a wish to visit the newly established refugee camps and will pay a visit during the month of June 2011. UNHCR has, additionally, reiterated its demand to the Syrian authorities to allow independent observers into the country, so as to investigate allegations of human rights violations.
Syd-Österbotten 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJo0Et
JV 16 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJp0Eu
Sydvsvenskan 15 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDtYI0ZqnfK0aYE0OmJq0Ev
Saturday 18 June to Wednesday 22 June 2009
Denmark
Decreasing number of applications for family reunification
The number of family reunification applications have decreased significantly from about 500 - 600 in 2010 to 300 this year, following the Government's tougher immigration policy.
Berlingske 22 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iq0Ee
Politiken 22 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Ir0Ef
All none-Danish criminals should be deported
The Danish People's Party wants to deport all none-Danish citizens who have committed criminal offences regardless of their sentences. Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, explains that the aim is to increase the number of deportations even if there is a risk of violating international conventions.
Information 21 June 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Is0Eg
Information 21 June 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4It0Eh
DR 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iu0Ei
Berlingske 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iv0Ej
Jyllands-Posten 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iw0Ek
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Sveriges Radio 21 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Ix0El
Finland
Refugee policies not widely debated at the True Finns party meeting
The anti-immigration critics were quite silent about the immigration policies at the True Finns party meeting during the weekend. Only Lasse Lehtinen, a True Finns party representative from the city of Kannus, warned that in connection with family reunification, one municipality had received 100 refugees instead of the 20 they had agreed on.
Helsingin Sanomat 19 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iy0Em
Kaleva 19 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Iz0En
Räsänen: Christian refugees integrate better
Confirming expectations the party leader of Finland's Christian Union Päivi Räsänen was appointed Minister of the Interior. She will therefore be in charge of immigration issues. She has caused an outrage in the past by implying Christian refugees should be preferred over Muslims. - It is evident that cultural integration is an important factor when selecting quota refugees, Räsänen states. - I am not putting religions in order, but the fact is that Finland is culturally a Christian country, and most Finns are Christians. There are bad examples of persons falling outside the society in Europe. We need to help the ones in need, but we cannot help everyone, so we should be able to choose which groups we take in, says Räsänen. According to Räsänen Sudanese Christians and refugees from Vietnam, for example, integrate well into Finland.
Iltalehti 10 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I10Ea
Helsingin Sanomat 18 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I20Eb
YLE Häme 18 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I30Ec
Uusi Suomi 18 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I40Ed
Helsinki Times 21 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I50Ee
Newsroom Finland 21 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I60Ef
YLE 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I70Eg
World Refugee Day: A Muslim is no less a refugee than a Christian
The World Refugee Day was celebrated on 20 June 2011. The program in Helsinki included theatre, speeches and music, and agencies and organizations such as Amnesty, The Finnish Refugee Council, The Refugee Advice Centre and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) were present. According to Reetta Helander, spokesperson for the Refugee Advice Centre, the word asylum-seeker has suffered inflation. – Asylum-seeker no longer refers to a person who needs safety, but has become to mean something suspicious in itself. – A Muslim refugee is no less a refugee than a Christian one, Helander continues, referring to the previous comments by the new Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen. – Finland has always helped the ones most in need, she emphasizes, and reminds the asylum-process in Finland is extremely refined.
Kauppalehti 21 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4I80Eh
Refugee woman of the year: Refugee integration has improved in Finland
Integration of refugees has improved according to the Refugee woman of 2011, Saido Mohamed, who has lived in Finland over half of her life. Although the situation has improved, Mohamed reminds that especially minors need a lot of support with their integration, and that refugees have fled their countries because they had to. – They did not leave voluntarily, and now they want to build their lives here, live in peace, study and work, she emphasizes. – A large part of the refugees living in Finland help other refugees with the same cultural background by doing voluntary work. Mohamed herself has worked with youth for over 10 years and furthermore helped to improve the position of girls and women in Finnish society.
YLE 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JA0Er
YLE 20 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JB0Es
Norway
One twin is rejected, the other can stay
Two Afghan twins (20) applied for asylum in Norway. One has been granted a residence permit while the other is to be forcibly returned to Afghanistan in one month. Active members in the twins' support group cannot understand how two brothers with the same background can get different verdicts. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has decided that one of the twins (Mohsen) does not have protection needs and therefore he will be sent back to Kabul. Bjørn Lyster, spokesperson of the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) says that having a brother in Norway is not a strong enough reason to get to stay. Meisam, the brother who can stay, says that if his twin brother is deported, he will return with him to Afghanistan.
Dagbladet 20 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JC0Et
Dagsavisen focuses on refugees
More than 43 million persons flee war and conflict. Last weekend the newspaper Dagsavisen focused on refugees to give their readers a good insight in the current refugee situation in the world. Part of the newspaper's campaign is to donate money to the Norwegian Refugee Council. The money will go to emergency packages used in the field, says Elisabeth Rasmusson, Secretary General for the Norwegian Refugee Council.
Dagsavisen 17 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JD0Eu
One of five immigrants from Iraq and Somalia caught for breaking the law
Immigrants from certain countries are heavily overrepresented in crime statistics, although 85 per cent of the perpetrators are of Norwegian origin. For the first time Statistics Norway publishes a comprehensive overview of crimes committed by immigrants, this time the country of origin is included. The crime statistics show big differences between the immigrants. Researcher Torbjørn Skardhamar says this might nuance the picture of who commits crime in Norway. Concerning accusations, convictions and imprisonments, persons originating from African countries, Kosovo, Iraq and Iran are highly represented. Also Norwegian born persons with two immigrant parents are overrepresented compared to other Norwegians. The researchers do not want to speculate about the reasons for the overrepresentation, but say it might be due to the police controlling certain groups of people more than others.
Dagbladet 17 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JE0Ev
Progress Party urges to fight against criminal immigrants
The Progress Party (FrP) wants to change the Government's asylum and integration policy. During the election campaign last Sunday, Siv Jensen, leader of the Progress Party, criticises the Supreme Court of Norway for not being strict enough against criminal asylum-seekers. – If an asylum-seeker commits a crime, the person is to be deported and should not be granted residence permit, says Jensen. The Party's Deputy Leader, Per Sandberg, criticised the Government's integration policy, stressing that immigrants and asylum-seekers have too many rights. Also the politician Carl I. Hagen mentioned the immigration policy in his speech. They all stressed the importance to include the issue of immigration in the Progress Party's election campaign. – We are primarily interested in satisfying the needs of our own people, not everybody else's, says Carl I. Hagen. NGOs welcome the discussion, but think politicians should concentrate on facts and they criticise Jensen for stigmatising asylum-seekers.
Aftenposten 19 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JF0Ew
Dagsavisen 20 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JG0Ex
NRK 20 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JH0Ey
Number of asylum-seekers dropped 50 per cent in two years
The Government's tightening of the asylum legislation has made the number of applicants drop by 50 per cent during the last two years. In autumn 2008 the Government made changes to deport rejected asylum-seekers who can receive refuge in safe parts of their country of origin. As a result the number of asylum-seekers originating from Afghanistan dropped by 80 per cent in two years. State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and the Police, Pål K. Lønseth, says they are satisfied with the decrease of asylum applicants, adding it is important is to give protection to those in need.
NRK 21 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JI0Ez
Sweden
Shorter parental leave for immigrants
Centre Party leader Maud Olofsson wants newly arrived foreign-born adults with small children to have a shorter parental leave. The aim is to speed up immigrant women's entrance into the Swedish labour market.
Svenska Dagbladet 18 June 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JJ0E1
Svenska Dagbladet 18 June 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JK0E2
Swedish Migration Board makes it easier for Libyan asylum-seekers
The Swedish Migration Board has come to the conclusion that Libya is experiencing an internal armed conflict. The decision will make it easier for Libyan asylum-seekers to obtain residence permit in Sweden. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, explains that persons from the war torn areas will have a greater chance of staying in Sweden.
Dagens Nyheter 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JL0E3
Sydsvenskan 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JM0E4
Increasing number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors
The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors who come to Sweden has increased from approximately 400 to 2,400 in merely five years.
Sveriges Radio 21 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JN0E5
Easier to find employment in Stockholm
New studies show that refugees who reside in Stockholm have a greater opportunity to find employment and thus integrate into society, in comparison to other parts of Sweden.
SVT 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JO0E6
Dagens Nyheter 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JP0E7
Women at risk should be protected
Following the deportation of a woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who suffered physical abuse from her husband, a Member of the Liberal Party, Lennart Gabrielsson, has requested a governmental change of law that ought to protect immigrant women at risk.
SVT 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JQ0E8
Action Against Deportation critical to Swedish authorities
The organization Action Against Deportation is critical to how the Swedish authorities handle asylum applications and argues that they do not regard the human person behind every case.
SVT 17 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JR0EA
No use of handcuffs on rejected asylum-seekers
The Swedish Migration Board is critical to the Government's proposal concerning the use of handcuffs in detention centres. It is, nevertheless, positive to the Government's suggestion to have a mandatory trial before putting an asylum-seeker in detention.
Dagens Nyheter 21 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JS0EB
World Refugee Day at Stockholm's Central Station
A miniature refugee camp was set up at the Central Station in Stockholm on 20 June 2011, in order to commemorate World Refugee Day. - The refugee camp may be small, but nevertheless, it attracts attention of the commuters, says Hanne Mathisen, Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). In the camp people could for example taste emergency food, read the latest refugee statistics and support UNHCR. The by-passers were also asked to answer questions about what they would bring in case they were forced to flee and where they would go. Many said they would bring ID-documents. Hanne Mathisen says, however, that the reality for those who are forced to flee is much different, as most of them do not have a passport. In an interview at the Central Station Hanne Mathisen mentioned that 80 per cent of the world's refugees are hosted by the poorest countries in the world. – However, when you listen to the debate in Europe you get the feeling that it is Europe who bears the burden, and that there is a wave of refugees who come here. But that is not true at all. It is a skewed picture. Less than 2 per cent of those who have fled from Libya have come to Europe, Mathisen added.
Sveriges Radio 20 June 2011: 1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JT0EC
Sveriges Radio 20 June 2011: 2 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JU0ED
Sveriges Radio 20 June 2011:3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JV0EE
Sveriges Radio 20 June 2011: 4 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JW0EF
Sveriges Radio 20 June 2011: 5 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JX0EG
Metro 21 June 2011 I:2
Svenska Dagbladet 21 June 2011 I:6
Dagens Nyheter 20 June 2011 Kultur I:20
TV4 Play 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JY0EH
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR: Most of the refugees live in poor developing countries
Developing countries host most of the world's 43,7 million refugees. According to UNHCR's Global Trends report, published on World Refugee Day 20 June, this is the largest number of displaced persons in 15 years. Pakistan, Iran and Syria have the largest refugee populations, and Pakistan also experiences the biggest economic impact with 710 refugees for each dollar of its per capita GDP (PPP). – Fears about supposed floods of refugees in industrialized countries are being vastly overblown or mistakenly conflated with issues of migration. Meanwhile the poorer countries are left to pick up the burden, states António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Of particular concern are the 15,500 unaccompanied or separated children seeking asylum. These children are mainly from Somalia and Afghanistan. – One refugee without hope is too many. Developing countries cannot continue to bear this burden alone, the High Commissioner continues and urges the European countries to take more responsibility for the world's refugees.
Turun Sanomat 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4JZ0EI
YLE 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Ja0EP
Aamulehti 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jb0EQ
Kouvolan Sanomat 20 June 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jc0ER
Satakunnan kansa 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jd0ES
Sisu-uutiset 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Je0ET
Pohjalainen 20 June 2011
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jf0EU
Delfi 20 June 2011 (in Estonian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jg0EV
Politiken 22 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jh0EW
U-landsnyt 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Ji0EX
Dagens Arena 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jj0EY
Kyrkans Tidning 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jk0EZ
Nyheter 24 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jl0Ea
Ystads Allehanda 21 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jm0Eb
Skånskan 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jn0Ec
Sydsvenskan 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jo0Ed
Dagens Nyheter 20 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jp0Ee
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Lampedusa
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited the Italian island of Lampedusa to learn more about the situation of the over 40,000 refugees currently on the island. Thousands of refugees have also been sent to camps on the mainland. The amount of paperless refugees has caused concerns among other European countries. According to the European Union Agency Frontex, the island has become the main route for paperless persons coming to Europe.
Iltalehti 19 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jq0Ef
Nyheter24 21 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jr0Eg
TV2 20 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Js0Eh
Goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie visits refugees from Syria
Last Friday the Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited the Hatay province in Turkey, on the border to Syria. Currently, up to 10,000 refugees live in refugee camps in the province. – Persons living in these camps have fled in fear for their lives. Many have told me they are concerned about the safety of their loved ones who are still in Syria, Jolie said. She reminded that every year thousands of people have to flee and said that even one refugee growing up in a camp is too many. Jolie said she is grateful that Turkey lets refugees from Syria enter the country and provides them a safe haven. Meanwhile, the unrest continues in Syria. Some hours before Jolie's visit on Friday, 19 demonstrators were killed by the Syrian security forces.
Elisa 18 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jt0Ei
Mesta 18 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Ju0Ej
NRK 18 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jv0Ek
NRK 19 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jw0El
UN staff visits Syria
The villages on the Syrian side of the border are empty according to the UNHCR. – This indicates a significant displacement, reports UNHCR after a visit by it's staff. According to UNHCR there are no signs of people working in the fields. The area is deserted and most shops closed and locked. Recently, an influx of refugees has arrived in Turkey. Half of the camps' population consists of women who have arrived alone with their children. UNHCR expresses it's concern, saying a high number of refugees is traumatized. The UN staff says refugees told them about targeted killings, assaults, torture and humiliation by the Syrian army. The extent of the atrocities against civilians in Syria is difficult to ascertain. Almost no journalists and humanitarian organizations are allowed to enter into the country.
Berlingske 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jx0Em
B.T. 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jy0En
Folketidende 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4Jz0Eo
Børsen 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4J10Eb
Thousands of Ethiopian Anyuaks have fled to Sudan
Ethiopian Anyuaks, fleeing persecution and violence by the Ethiopian authorities, are one of the forgotten refugee groups in the world. The tribe is spread around different camps in the surrounding countries, but the world seems to pay no attention to their despair, although their plight has continued for seven years. However, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been distributing food aid to Anyuaks for years, and has furthermore provided some building materials. According to Anyuaks the situation in Ethiopia is too dangerous for them to return home.
YLE 20 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4J20Ec
UNHCR: Do not return Haitian asylum-seekers
According to the UN, the situation in Haiti remains so dangerous and uncertain eighteen months after the earthquake, that Governments worldwide are strongly advised not to return Haitian asylum-seekers. - Despite elections and reconstruction efforts, Haiti is not yet able to provide adequate security - especially for vulnerable groups, says Adrian Edwards, Spokesperson for UNHCR.
U-landsnytt 21 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDuFH0ZqnfK0aYE0O4J30Ed
Thursday 23 June to Monday 27 June 2011
Denmark
New proposal receives criticism
The Government's new proposal to deport all none-Danish citizens who have committed criminal offences, regardless of their sentences, has received severe criticism from amongst others the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR has expressed concern regarding the risk of persecution of returned refugees.
Information 23 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuS0EN
Jyllands-Posten 24 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuT0EO
Politiken 24 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuU0EP
Immigrants bring money
A new report from the Rockwool Foundation reveals that first and second generation immigrants contributed with around 1.7 billion Danish Crowns (DKK) surplus in state revenues, during the period 2004-2008. The figures do not include refugees and can therefore not be compared to previous studies which claim that non-Western immigrants and their descendants cost Denmark about 16 billion DKK.
Berlingske 23 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuV0EQ
Pind: statelessness convention puts Denmark in a dilemma
Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, says he has been faced with a dilemma in connection to a specific case concerning statelessness. The Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons indicates that stateless foreigners, even those who constitute a danger to (Danish) society, have the right to demand citizenship. Pind says this is a danger to national security. During a press conference on Thursday, he gave no further details about the particular case that had raised the dilemma. Pind has now asked all parties in the Danish Parliament to give their views.
Information 23 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuW0ER
Berlingske 23 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuX0ES
Finland
More than half of Finland's asylum-seekers have experienced torture
The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is being observed on 26 June. Refugees and asylum-seekers account for most torture victims in Finland, according to the Centre for Torture Survivors at the Helsinki Deaconess Institute. More than half of the asylum-seekers have experienced torture. This means thousands of persons suffer from for example traumas, change in personality and depression. Torture is still used in 98 countries, and can affect many generations indirectly. One-third of the asylum-seeking children in Finland is seriously traumatized and suffers more than usual from mental problems. The treatment of the tortured is made more difficult by memory lapses and the unwillingness to talk about what has happened. Several international agreements and conventions forbid torture, but not even all the UN member states have ratified the United Nations Convention against Torture, which entered into force 24 years ago.
Koillissanomat 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuY0ET
Verkkouutiset 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuZ0EU
Sisu-uutiset 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLua0Eb
YLE 26 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLub0Ec
YLE 26 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuc0Ed
YLE 26 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLud0Ee
Being tortured is not enough to be granted asylum or a residence permit
The director of the Centre for Torture Survivors Pekka Tuomola accuses the Finnish Immigration Service for turning down refugee and asylum applications against the United Nations Convention against Torture. – We make a well-grounded assessment of whether someone has been tortured or not, and write it in our statement. According to the UN convention, torture victims should not be returned to the country where they experienced torture, Tuomola continues. Juha Similä from the Finnish Immigration Service responds that sometimes the threat of being tortured has ceased to exist and no one is returned if it is well-grounded that torture will continue. – The problem is that the Finnish Immigration Service does not always believe us or they disregard our statements, Pekka Tuomola further explains. According to him the deported rejected asylum-seeker has sometimes even started treatment in Finland, and he adds that this is traumatic to the therapist as well. Sending someone back is almost like signing their death sentence.
YLE 23 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLue0Ef
YLE 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuf0Eg
YLE 22 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLug0Eh
Kauppalehti 23 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuh0Ei
Finnish Immigration Service cuts the number of places for asylum-seekers
Since the numbers of refugees has fallen by 40 per cent from last year, the Finnish Immigration Service is reducing the places for refugees by 550. Currently, 600 out of the 3,600 existing places are vacant. Most of these places are in the reception centres of Joutseno and Helsinki, both which will reduce 100 beds. Other centres will cut 150 beds starting in September, and a further reduction of 200 beds will be decided on later during the autumn. The cut will furthermore have an influence on the group homes for minors, as the beds are reduced by 67. This will cause the shut-down of the centres in Rovaniemi and Kotka's Laajakoski. According to the Immigration Service, however, the number of beds can be quickly increased if needed.
Turun Sanomat 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLui0Ej
Aamulehti 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuj0Ek
YLE 22 June 2011(in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuk0El
Kouvolan Sanomat 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLul0Em
MTV3 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLum0En
Uusi Suomi 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLun0Eo
Etelä-Saimaa 22 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuo0Ep
YLE 22 June 2011(in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLup0Eq
UNHCR in the news
More Somalis flee to Kenya
Over the past two weeks more than 20,000 refugees have fled from Somalia to Kenya, announces the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR considers the increase to be dramatic, and most people arriving to the Kenyan refugee camps are in a very bad condition and suffer from exhaustion and malnourishment. The refugee camp in Dadaab in Kenya is built for 90,000 refugees but currently hosts approximately 360,000 persons. The violence in Somalia has caused 750,000 people to flee the country, and there are close to 1.5 million internally displaced persons.
Helsingin Sanomat 26 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLuq0Er
YLE 26 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLur0Es
Special UN force sent to DRC
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) a special UN force with for example trauma experts has been sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to assist 170 women and girls who have been victims of rape. The women and girls were raped by rebel soldiers in Nyakiele and Abala in the eastern parts of DRC between 10 and 12 June.
Sydsvenskan 26 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLus0Et
Skånskan 26 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDutZ0ZqnfK0aYE0PLut0Eu
Thuesday 28 June to Wednesday 29 June 2011
Denmark
Victims of human trafficking are being returned
Women who have been trafficked to Denmark are sent back to their home country following the Government's new action plan on human trafficking, despite the risk of being re-trafficked. Between 2007 and 2010, merely 2 out of 127 trafficking victims were granted asylum in Denmark. Jonas Christoffersen, Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, believes that human trafficking is a big dilemma for the authorities as there is little information about the victims' living situation upon return. One must face significant risk of abuse, in order to be granted residence permit, he explains.
Information 26 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBB0Ey
Danish Refugee Council in Libya
Tents are being set up by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) near the Libyan border, in order to help those who are fleeing ongoing violence. - We are preparing to move into Libya. There is an enormous need for humanitarian assistance in several areas, especially in the western part of the country. A minimum level of security is, however, needed before we can start to work there, says Lone Bildsøe Lassen, Head of the Middle East Desk at the DRC. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) more than a million people are in need of assistance. Sub-Saharan Africans are particularly vulnerable, as they are believed to be part of the Gaddafi regime. Both the DRC and UNHCR have received many reports of violence against Sub-Saharan Africans.
U-landsnyt 28 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBC0Ez
Finland
Security at the heart of the new immigration policy
According to the new Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen, the Finnish immigration policy will shift emphasis towards safeguarding security in society. – We need to take basic human rights into account in immigration policy, but another important point is the security and sustainability of the society, she states. On issues such as family reunification, the new policy will aim to be more in line with other Nordic countries. According to the current law, holders of a Finnish residence permit can bring their families into the country, whereas in Sweden family members need proper identification from the country of origin. – In family reunification cases there are many foster children involved, and it is not always easy to know whether they are real family members or domestic workers. And of course there have been problems with bogus claims, she continues.
YLE 27 June 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBD0E1
YLE 29 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBE0E2
Norway
Norway selecting Libyan refugees
Norwegian authorities are in Tunisia to select 250 Libyan refugees will get refugee status in Norway. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has already picked a number of persons with the most urgent needs from the refugee camp in Choucha near the Libya-Tunisia border. These persons will be interviewed by staff from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and the Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi). Norway follows certain requirements when selecting quota refugees. For example persons with a criminal background or strong addiction problems will not be selected. Earlier this year, UNHCR appealed to European countries to receive refugees fleeing from Libya. So far, European countries have agreed to resettle a total of one thousand persons.
NRK 28 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBF0E3
Easier to imprison illegal immigrants
The Norwegian Government wants to make it easier to imprison illegal immigrants by decreasing the burden of proof. A reasonable suspicion that someone is for example lying about his/her identity should be enough for imprisonment. Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and the Police, says some asylum-seekers lie about their identity or refuse to leave the country after being rejected asylum. According to Storberget some asylum-seekers use the system to come to Norway to commit criminal acts. Storberget suggests that asylum-seekers who commit crimes or stay in Norway illegally should be required to stay at a certain reception centre and only reside in the municipality where the reception centre is located.
Dagsavisen 24 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBG0E4
Sweden
Additional compensation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors
How much state compensation should the Swedish municipalities receive for supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors? This question is currently being tried by the administrative court of appeal in the case of Gothenburg that has applied for extra money. The administrative court has previously denied this request, with the motivation that the regular compensation should cover the costs.
Sveriges Radio 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBH0E5
Svt 27 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBI0E6
The Parliamentary Ombudsman criticizes the Stockholm Police
The criticism arises from the decision made by the Police last year to send beggars back to their home countries. Most of them were Roma people from Rumania and Bulgaria. Begging is not illegal in Sweden and being EU-citizens they are allowed to stay for three months. An investigation was initiated by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Hans-Gunnar Axberger, as the basic legal security of these people was affected. One of the outcomes of the case was that the Police did not have legal grounds to send them back as no crimes were committed.
Sveriges Radio 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBJ0E7
Sveriges Radio 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBK0E8
Sweden Democrats want increased border control
During a recent parliamentary meeting on the subject of free movement within the European Union (EU), the Sweden Democrats (SD) called for increased border control in the EU. According to their Secretary for International Affairs, Kent Ekeroth, only criminals benefit from the absence of border control. He claims, in fact, that the Police in Malmo has given up the fight against refugee smugglers. Therefore, random control of people "who do not belong here" ought to be carried out. Illegal immigrants should be seen as criminals, he adds.
Dagens Nyheter 29 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBL0EA
Göteborgs-Posten 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBM0EB
Sydsvenskan 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBN0EC
Nb. This story was also covered in Denmark
Information 28 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBO0ED
Jyllands-Posten 28 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBP0EE
Politiken 28 June 2011 (in Denmark)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBQ0EF
The problem of apathetic children still exist
Even though the number of apathetic asylum-seeking minors has decreased since 2009, the phenomena still exists. Per Sörensen, Head of the Swedish Migration Board's Unit for Children and Youth and Henry Ascher, paediatrician and researcher explain that it is essential to deliver a decision for asylum in a timely manner as the symptoms for apathy develop during the application process.
Sveriges Radio 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBR0EG
Liberal Party increasingly negative towards immigration
New studies show that supporters of the Liberal Party (FP) are becoming increasingly negative towards receiving more asylum-seekers. In 2009, merely 25 per cent of those who voted for the Liberal Party claimed that Sweden should accept fewer asylum-seekers. Last year, that number rose to 41 per cent. However, the general attitude towards immigration in Sweden is more positive now compared to previous years.
SVT 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBS0EH
Svenska Dagbladet 28 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvBt0ZqnfK0aYE0PTBT0EI
Thursday 30 June to Friday 1 July 2011
Denmark
UNHCR keeps an eye on Pind after press conference
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR will keep a close eye on the Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind and his handling of a dilemma that concerns the UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. During a press conference last Thursday Pind said he was faced with a dilemma, since stateless persons have the right to Danish citizenship, even if the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) considers them a threat to national security. Stateless persons have this right, since Denmark is signatory to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness and has to follow its guidelines. Pind has asked the other political parties for advice. – We are following the development and are ready to provide any necessary advice, says Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries. – I do not expect that Denmark will in any way act in contradiction with the convention. The convention is very clear when it comes to national security: A person who has been convicted of crimes against national security is not entitled to the rights described in the convention, says Hans ten Feld. He underlines that this needs to be based on a conviction. Suspicions don't apply to the convention. The political parties have been summoned to the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration this Friday to present their views to Minister Pind.
Politiken 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBE0Eu
Information 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBF0Ev
Jyllands-Posten 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBG0Ew
Berlingske 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBH0Ex
DR 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBI0Ey
DR 29 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBJ0Ez
TV2 ØST 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBK0E1
Folketidene 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBL0E2
B.T. 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBM0E3
Politiken 1 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBN0E4
Forced return of Somalis put on hold
The Refugee Appeals Board will postpone the deportation of some 60 rejected asylum-seekers from Somalia until further notice. In addition to this, some 17 cases are suspended. The decision follows after a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) stating, for the first time, that the level of violence in an area can pose too high a risk for an asylum-seeker to be sent back home to his or her country of origin. The judgment concerned a case where ECtHR overruled the UK's decision to deport two Somali citizens convicted of serious crimes. The court ruling said there will be a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights if the men were sent to the war-torn capital Mogadishu. In Denmark the ruling affects some 60 rejected Somalis, who will be permitted to stay in Denmark for the time being. ECtHR's ruling is not final. The UK can still appeal for the case to be re-examined.
Jyllands-Posten 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBO0E5
Berlingske 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBP0E6
DR 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBQ0E7
DR 30 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBR0E8
Politiken 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBS0EA
TV2 Nyhederne 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBT0EB
Folkebladet 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBU0EC
B.T. 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBV0ED
Folketidene 30 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBW0EE
Finland
Turku cuts down on accommodation for asylum-seekers
The Finnish Immigration Service will decrease the number of beds at the Turku Pansio reception centre's group home for unaccompanied minors by three. This year 120 persons have sought asylum in Turku, which is approximately 20 a month. Previous year a total of 800 persons applied for asylum in Turku, which is over 70 persons a month. The head of the Turku reception centre Jaana Sikiö thinks that the temporary reception centre in Paimio might be closed. On the whole of Finland the amount of asylum applications has decreased by approximately 40 per cent.
YLE 1 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBX0EF
Norway
Sentenced Nigerians deported from Norway
There has been a joint deportation to Nigeria from Norway and other European countries. It was the first deportation from Norway under the European Union Agency Frontex. Nine out of the 14 deported had been sentenced for serious crimes, and apart from one female they were all single men. Overall less than 50 rejected asylum-seekers were returned from Scandinavia as well as Hungary, France, Germany and Austria. The plane with the rejected asylum-seekers landed in Lagos, where the asylum-seekers were taken care of by the Nigerian authorities.
Aftenposten 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBY0EG
Police clears the tent camp in Oslo
Police has taken action to clear the tents from the vicinity of the Cathedral in Oslo. The tents have been known to be the residence of paperless Iranians and Ethiopians, who set up the tents as a campaign to get attention to their problems. The tents are closer than five feet from the Cathedral, and hence pose a fire hazard. Six hours after the removal, however, some Iranian asylum-seekers were back with fireproof tents. The Ethiopians affirmed they will do the same. – I'm going to be here and mark our point of view, with or without tents, one of the demonstrators said. The authorities stated the fire hazard was the reason for the removal of the tents, not problems with the people who live in them.
NRK 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBZ0EH
Dagsavisen 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBZ0EH
TV2 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBa0EO
Norway accepts more refugees from Libya
Norway accepts 300 refugees from Libya, which is more than any other neighbouring country. European countries are reluctant to accept refugees. So far Denmark is going to take 10, Slovakia 8 and Bulgaria 4 refugees. Hence, Norway's intake of 300 refugees makes up one-third of the total number of refugees that have been accepted to Europe so far. According to the UN 3,000 persons are in need of emergency protection, and UNHCR has appealed to European countries to accept more refugees. Furthermore the Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget encourages all the European states to do the same as Norway and help those in need.
TV2 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBb0EP
Sweden
Easier for persecuted authors to receive asylum
It should be easier for authors who face persecution and threats in their home countries to get safe haven in Sweden. Previously exiled authors who were offered safe haven in Sweden got a temporary residence permit valid for one to two years. After these had lapsed they were forced to leave the country, if they did not apply for asylum. The Swedish Migration Board is now changing the rules. The authors will now receive a residence permit that entitles them to work, and thus makes it easier for them to get a residence permit after their initial permit runs out, if they can prove that they can support themselves. The changes do not mean that these authors are guaranteed asylum.
Svenska Dagbladet 29 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBc0EQ
Sveriges Radio 29 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBd0ER
Svenska Dagbladet 29 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBe0ES
The Aliens Act does not need to be rewritten
On Tuesday 28 June a report from the Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that the Stockholm Police has unlawfully sent people back to their home countries because they had begged. Maria Ferm from the Green Party and Ulf Nilsson from the Liberal Party, both agree with the report. The Police should no longer send people back on these grounds without having to make changes to the Aliens Act.
Sveriges Radio 29 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBf0ET
Stranded quota refugees
Approximately 150 Palestinian quota refugees from Iraq, who have received refugee status in Italy, are currently at a mansion in Munkedal, on the western coast of Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board uses the mansion to house large groups of asylum-seekers, who are waiting for a decision if they get to stay in the country. – Right now the refugees in Munkedal are desperate, says Monza El-Sabini who volunteers as interpreter. El-Sabini explains that the families are terrified to return to Italy, where they were granted refugee status and that they want to apply for asylum in Sweden. – It does not look promising, we have been told that it is very unusual for quota refugees who have been granted asylum in another European Union (EU) country, to be given a new opportunity to seek asylum in Sweden, El-Sabini adds.
Göteborgs-Posten 30 June 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBg0EU
New laws go into effect
As of 1 July, Citizens of a non European Union (EU) country will be required to submit biometric information when applying for residence permits in Sweden. According to the Government, the aim is to fight illegal immigration and fraud.
Sveriges Radio 30 June 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBh0EV
UNHCR in the news
Continuing influx of refugees from Libya
Thousands of people continue to flee Libya and cross the Tunisian-Libyan border every day. – We estimate that some 6,000 Libyans cross the border every day. In addition there are some 300 refugees and economic migrants, who mostly come from sub-Saharan Africa, says Rocco Nuri from UNHCR in Tunisia. UNHCR's office in Zarzis (Tunisia) was opened in February-March when people started fleeing Libya. There are three transit camps along the Tunisian-Libyan border, in which a total of 4,500 refugees live. – We estimate that there are some 60,000 Libyans in Tunisia due to the conflict. Most of them get by without our help, Nuri adds. Currently there are 1,500 Libyans in the transit camps in Tunisia plus thousands of people originating from Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and other sub-Saharan countries. Rocco Nuri emphasizes that Tunisian authorities and the local population have been very generous towards the refugees.
Berlingske 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBi0EW
Jyllands-Posten 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBj0EX
DR 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBk0EY
Information 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBl0EZ
B.T. 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBm0Ea
Folketidene 29 June 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBn0Eb
NRK 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBo0Ec
Afterposten 30 June 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvSN0ZqnfK0aYE0PbBp0Ed
Saturday 2 July to Monday 4 July 2011
Denmark
Søren Pind is accused of misinformation
According to the Social Liberals and the Socialist People's Party, the Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, is not being truthful in the case about one or several stateless people who are thought to be a danger to Danish security. If a Minister cannot be trusted, it makes it harder for the Danish Parliament to make a decision. The issue has been brought up following the press conference that Pind held on 23 June where the Minister claimed that he was in a dilemma about a stateless person who is entitled to citizenship but also feared to be a danger to the state. However, Pind declares his innocence and states that he has not given any wrong information.
Information 2 July 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjN0EA
Information 2 July 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjO0EB
Information 3 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjP0EC
A case concerning state security splits the opposition
While the Social Liberals and the Red-Green Alliance want to follow the UN Convention and give citizenship to a stateless person who is under the national Police's spotlight, the Social Democrats and the Socialist People's Party are more cautious and state their concern that the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness is 50 years old. The Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, had asked all political parties to give their views on the case by Friday 1 July. The parties now agreed that the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs will consult with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as well as other governments on how to handle the case at hand.
Information 1 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjQ0ED
Border controls to tighten in Denmark
The Parliament of Denmark has approved the Government bill about permanent border control on its borders with Sweden and Germany. More border guards will be placed on the borders already on Tuesday, and new check-up points will be built by the end of the year. According to Denmark these measures are necessary to stop international crime and illegal immigration. The bill has received a lot of opposition both in Denmark and abroad. The European Commission will inspect whether the border controls are against the Schengen Agreement and the principle of free movement.
Berlingske 1 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjR0EE
Information 1 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjS0EF
Politiken 1 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjT0EG
Nb. This story was also covered in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat 1 June 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjU0EH
Turun Sanomat 1 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjV0EI
YLE 1 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjW0EJ
Hämeen Sanomat 1 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjX0EK
Finland
Unit for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors to close in Rovaniemi
In the city of Rovaniemi the unit for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors will be closed in September. The five current residents will be moved to the adults' unit. Furthermore the places for adults are reduced from 200 to 100. The number of asylum applications has decreased in all of Finland, and one of the reasons is the lower number of applicants from within Europe. Ari Haaranen, head of Rovaniemi reception centre, says there could be plenty of asylum-seekers from Northern Africa, but it is too hard for them to get to Europe. The Finnish Immigration Service is following the situation and is ready to increase the number of places for asylum-seekers quickly if needed.
YLE 1 June 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjY0EL
UNHCR in the news
No mass exodus to Europe
The political turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East raised concerns that Europe must brace itself for a large influx of refugees. However, so far this has not materialised. For example, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), one million people have fled from Libya this year, but only 2 per cent have reached Europe. Statistics from the Swedish Migration Board show that 247 Libyans have applied for asylum in Sweden in the past six months. The difference is marginal when compared to the figures from 2010 and 2009. Most Libyan refugees stay in Tunisia. Another trend is that the number of asylum-seekers from Somalia has decreased by more than half so far this year, compared to last year.
Svt 1 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0PjjZ0EM
Dalarnas Tidningar 1 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0Pjja0ET
Svenska Dagbladet 1 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0Pjjb0EU
Kristianstadsbladet 1 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0Pjjc0EV
Skånska Dagbladet 1 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0Pjjd0EW
Göteborgs Posten 3 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDvqA0ZqnfK0aYE0Pjje0EX
Tuesday 5 July to Wednesday 6 July 2011
Denmark
Immigrants rushed to apply for Danish residence before stricter rules took affect
New immigration rules that make it both easier and more difficult to gain Danish residence – depending on your country of origin came into effect on July 1. Due to the deadline, many people tried to hand in their applications before this date. The new rules include that it has become more expensive to move to Denmark and more difficult to apply for family reunifications.
The Copenhagen Post 5 July 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpl0Ei
Finland
Finland to receive refugees from Libya
Finland has informed the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) that it can offer resettlement to no more than 57 refugees from Libya and the surrounding area. The resettlement places concern refugees in refugee camps on the Tunisian-Libyan and Egyptian-Libyan border. The refugees would be received as emergency cases as part of Finland's annual resettlement quota of 750 persons. This quota entitles 100 places for emergencies. The Ministry of the Interior has already begun to look for municipalities who are willing to receive the Libyan refugees. The aim is that the first refugees will arrive within the coming months. In April Finland informed that it is willing to offer resettlement for 72 refugees from Libya under the emergency quota. However, the number has dropped since Finland has offered these places to other refugees in need of protection in the mean time.
Aamulehti 6 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpm0Ej
MTV3 6 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpn0Ek
Lapin Kansa 6 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpo0El
Vasabladet 6 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpp0Em
Norway
10 out of 23 arrested for arson in 2010 still in Norway
After the state owned reception centre "Lier Ventemottak" burnt to the ground last year when frustrated residents set it on fire, the Government promised that the arrested would be deported from Norway as soon as possible. However, a year after the incident, 10 people are still not sent back. The State Secretary from the Ministry of Justice and the Police, Pål Lønseth, states that these remaining people are difficult to send back due to different reasons. For example, one person is serving a prison sentence due to arson and three people are missing.
NRK 4 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpq0En
Suspected of smuggling asylum-seekers out of Norway
The Police in Stavanger is suspecting that a 41-year old man is helping East African women and men that have no hope of staying in Norway to get to Canada with the help of French passports. The man is thought to have managed to smuggle one person before he was caught.
NRK 5 July 2011 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpr0Eo
Norway would like to implement stricter border controls
The Government wants to have stricter border controls along the Swedish border in order to reduce the number of asylum-seekers coming to Norway. Knut Storberget, the Minister of Justice and the Police, would like more policemen to patrol the Swedish border. Last year the number of asylum-seekers was reduced by 42 percent, and Storberget believes stricter border controls is one of the reasons for this.
NRK 6 July 2011 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prps0Ep
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden.
Svt 6 July 2011 (In Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpt0Eq
Sweden
Few municipalities want to receive unaccompanied minors
An increasing number of unaccompanied minors receive residence permit in Sweden. At the same time few municipalities want to offer them a place to stay. – The situation is urgent, says Dan Eliasson, the Director-General of the Swedish Migration Board. – We estimate that around 500 new places will be needed already this year, Eliasson adds. He has written a letter to all municipalities again asking them to settle unaccompanied minors. – The situation has been like this since 2007, but now it is more problematic than ever before, says Eliasson.
Dagens Nyheter 5 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpu0Er
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR calls for more resettlement places
The UN Refugee Agency has appealed to governments to receive more refugees for resettlement. Currently a total of 25 countries offer resettlement places to 80,000 refugees every year. However, this year around 172,000 refugees are in need of resettlement. This is more than double the number of available places. – Most refugees are eventually allowed to return to their home countries or are allowed to stay in the first country they flee too, but for some resettlement in a third country is the only possible solution, says a UNHCR spokesperson. Within five years it is estimated that some 720,000 refugees will be in need of resettlement.
Svenska Dagbladet 4 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpv0Es
Aftonbladet 4 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpw0Et
Skånskan 4 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpx0Eu
Yle 5 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpy0Ev
Svenska Yles Nyheter 5 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prpz0Ew
Children in Somalia die of hunger and thirst
- Violence and malnutrition in Somalia has reached unprecedented levels, says UNHCR. A quarter of Somalia's 7.5 million population has been forced to flee. Many children die of hunger and exhaustion while trying to flee to neighbouring countries. Especially two factors cause the dire situation in Somalia; the prevailing violence in the southern and central parts of the country and severe drought. In June alone, 54,000 people fled to Kenya and Ethiopia, three times the number of people who fled in May. Around 30-40 per cent of the children arriving to Kenya are malnourished. A coordinator from the UN Refugee Agency, Idris Farah, states that the situation is getting worse every day. It is especially difficult for many of the children who are severely malnourished when they arrive. Many of them die when finally reaching the refugee camps, despite getting emergency care. Humanitarian organizations appeal to the international community to give them funds so they can cover the need for food, shelter and health services.
YLE 6 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prp10Ej
Aftenposten 4 July 2011 (In Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prp20Ek
DR 6 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prp30El
One SMS message to reconnect refugees
The telecommunications company Ericsson is working together with Refugees United and the UN Refugee Agency with the application "One SMS Message" which was encouraged by UNHCR:s campaign "do 1 thing," a global campaign that was launched in time for World Refugee Day on 20 June 2011. "One SMS message" is a way to try to bring together thousands of refugees separated by war and natural disasters. It is an application where refugees can register to be part of a database and search for their loved ones.
Computerworld 5 July 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDv7q0ZqnfK0aYE0Prp40Em
Thursday 7 July to Friday 8 July 2011
Denmark
Humanitarian aid to Somalia
Due to the severe drought in the Horn of Africa, Denmark has decided to contribute with 64 million Danish Crowns in humanitarian aid to Somalia. The money will be directed through, among others, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). - Humanitarian assistance is arranged so as to help people in acute distress, says Peter Klansø, Regional Director for DRC in Nairobi.
Jyllands-Posten 7 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0PwlZ0Eu
Finland
The European Asylum Support Office is standardizing asylum processes
The European Asylum Agency's (EASO) Executive Director Robert Visser visited Finland to tell about the Malta-based agency's future plans on standardizing asylum procedures. At the moment the chances of getting a refugee status varies a lot in the EU. The agency was founded to get rid of this problem and to ensure that an asylum application will receive the same answer, whether done in Finland or Malta, for example. According to Visser the agency will not take initiatives with regard to the situation in Libya. Decisions about aid are at the discretion of the EU member states.
Pohjolan Sanomat 6 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwla0E2
Sweden
More municipalities have to accept unaccompanied minors
Even though more and more municipalities in Skåne are accepting unaccompanied minors, there are still not enough doing so in order to keep up with the numbers that are arriving in Malmö, according to Björn Carlsson from the County Administrative Board. Today 20 out of 33 municipalities in Skåne accept unaccompanied minors, which is great progress compared to two years ago when there were only five. However, there is still room for improvement in order to meet the demand. The most acute problem is the lack of accommodation, where at least 500 places are needed before the end of this year.
Sveriges Radio 7 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlb0E3
Sveriges Radio 6 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlb0E3
UNHCR in the news
Worst drought in 60 years
The worst drought in 60 years has hit the Horn of Africa, Somalia. – It is so extreme. Our people say that they have never seen anything like this, says Melissa Fleming, Head of the Media Relation and Public Information Service at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Geneva. Along with the violence in the central as well as southern parts of the country, the crisis in Somalia can turn into "one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters", she adds. In the same line of thought, High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, argues that the current situation might possibly lead to a "human tragedy of unimaginable proportions". It is estimated that a quarter of Somalia's population is displaced, both internally and in neighboring countries.
Information 5 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlc0E4
My Newsdesk 6 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwld0E5
TV4 Nyheterna 6 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwle0E6
NRK 6 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlf0E7
DR 6 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlg0E8
ABC Nyheter 6 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwlh0EA
Aftonkuriren 7 July 2011 (In Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwOu0ZqnfK0aYE0Pwli0EB
Saturday 9 July to Monday 11 July 2011
Denmark
Danish Police criticized for questioning motive for asylum
The Danish Police has been criticized by, amongst others, the Danish Refugee Council, for unlawfully interrogating unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors regarding their motive for asylum in Denmark. Only the Danish Immigration Service may, in fact, ask the children for their asylum motives, as they are the ones to determine the fate of their application. Small discrepancies between the children´s explanation to the police and Danish Immigration Service might, in reality, mean the difference between being granted asylum or being returned home. Vice Chief Constable and Director of the National Immigration Center, Ole Andersen, acknowledges that the police do inquire from the children about their grounds for asylum in Denmark. He does, however, not find it to go against the law.
DR 10 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Ki0Eu
Jyllands-Posten 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kj0Ev
Finland
Some municipalities indifferent to refugees
The regional council of Satakunta together with the regional Red Cross have taken the initiative to encourage municipalities to take more refugees for resettlement. However, so far the response has been negative. According to the project coordinator Hanna Holm from the Finnish Red Cross Satakunta district the lack of local housing, for example, has been offered as a reason. Up to now only Ulvila municipality has agreed to accept refugees as a result of the appeal.
YLE 11 July 2011 (in English) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kk0Ew
UNHCR in the news
Thousands fleeing the drought in the Horn of Africa daily
As a result of the drought thousands of people are fleeing from their homes in the Horn of Africa. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has described the situation as one of the world's worst disasters, and the Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has appealed to the EU member states to ensure emergency aid for the refugees. Somalia in particular has been severely affected by the drought, and many die of malnutrition and diseases on the way to the refugee camps in Kenya and southeast Ethiopia. Guterres emphasizes that the level of malnutrition is alarmingly high and at least half of the children suffer from it. According to estimates approximately 10 million persons overall are in need of humanitarian aid. The European Union has promised nearly 70 million euros for the victims of the drought.
YLE 11 July 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kl0Ex
NRK 11 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Km0Ey
Humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa and Sudan
Sweden has decided to contribute with an additional 30 million Swedish crowns in humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa and Sudan, following the severe drought that has affected the area. The region has been further exacerbated by an ongoing conflict and a widespread refugee flow, particularly from Somalia to Kenya as well as Ethiopia. The money will be redirected through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and be utilized to help people in distress, says Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, who is currently meeting with representatives of the UNHCR in Southern Sudan. – The famine will most likely become as great as in the mid-eighties, when about one million people died. I am afraid we must prepare ourselves for this, she adds.
Expressen 10 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kn0Ez
Expressen 8 July 2011 (9in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Ko0E1
DN 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kp0E2
SvD 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kq0E3
Göteborgs-Posten 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kr0E4
Svt 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Ks0E5
Tv4 Nyheter 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kt0E6
Skånskan 8 Jyly 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Ku0E7
Presskontakt 8 Jly 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kv0E8
Webfinanser 8July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kw0EA
Norran 8 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDwmn0ZqnfK0aYE0P6Kx0EB
Tuesday 12 July to Wednesday 13 July 2011
Denmark
Meeting regarding unaccompanied minors
Karsten Lauritzen, Integration Spokesperson for the Liberals, is confident that the Danish Police has acted within the law when interrogating unaccompanied minors regarding their motive for seeking asylum in Denmark. – We can have a long discussion about what questions to ask, but I think it is far more important to focus on the reason for asking the questions, he says. The purpose is to find out whether the children are telling the truth about there age as well as their family situation, Lauritzen adds. Per Ørum Jørgensen, member of the Christian Democrats, is very concerned about the inquiries and argues that differences between the children's explanations to the Danish Police and Immigration Service might in fact result in a rejection. The Minister of Justice, Lars Barfoed has been required to further investigate the matter. A meeting between the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the Danish Red Cross and Minister Barfoed will be arranged after the summer leave.
Politiken 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGq0EB
Jyllands-Posten 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGr0EC
Information 11 July 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGs0ED
Information 11 July: 2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGt0EE
Berlingske 11 July 2011:1 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGu0EF
Berlingske 11 July 2011:2 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGv0EG
DR 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGw0EH
Latvia
Latvia should express solidarity and accept more refugees
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, requests Latvia to accept more refugees. She emphasizes that next time a war could take place somewhere closer than for example in Libya, and that Latvia should express more solidarity towards refugees. According to the Commissioner, the EU cannot force Latvia to accept refugees, but as the Latvian Government has agreed on the common asylum system in Europe, it should also show initiative in these issues and take in more refugees.
DB 12 July 2011 (in Latvian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGx0EI
Norway
Forgotten humanitarian crises
The Norwegian press is accused of being indifferent towards some of the global catastrophes. According to a study by Leger Uten Grenser (MSF), the Norwegian branch of Médecins Sans Frontières, the Norwegian press usually only covers news and events in Norway or directly concerning Norwegians, while ignoring important international news such as the refugees from Myanmar or internally displaced in Colombia. According to MSF it is essential to draw attention to these international emergencies, to get politicians involved and to change the course of these crises.
NRK 12 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGy0EJ
The Foreigner 12 July 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEGz0EK
Sweden
Palestinian asylum-seekers on hunger strike
In Munkedal municipality in western Sweden a group of Palestinian refugees are on a hunger strike after some of them were rejected asylum in Sweden. The group of some 150 Palestinian refugees has fled to Sweden from Calabria in southern Italy where they had been resettled as so called quota refugees. However, now they have sought asylum in Sweden and refuse to go back to Italy, where they say they were subject to threats and persecution. Before receiving resettlement in Italy they lived in refugee camps in Iraq and Syria.
Sveriges Radio 12 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG10E6
SVT 12 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG20E7
Bohusläningen 12 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG30E8
Asylum-seekers are denied Swedish language courses
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) cannot offer Swedish language courses to asylum-seekers in Gothenburg in the fall. This is due to the failure of the SMB to find a company that supplies Swedish language courses. The SMB wants to solve the problem by creating an interactive Swedish course online and seeking more help from voluntary organizations. However, this takes time and it is not clear if the voluntary organizations can help more than they already do.
Sveriges Radio 11 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG40EA
UNHCR in the news
Somalia's drought the world's worst disaster
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres visited the refugee camps in Dadaab over the weekend and met with the refugees, many of whom have arrived severely malnourished and exhausted. Furthermore, numerous refugees die while fleeing and many more after arriving at the camps. Guterres expressed great concern and called for international attention to the crisis that he believes to be one of the world's worst disasters. As a result of the drought and continued violence in Somalia thousands of refugees arrive daily to the neighbouring countries Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenyan Dadaab, the world's largest refugee complex, was built for 90,000 refugees but now has over 380,000. During the worst days in June 58 persons died in the camps during one week. According to the High Commissioner massive aid operations and funding are needed immediately.
Helsingin Sanomat 11 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG50EB
Helsingin Sanomat 12 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG60EC
YLE 13 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG70ED
HA 11 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEG80EE
Berlingske 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEHA0EO
Kenya refuses to open a ready-built camp
A ready-built refugee camp, Ifo II, stands empty although there are thousands of new refugees arriving in Kenya. The Government authorities refuse to open it but have not yet given an official statement of the reasons. According to the President of the Norwegian Red Cross, Sven Mollekleiv, there could be many explanations to why the camp is left unused. At the same time Dadaab, the world's largest refugee complex, has over 60,000 tents outside its area. Consequently, the lack of proper access to clean water and facilities dramatically increases the risk of disease outbreaks among the refugees. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has urged the Kenyan Government to open the new camp to meet the growing number of refugees. According to the Commissioner 1,300 refugees arrive at Dadaab refugee camps daily.
NRK 12 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEHB0EP
Nationen 12 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEHC0EQ
Politiken 11 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDw4f0ZqnfK0aYE0QEHD0ER
Thursday 14 July to Friday 15 July 2011
Denmark
Drought catastrophe does not lead to more asylum-seekers
In Denmark the number of Somalis and Eritreans who have sought asylum due to the drought in the Horn of Africa has remained minimal. However, in Norway the number of asylum-seekers from Somalia and Eritrea has increased. Figures from the Danish Immigration Service show that there have never been many asylum-seekers from these two countries. In fact, less than ten persons with Somali and Eritrean origin sought asylum in Denmark this year and during 2010 the number did not exceed 2 per cent. Meanwhile, new figures from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) reveal that twice as many Somalis sought asylum in Norway in the first half of 2011 than during the same period in 2010. In addition, the number of Eritrean asylum-seekers has increased with 10 per cent.
Jyllands-Posten 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuq0E2
Danish People's Party wants obligatory DNA tests for all asylum-seekers
The Danish People's Party has required mandatory DNA tests for all asylum-seekers who arrive to Denmark. Marlene Harpsøe, Member of the Danish People's Party, argues the proposal is designed to retain non-Danish citizens who have committed criminal offences from coming to Denmark. - We believe DNA detection will have a preventive effect so that we do not get all sorts of unwanted elements in Denmark. We must have peace and order in the Danish society and are therefore ready to go to great lengths in order to keep criminal aliens out of the country, she says. Both Carina Christensen, Member of the Conservative People's Party, and Kim Andersen, Member of the Liberals, are very sceptical about the proposal and argue that it might be discriminatory.
Berlingske 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKur0E3
Information 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKus0E4
Jyllands-Posten 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKut0E5
DR 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuu0E6
Politiken 14 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuv0E7
Finland
Finnish aid organizations plea with donors
Finnish Red Cross, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Finland and Finn Church Aid (FCA) warn that tens of thousands are in danger of dying of hunger in the Horn of Africa. According to UNICEF's estimation two million children are malnourished. The organizations appeal with donors for aid, as already ten million people are in need of emergency aid. Finn Church Aid has decided to donate 300,000 euros to eastern Africa for those suffering from the drought.
YLE 14 July 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuw0E8
YLE 13 July 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKux0EA
MTV3 13 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuy0EB
Norway
Local politicians say no to planned asylum centres
Private companies want to build centres for rejected asylum-seekers in the municipalities of Strange, Ringsaker, Gausdal and Lunner. The centres would be built for rejected asylum-seekers who will be returned to their home countries. The proposition has caused a great deal of opposition from the local politicians and persons living in the municipalities. The mayor of Gausdal, Mona Brattetaule Nicolaysen, says it is wrong that those persons would only come for a short period of time and knowing they will be returned. Therefore the local communities do not want them nor the centres to be built.
NRK 15 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKuz0EC
More asylum-seekers travel home voluntarily
A record number of asylum-seekers return home voluntarily according to the statistics of the first six months of 2011. The Directorate of Immigration (UDI) explains this is due to the financial help they offer and the acknowledgment of the imminent forced return. The number of asylum-seekers who voluntarily return home after having been refused asylum has increased by 42 per cent compared to last year. So far 900 persons have returned voluntarily during 2011 with the largest group being the Iraqi. Likewise more convicted criminals are deported from the country, 474 so far this year as opposed to 283 in the same period last year. Most of the deported were from Nigeria, Poland and Romania.
NRK 14 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu10Ex
Dagsavisen 14 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu20Ey
Sweden
SMB is criticised by the National Board of Health and Welfare
An asylum-seeker from Afghanistan who stated that he was 17 years old was treated as an unaccompanied minor. However, later the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) found that he previously had sought asylum in Norway and that he was 27 years old according to his dental x-rays. He ended up in police detention before being sent back to Norway. According to the Board of Health and Welfare dental x-ray is an unsure method to determine a persons age, especially of a teenager, since the treatment of asylum-seekers is very different if a person has turned 18 or not. The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, welcomes any new advice from the National Board of Health and Welfare on how to accurately determine someone's age.
Dagens Nyheter 14 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu30Ez
Sveriges Radio 14 July 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu40E1
Sveriges Radio 14 July 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu50E2
Sveriges Radio 14 July 2011:3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu60E3
UNHCR in the news
Kenya is opening a new refugee camp
Within 10 days a new refugee camp will be opened for the people fleeing the drought in Somalia. The camp has existed for some time but the Kenyan Government has been unwilling to open it due to security reasons, as well as economical reasons since the country is also suffering from the drought. However, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), among others, has urged Kenya to open the camp as the other camps are incredibly overcrowded. The new camp can house 80,000 people. Last week the Swedish Government decided to give UNHCR an additional 3 million euros to the Horn of Africa.
Dagens Nyheter 14 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu70E4
Dagens Nyheter 14 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKu80E5
Sveriges Radio 14 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKvA0EG
World's biggest refugee camp
Thousands of Somalis flee the drought and conflict in their country, many of them aiming to the world's largest refugee complex Dadaab in north-eastern Kenya, 90 kilometres from the border. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has in recent weeks repeatedly stressed the urgency of the situation and appealed to donors and governments to react to the crisis quickly. UNHCR has appealed for 760 million USD from donors to meet the needs of the suffering people. – I have visited many camps in many countries of the world, but I have never seen people in such a desperate situation, says the UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres. UNHCR has announced that on average 1,700 refugees arrive daily to Ethiopia and 1,300 to Kenya.
Aftenposten 13 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKvB0EH
South Sudanese loose citizenship in the north
Four days after South Sudan became the world's 193rd independent state all Southerners lost their citizenship in the north. Since last October 360,000 South Sudanese who resided in the north have returned to the south, but according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) over a million South Sudanese are still up north. Dual citizenship has been ruled out and all South Sudanese working in the public sector need to get residence and work permits to be able to stay. There is a transition period of nine months during which South Sudanese have to solve the issues of citizenship.
NRK 13 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKvC0EI
ABC Nyheter 13 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKvD0EJ
UNHCR in Pakistan
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is preparing to assist tens of thousands internally displaced people (IDP's) in north-western Pakistan, where the ongoing violence has intensified. Local authorities estimate that some 84,000 people might have to flee their homes to a nearby refugee camp. - While the local authorities have moved quickly to provide tents, cooked food and drinking water in the camp, there is an urgent need to improve infrastructure with proper layout of tents, construction of latrines, washrooms and kitchens, as well as to conduct a verifiable electronic registration process, says Mengesha Kebede from UNHCR Islamabad Pakistan. - That's why we are urgently deploying expert staff to help authorities manage the situation, he adds.
U-landsnyt 13 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxML0ZqnfK0aYE0QKvE0EK
Saturday 16 July to Monday 18 July 2011
Norway
Palestinians protest against deportation
The paperless Palestinians who have been staying in a church in Oslo for the past 110 days protested last Friday against the Norwegian authorities that have stated the Palestinians have no right to stay in the country. During the protest the Palestinians walked to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) and visited some embassies to get sympathy for their cause. The protesters accuse the authorities of double standard as they discourage Norwegians from going to the Palestinian Territories while considering it is safe for the Palestinians to return there.
Dagsavisen 15 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIi0Ev
Asylum system needs to be reconsidered
According to Per Willy Amundsen, the Progress Party's (FrP) spokesperson for immigration policy, the asylum system has evolved over time and needs to be reconsidered, as it no longer serves the ones in need. He furthermore states that through the current system we participate in financing human trafficking and other kinds of organized crime, and there is a need to stop asylum-seeking and help persons in their own environment instead. The Socialist Left Party's immigration policy spokesperson, Heikki Holmås, opposes this proposition and calls Amundsen's suggestion barbaric by pointing out that this kind of system would have left Norwegians seeking asylum in Sweden during the World War II without protection.
Dagsavisen 15 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIj0Ew
This is how the politicians want to stop drug sales
Following a documentary by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) about drug sales in Oslo by West African men, a strong reaction is coming from the opposition. Several of the men are staying in Norway unlawfully after being denied residence permit and live off selling drugs. For example, the leader of the Liberal party, Trine Skei Grande, says it is important to be able to send an asylum-seeker back to his or her country of origin if he or she has committed an offence. Another action could be to have more police patrolling the areas of concern in order to control the situation.
NRK 17 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIk0Ex
UNHCR in the news
Hunger catastrophe in Somalia
In the Horn of Africa, over 11 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance because of the drought. Worse off is southern Somalia, where one in three Somalis are believed to be in need of humanitarian aid and one in ten children are at risk of dying of starvation. About a week ago, al-Shaabab, the group in control of southern Somalia, allowed aid agencies to come back into the country and start distributing humanitarian aid during the drought. Kenya has also approved to open a new refugee camp and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is expecting tents to arrive during the following couple of weeks.
TV 4 Nyheterna 16 July 2011:1 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIl0Ey
Uppsala Nya Tidning 17 July 2011:2 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIm0Ez
Dagens Nyheter 17 July 2011:3 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIn0E1
Expressen 15 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIo0E2
NRK 15 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIp0E3
Aftenposten 16 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIq0E4
Berlingske 17 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIr0E5
Jyllands Posten 16 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIs0E6
YLE 17 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDxkS0ZqnfK0aYE0QTIt0E7
Tuesday 19 July to Wednesday 20 July 2011
Denmark
More Danish funding to victims of drought
Denmark is donating an additional 30 million Danish kroner (DKK) to the UN Refugee Agency to help the drought victims in the Horn of Africa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states in a press release that the situation is now so severe that extraordinary measures are needed.
TV2 Øst 18 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpS0Ei
Berlingske 18 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpT0Ej
Jyllands-Posten 18 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpU0Ek
Norway
Fewer asylum-seekers from Italy
In the last two months, the number of asylum-seekers arriving from Italy to Norway with the airline Ryanair has dropped dramatically. The police believe this is due to stricter border controls. In April and May this year the number of asylum-seekers arriving from Italy, mostly Somalis, peaked.
NRK 19 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpV0El
Sweden
Palestinians end hunger strike
A group of Palestinian refugees, previously on a hunger strike in Munkedal after having been rejected asylum in Sweden, have decided to end the strike after two women had to be taken to hospital. The Palestinians have been resettled in Italy, but have fled from Italy to Sweden to seek asylum here. The strikers stated they will resume the strike unless they get to speak to the leading representatives of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the EU Commission and the Swedish Migration Board.
Sveriges Radio 20 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpW0Em
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR steps up assistance in the Horn of Africa
After al-Shabaab, the group in control of Southern Somalia agreed to allow aid organizations back into the country, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) began sending in assistance packages for the victims of the drought and violence in Somalia. UNHCR has furthermore started shipping tents to Kenya and Ethiopia to help the Somali refugees. In the next couple of days approximately 30,000 tents will be flown to the camps. According to UNHCR the death rate among the refugees has been 15 times higher than normal for Sub-Saharan Africa in June with 7,4 per every 10,000 refugees dying daily. – We need more resources to help those affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, says Juni Berglund from UNHCR's Regional office for the Baltic and Nordic countries.
YLE 18 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpX0En
Dagsavisen 19July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpY0Eo
Dagens Nyheter 20 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpZ0Ep
Sveriges Radio 20 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpa0Ew
TV4 20 July 2011(in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDx1i0ZqnfK0aYE0QZpb0Ex
Tuesday 26 July to Wednesday 27 July 2011
Sweden
Unique refugee case in Munkedal
The group of Palestinian refugees staying in Munkedal has had a meeting with the Swedish Migration Board. The Palestinians went on hunger strike earlier this month in protest of being sent back to Italy, where they have sought and received asylum. Mikael Ribbenvik, the General Counsel of the Swedish Migration Board, says this is a unique case, but the refugees cannot be granted asylum here, as they already have a residence permit in another EU country. Ribbenvik will have a meeting about the situation with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), that was involved in the Palestinians' asylum case in Italy. However, according to Ribbenvik the meeting will not concern the possibility of the Palestinians staying in Sweden as this is not possible, but how their situation could best be handled in Italy.
Sveriges Radio 26 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEI0Ep
UNHCR in the news
40 000 starving people fleeing to Mogadishu
In only a months time, 40 000 people have come to Somalia's capital Mogadishu, in the hope of finding food, water and shelter according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Another 30 000 people have reached the camp outside the city. UNHCR believe that approximately 100 000 people have arrived to Mogadishu over the past couple of months. Not enough help reaches these people which causes panic and looting.
TV 2 26 July 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEJ0Eq
Jyllands-Posten 26 July 2011(in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEK0Er
B.T. 26 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEL0Es
NRK 26 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEM0Et
TV 2 26 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEN0Eu
Dagsavisen 26 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEO0Ev
Nationen 26 July 2011 (in Norwegian)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEP0Ew
Helsingin Sanomat 26 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEQ0Ex
MTV 3 26 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmER0Ey
Aamulehti 26 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmES0Ez
Ilta-lehti 26 July 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmET0E1
Österbottens Tidning 26 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEU0E2
Sydsvenskan 26 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDyU10ZqnfK0aYE0QmEV0E3
Thursday 28 July to Friday 29 July 2011
Sweden
Additional 200 million from Sweden to the Horn of Africa
According to the Minister for International Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson, aid organizations have had problems in reaching the hungry in the Horn of Africa, and there is an inherent risk that the famine will spread in the coming months. Therefore, the Government would like to add another 200 million crowns (SEK) to its assistance. With the additional 200 million crowns, the government has sent 700 million so far this year. – Sweden has a long experience in supporting aid organizations on the ground in disaster areas, says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors. Besides the financial contribution, the Government sends personnel from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) to help the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to build housing and an office camp for about 30 UN staff. The cost of these, estimated at 5.5 million, is financed by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).
Aftonkuriren 29 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDylJ0ZqnfK0aYE0QtTT0EC
Newzglobe 28 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDylJ0ZqnfK0aYE0QtTU0ED
Webfinanser 28 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDylJ0ZqnfK0aYE0QtTV0EE
Saturday 30 July to Monday 1 August 2011
Denmark
The government contributes 85 million kroner DKK to East Africa
The Danish government has decided to give some of its aid to the World Food Programme (WFP) towards the Horn of Africa now, rather than later this year as originally planned. – This famine is as bad as the one in the 1980s in Ethiopia, and we need to do all that we can to make sure it does not develop any further, says the Danish Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind. The UN has declared famine in parts of Somalia where 2.2 million people are in distress and over 750 000 people have fled over the border to Ethiopia and Kenya, where refugee camps are overcrowded.
Politiken 29 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wM0E6
DR 29 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wN0E7
Avisen 29 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wO0E8
U-landsnyt 30 July 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wP0EA
Finland
Less asylum applications
By the end of June the number of asylum-seekers in Finland was 1,400, whereas last year the same number was over 2,200 for the same period. In relation to the population Sweden takes more asylum-seekers than any other country in the EU. However, in some respect more liberal Sweden is still stricter towards Iraqis; Sweden considers Iraq to be safe for returning rejected asylum-seekers, whereas Finland does not return refugees to Baghdad and the surrounding areas of central Iraq. Last year 32,000 asylum-seekers reached Sweden, over 10,000 Norway, 5,100 Denmark and 4,000 came to Finland. In Sweden the per cent for rejection of asylum was 69, while the percentage was 63 for Finland.
Aamulehti 30 July 2011 (in Finnish) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wQ0EB
Sweden
No place to live
The number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Sweden has increased dramatically. In 2004 there were 388 asylum applications from unaccompanied minors, but last year the number had already risen to 2,393. Currently there is a lack of 500 places, and many minors stay in temporary housing for months, whereas this time should be limited to weeks. – When the laws and rules were determined, only a handful of unaccompanied refugee children were discussed, now it's nearly 2,500 that come to the four receiving communities in Sweden. It is a system that has collapsed, states the Vice Chairman of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SKL) Lennart Gabrielsson. He is furthermore urging the State to take the responsibility of the issue and to give additional assistance and compensation for the municipalities that take these unaccompanied minors.
Sveriges Radio 31 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wR0EC
SVT 30 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wS0ED
Smålandsposten 1 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wT0EE
TV4 30 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wU0EF
Skanska Dagbladet 30 July 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wV0EG
The Local 31 July 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wW0EH
Doors wide open
Double the usual amount of visitors is expected to take part in the Stockholm Pride this year. "Openness" is the theme of the year and Pär Wiktorsson, the Chairman for the Stockholm Pride, highlights the problem of the LGTB (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) refugees' situation. – LGTB asylum-seekers can face persecution in their home countries or denial of asylum, he states. He says that Sweden is not always as open as generally thought.
Sydsvenskan 1 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzBX0ZqnfK0aYE0Q2wX0EI
Tuesday 2 August to Wednesday 3 August 2011
Finland
Research on refugee and asylum-seeker children
The University of Tampere is starting a vast research project on how refugee and asylum-seeker children aged between 5-12 months are affected by the traumas suffered by their parents. Preliminary results are expected in about a year.
YLE 2011 3 August 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPs0EM
Finland gives further 5 million euros to the Horn of Africa
The Finnish Government has decided to give a further 5 million euros to the crisis on the Horn of Africa. The aid consists of three parts: 3 million euros for the World Food Program (WFP), 1.1 million to the Finnish Red Cross and 900,000 euros to the Finn Church Aid (FCA). Finland has given already 8.8 million earlier this year as humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa.
YLE 1 August 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPt0EN
Sweden
Fewer asylum-seekers than expected
Fewer than expected are applying for asylum in Sweden this year. The Swedish Migration Board previously estimated that there will be 30,000 asylum-seekers in Sweden in 2011, but has now lowered the number to 29,000. According to the Migration Board it is hard to make predictions because of the volatile situation in Northern Africa and Middle East.
Dagens Nyheter 1 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPu0EO
TV4 Nyheterna 1 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPv0EP
Sveriges Radio 1 August 2011 (in English)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPw0EQ
Most asylum-seekers in large city areas
It is not a big surprise that most asylum-seekers can be found in the largest counties Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Skåne, according to the statistics by the news agency Siren. At the time of the research, Sweden had about 33,000 asylum-seekers, compared to 35,000 the same time last year.
DN 2 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzSG0ZqnfK0aYE0RAPx0ER
Thursday 4 August to Friday 5 August 2011
Denmark
Politicians demand Hercules planes to be sent to the Horn of Africa
Military transport airplanes should be used in order to help millions of people, says the Socialist People's Party and the Danish People's Party. The military plane Hercules should be used to transport provisions as it can carry much more than other airlines, as well as being able to land on improvised airstrips in disaster areas. If it is decided politically, it can be done, says the communications director from the Danish Air Force.
Politiken 3 August 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYe0EP
Sweden
Scouts learn about refugees in Rinkaby
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is present at the World Scout Jamboree held in Rinkaby, Sweden with the aim to inform the participating scouts about the world's refugee situation. Scouts can taste nutritional supplements, for example, to get an idea what it is like to be a refugee. – That is exactly the point, says Kiki Rodriguez Norman from the UNHCR. – To see, to feel and even taste makes it easier to imagine what it is like to be in the situation of many refugees.
Dagen 5 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYf0EQ
Openness required in LGBT-issues in the country of origin
Lesbian, gay, bi- and trans-sexuals (LGBT) have a legal right to seek asylum in Sweden, but often get deported regardless. According to Aino Gröndahl, a law student who has looked into LGBT-persons' right to asylum in Sweden, many who have not lived openly as LGBT-persons in their home country get sent back because the Swedish Migration Board does not consider such persons to be in danger. However, some openly gay asylum-seekers have been told they should have been more discreet about their sexuality in their home country, and therefore do not receive asylum in Sweden, she further explains.
Sveriges Radio 3 August 2011 (in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYg0ER
UNHCR in the news
Conflict threatens the delivery of aid to Somalia
The continuing violent conflict is one of the reasons for the influx of refugees, but furthermore the drought in the Horn of Africa has now spread the famine to three regions of Somalia. Moreover al-Shabaab, the group in charge of the Southern and Central parts of Somalia, is complicating the delivery of aid into the country. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) they were not allowed to leave the Mogadishu airport on Wednesday and therefore have to rely on local staff to deliver the aid. Over 180,000 persons have fled from Somalia since the beginning of this year according to UNHCR.
Expressen 3 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYh0ES
Dagens Nyheter 3 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYi0ET
Helsingin Sanomat 4 August 2011(in Finnish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYj0EU
Fleeing Somalia especially dangerous for women and children
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other organizations are warning about the alarmingly dangerous situation of women and children fleeing Somalia. Many men stay behind to take care of the land, so women and children are not protected along the way, and furthermore in the camps as well as outside them there are reported rapes. William Spindler, the UNHCR spokesperson in Dadaab, emphasizes that many rapes are not reported. The increase in child mortality is moreover a particular worry of the aid organizations.
Aftenposten 3 August 2011 (in Norwegian) http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYk0EV
UN Refugee Agency condemns European populism
The High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday what he sees as increased political populism in Europe and elsewhere. He believes that populism contributes to intolerance and violence, exemplified by the terrorist attacks in Norway. According to the High Commissioner xenophobia and racism increase when populism takes hold.
Dagens Nyheter 4 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYl0EW
Aftonbladet 4 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYm0EX
Skanskan 4 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDzio0ZqnfK0aYE0RGYn0EY
Saturday 6 August to Monday 8 August 2011
Denmark
Starving Somalis receive help in cash
Denmark contributes with an additional 30 million kroner (DKK) towards the drought on the Horn of Africa. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of four organizations which will share this money. DRC received 10 million DKK, which will mainly be spent on soup kitchens. However, 3 million will be given to the poorest people in the Mogadishu area in cash, as they can purchase food in markets in the capital. – This will help stimulate the local market and give people their dignity back by being able to prepare their own food, says Ann Mary Olsen from the Danish Refugee Council.
Avisen 5 August 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBS0E1
Jyllands-Posten 5 August 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBT0E2
Social Liberals: New requirements hinder family reunification
Restrictions on family reunifications came into force in Denmark in July. This has had a clear effect on the number of applicants, according to several lawyers specializing in immigration matters. Since the rules came into force, the immigration spokesperson for the Social Liberals, Marianne Jelved, has received many inquiries from citizens who find it difficult to meet the new requirements. For example, the resident spouse must not have received any public benefits within the past three years, he or she must have lived in Denmark for the past 15 years and be able to provide 100 000 kroner (DKK) as collateral.
Nordjyske 6 August 2011 (in Danish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBU0E3
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board: A passport more important than children
- We do emphasis family relationships in our decisions, but it does not override everything else, says Anders Weström, a family relationship expert at the Swedish Migration Board. In July 2010, a new law was implemented that states that someone can apply for family reunification without having to leave Sweden. However, according to the Migration Board, having a passport to strengthen your identity is more important than keeping a family together. This becomes a huge problem for Somalis who do not have a working government to issue passports or other sorts of identification. Several NGOs have tried to bring attention to the Swedish government that it in fact is in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Västerbotten-Kuriren 5 august 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBV0E4
TV 4 Nyheterna 5 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBW0E5
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR fears the spread of deadly disease in refugee camps
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) fears that a measles epidemic will break out in a refugee camp in Dollo Allo, Ethiopia, where approximately 118,400 refugees are residing. – The situation is alarming and we cannot afford to wait. We must act now, urgently and decisively, to arrest and turn around this situation, says Moses Okello from UNHCR in Ethiopia. Reports state that so far about a dozen people have died from what is thought to be measles. The disease is usually not deadly, but due to the fragile health of many of the refugees, it can have severe consequences. Vaccinations are planned to start on Tuesday.
Expressen 6 August (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBX0E6
Svenska Dagbladet 6 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBY0E7
TV 4 Nyheterna 6 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBZ0E8
Aftonbladet 6 August 2011 (in Swedish)
http://balticnordic.unhcr.se/cgi-bin2/DM/t/eDz720ZqnfK0aYE0RPBa0EG
Tuesday 9 August to Wednesday 10 August 2011.
Danes have donated 26 million crowns to Africa
Denmark
Relief agencies have so far collected nearly 26 million Danish crowns (DKK) to alleviate the famine in the Horn of Africa. The two largest receivers of donations from the Danes have been UNICEF and the Red Cross, which have received 9.1 million DKK and 7.1 million DKK respectively.
* Fyens 9 August 2011 (in Danish)
Age determining methods condemned by the Commissioner for Human Rights
Finland
Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Council of Europe, condemns the x-ray tests in defining the age of asylum-seekers. The method is used in determining whether a person is a minor or not and it is used in Finland, Sweden, Germany and Holland. According to the Commissioner the method has been contested by various specialists and it furthermore exposes the persons for unnecessary radiation. According to the Finnish Immigration Service the x-ray is used when there is reason to doubt the information given by the asylum-seekers about their age.
* Turun Sanomat 9 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Thousands of illegal immigrants live in Finland
Finland
Between two and three thousand paperless persons reside illegally in Finland. According to Jouko Ikonen, Detective Chief Inspector of the National Bureau of Investigation, most are from Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and have mainly come to Finland through Sweden. There are also Russians who have overstayed their visas, as well as rejected asylum-seekers, students and people who work without work permits. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation had found evidence that 1,700 persons have come to Finland illegally by the end of July. Of these about 10 per cent are paperless minors.
* Hufvudstadsbladet 9 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Crisis in East Africa has not increased the number of asylum-seekers
Finland
According to Esko Repo, Director of the Asylum Unit in the Finnish Immigration Service, persons fleeing famine and similar emergencies usually flee to the surrounding areas. The number of asylum-seekers has fallen in all Nordic countries, and only 1,500 had sought asylum in Finland during the first part of 2011, compared to 4,000 in all of 2010. A person can receive refugee status if he or she has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Refugee status can be given by a Government that grants asylum or by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) acknowledging someone as a refugee.
* Helsingin Sanomat 9 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Belarusian Natalia Radina seeks asylum in Lithuania
Lithuania
The editor of a popular opposition portal Charter 97 Natalia Radina is one of the accused of mass riot in protest of the results of presidential elections in Belarus on 19 December 2010. Around four months ago she managed to escape from Belarus, where she would be facing a prison sentence of 15 years. She has been granted refugee status by the United Nations (UN) and has applied for asylum in Lithuania on 4 August. Radina informed about her decision in an open letter on the portal Charter 97.
* Delfi 9 August 2011 (in Lithuanian)
* Delfi 9 August 2011 (in Russian)
* The Baltic Times 9 August 2011 (in English)
* The Lithuanian Tribune 8 August 2011 (in English)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden.
* Svenska Dagbladet 8 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Norran 8 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Fewer asylum-seekers in July
Norway
In July, 704 people sought asylum in Norway. This is a decrease from last month when 831 applications came in. So far this year, 5,415 people have sought asylum, states the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), compared to 5,418 during the same period last year. The largest group of applicants comes from Somalia (1,277). Unaccompanied asylum-seekers make up nine per cent of the applicants this year; most of them come from Afghanistan.
* Verdens Gang 9 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
UN airlifts emergency aid to Somalia
UNHCR in the news
After the militant al-Shabaab group announced it has pulled out of Mogadishu, a relief consignment from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) finally reached the capital. This is the first time in five years that UNHCR has been able to airlift aid to the internally displaced people in Mogadishu. UNHCR is hoping to continue the emergency airlifts in the coming days. – We just hope the situation will not deteriorate, says Andy Needham from UNHCR Somalia office. The emergency assistance consists of tents, sleeping mats and kitchen supplies to be distributed as soon as possible to the thousands of people displaced by drought and famine in and around the city.
* SVT 8 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 9 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* YLE 9 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Thursday 11 August to Friday 12 August 2011.
A medical clinic for paperless immigrants to open in Copenhagen
Denmark
Paperless immigrants fear detention if they go to the doctor. Within a couple of weeks a medical clinic will open for them in Copenhagen. The clinic is a joint project from the Red Cross, the Medical Association and the Danish Refugee Council. – We want to create a safe and secure place where they can come and receive necessary treatment, says Vibeke Lenskjold, leader of the clinic. Even people who are staying illegally in the country are entitled to emergency medical treatment without any fear of being caught and sent home. – This will not happen with the new clinic, according to Lenskjold. However, it is still not clear whether the police will intervene or not.
* Berlingske 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 11 August 2011 (in Danish)
Sida increases its aid to famine-stricken Africa
Sweden
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has decided to donate additionally 50 million Swedish crowns (SEK) to relieve the crisis in the Horn of Africa. The aid will be directed particularly to women and children in Ethiopia. Some 10 million SEK will go to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and to a local fund, coordinated by the United Nations (UN). Apart from this aid, Sida has decided to donate an additional 120 million SEK during this year.
* Sveriges Radio 11 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Somali refugees and identification documents
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has requested legal guidance from the Migration Court of Appeal on the possibility of allowing Somali children the opportunity to be reunited with a parent living in Sweden. The Court has already ruled that a law change would be required since Somali ID-papers are not recognised, but SMB is hoping for a clarification in this regard.
* Dagens Nyheter 10 August 2011 p:9 (in Swedish)
UN evacuates staff from Syria
UNHCR in the news
The United Nations (UN) has decided to evacuate most personnel from Syria due to the unrest in the country. Out of four Norwegians who have worked for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) only two will stay. They are based in the capital Damascus, where the situation is relatively stable.
* Sydsvenskan 11 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* TV4 Nyheterna 11 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagsavisen 11 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 11 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 11 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 13 August to Monday 15 August 2011.
Network of doctors is helping paperless aliens
Denmark
The police is considering action against the planned health clinic for paperless aliens in Copenhagen. A network of health professionals has spent years helping people without residence permits. In about 12 days, a privately funded clinic will open and be run almost exclusively by volunteers and doctors. The clinic is expected to take over parts of the network's work. According to the Health Act, persons without a residence permit only have the right to be treated for acute illnesses. The network is in a grey area, as it treats everything from sore throats to cancer. Some politicians have voiced concerns over the new clinic. The Danish People's Party health spokesperson, Liselott Blixt, has called it "a provocation by organizations who don't agree with the Danish immigration policy". However, the Minister of the Interior and Health, Bertler Haarder, states that he neither can nor will take action against physicians who in their spare time help people with their acute health problems.
* Politiken 12 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 12 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 12 August 2011 (in Danish)
* TV 2 Nyhederne 12 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 12 August 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 12 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Avisen 12 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 13 August 2011 (in Danish)
* The Copenhagen Post 13 August 2011 (in English)
* Jyllands-Posten 14 August 2011 (in Danish)
No bargains about ID-requirement
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board has stated that it will not bargain about the requirement for an authenticated identity. According to Jonas Haglund, an administrator for the Swedish Migration Board, spouses can be granted residence permit in Sweden, but they must also have a valid passport and be able to prove their identity. Despite the fact that there may be problems in this for some nationalities, Haglund continues that the Migration Board will not haggle about the requirement, as it is the responsibility of the Migration Court of Appeal. There is, however, the possibility to appeal these decisions, he continues.
* DT 13 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Everyone will have food
UNHCR in the news
The crisis in the Horn of Africa is getting worse by the day. Tens of thousands of refugees are waiting outside the Dagahaley refugee camp, part of the Dadaab camp complex in Kenya. Kamahl Isa Ahmed, from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), greeted another six busses full of refugees last Saturday, while stating that the problem is that there are just too many in need of help and many have to live in the ghettos outside the camps. – At least everyone can get some food, he continues.
* Aftonbladet 14 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 16 August to Wednesday 17 August 2011
Fewer asylum-seekers returned
Finland
Fewer asylum-seekers are returned from Finland under the Dublin II Regulation. According to the Dublin II an asylum application needs to be handled in the first country of entry. A couple of years ago a number of asylum-seekers were returned from Finland to Greece, Italy and Malta. In the beginning of 2011 Finland joined the other EU countries in the decision to stop deportations to Greece. However, Finland is still returning asylum-seekers to Italy, where the conditions are nearly as poor as in Greece. According to Marjaana Laine from the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre, the Dublin II Regulation and the Finnish law do, in fact, allow the handling of the applications in Finland. Therefore she calls for more liability from the Finnish Government in this issue.
* YLE 17 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Progress Party member open for more immigration
Norway
- Norway will continue to fulfil its international obligations and accept refugees, says Kristian Dahlberg Hauge, leader of the Progress Party in Trondheim. However, in the party programme it states that: "a continued immigration of asylum-seekers will lead to serious conflicts between ethnic groups in Norway." Dahlberg Hauge explains that it is an unfortunate phrasing. He believes that the Progress Party has a good immigration policy but he is critical of some his own party members who he finds have been to extreme in the debate on culture. – It is more important than ever that the established political parties dare to take the debate on immigration, says Dahlberg Hauge.
* NRK 15 August 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 15 August 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 15 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* BT 15 August 2011(in Norwegian)
NB. This story was also covered in Denmark.
* Berlingske 15 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 15 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 15 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 15 August 2011 (in Danish)
* MetroXpress 15 August 2011 (in Danish)
Libyans from Sweden join the fight against Gaddafi
UNHCR in the news
Many Libyans from all over the world have gathered at the Libya-Tunisia border. They celebrate the alleged victory of the rebels over Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the town of al-Zawiya. However, the fight has required a lot of sacrifice. Many, some wounded, have fled the violence in Libya. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has an agreement with the Tunisian Government that gives the fleeing Libyans access to public health care in Tunisia, although, UNHCR also acknowledges that the agreement does not cover private clinics, which are the only places where some of the treatments are available.
* Dagens Nyheter 15 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 15 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Aftonbladet 15 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* TV4 Nyheterna 15 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 18 May to Friday 19 May 2011.
The Left Youth of Finland outraged
Finland
The Left Youth of Finland is outraged by the secret flights of Air Finland, a Finnish airline that admitted to have flown asylum-seekers from Sweden and Norway to Iraq in January 2011. Li Andersson, the chairperson for the Left Youth of Finland, demands that the company stop the flights immediately if they are still taking place. European Court of Human Rights announced last autumn that it is against human rights to deport people to Iraq.
* Iltasanomat 18 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Father and a son smuggling refugees
Sweden
Two men, a father and his son, smuggled six Iraqi refugees from Italy to Austria in two cars. The final destination of both cars was to be either Sweden or Finland, but one of the cars was caught in Austria. However, the father managed to drive the refugees to Sweden. According to Thomas Ahlstrand, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Swedish Prosecution Authority in Gothenburg, the smuggling operations have been performed for money and been a part of business involving various people.
* Dagens Nyheter 18 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 18 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Göteborgs-posten 18 August 2011 (in Swedish)
400,000 Somali children in risk of dying
UNHCR in the news
The British Minister for International Development Cooperation is urging the world community to make more of an effort to alleviate the situation in the Horn of Africa. Japan has promised to donate an amount equivalent to over three billion dollars to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This money will go to the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya, where about 440,000 Somali are currently situated.
* Berlingske 17 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 17 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 17 August 2011 (in Danish)
Abuses will increase in the refugee camps
UNHCR in the news
The situation in the Horn of Africa is getting worse. Most camps are overpopulated and criminals are exploiting the chaotic situation. The United Nations (UN) has so far reported 87 rapes in the camps, but fear that the number is a lot higher.
- I think the camps will get more violent as time goes by, says Jo Hegenauer, coordinator for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
* Expressen 18 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* NRK 18 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
SOS Children's Village terminates activities in Mogadishu
UNHCR in the news
SOS Children's Village has stopped its activities in the Somali capital Mogadishu due to the armed conflict between the Islamist group al-Shabaab and Government forces. Only the most sick and a handful of staff are left at the SOS Children's Village hospital in Mogadishu. The organization was prepared for the termination, and is going to move to a temporary camp in the so-called Afgooye corridor. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), however, the living conditions in the camp are extremely difficult.
* Dagens Nyheter 18 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Diseases spread at the refugee camps
UNHCR in the news
The United Nations (UN) is warning that the child mortality will increase dramatically in the refugee camps in Ethiopia. Apart from the serious problem of malnourishment, measles and polio are spreading among children. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) the death rate of 10 children per day dates back to June, which means that at least 500 children have died in the last two months. Ron Redmond, UNHCR spokesperson in Nairobi, says that the high mortality rate is partly due to the fact that parents do not know what do with their malnourished children.
* Lääkärilehti 17 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Dagsavisen 18 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Information 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
Saturday 20 May to Monday 22 May 2011.
Denmark sends several millions to Africa
Denmark
Denmark is immediately donating 50 million crowns to the Horn of Africa. This is because the current relief is insufficient to cover the enormous humanitarian needs in the area, according to the Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration Søren Pind. – Every day nearly 1500 new refugees arrive to the already overcrowded camps in Kenya, he continues. 30 million crowns will be given to UNICEF and its efforts to help vulnerable women and children, and the remaining 20 million will be sent to the UN humanitarian fund for Somalia, which has just run out of money. Denmark has now donated 250 million crowns in total to the Horn of Africa in 2011.
* Dansk Radio 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
* TV 2 Nyhederna 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Landsbrugs Avisen 19 August 2011 (in Danish)
Sick illegal immigrants reject at Danish hospitals
Denmark
According to a thesis from the Copenhagen University, it has been documented that people with cancer and mental illnesses have been told that they cannot get help from hospitals. The authors of the thesis have had in-depth interviews with 14 health care professionals on how they handle undocumented immigrants. It appears that doctors feel caught in a situation where they go against their promise as professionals to treat all and not discriminate. The study shows that there is a limit for help in the public system for illegal immigrants. For example, cancer is not considered to be an acute illness as one is sick over a long period of time. The question is whether acute illness should be defined so narrowly.
* Politiken 20 August 2011 (in Danish)
* TV 2 Nyhederna 20 August 2011 (in Danish)
Stateless children losing out on citizenship
Denmark
Stateless Kurds are not being registered as stateless. It has been shown that authorities have wrongly registered stateless Kurds which means that the issue of statelessness is larger than assumed. Søren Pind, Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration, does not want to comment on the size of the situation. He only confirms that there is something wrong with the immigration authorities' registration of stateless people. The error in registrations means that children of stateless people are losing out on their right to Danish citizenship. Pind has said no when asked if he will correct the situation for the Kurds from Syria who may have been wrongly registered.
* Information 21 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 22 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 22 August 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 22 August 2011 (in Danish)
Libyan refugees to Raseborg
Finland
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced in July that Finland will take 57 refugees from Libya under emergency arrangements as part of their yearly quota of 750. The search for suitable locations started immediately, and it is now being investigated whether the city of Raseborg could accept 20 refugees during the autumn. The discussions on the matter are held on Monday.
* Västra Nyland 19 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seekers receiving training in Norway
Norway
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has entered into an agreement with seven local suppliers on providing training to asylum-seekers whose asylum applications have been rejected. The pilot project is planned to last for a year and will include 25 reception centers. The aim is to ensure the asylum-seekers will have better possibilities in finding employment in their home country on their return. Furthermore UDI believes the training will motivate the asylum-seekers to return voluntarily. Currently there are 4,000 rejected asylum-seekers residing in Norway
* NRK 19 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Plane came back with asylum-seekers
Norway
A booked charter plane with denied asylum-seekers was not given permission to land and had to return to Oslo. All together, 266 people were suppose to be on the specially chartered plane to Nigeria. Denied asylum-seekers from six European countries were about to board the plane, accompanied by 32 Norwegian police officers and including 15 Nigerians that were suppose to be sent back. The Nigerians, however, came back to Oslo as the plane for Lagos, Nigeria never left Dublin because the landing permit was suddenly withdrawn. The Police Immigration Unit is now looking for an alternative solution.
* Verdens Gang 19 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Wrongly registered stateless people are not getting help
Denmark
Despite calls from the opposition and the Danish Refugee Council, the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Søren Pind does not want to determine the extent of the Danish authorities' errors in registering stateless Kurds from Syria. Pind has in a confidential briefing to the Danish Parliament Citizenship Committee made it clear that he has told the Danish Immigration Service to pay more attention to register asylum seeker's nationality correctly. The Danish Refugee Council, however, says that it is not enough just to correct the mistake in future registrations. The errors in registrations can be revoked, but the stateless Kurds themselves have to go to the authorities.
* Information 21 August 2011 (in Danish)
Migration to take the blow of budget cuts
Finland
If the budget proposal of the Ministry of Finance is approved, the budget for the reception of refugees and asylum-seekers will be cut down to 80 million euros, a drop of around a quarter. Furthermore the Finnish Immigration Service would face cuts. However, the Ministry of Interior is asking for an additional 5 million euros to keep the reception centers running.
* Turun Sanomat 22 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Ilta-Sanomat 22 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 22 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 22 August 2011 (in English)
* Helsinki Times 23 August 2011 (in English)
Refugees from Libya on their way to Norway
Norway
Norway will recieve 310 refugees from the war in Libya. Most of the refugees that will be resettled come from Somalia and Eritrea, as well as Ethiopia, Congo, Ivory Coast and Sudan. For many Africans in Libya, life became unbearable when the civil war broke out. According to the Norwegian newsagency (NTB), none of the refugees are ethnic Libyans. The main reason is that most Libyans will be able to return back home when the conflict is over, as opposed to those who already were displaced from their country of origin. The Norwegian government has decided to take an additional 250 refugees above their usual UN quota.
* Dagsavisen 23 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK Nett-TV 23 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Fjordaland 23 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 23 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Refugees rarely find employment
Sweden
Only three out of 55 refugees in Västerås have found employment since the Swedish Public Employment Service took over the primary responsibility of finding jobs for adult refugees. The work includes a range of measures, such as the procurement of services from private companies or organizations who can help the refugees find jobs. Until the end of last year it used to be the obligation of the municipalities to help refugees find employment.
* Sveriges Radio 23 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Municipality to take more unaccompanied minors
Sweden
The municipality of Hylte wants to increase the number of places for unaccompanied refugee minors. Currently it has an agreement with the Swedish Migration Board of taking in eight minors per year, out of which three places are reserved for asylum-seekers. If the influx of minors continues at the same rate it is now, there will be a need of total 16 places by the end of the year.
* Hallandsposten 24 August 2011 (in Swedish)
The West must do more
UNHCR in the news
Libya is facing enormous challenges in the transition to what will hopefully become a free and democratic society, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). – The country must get through a difficult reconciliation process, and it is important that all parties are invited to participate, said Scales from NRC. Before the uprising, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) had registered over 8000 refugees and 3000 asylum seekers in Libya. UNHCR is aware of thousands of others with a possible need for protection from conflict-torn countries, such as Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan.
* Aftenposten 23 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 25 August to Friday 26 August 2011.
A Red government wants to clean up registration mistakes
Denmark
If the majority changes after the upcoming election, a new 'red' government wants to investigate the extent of the errors in registrating stateless people and contact the possibly faultily registered asylum-seekers from Syria. The message from the opposition is that if the Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration, Søren Pind, does not want to clean up the error, the new government will. One of Pind's reasons behind not doing so, is that all decisions by the immigration authorities have to be reviewed, and there are at least hundreds of thousands of them.
* Information 23 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
The Danish Refugee Council in Libya
Denmark
While the fighting is raging in Tripoli, the civilian population a few hundred kilometers west of the Nafusa region on the border to Tunisia are trying to create an everyday life with the help of the Danish Refugee Council. Here about 60,000 people have been displaced since the rebellion broke out in February. – It will take years rather than months before the daily life of the civilians will be normal again, says Scott Tind Simmons, an advisor for the Danish Refugee Council. Right now the Council, in cooperation with other international aid organisations, is handing out basic relief in the form of water, blankets, kitchen utensils and soap to around 15,000 people in the region.
* Berlingske 24 August 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 24 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 24 August 2011 (in Danish)
Only one illegal person venture to the doctor
Denmark
A pregnant woman who wanted to know where she could give birth, and a homeless Dane who had lost his medical card and therefore could not get help elsewhere, were the only two who came into the new Health Clinic in Copenhagen on its first day. The Clinic is the first of its kind in Denmark, as illegal immigrants can get medical help here. – We expected it to be quiet in the beginning. It is all new and it takes time before people trust that they can use it, Vibeke Lenskjold explains, the project manager of the Health Clinic.
* TV 2 Nyhederne 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
Double the quota refugees
Denmark
Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen and the Red-Green Alliance wants Denmark to double the number of quota refugees it receives through the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), from 500 to 1000, and later increase the number even more. The Alliance believes that it is embarrassing that Denmark is not sharing a greater responsibility when there are enough resources to do so. A more equitable distribution of the refugees coming to Europe is necessary in order to process the applications of asylum in accordance with human rights and UN conventions.
* Dansk Radio 26 August 2011 (in Danish)
Municipalities badly prepared for the change in the integration law
Finland
The Finnish Immigration Authorities estimate many municipalities are badly prepared for the change in the integration law, which will take place in September. According to the new law municipalities need to organize integration services for immigrants that have been in the country less than three years. Apart from refugees the law will include job-seeking immigrants as well as spouses and students. The new law aims to ensure that immigrants have better access to the job markets. According to the authorities smaller municipalities in particular might struggle with the implementation of the law.
* YLE 26 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Savon Sanomat 26 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Not enough funding for asylum-seekers
Iceland
The Directorate of Immigration in Reykjavik claims that it does not have sufficient funding for thorough investigation and processing of applications for asylum. Furthermore they announce they might soon have to make cuts to the services they provide for refugees. According to international law the government has to provide sufficient funds to investigate all applications thoroughly. However, a large amount of the 209 million Icelandic crowns (ISK) given by the government for this purpose is spent just on running the Directorate. Meanwhile, the money budgeted to investigate the asylum claims is about 29 million ISK.
* The Reykjavik Grapevine 25 August 2011 (in English)
Every fourth immigrant a refugee
Norway
158,000 people with a refugee background live in Norway. That is about 26 percent of all immigrants or children of immigrants in the country. According to new statistics from the Norwegian Central Bureau of Statistics, 3.2 per cent of the entire Norwegian population are refugees. Last year, some 6,600 refugees came to Norway; the two largest groups came from Somalia and Afghanistan. However, Iraqi refugees still constitute the largest group of refugees in Norway. About half of all refugees have lived in Norway more than 10 years, and 44 pe rcent are aged 20-39 years.
* Aftenposten 25 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Sida ready to increase Libya aid
Sweden
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has donated nearly 130 million Swedish crowns (SEK) to the crisis in Libya since the beginning of this year. The Agency has helped Libyan refugees in neighboring countries Egypt and Tunisia, as well as within Libya, where most of the money has been directed to the health care sector. With the rebels gaining power in the country, Sida has now announced it is ready to give more if the situation so requires. It is also looking into possibilities of supporting long-term development in the country.
* Sveriges Radio 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 25 August 2011 (in English)
12 million people are stateless
UNHCR in the news
Nearly 12 million people do not have a country they can legally call their own. They are stateless. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is now launching a campaign in order to get more countries to do something about the problem and the first step is for countries to sign two conventions on statelessness. – These people are in desperate need of help as they live in a legal vacuum. This makes them some of the most excluded people in the world, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres. The campaign will provide an overview of the extent of the phenomenon of statelessness. Because stateless people technically are not citizens of any country, they are often denied basic human rights and access to jobs, housing, education and health care.
* Politiken 25 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Dagsavisen 25 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 25 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Nettavisen 25 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagens Nyheter 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Borås Tidning 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* HBL 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* YLE 25 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Libya-Italy agreement
UNHCR in the news
As soon as the new regime is established in Tripoli, the Italian authorities hope to continue cooperation with Libya on the Mediterranean border control. Due to the previous cooperation, illegal immigration from Libya had nearly ceased. However, the rebellion against Gaddafi's regime last spring changed the situation. – With the crisis in Libya the agreement with Italy came to a halt. Since the beginning of the year more than 50,000 persons have fled to Italy, of whom more than half from Libya, says Hanne Mathisen, the spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the Nordic and Baltic region. The journey across the Mediterranean is associated with very high risks and according to UNHCR more than 1,500 persons have died so far this year while attempting to cross over. Therefore it is essential for EU countries to be more engaged in saving the lives of these fleeing refugees.
* Dagens arena 25 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 27 August to Monday 29 August 2011
Huge TV-show to help Horn of Africa
Denmark
On Saturday 27 August 2011, TV 2 and Danish Radio teamed up to broadcast a TV-show to raise money for the starving people in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa. The show managed to collect over 110 million Danish crowns (DKK). On average, each individual donated 1,000 DKK. The money will go to several aid organizations.
* Berlingske 27 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 27 August 2011 (in Danish)
The Danish People's Party: Fly asylum-seekers home
Denmark
At a press conference on Monday 29 August 2011, the Danish People's Party (DPP) presented several proposals regarding immigration. One proposal is to offer asylum-seekers the possibility to seek asylum in new reception centres in their region of origin instead of in Denmark. The Danish People's Party wants to open new reception and screening centres in North Africa, Pakistan and the Middle East as well as in the Horn of Africa, in collaboration with the UK, the Netherlands and Australia. – We want to help people in need, but we want the asylum process to take place in their regions of origin rather than in Denmark, says Peter Skaarup, the Danish People's Party spokesperson. Skaarup says that in the future asylum-seekers arriving at the Danish borders could be sent back to get their cases processed there in new reception centres. The Liberals and the Conservatives distance themselves from DPP's proposals. Søren Pind, Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, says the proposal is unrealistic, people cannot be sent back to places like the refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. He further underlines that Denmark will continue to receive quota refugees.
* Berlingske 29 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 29 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 29 August 2011:3 (in Danish)
* Berlignske 29 August 2011:4 (in Danish)
* B.T. 29 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 29 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 29 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 29 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Politiken 29 August 2011:3 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 29 August 2011 (in Danish)
Budget cuts to lengthen waiting periods for residence permits
Finland
If next years' budget proposal is approved with a cut of about 20 million euros for the immigration services, refugees and asylum-seekers, the wait for a residence permit could become considerably longer. Currently it is from six months to a year. Furthermore the Ministry of the Interior is pulling out the 2.5 million euros aimed to speeding up the process times. At the moment the Finnish Immigration Service is able to process about 2,000 permits annually, whereas the real need is 3,000 a year.
* YLE 26 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Cut in the number of reception centres
Finland
80 million euros have been budgeted for the Finnish Immigration Service and the reception of asylum-seekers and refugees for next year. The sum is a quarter less than this year. According to the Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen the number of reception centres might be cut due to these savings. The proposed solution is to speed up the asylum application process and to return rejected asylum-seekers faster than before. She furthermore believes that the costs of immigration can be reduced by tightening the laws on family reunification.
* Aamulehti 28 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Radio Pori 28 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Norwegians have donated 47 million crowns to the Horn of Africa
Norway
So far the Norwegian population has donated 47 million Norwegian crowns (NOK) to the drought-stricken Horn of Africa. Out of that money, the Red Cross has received 20 million NOK. – No contribution is too small, as it is the total amount that makes a difference for the victims in the Horn of Africa, says Sven Mollekleiv, president of the Red Cross in Norway. Both the Norwegian Church Aid and UNICEF have noted the willingness of the Norwegians to donate money, as they have received 16 million NOK and 11 million NOK respectively.
* Verdens Gang 26 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
No family reunification for Somali families
Sweden
Somali parents cannot be reunited with their children even if they have conducted DNA-tests to prove family ties. This is owing to the fact that the Swedish Government does not accept passports from Somalia and hence almost all applications for family reunification are rejected. According to the Swedish Migration Board the Government is taking an unreasonably long time to solve the issue, which can only be done by changing the legislation.
* TV 4 Nyheterna 28 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* TV4 28 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Children are the worst affected
UNHCR in the news
The Dollo Ado refugee camp, situated in Ethiopia close to the border with Somalia, has until fairly recently hosted around 50,000 refugees. With the crisis on the Horn of Africa the number has grown to 120,000 people. Per Lindqvist from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) says that on his visit to the camp a while ago, 2,000 refugees arrived daily. MSB is in Dollo Ado to build the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) living quarters and an office, with the aim to enable the UN to expand its presence and strengthen its activities. – You feel inadequate when you see so many people suffering. We know that resources are available in the world, but not where they are needed most, Lindqvist states.
* Nya Wermlands-Tidningen 26 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Statelessness in the world
UNHCR in the news
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the estimated 12 million stateless persons in the world today. Since stateless persons are technically not citizens of any country, they are often denied basic human rights and access to jobs, housing, education and health care. Some are arrested, as they cannot prove their identity. – These people are in desperate need of help because they live in a nightmarish legal limbo. This makes them some of the most excluded people in the world, states António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. – It is shameful that millions of people are living without nationality. Governments must act to reduce overall numbers of stateless, the High Commissioner continues.
* Diena 25 August 2011 (in Latvian)
* Latvijas radio 25 August 2011 (in Latvian)
* Postimees 24 August 2011 (in Estonian)
Tuesday 30 August to Friday 2 September 2011
Fewer seek asylum in Denmark
Denmark
New figures show that the prognosis for the number of asylum-seekers will be lower in 2011 than first expected, from 6,000 to 3,600 people. This decline follows five years of increasing numbers of asylum-seekers. Danish Red Cross is closing 7 recepetion centers. At the same time, 37 per cent fewer have applied for family reunification during the first part of this year following the imposed fee of 7,775 Danish crowns (DKK). The drop in applications expected to continue in the second part of the year due to the controversial point system that came into force on 1 July. The Danish People's Party is satisfied: "It shows that our policy is working", says integration spokesperson Peter Skaarup, who maintains his party's recent suggestion to process asylum-seekers in their area of origin.
* Jyllands-Posten 29 August 2011 (in Danish)
New political partnership: abolish Immigration Ministry
Denmark
The Social Liberals and the Conservatives want to abolish the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, the parties announced on Tuesday morning. Naser Khader and Brian Mikkelsen from the Conservatives explained that Denmark needs to improve its international image in order to attract foreign businesses and workers. The proposal calls for the responsibilities of the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs to be redistributed across other ministries. The Social Liberals vice-chairman, Morten Østergaard, said the abandonment of the Immigration Ministry would be the first step in establishing a more nuanced view of foreigners and would strengthen integration. However, many do not believe that abolishing the Ministry will solve any problems. Later on Tuesday, the Conservatives party leader, Lars Barfoed, announced that he does not agree that the Ministry should be abolished.
* The Copenhagen Post 30 August 2011 (in English)
* Dansk Radio 30 August 2011 (in English)
* Dansk Radio 30 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 30 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 30 August 2011:3 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 30 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 30 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 30 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 30 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Politiken 30 August 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 30 August 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Avisen 30 August 2011 (in Danish)
Danish People's Party: - New government must go against the Court
Denmark
As a result of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Great Britain, Denmark should give asylum to all from southern Somalia. The Danish People's Party (DPP) wants the future government to go against the ruling. – We will do all that we can to avoid that an international court can decide who will receive asylum in Denmark, says Martin Henriksen from the DPP. Both the Liberals and the Social Democrats (S) reject the DPP's demand. Dam Kristensen (S) says that it has to be seen whether the decision is appealed or not and how it should be interpreted, but a S government plans to adhere to international conventions. The Refugee Appeals Board has as a response delayed the sending back of 59 Somalis who have been denied asylum. – The Board is obliged to follow ECHR rulings, says the Executive Secretary of the Board, Stig Torp Henriksen.
* International 30 August 2011 (in Danish)
The Refugee Appeals Board to investigate old cases
Denmark
The Refugee Appeals Board is going to review a number of cases concerning residence permits for possible human rights violations. The Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs Søren Pind has previously refused to investigate 75 similar cases. – We want to be on the safe side, and therefore we will examine all the decisions from the last three and a half years, states Stig Torp Henriksen, the Executive Secretary of the Refugee Appeals Board, an independent complaints mechanism for asylum cases. The Board's decision is based on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights.
* Dagbladet 1 September 2011 (in Danish)
Decision-makers educated about immigration issues
Finland
The municipal decision-makers were educated by specialists in an event organized to address among other things immigration laws, money issues and increasing racism. The event was organized due to the fact that around 200 refugees have moved to the town of Lieksa in the last 18 months. Saed Guled from Somalia, who is employed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), emphasizes that it is essential to confront prejudices and racism as soon as they arise, as they can get even more flammable as time goes by. It has been estimated that a further 30-50 immigrants will move to Lieksa by the end of the year.
* YLE 30 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Karjalainen 30 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Asylum-seeking investigations to Oulu
Finland
The city of Oulu has been proposed as the place for testing the new, more centralized system for asylum-seeking processing. According to the new system asylum could be sought in four different cities around Finland, and Oulu could possibly be one of them. If the Finnish Immigration Service will make a positive decision on being the main founder of the project, Oulu will start as the pilot city for the new system in the beginning of the year 2012.
* YLE 31 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Radiopooki 31 August 2011 (in Finnish)
Unaccompanied minors no longer being put into detention
Finland
The Ministry of Interior is currently preparing an amendment to the Aliens Act so that unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors would no longer be put into detention centers. A person can be detained if she or he is suspected of committing crimes or to hide from the authorities after getting a deportation order. Furthermore persons with unclear identity may be put into detention for up to one year. According to Susanna Mehtonen, a Legal Adviser at Amnesty International, detention should be the last resort and even then asylum-seekers should have completely different rights to persons arrested for crimes.
* Österbottens tidning 31 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Palestinian refugees to be sent back
Sweden
Almost all of the Palestinian refugees staying in Munkedal will have to return to Italy where they have received asylum. A couple of the cases are currently under appeal, but it is not likely they will get to stay. The Palestinians claim they left Italy because they had been harassed and persecuted there. According to Mikael Ribbenvik from the Swedish Migration Board it is a matter for the Italian police to deal with such issues and there is nothing Sweden can do.
* Sveriges radio 31 August 2011 (in Swedish)
Gaddafi's family is seeking refuge in Algeria
UNHCR in the news
Gaddafi's wife and children arrived in Algeria on Monday according to the Algerian Foreign Ministry. About 700 Libyans have fled over the weekend to Tunisia, most of whom come from Gaddafi-friendly areas, says a representative from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Reports from UNHCR also state that people who had fled Tripoli, have started to return.
* Aftenbladet 29 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Bergens Tidende 29 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* ABC Nyheter 29 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
Libya needs more help
UNHCR in the news
The oil-rich Libya has attracted many immigrants from poor African countries and there are many black minority groups in Libya. The ongoing persecution of blacks in Tripoli is a particular worry of the High Commissioner of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) António Guterres, who has urged the Libyan rebels to protect refugees and migrant workers. Furthermore the conditions in the refugee camps are horrible, and there is a lack of security and health care. Doctors Without Borders are now pleading with the Libyan authorities, the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure that the basic needs of the refugees are being met.
* Dagens Nyheter 2 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Opdaligen 1 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
Swedish Minister visited Somalia
UNHCR in the news
The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson, visited the town of Dollow in southern Somalia last Tuesday. This is the first time in 20 years that a Swedish Minister has visited the country. She was impressed by the interventions made for the starving people. – It is calm and dignified when the food is distributed, she said to TT. Together with the High Commissioner for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), António Guterres, Carlsson met with local and international organisations that distribute supplies to the needy. About 30,000 people are currently living in Dollow, where they can receive food, health care and shelter. Carlsson believes that even more money is needed in order to reach and help even more people.
* Dagens Nyheter 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 31 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Norran 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Österbottens Tidning 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Webfinanser 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
António Guterres in Mogadishu
UNHCR in the news
– The largest challenge for the world is to help Somalia, which is the most affected country by the famine on the Horn of Africa, said the UN High Commissioner for Refugess (UNHCR) António Guterres, when he visited Mogadishu for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr. Close to 900,000 Somalis have fled their country during years of conflict and now lately due to the famine. Within Somalia, over one and a half million people are internally displaced. – The first harvest is not due until January next year, so the famine, and in turn the refugee crisis, is expected to get even worse in the next few months, Guterres explains.
* Sveriges Radio 1 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 1 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 1 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Skanskan1 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Help for Southern Somalia
UNHCR in the news
The United Nations (UN) is preparing to bring in more food and other supplies into Southern Somalia, which is worst hit by the drought. Currently hardly any aid reaches the areas held by the Islamist group al-Shabaab. UN is now trying to build up stocks in the safe areas along the border to be prepared for the day when it becomes possible to get further into the country. According to Bruno Geddo from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) negotiations for access to more areas are in progress.
*
Sveriges radio 2 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugee flow subsidies slowly
UNHCR in the news
The refugee camps on the Horn of Africa have started to report fewer new arrivals. While the world's largest refugee complex Dadaab saw 1,500 refugees arriving daily in July, the number is now between 1,000 and 1,200 per day. Likewise the Somali capital Mogadishu faced a flow of 28,000 internally displaced in July, whereas in August there were only 5,000 arrivals. The drop in numbers is partly due to the vast emergency efforts, but according to Hanne Mathisen, the spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the Baltic and Nordic countries, it can also be explained by families experiencing more obstacles on the way to the camps, such as checkpoints. – Problems remain. In those areas that al-Shabaab controls there are constraints in particular on men's movements, says Adrian Edwards from the Agency. Al-Shabaab has left Mogadishu, however, which has made it easier to deliver aid to the capital. While pressure on Mogadishu and relocation camps decreases, there is an increase in the number of Somalis who choose to flee to Yemen, and on the whole it is too early to state the worst is over. The situation is changing, but the international community has to keep up the aid efforts. – It is tragic that when men, women and children finally reach the camps some are so exhausted that they drop down and die. We need more donations to provide shelter, water and other relief, Mathisen emphasises.
* Kristeligt Dagblad 2 September 2011 (in Danish)
IKEA gives 62 million dollars for the UNHCR
UNHCR in the news
The IKEA Foundation has decided to donate 62 million dollars for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) over the next three years to relieve the situation in the world's biggest refugee complex, Dadaab, in Kenya. – This is the single largest donation we have received from a private actor, says Hanne Mathisen, the spokesperson for the UNHCR in the Baltic and Nordic Regions. – We are very grateful. There is great suffering on the Horn of Africa right now. More than 12 million persons are affected by the drought and hunger. We hope that this donation will inspire other companies, she continues. Adrian Edwards, a representative of the UNHCR said the donation was examined with "due diligence" before it was accepted. He also told the AP that the agency was well aware of the claims in a new book by a respected Swedish author and journalist that the IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad's youth ties with Nazi groups extended beyond what he had previously acknowledged.
* Food monitor 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Aftonbladet 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Värmlands folkblad 31 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Affarsliv 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Mentor 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* Veckans affärer 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* The Local 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* YLE 30 August 2011 (in Swedish)
* YLE 30 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 30 August 2011 (in Finnish)
* B.T. 30 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Business 30 August 2011 (in Danish)
* 30 August 2011 (in Danish)
* Stockholm news 30 August 2011 (in English)
* Swedish Wire 30 August 2011 (in English)
* The Local 1 September 2011 (in English)
* Avisa Hordaland 30 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagsavisen 30 August 2011 (in Norwegian)
* VG Nett 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
* Aftenposten 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
* Bergens Tidende 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
* Vårt Land 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
* DN 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
* Dagligvarehandeln 30 August 2011(in Norwegian)
Saturday 3 September to Monday 5 September 2011
Social Democrats and Socialist People's Party want to abolish 24-year rule
Denmark
The Government attacks the Social Democrats (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF) after Villy Søvndal (SF) on Friday opened up for the possibility of setting an expiration date on the controversial 24-year rule on family reunification. He said that the rule will be kept for this mandate, but removed by the next. Søren Pind, the Minister of Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs, does not trust that the Social Democratic party will not remove the rule already this mandate period. The 24-year rule on family reunification prevents Danish citizens to marry a foreigner and live in Denmark if one of the persons is under 24-years of age. In order for the Social Liberals (R) to form a government with SF and S, they want to be able to abolish the rule. The Danish People's Party (DF) also wants to negotiate the 24-year rule with SF but only after the election and criticizes them for its alliance with Social Democrats. Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen calls the 24-year rule a cornerstone of the Government's integration policy that has saved many young immigrant women from forced marriages.
* Politiken 2 September 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 2 September 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Politiken 3 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 2 September 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 2 September 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 2 September 2011:3 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 4 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 2 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 4 September 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 4 September 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 4 September 2011:3 (in Danish)
It should take less time to become a citizen
Denmark
– It should take four to five years and not nine years to become a Danish citizen, suggests a member of the Socialist People's Party (SF), Kamal Qureshi. Specifically, he would like to follow the Canadian model, a three-year induction programme, including education. After the induction programme one is offered a permanent residency, and in the future citizenship. This way refugees and immigrants can feel part of the Danish community. Qureshi is backed by Trine Pertou Mach, a parliamentary candidate in Copenhagen for the SF party. The Social Democrat Mette Reissmann also believes it is a good idea, as it will bring more, much needed foreign workers, and include people into society rather than keeping them outside.
* Berlingske 2 September 2011 (in Danish)
Danish Red Cross and the Danish People's Party's election campaign
Denmark
Since the Danish People's Party (DF) announced its proposal to close several refugee centres in Denmark and instead use the money to help refugees in their neighbouring countries, the Danish Red Cross has several times been linked to want the same thing. For example in a debate, Pia Kjærsgaard, DF's leader, used this argument as if DF's suggestion was something that the Red Cross recommended. Anders Ladekarl, director of Red Cross in Denmark, has expressed that he is really tired of being pulled into the political debate. – It is true that we advocate for increased efforts in neighbouring areas, but not at the expense of the centres in Denmark, Ladekarl says. However, Peter Skaarup (DF) responds that they are only saying that the Red Cross, along with them, thinks it is a good idea to make an extra effort in neighbouring areas.
* Politiken 3 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 3 September 2011 (in Danish)
Unaccompanied Roma children rarely get to stay in Sweden
Sweden
None of the about 100 Roma children that fled Serbia and Kosovo last year have been allowed to stay in Sweden by the Swedish Migration Board, even though about half of all unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors were allowed to stay. In Sweden, ethnicity is not registered in the asylum-seeking process. Therefore the exact number of how many Roma children that has come to Sweden is not known, only that many of Roma origin from former Yugoslavia come here to seek asylum. Oskar Ekblad from the Swedish Migration Board explains that most of the time the Roma children do not have sufficient grounds to be granted asylum, but he is prepared to look into it.
* Sveriges Radio 5 September 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 5 September 2011:2 (in Swedish)
Fighting continues in Sudan
UNHCR in the news
Last Saturday almost 20 people died in Sudan in clashes between government forces and rebel soldiers loyal to an opposition party with links to South Sudan. According to the UN fighting has displaced 3,000 people. The UN Refugee Agency has appealed to all parts in the conflict to immediately stop fighting. – It is crucial to stop yet one more refugee crisis from taking hold in the region, that has seen so much suffering these last months, says António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011.
* Aamulehti 3 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 3 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Ilta-Sanomat 3 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Tuesday 6 August to Wednesday 7 August 2011
Opposition stumbles toward consensus on immigration policies
Denmark
There are disagreements in the opposition coalition over a future government's new immigration rules. The conflict concerns the 'point system' that treats highly skilled or educated foreigners preferentially, and its sub-regulation, the 24-year rule, designed to prevent arranged marriages. The Social Democrats (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF), who would likely form a coalition, have been having trouble agreeing on what will happen to the new immigration rules should they win the election. SF wants to abolish the 24-year rule, while S wants to keep it. However, the two parties have agreed to abolish the current point system and replace it with their own list of requirements, while the 24-year rule will remain in place. Some critics believe that this agreement is to keep up the appearance, as there are big differences in the two parties' immigration policies.
* The Copenhagen Post 6 September 2011 (in English)
* Politiken 5 September 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 5 September 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Politiken 7 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 5 September 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 5 September 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 5 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 6 September 2011 (in Danish)
Grandparents want to raise asylum claims
Denmark
The organizations 'Grandparents for Asylum' and 'A Decent Denmark' demonstrated yesterday to highlight asylum-seekers' situation in the election campaign. The election should be used to raise a claim for a decent Danish asylum and refugee policy, according to the two organizations. One of their demands was that torture victims and refugees with post-traumatic stress should be offered treatment.
* Arbejderen 6 September 2011 (in Danish)
Secret medical clinic will expand to include midwives
Denmark
The Red Cross is planning on expanding the clinic for paperless people to become a functioning health centre so that it can handle births. – I am currently recruiting midwives, and I am looking for psychologists, physiotherapists and laboratory technicians, so that we have a real medical centre, says the head of the clinic, Vibeke Lensjkold. The clinic has had 27 patients in the four days that it has been open. This is a success according to the Red Cross in Denmark. They have worked on spreading the word that the clinic is anonymous, in the sense that they do not disclose any information from the medical records, Lensjkold continues.
* Avisen 7 September 2011 (in Danish)
No refugees to Raseborg
Finland
Raseborg municipality has decided not to take any new refugees. The question has been discussed, for example, due to the situation in Libya. The city council voted on the issue on Monday, and with a result of six votes for and seven against the city decided not to accept any more refugees. The topic will be revisited in December. Also Sjundeå municipality has refused to take in more refugees.
* Västra Nyland 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska YLE Nyheter 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Care for paperless immigrants
Sweden
There is broad political consensus in the County Council of Sörmland that paperless persons should have the same right to health care as the rest of the population. According to the County Council there are around 1,300 asylum-seekers in Sörmland, and the guess is that 300 of those are paperless. – We do not want there to be any doubts about the paperless refugees being entitled to health care, states Thomas af Bjur, Chairman for the County's Medical Services. Currently the County Director Karin Welin is expected to review the existing policy documents.
* Sveriges Radio 5 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Businesses give more to charity
Sweden
IKEA Foundation that donated 390 million Swedish crowns (SEK) to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) last week, is not the only company to donate money to organizations with a 90-account. In 2010 Swedish businesses gave around 581 million SEK, which is a substantial increase compared to 2006, when 176 million SEK was donated. However, private persons still donate more and the amount from the public reached 5 billion SEK last year.
* Dagens Nyheter 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Helagotland 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
UN does not reach hunger struck area
UNHCR in the news
Yet another part of southern Somalia is struck by famine, and Somali aid workers testify to a catastrophic situation. The al Shabaab group that controls the area does not allow international organizations to enter, such as the UN, while local organizations can enter. The UN has been criticised for not ignoring all formalities and prestige, and work with those who can actually get the help through. But Bruno Geddo, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) representative for Somalia, says that the UN is already working with local organizations to the extent it can. – It is a matter of transparency and accountability, he continues. The UN has to be careful with how the money is spent.
* Sveriges Radio 6 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 8 September to Friday 9 September 2011
Social Democrats and Socalist People's Party want to give more Danish passports
Denmark
The Social Democrats (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF) want to relax the rules for naturalisation. Both parties criticise the requirements for language and social skills. Even if one has managed to get permanent residence, it is extremely difficult to become a Danish citizen, says Henrik Dam Kristensen (S). The Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Søren Pind, is surprised by the criticism of the Danish immigration policy since S and SF have already criticised the point system and the 24-year rule. He considers it natural that the Government ensures people having knowledge of Danish history before granting citizenship.
* Jyllands-Posten 7 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 8 September 2011 (in Danish)
* The Copenhagen Post 8 September 2011 (in English)
Refugee families not granted insurances
Finland
The Local Insurance (Lähivakuutus) company did not grant insurance for 12 Congolese families in Kainuu this spring. The decision was made based on the fact that the applicants were not Finnish citizens. The issue was inspected by the Ombudsman for Minorities, who concluded that no-one should be denied the right to an insurance based on citizenship, ethnicity or religion. The insurance company now has to compensate each family with 300 euros. The Local Insurance Group is furthermore going to compile a set of instructions for handling such cases in the future.
* MTV3 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kainuun Sanomat 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Ilta-Sanomat 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kaleva 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE Svenska Nyheter 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
More paperless than previously thought
Finland
According to rough estimates there are around 4,000 paperless immigrants in Finland, the number is higher than for example the police previously thought. The exact number is difficult to pin down, however, as these are persons that do not exist officially. This spring a medical clinic was founded in Helsinki to help the paperless, since they have no access to health care otherwise. Furthermore they are often exploited in the labour market. It has been estimated that there are currently as many as 8 million paperless persons in Europe.
* YLE 7 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Fewer asylum-seekers want to come to Norway
Norway
So far this year, just over 6,000 people have sought asylum in Norway. This is seven per cent less compared to the same period last year. Many of those who seek asylum, come from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran. – Somalis still constitute the largest group of asylum-seekers and the number of applicants from Somalia has nearly doubled since last year, said Ida Børresen, Director General of Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
* Verdens Gang 7 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
War criminals seeking asylum
Sweden
There are many war victims, but also war criminals seeking asylum in Sweden. No-one knows the exact number, but the Swedish War Crimes Commission is currently investigating 30 cases. According to the international conventions an asylum-seeker suspected of war crimes cannot be sent back to his/her home country if there is a risk that he or she will be subjected to torture or there is a threat to his or her life. EU Member States have chosen to deal with the problem in different ways and in Sweden the suspect can be granted a temporary or permanent residence permit, after which it will be up to the War Crimes Commission to investigate any complaints. The Commission has received 160 notifications of possible war criminals in Sweden.
* Dagens Nyheter 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Malmö to agree on refugees
Sweden
The city of Malmö has signed an agreement with the County Administrative Board about the reception of refugees. Unlike previous agreements this agreement does not indicate the number of refugees the city will receive, since the number of refugees settling into Malmö varies from year to year. In 2009 the municipality received 796 refugees, compared to last year when only 558 came. This year, the number of refugees is not expected to exceed 500. The agreement will be discussed in the Municipal Council on 22 September.
* Helsingborgs Dagblad 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Skånskan 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Criticism on the treatment of migrants
UNHCR in the news
Around 2,000 migrants have died so far this year while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Council of Europe. The Council is therefore criticizing the countries within the European Union (EU) for not doing enough to save the lives of the migrants. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated in May that the number of people who had died crossing the waters was 1,200. This means that the number has highly increased over the summer.
* Sveriges Radio 7 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 10 September to Monday 12 September 2011
Too many wrongly registered stateless Kurds
Denmark
The Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has refused to investigate the extent of the incorrect registration of Kurdish asylum-seekers, and according to the Danish Immigration Service there is no reason to believe that there has been systematic errors made. However, all of the 30 stateless asylum-seekers that Information spoke to, were registered as Syrian nationals with the Danish Immigration authorities. According to their own statements, they told the authorities of their statelessness, and several could produce documents to confirm their status. The head of the Danish Immigration Service, Jakob Dam Glynstrup, has stated that they will re-register all cases where there is ground to do so, but the asylum-seekers must themselves come to the office.
* Information 11 September 2011 (in Danish)
Africans build houses out of election posters
Denmark
After the upcoming Danish election, posters from the Socialist People's Party (SF) and Liberal Alliance (LA) will hang on the roofs at a refugee camp in Malawi. The association ´Tagplakaten´ urges politicians from all parties to donate their election posters for refugees. The residents of the refugee camp in Malawi build their own homes and usually build their roofs out of twigs, but will now be able to use the election posters to shield from the rain. Anders Feldbæk, who started the association, says that the posters are still in good condition even after they have been up for a few weeks.
* Jyllands-Posten 9 September 2011 (in Danish)
Reception centers closed but not in the north
Finland
According to the Minister of Interior Päivi Räsänen it is very clear that the number of reception centers will be cut. However, the centers in Kymi and Rovaniemi are strategically very well located, and hence might survive the cuts. Furthermore they are also flexible in their operations. The cuts are mainly due to the drop in the number of asylum-seekers. In 2009 Finland received 6,000 asylum-seekers, whereas last year the number had fallen to 4,000.
* Lapin Kansa 11 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Pohjolan Sanomat 11 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Belarus opposition journalist granted asylum
Lithuania
The Belarusian opposition journalist Natalya Radzina, editor of the oppositional Charter97.org website, has been granted asylum in Lithuania. She applied for asylum a month ago and has announced that she received the positive decision on 7 September. Allegedly, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis asked the migration department to agree to the asylum request, hailing Charter97 as a standard-bearer for democratic change in Belarus
* The Baltic Course 9 September 2011 (in English)
Conversion not trusted
Norway
Kåre Lode, senior researcher at the Centre for Intercultural Communication in Stavanger, is sceptical of the treatment of refugees who are seeking asylum in Norway because they have converted from Islam to Christianity. He believes they are systematically being discredited by Norwegian authorities. –The applicants are not trusted and are suspected of converting to Christianity in order to apply for political asylum, he continues. Head of unit at the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board, Ingun Marie Halle, says that all Afghan converts are granted residence in Norway, as it is not safe for someone who has converted from Islam to Christianity to return to Afghanistan. While converted asylum-seekers from Iran and Iraq are assessed individually on credibility and whether it is safe or not for them to return.
* Bergens Tidende 12 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
Swedish Migration Board under scrutiny
Sweden
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been looking into the quality of the asylum procedure and decisions in Sweden over a period of two years and made recommendations for quality improvements. According to Hans ten Feld, UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries, Sweden has one of the best systems in the world. – But no system is perfect, he continues. The study found that the Swedish Migration Board is faced with two major challenges: firstly, it needs to ensure there is greater consistency between its 14 units and secondly, that the decision-makers have the right tools to make the difficult decisions. – We spoke to many decision-makers who pointed out that there are ambiguities, said Liv Feijen, who took part in conducting the study. – I think it is good that we receive suggestions and recommendations on how to develop ourselves, says Dan Eliasson, Director-General of the Swedish Migration Board.
* Sveriges radio 9 September 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges radio 9 September 2011:2 (in Swedish)
* TV4 Nyheterna 9 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagen 9 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 9 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 9 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges radio 9 September (in English)
Food aid not reaching the needy
UNHCR in the news
According to new reports, the food aid does not reach the suffering people in Somalia. Now increasing demands for better controls on distribution of aid are being made. UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is one of the many aid organizations delivering emergency aid in the country.
* Dagen 8 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 13 September to Wednesday 14 September 2011
Not many places for Libyans
Finland
Finland has accepted 50 refugees fleeing the conflict in Libya, but only 15 places have been found so far. For instance, Raseborg, Lohja and Siuntio have refused to take any refugees.
* YLE Svenska 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Migration Court to Umeå
Sweden
It has been proposed that a new Migration Court is established in the city of Umeå in addition to the three existing ones in Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg. The new Migration Court would mean shorter travelling distances and waiting periods for the asylum-seekers in Northern Sweden.
* Svenska Dagbladet 12 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Västerbottens-Kuriren 12 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Allehanda 12 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* LNY Stockholm 12 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 12 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Reform failure
Sweden
An integration policy reform that was launched 1 December 2010 is now being criticized for failing. According to the Minister for Integration, Erik Ullenhag, it is the biggest reform in 25 years, and it aims to get the newly arrived immigrants off the social welfare and into work. The change is slow, however, and for example in Gothenburg 97 per cent of the new arrivals are on welfare before they are linked with the Swedish Public Employment Service. – We are worried, says Per-Arne Andersson from the Service. According to him the system is unpredictable and unmanageable in many ways. Minister Ullenhag reminds that the reform took place only recently and acknowledges the problems and that adjustments must be made.
* Dagens Nyheter 14 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Eliasson new Director General of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency
Sweden
Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Swedish Migration Board, has been appointed by the Government of Sweden as the new Director General of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). He will start his new job on 1 October 2011.
* Ystads Allehanda 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Södermanlands Nyheter 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Skånskan 13 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Life-saving Yemeni group wins 2011 Nansen Refugee Award
UNHCR in the news
The Society for Humanitarian Solidarity (SHS), which helps refugees and migrants when they have arrive in Yemen from the Horn of Africa, has won the Nansen Refugee Award by the UN Refugee Agency in cooperation with the Norwegian Refugee Council. – Thousands of refugees owe their survival to the people working for the Society for Humanitarian Solidarity, said António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Many people put their lives in the hands of human smugglers and cross the Gulf of Aden in crowded and often unseaworthy boats. Some 60,000 people have crossed the sea so far this year and the number is expected to rise. The award was created in 1954 in honour of the Norwegian polar explorer and the first League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Fridtjof Nansen. The award consists of a medal and 600,000 Norwegian Crowns (NOK) given to a person or an organization for their work for refugees.
* Verdens Gang 13 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Hamar Arbeiderblad 13 September 2011 (Norwegian)
Thursday 15 September to Friday 16 September 2011
Danish power shift
Denmark
Until the very last minute it was uncertain whether there would be a political change of power in Denmark. However, when 98,5 per cent of the votes were counted, the Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen accepted defeat. This makes the Social Democrat's Helle Thorning-Schmidt the first female Prime Minister in Denmark. With nearly 100 per cent of the votes counted, the socialist "red block" has 92 seats and the "blue block" 87 seats, including the four North Atlantic seats. The "red block" consists of: the Social Democrats, the Socialist People's Party, the Red-Green Alliance and the Social Liberals. The election result will put an end to the influence by the Danish People's Party, which had a tightening affect on Denmark's immigration policy in the previous parliamentary term.
* Berlingske 16 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 15 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 16 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 16 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 15 September 2011 (in Danish)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
* Sydsvenskan 15 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 16 September 2011 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
* Hufvudstadsbladet 15 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 15 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Reception centres face cuts
Finland
Reception centres for asylum-seekers are facing cuts next year. The 20 per cent cut in spending and the 200 fewer places in the centres means that Finland is forced to accept fewer asylum-seekers in 2012. During the last weeks the number of asylum-seekers has increased, although the amount of asylum-seekers has continuously been decreasing in recent years
* YLE 15 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Government drops refugee return centres
Norway
The Norwegian government has decided not to build new centres to house rejected asylum-seekers, since it is too expensive, according to the Ministry of Justice. State Secretary Pål Lønseth says that they will instead give priority to other measures aimed at expediting the return of rejected asylum-seekers. The proposal to build a separate centre for rejected asylum-seekers was presented last year, but as they received several construction bids, the proposal was found much more expensive than first expected.
* Aftenposten 15 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 15 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagsavisen 15 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Views and News from Norway 15 September 2011 (in English)
Norway to combat refugee harassment
Norway
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has decided to create information films concerning freedom of religion in order to avoid harassment and discrimination of asylum-seekers. This is a reaction to an incident where an Afghan man got seriously injured when a fellow refugee threw boiling water over him after he had decided to convert to Christianity. These films were originally designed to inform homosexuals of their rights, but UDI has now decided to expand it to the topic of freedom of religion.
* The Foreigner 14 September 2011 (in English)
Östergötland has received 157 children
Sweden
The province of Östergötland is hailed by the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy for the way it deals with unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. However the Swedish Migration Board says this is not enough, twice as many places for unaccompanied minors are still needed.
* SVT 14 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 17 September to Monday 19 September 2011
One in four Danes would hide an illegal alien
Denmark
Although it is illegal and punishable to help illegal aliens hide from the authorities, many Danes are still willing to do so, according to a public opinion poll carried out by Megafon. The spokesperson for The Committee for Underground Refugees (Flygtninge under Jorden), Michala Clante Bendixen, is pleasantly surprised, but doubts that most people would put thought into action. The organization has existed for 25 years but does not actually help people go underground. It has provided medical care until recently, when a new health clinic for illegal immigrants opened in Copenhagen.
* Politiken 17 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 17 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Modkraft 18 September 2011 (in Danish)
Danish People's Party's opposite the new balance of power
Denmark
The Danish election result is likely to change the Danish rhetoric and policies towards immigrants. This is due to the fact that the Social Liberals got enough votes to take away the balance of power from the Danish People's Party (DPP). Marlene Wind, professor at the Department of Political Sciences at Copenhagen University, believes that change will come but that will take time. Especially the rhetoric will change as the new Government is using a different language. – Asylum-seekers will also be received in a new way, she says. The DPP has lost its power. However, it is still a strong party; the difference is that it does not have the same support from other parties anymore.
* Dagens Nyheter 16 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Verkkolehti 19 September 2011 (in Finnish)
Swedish Migration Board critical of lawyers
Sweden
The report about the quality of the Swedish asylum decision-making, published recently by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), revealed that 60 per cent of the legal representatives' submissions included in the study were of satisfactory quality, but 40 per cent, were not. – These are appalling numbers, says Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board. – Some lawyers are brilliant, but there are others who should not engage in this legal area because it is so complex and lives are at stake, Ribbenvik adds. He reminds, however, that the decision does not depend solely on the lawyer's submission. – The Migration Board looks at cases objectively and if there are inconsistencies, we will address them, Ribbenvik concludes.
* Sveriges Radio 16 September 2011 (in Swedish)
More money for municipalities to receive unaccompanied minors
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) proposes that municipalities receiving unaccompanied minors get more money. Currently there is a lack of 500 places for these children, and SMB believes money could motivate municipalities in making a positive decision on the issue. So far this year SMB has received 1,611 asylum applications from children under 18, and the estimation for the whole year is 2,400.
* Svenska Dagbladet 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Changes in asylum law will reunite thousands
Sweden
The Government and the Green Party (MP) have come to an agreement on common migration policies, which is the first step to allow Somali refugees without identification papers to reunite with their families in Sweden. In spring 2010 Sweden tightened its migration policies, leaving thousands of Somalis stranded in refugee camps. The recent changes in the law mean that as many as 4,000 Somali refugees, a majority of them children, could come to Sweden as of 1 July 2012 when the law will be implemented. Organizations such as Save the Children and the Somali Association in Sweden have welcomed the change, but Save the Children also criticizes the system for taking too long to take an effect, stating that all the time wasted on waiting weakens children's chances of becoming reunited with their families.
* Sveriges Radio 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sverige Radio 18 September 2011 (in English)
* Sveriges Radio 18 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Dagens Nyheter 19 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Katrineholms Kuriren 19 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Webfinanser 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Playing for famine
UNHCR in the news
Some people use a donation box, some play bad videogames. Game fans from around the world have engaged themselves in the fight against the famine in the Horn of Africa. Three young men from Australia had decided to push through 24 hours, playing what they say are the worst videogames of all times. The purpose was to raise money for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The game marathon could be followed live on their own webpage called The Lame Game Marathon, where people were encouraged to donate money through a link on the page.
Verdens Gang 16 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
UNCHR: Ashraf inhabitants officially asylum-seekers
UNHCR in the news
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirms in a statement from 13 September that it has received a significant number of individual requests from residents in Camp Ashraf to examine their refugee status. UNHCR has announced that it has initiated a process that will examine people's preferences on an individual basis, as Iraq lacks a national asylum system. Also, UNHCR states that international law requires that the residents of Ashraf must be able to receive fundamental protection of their safety and welfare.
* Webfinanser 18 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 20 September to Wednesday 21 September 2011
Socialist Left wants agreement with Labour on asylum policy
Norway
– We want asylum-seekers in Norway to have access to the labour market to a larger extent than today, says Heikki Holmås from the Socialist Left Party (SV). Many asylum-seekers in Norway have to wait several years before they receive a decision on their application. Those who arrive without a passport are not allowed to work in the meantime, forcing many to accept illegal work or commit crimes. Now SV wants reach an agreement on the asylum policy with the Labour Party (Ap), as the current policy goes against Ap's own policies, according to SV. The Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) suggests that Norway should learn from Danish practice. After the Danish elections, the new Prime minister has announced Denmark will give asylum-seekers a chance to work.
* 2 Nyhetene 20 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
New rules for health clinics overlook paperless
Sweden
The County Councils can offer more generous health care to persons without legal residence than the law requires. However, in a draft for new guidelines for health care centres in the region of Västra Götaland, persons without legal residence are not guaranteed health care. If the proposals in a government survey on health care for persons without legal residence are implemented in the legislation, they will not take effect until 1 January 2013. Until then the health care received will depend on where in the country one lives. – It would be good if Västra Götaland would change its current rules, both to clarify and show a more generous attitude, according to the paediatrician Henry Ascher.
* Göteborgs Fria 19 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Activists block vehicle transporting refugees
Sweden
Approximately 40 people blocked the entrance of the Swedish Migration Board's detention centre in Mölndal, in an attempt to stop the deportation of an Afghan man. According to the activists the refugee in question would face torture and possible death if sent back to Afghanistan. The demonstration ended later that day when the police intervened. The scheduled transportation of the refugees from the detention centre to Landvetter airport was severely delayed.
* Sverige Radio 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Göteborgs-Posten 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Aftonbladet 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Palestinian refugees have to return to Italy
Sweden
According to the Director for Legal Affairs of the Swedish Migration Board, Mikael Ribbenvik, all the members of the Palestinian refugee group that came from Italy to Sweden 3-4 months ago should return voluntarily. The refugees who were granted resettlement in Italy and are currently residing in Åtorp, have all been denied asylum in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board hopes that police involvement can be avoided and has asked UNHCR to conduct a dialogue between the refugees and the Italian authorities.
* Bohusläningen 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Inconsistent assessment of asylum applications
Sweden
The practice in similar asylum cases varies a lot between the three Migration Courts of Appeal. Variations are notable also within each court, according to a report by the Swedish Red Cross and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. – The courts seem to create their own internal practice regarding asylum cases, says Alexandra Segenstedt from the Swedish Red Cross. She calls for more in-depth knowledge about the asylum-seekers' country of origin.
* Dagens Nyheter 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio Ekot 20 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 22 September to Friday 23 September 2011
Red Cross's integration project beneficial to refugee parents
Finland
The integration project "Parents at the Åland Islands" (Föräldrar på Åland) run by the Red Cross has produced a resource binder that can be beneficial to refugee parents or organizations that are working with integration issues. Authorities at the Åland Islands have granted 5,000 euros to create the binder.
* Nya Åland 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugees and immigrants return home
Norway
Last year immigration caused the biggest population growth in Norway in 100 years. However, many of the immigrants and refugees return to their home countries or move to other countries, and therefore the population growth is lower than previously thought. According to Statistics Norway at least one-third of Pakistanis, Somalis and Iraqis leave Norway after a few years to return to their home country or move to another Western country.
* NRK 1: 22 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 2: 22 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Utrop 22 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
Billström: It is good if the rule of law is respected in the asylum process
Sweden
Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, is sceptical about the Swedish Migration Board's proposal that asylum-seekers could apply for a residence permit for employment reasons during the asylum process. – It is good that we have employment based immigration, but it is also good if the rule of law is respected in the asylum process, Billström states. Since all the review instances have not made their comments to the proposal yet Billström does not think it is appropriate to comment in detail.
* Sveriges Television 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Swedish Migration Board criticized by UNHCR
Sweden
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed criticism about the Swedish Migration Board's handling of refugees with religious beliefs. UNHCR examined 200 asylum cases from 2009 and found that in 30 cases religion was mentioned as the main reason to fear persecution. However, some Migration Board officials have argued that a person would not face persecution in their home country if they would not express their religion openly; hence they have no grounds for asylum. The right to religion is a human right by International law. According to UNHCR the Migration Board should formulate guidelines on the interpretation of religion as the grounds for asylum. Furthermore UNHCR notes that the Migration Court of Appeal is expected to deliver a ruling on the assessment of credibility in cases concerning apostasy.
* Världen idag 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Municipalities may be forced to accept refugee children
Sweden
According to the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, the Government may have to consider changing the legislation so that more municipalities in Sweden would accept unaccompanied minors. Only four out of the 33 municipalities of Skåne Region accept unaccompanied children, and many of them have complained about problems with this voluntary system. Currently there are 128 refugee children in Malmö waiting to be relocated.
* Sverige Radio 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Nationell Idag 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 21 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 24 September to Monday 26 September 2011
Red-Green Alliance: Remove brutal immigration rules
Denmark
The Red-Green Alliance calls for a halt to what the party believes are brutal and bureaucratic rules for foreigners. Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, spokesperson for the party, has gone through refusals of family reunifications by the Danish Immigration Service. Her party sees it as their task to clean up "this mess of rules that splits families and is punishing children". The party also requires that all old cases of refusal, made by the former government, should be re-visited.
* Politiken 24 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 24 September 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 24 September 2011 (in Danish)
More return home voluntarily
Norway
A growing number of rejected asylum-seekers are choosing to leave Norway voluntarily. The strong financial support that the state provides is part of the reason. So far this year, more Russians and Iraqis have chosen to return voluntarily than new asylum-seekers have come to Norway from the same countries, according to the Director of the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), Ida Børresen. The asylum process has improved and the time has gone down to six months, and with shorter waiting time for a decision it is easier to get asylum-seekers to return home. However, Børresen adds that they do not know where they travel, whether it is back home, if it is to another country or if they go into hiding in Norway.
* Dagsavisen 23 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 23 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
Successful model for asylum-seeking minors
Sweden
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors have been the centre of attention in a seminar in Skellefteå, where they have expressed their feelings and views about what works well. – We have found an approach towards the children that we think is important to spread, says Per Åhdén, from municipality administration. The so-called Skellefteå model – which emphazises close collaboration among social serviced, housing deprtments, employment agency, schools etc - was presented to several hundred persons who work with children and young persons who come to Sweden unaccompanied. Also the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, who has previously appealed to local authorities to increase the number of places for unaccompanied minors, took part in the seminar.
* Sveriges radio 23 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Job can become fast-track to stay
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board has proposed that asylum-seekers would not have to wait to get a decision on asylum in order to apply for a residence permit. Currently the Swedish law has a clear distinction between asylum-seekers and those wanting to come to Sweden to work. According to the Migration Board the current system is a waste of resources. According to Thord Ingesson from the Landsorganisationen (LO), however, it is dangerous to blur the lines between these two groups. – It could be harder to defend the right to protection of refugees when they suddenly turn into labor migrants, he explains.
* Dagens Nyheter 24 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Stockholm news 24 September 2011 (in English)
Refugees attributing to the majority of men in Sweden
Sweden
In 2015 there will be more men than women in Sweden, when in previous years the population has been dominantly female. In 2020 there will be an estimated 38,200 more men than women living in the country. One factor attributing to the surplus of men is the refugees arriving from Africa, Middle East and former Yugoslavia, majority of who are male.
* Sydsvenskan 25 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Kristianstadsbladet 25 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 25 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* The Local 25 September 2011 (in English)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 25 September 2010 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 26 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugee children interrogated without adult supervision
Sweden
Emmy Ivarsson, lawyer at the Asylum Law Office in Stockholm, criticizes the system where unaccompanied refugee children arriving to Sweden are being interrogated without the presence of an adult or an attorney. Children are questioned by the Swedish Migration Board immediately after their arrival when most of them are tired from a long journey, and the data from these interviews can be used to decide whether they are entitled to stay in the country.
* Sverige Radio 26 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 27 September to Wednesday 28 September 2011
Hundreds of returned children
Denmark
Children as young as two years have been returned to their country of origin because they are not fit for "successful integration" in Denmark, according to the Danish Aliens Act. Since 2005 some 800 children under the age of 15 have been forced to leave. This is due to a tightening of the Danish Immigration Policy in 2004, where children under 15 years can be returned if they do not arrive in Denmark within two years after their parents. The rule was intended to prevent parents from sending back their children to their home country for extended periods. However, after a Supreme Court ruling in 2010, the rules became even tighter. The Danish Ministry for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs got looser reins when it came to deporting very young children that were not capable of "successful integration". Now the Red-Green Alliance demands that restrictions made in the past few years should be removed.
* Berlingske 26 September 2011 (in Danish)
Paperless persons should have access to health care
Finland
The Finnish Medical Association has published a statement where it criticizes that paperless persons are denied access to health care. According to the Association, every human is entitled to equal health care, and the failure to treat possible infectious diseases of a certain group of people could become a health risk for the whole society. Paperless women also face problems when trying to have an abortion, says the Free Movement network. They cannot afford to use private clinics and are denied treatment in the public sector. Paperless women who are pregnant are also denied access to maternity clinics and will only be accepted to hospitals to give birth.
* Mediauutiset 27 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kansanuutiset 28 September 2011 (in Finnish)
* Helsingin Sanomat 27 September 2011 (in Finnish)
50 refugees arrive to Öland
Sweden
Approximately 50 refugees have arrived to Lundegård, Öland. The Lundegård campsite is going to sign a contract that will allow it to operate as a reception centre for another season. According to Per-Einar Tuvesson, the refugee coordinator in the municipality, the refugees will be contacted by the Swedish Migration Board in a few days.
* Sveriges Radio 27 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Östran 28 September 2011 (in Swedish)
LGBT refugees in risk of getting rejected
Sweden
According to the No one is illegal Network (Ingen människa är illegal) the Swedish Migration Board does not have sufficient information on the lesbian, gay, bi- and transsexual (LGBT) refugees' situation. On 13 January this year the Migration Board's Director for Legal Affairs Mikael Ribbenvik took a legal position on the matter of LGBT-refugees. However, according to the No one is illegal Network the knowledge about the position has not trickled down to all the persons handling the cases. – Law in Sweden is generally good, but the problem is that it is not followed, Alexandra Ekwall from the Networks LGBT-group emphasizes. According to the Migration Board's legal position the decision on asylum should be based on the applicant's future way of life, and not whether they have lived openly as LGBT-person in the past. However, this is not always the case in practice.
* Göteborgs Fria 26 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 29 September to Friday 30 September 2011
Increased police force used to target unaccompanied children
Denmark
According to experts events of small children being denied residency and separated from their parents, with police knocking on families' doors to check children's passports, are increasingly common in Denmark. The immigration lawyer Åge Kramp says the change is due to increases in the police force - an initiative pushed by the Danish People's Party with the specific objective of enforcing deportations.
* The Copenhagen Post 28 September 2011 (in English)
Paperless allowed employment in Trondheim
Norway
The city council in Trondheim agreed with the group "Asylum-seekers without asylum" (Asylanter uten asyl i Trondheim) in its application for school and work permits for asylum-seekers who have been denied asylum but cannot return back home. Some of them have lived in Norway for many years and are well integrated into society. The head of the organization, Reza Malaki, is pleased with the backing from the council and that it has promised to forward their requests to the Government. In the meantime, local solutions will be established in Trondheim, so that paperless persons will have the same rights to health care as everyone else.
* Adressa 29 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
Swedish Migration Board's Reunification project fails
Sweden
Between 2009 and 2010 the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) launched a reunification project that aimed to find the family members of 480 unaccompanied minors who would be deported or denied asylum. The project failed, however, managing to launch only 26 searches and not being able to find a single family. None of the children have been forced to leave due to SMB's failure to reunite them with their families.
* Dagens Nyheter 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* TV 4 Nyheterna 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Sweden Democrats: Immigration costs Sweden billions
Sweden
The Sweden Democrats (SD) claims the state could save 15 billion SEK in 2012 and over 35 billion SEK in 2015, if SD's immigration policies were to be implemented. The Sweden Democrats wants to reduce asylum and family reunification by 90 per cent and cut back on benefits received by immigrants and refugees in the society. However, Jan Ekberg, professor at the Linnaeus University, says that the Sweden Democrats underestimates society's benefits from immigration.
* Dagens Nyheter 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 29 September 2011 (in English)
* Aftonbladet 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy criticizes Skåne
Sweden
Tobias Billström, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy criticizes the reception of unaccompanied minors in Region Skåne. According to him, more municipalities should take responsibility for accepting unaccompanied children. Especially Malmö, where there are currently 140 minors waiting to be allocated to other municipalities, is too slow in relocating the children. Billström was in Malmö to discuss the situation of 2,500 unaccompanied minors who are expected to arrive to Sweden this year.
* Sveriges Radio 28 September 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 29 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 1 October to Monday 3 October 2011
New Government eases immigration policy
Denmark
It will be easier to be granted family reunification, permanent residence and citizenship. Both legislation and administration will be revised by the new Government. For the past 10 years, the former government tightened the immigration policy. Now it is time to get a comprehensive overview of the consequences of these changes, according to the new Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Social Democrat), Margrethe Vestager chairman of the Social Liberals and Villy Søvndal, leader of the Socialist People's Party. According to the new Government programme the parties want to relax the immigration policy in several areas. The Ministry of Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs will be disbanded and other ministries will take over its work. Also, the current point system for family reunification will be removed, but the language requirements will stay. In the future, it will be possible for asylum-seekers to live and work outside the asylum centres after six months.
* Jyllands-Posten 1 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 2 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 3 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 2 October 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Politiken 2 October 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Politiken 3 October 2011 (in English)
* Berlingske 2 October 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 2 October 2011:2 (in Danish)
* B.T. 2 October 2011 (in Danish)
Trondheim wants to change immigration policy
Norway
On Thursday, the city council in Trondheim stated that undocumented asylum-seekers should be able to obtain work permits in the city, and in doing so, it went against the Government. The Labour Party in Trondheim is asking the Government to change its immigration policy when it comes to undocumented immigrants. – People that are paperless in Trondheim must be able to work, pay taxes to take care of themselves, before they are sent back home, said Rune Olsø from the Labour Party. – It is about human dignity and the ability to contribute to society, he continues. The opposition in Trondheim has strongly reacted against the city council's plans not to follow the State's immigration policy.
* NRK 30 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* TV 2 Nyhetene 30 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Rogalands Avis 1 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
How asylum-seekers come to Norway
Norway
Asylum-seekers cross dangerous borders, open seas and pay a lot of money to get a chance to live in Norway, according to documents from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). So far this year the number one country of origin is Somalia, with 1,070 asylum-seekers.
* Verdens Gang 30 September 2011 (in Norwegian)
New documentary on unaccompanied minors
Sweden
Annually some 2,000 unaccompanied children seek asylum in Sweden. Last year 1,315 of them got permission to stay. Monday evening a new documentary series will air on the Swedish TV channel SVT. The documentary follows some young people who have escaped from their home countries.
* Sveriges Radio P1 3 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Utbildningsradio 26 September 2011 (in Swedish)
Poor protection against forced marriage
Sweden
The protection against forced marriage and child marriage is poor for those seeking residence permits in Sweden. The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) would like to strengthen the current law, so that applicants who are forcibly married, or in danger of being so, could inform the authorities without being afraid that their partner or relatives would find out about it. SMB suspects that many people keep quiet about their reluctance to come to Sweden due to fear of reprisals, according to a new report to the Government.
* Aftonbladet 1 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 1 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio International 2 October 2011 (in English)
* SVT 1 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Skånskan 1 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 4 October to Wednesday 5 October 2011
New Government: The ministerial list
Denmark
More than two weeks of secretive negotiations on a new government platform have ended and Helle Thorning-Schmidt has met with the Queen to ask to form a government. Thorning-Schmidt and the Social Democrats will lead a coalition that is joined by the Social Liberals and Socialist People's Party (SF). The immigration policy will be reviewed, and it will become easier to be allowed family reunification, permanent residence and citizenship. Reduced social welfare benefits for new immigrants will be eliminated, the 24-year rule remains, the attachment requirement is kept but modified and asylum-seekers can live and work outside asylum centres after six months. The former Government's point system for family reunification will be removed. The Ministry of Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs will be abolished, and its portfolio split between several ministries, including the Social Affairs Ministry and the Justice Ministry. The latter will be responsible for handling asylum and family reunification applications. The Minister of Social- and Integration Affairs, Karen Hækkerup (SD), will coordinate the integration work. She does not believe that the integration and immigration policy will loose focus without a ministry. Former Minister Søren Pind fears the consequences of the new policies: "It means open borders and open coffers. We will see an increase of non-Danes on social benefits. And abolishing the points system means that the Anatolian Plains move closer".
* The Copenhagen Post 3 October 2011 (in English)
* Jyllands-Posten 3 October 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 3 October 2011:2 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 3 October 2011:3 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 3 October 2011:4 (in Danish)
* Information 3 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 3 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 4 October 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Øst 4 October 2011 (in Danish)
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
* Ilta-Sanomat 3 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Itä-Savo 3 October 2011 (in Finnish)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
* Dagens Nyheter 4 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Fewer seeking asylum in Finland
Finland
This year a third fewer asylum-seekers have arrived to Finland compared to last year. Between January and September a total of 2,217 persons applied for asylum in Finland, which is 31 per cent less compared to 3,203 persons in 2010. Some 120 persons of these asylum-seekers were unaccompanied minors. The Finnish Immigration Service estimates that by the end of the year the number of refugees can exceed 3,000, if the same pattern continues. Most of the applications were submitted by Iraqis (436), Somalis (255), Afghans (242) and Russians (227). Finland also received an increasing number of applications from Syria, due to the ongoing uprising. Out of those who applied for asylum between January and August, 836 persons received a positive decision and were either granted asylum or a residence permit. This is 35 per cent of all applicants. Some 1,291 applications were rejected.
* Yle 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Yle 4 October 2011 (in English)
* Turun Sanomat 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Aamulehti 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kauppalehti 4 October 2011 (in English)
* Kainuun Sanomat 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kansan Uutiset 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Åbo Underrättelser 4 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Vasabladet 4 October 2011 (in Swedish)
500 per cent increase in unaccompanied refugee children
Sweden
Sweden has experienced an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors arriving each year. Between 2004 and 2010 the number of unaccompanied minors has increased from 500 individuals to over 2,500 per year. However, the total number of unaccompanied minors coming to other Nordic countries has decreased significantly. In 2009, Finland received 557 unaccompanied minors, compared to 329 last year. In Finland, Norway and Denmark the rules of determining the age of an unaccompanied minor is stricter than in Sweden. For example last year 600 children underwent an age test in Norway, out of whom 289 or 48 per cent proved to be over 18 years old. Now Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, wants to ensure that unified rules are also followed in Sweden. – We strive to become more consistent with other Nordic countries, this way the situation becomes more legally secure.
* Nationell Idag 4 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Nyheter 24 3 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Angelina Jolie on the podium at UN celebration
UNHCR in the news
Angelina Jolie was present when the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) awarded the prestigious Nansen Medal. As the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, Angelina Jolie used the opportunity to appeal for more aid for refugees from war-and famine-torn Somalia. This year, the Nansen Medal went to the organization Society for Humanitarian Solidarity from Yemen. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, showed his gratitude and congratulated Jolie for her work as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR during the past 10 years.
* Jyllands-Posten 4 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Ilta-Sanomat 4 October 2011 (in Finnish)
Thursday 6 October to Friday 7 October 2011
Paperless still without work permits
Norway
The police in Trondheim believe that the politicians have created false hope, since the city council's decision to allow paperless people to work goes against immigrant regulations. Cathrine Tørum, from the police, stresses that no laws, regulations or instructions are changed for paperless asylum-seekers who want to work. The number of applications for work permits have more than doubled since the council's decision, and paperless asylum-seekers have come all the way from Oslo to apply. However, the decision only states that the city council asks the government to facilitate that undocumented people can work legally until they have to leave the country. Many do not understand that there has not been a change in the law. – This creates new hope, which is extremely unfortunate, says Tørum. Stavanger is now following Trondheims lead and is sending a request to the government to help the paperless.
* Adressa 5 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 5 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 6 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Vårt Land 6 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Epidemics spread in Dadaab
UNHCR in the news
Epidemics such as measles and tuberculosis have been raging in Dadaab, the world's largest refugee camp situated in Kenya, since January. Now there are concerns about the upcoming rain, which is expected to trigger a massive outbreak of cholera. The refugees living in the slums on the outskirts of the camp are likely to suffer the most due to the lack of water and latrines. There are nearly half a million people living in Dadaab, who are not allowed to leave the camp and cannot be integrated into the Kenyan society. According to Fafa Attidzah, the head of the UNHCR in Dadaab, the people have two options. - The first and the best is that they can return home, but that is not realistic for another 15-20 years. The second is that we invest in these people and use the opportunity to educate them now that we have them here. We should prepare them for a life out in the world.
* Expressen 7 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Honored lifesavers
UNHCR in the news
This year's Nansen award was presented in Geneva by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) High Commissioner Antonio Guterres and the Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, together with the Norwegian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Gry Larsen and the Norwegian Refugee Council's Secretary General Elisabeth Rasmusson. Angelina was clearly moved when she spoke of the award-winners, Society for Humanitarian Solidarity from Yemen. She was also honored for her 10 years of service for the UNHCR as an ambassador. During this time she has made 40 field trips all over the world to visit groups of refugees. – Words cannot describe what these ten years have meant to me. Refugees have changed my life, she said.
* Bladet Vesterålen 5 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* 2 Nyhetene 5 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 5 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 8 October to Monday 10 October 2011
More paperless seek medical care
Norway
This year over 800 people will have visited the Health Centre for Undocumented Immigrants in Oslo. This is more than double compared to the previous year. The centre is run by the Norwegian Red Cross and the Church City Mission since 2009. – The increase is steady, says Solveig Holmedal Ottesen, general manager of the centre. – Too many people do not know they are entitled to medical care, including infectious diseases, she continues. However, the centre is becoming better known; hence the number of visitors is increasing. The rules state that all residents in Norway have the right to emergency care, regardless of whether they are legally or illegally in the country.
* NRK 7 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
United Nations criticizes children's rights in Sweden
Sweden
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is criticizing Sweden for the fifth time for failing to properly adopt the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Sweden signed the Convention in 1990 and an additional protocol on child trafficking in 2006. This week in Geneva the Committee examined for the first time how the Swedish Government is protecting children against child trafficking, child pornography and prostitution. Paperless and asylum-seeking children in Sweden were also mentioned in the criticism. According to Christina Heilborn, children's rights lawyer at UNICEF in Sweden, the Committee does not think that these children have enough protection in Sweden.
* Sveriges Nyheter 8 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 8 Ocotber 2011 (in Swedish)
* The Local 8 October 2011 (in English)
More than 27,000 fleeing unrest in Sudan
UNHCR in the news
Tension is increasing between Sudan and new autonomous South Sudan. According to reports from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), thousands of people are fleeing from the unrest in the Sudanese state Blue Nile. In total, 27,500 refugees have crossed the border to Ethiopia and South Sudan after a series of bloody clashes between Sudanese forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). UNHCR has established several refugee camps along the Ethiopian border. The unrest started after South Sudan became independent on 5 July this year.
* Berlingske 8 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 8 October 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 8 October 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Nyhederne 8 October 2011 (in Danish)
* NRK 8 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 8 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Agderposten 8 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagens Nyheter 8 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Turun Sanomat 8 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 8 October 2011 (in Finnish)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to visit Scandinavia
UNHCR in the news
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is visiting Scandinavia this week. His tour begins in Oslo on 10 October, where he amongst other engagements will participate alongside King Harald in a ceremony honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of Fridtjof Nansen. Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was appointed by the UN's predecessor, the League of Nations, to be the very first High Commissioner for Refugees. After Norway Ban Ki-Moon will travel to Denmark and end his three day long Nordic visit in Sweden.
* Göteborgs-Posten 7 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 11 October to Wednesday 12 October 2011
Government does not want to change asylum policy
Norway
The government rejects the wishes of local politicians in Trondheim and Stavanger to give undocumented asylum-seekers in Norway the right to work. The city council in Stavanger has asked the Government to change its policy, but State Secretary Pål Lønseth says local authorities can not make such decisions. He repels the idea that it is appropriate for the Government to follow the decisions of the two major cities. – To reward those who have resided illegally in Norway for many years with work or residence permits will have major repercussions for the asylum policy, says Lønseth. However, Per Thorbjørnsen from the Liberals in Stavanger finds it strange that the Government believes that local politicians should not engage themselves in people they meet in difficult situations.
* TV 2 Nyhetene 10 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Mass deportation of Iraqi asylum-seekers
Sweden
Sweden forcefully returned more than 50 rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers on Tuesday night. A group of demonstrators gathered around the detention centre in Åstorp to protest against the deportation. Meanwhile Iraq is appealing to Sweden to put an end to these forced deportations. One of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's closest advisors, Ali Mosawi, confirmed that the government certainly welcomes its citizens back, but underlines that their return must be voluntary.Three years ago Sweden and Iraq signed a readmission agreement about the return of rejected Iraqi asylum-seekers. The two countries agreed on forced returns as long as they are phased, well organized and humane.
* Sveriges Radio 11 October 2011 (in English)
* Sydsvenskan 12 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 13 October to Friday 14 October 2011
New immigration policy
Denmark
The Danish Immigration Service's staff is now guiding public servants on the consequences of the changes proposed to the Aliens Act, in order for them to be able to guide asylum-seekers on the new rules. The Government's list of legislation, including the new immigration policy, is expected to be published at the end of November this year. It is not known when the different legislative amendments will be presented to parliament.
* Berlingske 12 October 2011 (in Danish)
Danish Immigration Service agrees with criticism
Denmark
After being criticised, the authorities now want to help unaccompanied minors who have fled to Denmark to find family members. The Danish Immigration Service has been criticised by the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman, and the Service agrees that it should not be left to the International Red Cross to find family members. – We have now taken on the responsibility and will cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organization for Migration on how to search for relatives in practice, says Jakob Dam Glynstrup from the Danish Immigration Service's Asylum Office. According to the Aliens Act it is the duty of the Danish Immigration Service to search for family members as soon as unaccompanied minors come to Denmark, however, this has not been done for several years. One reason, according to Jakob Dam Glynstrup, is that many countries are marked by war and unrest, making the search difficult.
* Berlingske 13 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 13 October 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Nyhederne 13 October 2011 (in Danish)
New studies to evaluate the reception of unaccompanied minors
Sweden
Strömsund municipality has been granted 6.4 million SEK by the Swedish Migration Board to conduct research on best practices to receive and introduce unaccompanied minors into Swedish society. The study will last two and a half years and will be conducted in co-operation with the County Council and Save the Children. Originally the project was implemented to only profit the local community of Strömsund, but the Swedish Migration Board estimated that the results of the research could benefit the whole country. Another research team at the University of Umeå also received 3.2 million SEK in EU-funds from the Swedish Migration Board to evaluate the reception of unaccompanied minors in Umeå municipality. The team will work on the project for two years together with the social services, the YWCA-YMCA of Sweden and other actors.
* Sveriges Television 12 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 12 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Östersunds-Posten 12 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 15 October to Monday 17 October 2011
Municipalities can be forced to accept refugee children
Sweden
According to a new proposal the Swedish Migration Board should be able to ensure that municipalities accept unaccompanied minors. The study was ordered by Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. - By all accounts the proposal becomes law from 1 January 2013, says Billström. Within the current voluntary system 86 out of 290 municipalities have failed to reach an agreement with the Swedish Migration Board to accept unaccompanied minors. So far the Swedish Migration Board has only been able to make municipalities accept unaccompanied minors in exceptional cases, e.g. if the child has relatives in the same municipality. The number of unaccompanied minors has increased in recent years. In 2005 approximately 400 children came to Sweden, whereas in 2010 over 2,400 arrived.
* Sveriges Radio 14 October 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 14 October 2011:2 (in Swedish)
* Norra Skåne 14 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 14 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugee smugglers could be stopped
Sweden
According to the Swedish Migration Board asylum-seekers should know that it is possible to come to Sweden legally as labour immigrants before they flee their home country. This could stop smugglers and criminal networks. – Traditionally, many migrants only know about the possibility of seeking asylum, which means that many pay up to 100,000 SEK to a refugee smuggler, says Monika Wendleby, operations manager at the Swedish Migration Board. For example Iraqis have been forced to use smugglers in order to seek asylum in Sweden. They are not granted visa to enter the European Union and it is not possible to seek asylum from Iraq. The new labour law provides a legal way into Sweden for those who manage to get a job before leaving.
* Dagens Nyheter 16 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Reduced compensation a risk to Malmö
Sweden
State investigators want to lower the compensation municipalities receive for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The new proposal suggests that local authorities should receive a flat fee of 1,900 SEK per child per day, instead of being compensated for the actual costs. This is contrary to Malmö city's view. – We have all along said that we need to be compensated for actual costs. This could otherwise leave big gaps in Malmö's economy, says Lene Cordes from Malmö city.
* Sydsvenskan 16 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Growing number of Somali refugees in Yemen
UNHCR in the news
According to UNHCR the amount of Somali refugees fleeing to Yemen has increased significantly in the last few months. The refugees are crossing the Gulf of Aden in crowded boats and many of them do not survive the dangerous journey to Yemen. According to Adrian Edwards, representative of UNHCR, the fact that there has been a flood of Somali refugees trying to get to Yemen, demonstrates the desperate situation of these people who prefer even politically unstable Yemen over Somalia.
* MTV3 16 October 2011 (in Finnish)
Kenyans pretend to be from Somalia
UNHCR in the news
Desperate famine victims from Kenya with ancestors from Somalia are registering as refugees from Somalia in the refugee complex Dadaab in order to receive food. In the camp the malnourished children and their families from Somalia receive help. However, for Kenyans the help should come from their Government, but this help is inadequate. In Dadaab, which is run by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), refugees receive six times the compensation the Government in Kenya gives to its citizens. However, Kenyans who claim to be from Somalia automatically lose their citizenship and run the risk of remaining in the camp for many years to come.
* NRK 16 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 18 October to Wednesday 19 October 2011
City council in Bergen wants a more humane paperless policy
Norway
The city council in Bergen has voted in favour of asking the Government to ensure better rights for so-called paperless persons. The Socialist Left Party (SV) managed to get the Christian Democratic Party's (KrF) support. In the proposal, SV is asking the Government to go over its entire asylum policy when it comes to paperless persons.
* NRK 17 October 211 (in Norwegian)
* TV 2 Nyhetene 17 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Bergensavisen 18 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Vårt Land 18 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
91-year old woman can stay in Sweden
Sweden
The forced return of a 91-year old Ukrainian grandmother Ganna Chyzevska has been halted at the last minute. Chyzevska has been living in Sweden with her relatives for several years, and has no family members in Ukraine. After receiving a negative decision from the Swedish Migration Board, Chyzevska, who suffers from dementia, was due to be deported yesterday. However the deportation was stopped after the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg intervened. According to the Swedish Migration Board's spokesman Andreas Lundberg, the decision is only a temporary reprieve, even if it could become permanent. The deportation has caused strong protests from the public and several politicians have criticized the operation. Many humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross also pleaded for the grandmother to be able to stay in Sweden.
* Dagens Nyheter 18 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 18 October 2011 (in English)
* The Local 18 October 2011 (in English)
* SVT 18 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Aftonbladet 18 October 2011 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
* Verkkouutiset 18 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Yle 18 October 2011 (in Finnish)
Asylum applications jump in industrialised countries
UNHCR in the news
According to a new report from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) the industrialised countries have experienced a large increase of asylum-seekers in the first half of 2011. Due to the crisis in the Horn of Africa and in West- and North Africa, the number of asylum claims has in total increased by 17 per cent compared to the same period last year. However, the Nordic region was the only part of Europe that experienced a decline in the number of asylum applications. The number of asylum applications has fallen by 39 per cent in Finland and 10 per cent in Sweden. Norway experienced a small increase by 4 per cent, while Iceland saw an increase of 88 per cent. In Denmark the number of applications has dropped by 23 per cent. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR's spokesperson in the Baltic and Nordic countries, says there is no clear answer to why the numbers have dropped. - One explanation could be that the number of Afghans, who constitute the largest group of asylum-seekers in Denmark, has declined. More Afghans are now getting the right to work in their neighbouring country Iran, says Mathisen. Another large group of asylum-seekers come from Iraq and Mathisen points out that possibly fewer people can afford to come to Denmark. – It may also be due to security improvements in Iraq, and the risk of being forcibly returned from Denmark, but there is no clear overall picture, Mathisen adds.
* Avisen 18 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Helsingin Sanomat 18 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Iltalehti 19 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 18 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Österbottens Tidning 18 October (in Swedish)
* Kansan Uutiset 18 October 2011 (in Finnish)
UNHCR office under threat in Kenya
UNHCR in the news
The UNHCR office in Kenya has come under security threat. UNHCR conducts extensive operations in the Horn of Africa due to the ongoing crisis in Somalia, and the security situation in Kenya has also worsened. This is reinforced by the Kenyan troops entering Somalia over the weekend. The Swedish embassy, which is located in the same building with UNHCR, has evacuated all of its 60 employees and left the premises permanently. Björn Häggmark, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi, does not want to comment whether there is a direct threat towards UNHCR.
* Dagens Nyheter 19 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 20 October to Friday 21 October 2011
Asylum-seekers have to wait longer for appeal
Denmark
Asylum-seekers that have been refused asylum in the first instance have to wait longer and longer for a final decision by the Refugee Appeals Board. This is due to the fact that the number of cases at the Refugee Appeals Board has continued to increase. This year there will be around 1,000 – 1,100 so called spontaneous cases; this comprises approximately 1,400-1,500 people. A spontaneous case is when an asylum-seeker has been refused asylum by the Danish Immigration Service, and then the case is automatically directed to the Refugee Appeals Board.
* Avisen 20 October 2011 (in Danish)
Government wants to abolish controversial interpreter fee
Denmark
The previous government's interpreter fee is not worth the extra work it creates, according to hospitals and the Social Democrats. Since 1 June, refugees and immigrants who have lived in Denmark for more than seven years have had to pay 150 Danish crowns (DKK) for an interpreter, should they need one. However, according to the hospitals, the administration around the fee is almost as expensive as providing the service. The Government is therefore willing to abolish the fee for the upcoming budget negotiations. Astrid Krag, Minister for Health, says that hospitals experience a large increase in administrative hassle and there is a danger that sick patients choose not to go to the doctor because they cannot afford the fee.
* Politiken 19 October 2011 (in Danish)
Government refuses to follow demands
Norway
The Government does not want to discuss its own asylum policy, despite demands from three of the country's largest cities. The City Councils in Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim have demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the Government's asylum policy and demand changes to it. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, says that the demands to allow people who stay illegally in Norway the right to work are too vague and they do not represent a functioning policy. – They are welcome to come with substantial ideas and then we can take the discussion from there, says Lønseth. However, Oddny Miljeteig, from the Socialist Left Party in Bergen, replied that in order to get the debate started at the Government level, we need to go higher than the State Secretary.
* NRK 19 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 22 October to Monday 24 October 2011
Asylum-seekers suffer from anxiety for many years
Denmark
A report suggests that rejected asylum-seekers who for various reasons cannot be deported should receive residence permits. The idea is supported by many politicians. Anxiety is a fundamental problem for asylum-seekers who live in uncertainty about their futures. – The uncertainty could be removed with a less restrictive interpretation of existing laws and by initially granting applicants temporary stay, says Michala Bendixen, affiliate to the Committee for Underground Refugees who published the report. – We should not accept that people are getting sick and degraded by the treatment they get when they come to Denmark to seek protection, she adds. Both the Red-Green Alliance and the Social Liberals recommend that rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be sent home, should receive residence permits.
* Berlingske 23 October 2011 (in Danish)
* MetroXpress 23 October 2011 (in Danish)
Illegal immigrants should have the right to medical care
Denmark
Illegal immigrants are only entitled to medical care for acute or life-threatening illnesses. – This is fundamentally wrong, according to the Red-Green Alliance (EH), the Social Liberals (S) and the Socialist People's Party (SF). Women without a residence permit cannot be scanned during their pregnancy and illegal immigrants with diabetes are not allowed medical care. The three parties want the new Minister of Health, Astrid Krag (SF), to look at the possibility of opening more clinics for illegal immigrants, like the one that was opened in Copenhagen in August by the Danish Red Cross, the Danish Refugee Council and the Medical Association. – People are entitled to treatment regardless of their legal status, says Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen (EH).
* Berlingske 24 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 24 October 2011 (in Danish)
North and East Finland receive more refugees
Finland
Municipalities in the North and East of Finland are accepting more refugees compared to the rest of the country. Since 2007 Lapland has accepted some 700 refugees, which is more than Turku and Tampere have accepted during the same period altogether. The municipalities of Southern Ostrobothnia and Satakunta have received the least refugees in Finland, with only a few hundred accepted throughout the 2000s. It is voluntary for municipalities to receive refugees; this is why the numbers between different municipalities vary greatly.
* Helsingin Sanomat 24 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Itä-Savo 24 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Turun Sanomat 24 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Ilta-Sanomat 24 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 24 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Tent camp must go
Norway
The Palestinian camp next to the church Jakob in Oslo had to be removed before yesterday evening. Some 25 paperless Palestinans have stayed in the camp for about 5 months. Kari Helene Partapuoli, head of the Norwegian Centre against Racism, says the camp is a peaceful demonstration and one of few opportunities where rejected asylum-seekers can take action and make their voices heard. However, according to the municipality the camp had to be removed by Sunday or the police would take action and force the Palestinians to move. One of the asylum-seekers, Mohammed Ganan, responded that they will leave and rebuild the camp in another location.
* Verdens Gang 20 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 21 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
300 asylum-seekers to stay at Västervik Resort this winter
Sweden
Approximately 300 asylum-seekers will be residing in Västervik Resort this winter. The Swedish Migration Board is renting cabins at the campsite for the second consecutive year, due to the acute need of places for asylum-seekers. The families will live in the cabins and take care of themselves, but there will also be staff from the Swedish Migration Board providing support and assistance if necessary. The first 40 asylum-seekers originating from various countries are due to arrive on Monday.
* Nyheterna 24 October (in Swedish)
Easier for abused immigrants to stay in Sweden
Sweden
Due to a decision by the Swedish Migration Court, it will become easier for an individual to obtain a residence permit if there is evidence of physical abuse. This concerns immigrants coming to Sweden to live with their partner, but who may have to return home if the relationship ends.
* Sydsvenskan 22 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Slave-like conditions at car washes
Sweden
Many car wash companies have begun to exploit people who are staying in Sweden as illegal workers. – It is a new phenomenon, says Jerk Wiberg from the border police in Stockholm. Car washes have become a new market for black labour, where asylum-seekers and undocumented immigrants are exploited in slave-like conditions. Several people have testified that the working days are between 10 to 12 hours and the hourly pay is between 20 to 30 SEK. This is a growing problem in Stockholm, as well as in Gothenburg and Malmö.
* Dagens Nyheter 23 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 25 October to Wednesday 26 October 2011
Danish People's Party rejects more medical care to illegal immigrants
Denmark
Illegal immigrants should not have extra medical care as the Red-Green Alliance (EH), the Socialist People's Party (SF) and the Social Liberals (S) suggest. People without a residence permit should have to leave Denmark, believes Martin Henriksen, integration spokesperson for the Danish People's Party (DF). He accepts that illegal immigrants should have access to emergency medical care, but rejects an extension that will allow people without a residence permit to have access to preventative medical care or help with chronic disorders. Henriksen will ask the new Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov, to ensure that illegal immigrants that come to the clinics are met by the police in order to send them back to their country of origin, or the country where they have a residence permit. Stine Mai Brix (EH) rejects this position. – This is not about how tight immigration policy should be, rather that people should have access to the treatment that they need, she says.
* Berlingske 24 October 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 22 October 2011 (in Danish)
Minister Räsänen to tighten immigration rules
Finland
Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen wishes to tighten immigration rules. According to Räsänen, the family reunification policies in Finland are much less strict than in other countries. This has made Finland particularly attractive to asylum-seekers. Although the process of reviewing immigration has only just begun, tougher rules for family reunifications can be expected in the future. Those who have been granted asylum in Finland can for instance be asked to prove that they have sufficient income to support their families. Currently there are as many as 10,000 applications for family reunification waiting to be processed by the Ministry of the Interior, which has blocked the system. Most of the applications are from Somalis. The review of immigration initiated by Räsänen will be finished in February.
* Turun Sanomat 25 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Yle 25 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 25 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Itä-Savo 25 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 25 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Yle Svenska 25 October 2011 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
* Dagens Nyheter 25 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Return to Somalia overturned
Norway
Abdi, 25, came to Norway when he was 11 years old but after 14 robberies by the age of 13, Norway wanted to send him back to Somalia. Now the Borgarting Court has decided that he should get a second chance. He is currently surving a prison sentance and will not be released until next autumn. In 2010 it was ruled by the Norwegian Immigration Appeal Board (UNE) that it was safe for him to return to Somalia. However, UNE's ruling has now been overruled by the Borgarting Court, which submitted documentary evidence to support that internally displaced people in Somalia live in very miserable conditions, and that the risk is high of ending up in a refugee camp. The Court also noted that the food situation in the region is considered critical and there is a fear that it will become even worse. – It is like being reborn, Abdi said about the new decision.
* Dagbladet 25 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Tent camp can stay until further notice
Norway
The disputed Palestinian tent camp next to church Jakob in Oslo will remain until further notice, the new Oslo Commissioner for Environment and Transport, Ola Elvestuen, has decided. Last week the police was told to by the municipality to remove the tented camp, but the new Commissioner has reversed the order. – We must first establish a dialogue with the Palestinians who live there in order to find a solution together, says Elvestuen. He stresses that the camp has to be removed sooner or later, but that the new council first has to decide how to handle the matter. The Directorate of Immigration has stated that the Palestinians are allowed access to a reception centre, where all asylum-seekers who have been rejected are permitted to stay.
* Dagsavisen 25 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 26 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Unaccompanied refugee children receive insufficient education
Sweden
According to a survey by the Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company and Save the Children, unaccompanied refugee children are not receiving the education that they are entitled to. Nearly half of the survey's 348 teachers said that they received little or no support in working with unaccompanied refugee children. Six out of ten teachers said that they lacked proper guidelines and procedures when working with the children. Save the Children calls on municipalities who receive unaccompanied minors, as well as school principals, to meet their responsibilities and show a strong support for the education of these children.
* Sveriges Radio 24 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 24 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Demonstrators occupy the Swedish Migration Board
Sweden
On the United Nations Day on Tuesday a group of demonstrators occupied the premises of the Swedish Migration Board in Gothenburg. They were protesting against what they say is Sweden's inhuman refugee policy. Around 50 protesters marched into the Migration Board accusing Sweden of violating a number of UN conventions, including Convention on Human Rights and Convention on the Rights of the Child. After 10 minutes of protesting indoors, the group returned to the streets where the demonstration continued.
* Göteborg's Fria 25 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 27 October to Friday 28 October 2011
Increasing number of refugees stay in Lapland
Finland
Since 2007 over 700 refugees from different countries have moved to Finnish Lapland. According to the leading social worker Kaisa Salmela from Rovaniemi's immigration office, a reasonable number of the refugees that come to Lapland will stay. In recent years more and more people are staying, adds Salmela. There are currently 137 Iraqi refugees living in Rovaniemi. One of them is 23 year-old Estefan Hando, who says that he will be happy to stay in Lapland as long as he is able to find work in the future. However, many refugees leave, mostly to work or study somewhere else.
* Lapin Kansa 27 October 2011 (in Finnish)
Progress Party wants asylum-stop for five years
Norway
The Progress Party's (FrP) new immigration policy spokesperson, Morten Ørsal Johansen, wants to close the borders for new asylum-seekers for up to five years. – We need to take a break in order to get integration on the right track, he says. He stresses that the asylum-stop only would apply to people from outside the EU and Schengen. The FrP is also open to say no to UN refugees, with the exception of family reunifications. – They already have a network in Norway that can help them integrate, says Ørsal Johansen. He also believes that the processing times for asylum applications are too long, and that this is partly due to too many appeal opportunities for asylum-seekers. Therefore Ørsal Johansen wants to close down the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board and replace it with a court whose decisions cannot be appealed. Tirill Sjøvoll, head of Save the Children Youth Norway (PRESS), believes that FrP's comments are against human rights conventions. – It is a human right and a right in the Convention on the Rights of the Child to apply for asylum, she says.
* NRK 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagsavisen 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Bergensavisen 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Nordlys 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 27 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
* TV4 Nyheterna 27 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 27 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Svenska Dagbladet 27 October (in Swedish)
Deported Iraqi man murdered
Sweden
Khaled Khodena, an Iraqi man who was rejected asylum in Sweden and forced to return to Iraq, has been murdered. Even though he came from the vulnerable religious minority of Ezid that faces daily discrimination and persecution in Iraq, the Swedish Migration Board chose to deport him. According to people in Northern Iraq, Khodena was murdered in his sleep by a member of a terrorist group. Khodena is only one of many people deported to places that look safe on paper. The Swedish Migration Board is criticized for not taking responsibility over what happens after these persons are forcibly returned.
* Sveriges Radio 26 October 2011 (in Swedish)
359 refugees to Halland
Sweden
The municipality of Halland has decided to accept 359 refugees next year. Of them 179 will be able to live on their own, while 180 will be allocated a place to stay.
* Sveriges Radio 27 October 2011 (in Swedish)
2.3 million to integration projects
Sweden
The County Administrative Board of East Sweden has granted a total of 2.3 million SEK to six different integration projects. The aim of the projects is to quickly integrate newly arrived refugees into society and the employment market. The projects will run until 2012. The County Administrative Board has since 2011 provided compensation to municipalities and local authorities to develop the reception of newly arrived refugees.
* Folkbladet 28 October 2011 (in Swedish)
UNHCR provides aid in Turkey
UNHCR in the news
The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Kurdish-dominated province of Van in Southeastern Turkey on 23 October has so far killed 530 people. Hundreds of people are still missing and around 2,300 people have been injured. United Nations is concerned about the conditions in the quake area. UNHCR has been providing aid by donating 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 10,000 bed mats.
* Metro 27 October 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 29 October to Monday 31 October 2011
Refugees concentrated in metropolitan area of Helsinki region
Finland
Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and the commuter municipalities of Kerava and Hyvinkää accept most refugees in the greater metropolitan area. Outside the greater metropolitan area there is a gap in accepting refugees. For example the municipality of Pornainen, with a population of 5,000 has not accepted a single refugee in the past 20 years. Similarly Mäntsälä, with a population of 20,000 has accepted one refugee, and Nurmijärvi with 40,000 people has accepted two refugees. Changing attitudes and the financial situation decreases municipalities' willingness to accept refugees. At the same time the metropolitan area is under growing pressure, since many refugees move there to live closer to their friends and family.
* Helsingin Sanomat 28 October 2011 (in Finnish)
Confinement of undocumented criminals
Norway
The Norwegian Police Federation (PF) wants to lock up criminals and undocumented asylum-seekers. This would sharply decrease the number of rapes, according to Arne Johannessen, head of PF. He says there is a need for more visible police officers and illuminated streets, but this is not enough to fight rapes. – Criminal undocumented asylum-seekers are over-represented in cases that involve rapes, he states. The State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, Pål Lønseth, is questioning Johannessen's figures. The Red Youth (RU), believes that Johannessen is hurting the debate on rape. – Hopeless and oversimplified, says Iver Aastebøl, leader of RU. – Women who are afraid to go home alone suffer when the debate on rape becomes a debate about culture and ethnicity, he continues. The problem cannot be solved by putting the law aside. – Those who rape should be punished after a trial, and not locked in because they are undocumented asylum-seekers, says Aastebøl.
* Dagbladet 28 October 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 28 October 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 28 October 2011:3 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 28 October 2011:4 (in Norwegian)
Reduced processing time
Norway
The processing time for asylum applications has been reduced from over 250 days to 96 days. The Minister of Justice and the Police, Knut Storberget, is more than happy with this result. – Such long processing times do not favour either us or those seeking asylum. We are in a situation where it is crucial with shorter waiting times, says Storberget. He adds that the Government should have a clear return policy for those who are not in need of protection.
* NRK 30 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Halt deportations to Syria
Sweden
Lena Sommestad, chairwoman of Social Democratic Women in Sweden (S-Kvinnor) and three other representatives of social democratic organizations, call for an immediate halt to deportations to Syria. According to their statement, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has for quite some time advised people against travelling to Syria and now urges Swedes to leave the country, yet at the same time the Swedish Migration Board is deciding to deport refugees back to the country. Sommerstad states that it is hypocrisy to stand up for human rights and support democracy, while at the same time denying protection to those fleeing a violent regime. – If the Ministry does not consider Syria to be safe for Swedish people, why is it acceptable to deport politically active refugees there? The UN has estimated that over 3,000 have been killed in Syria due to the recent demonstrations.
* Sveriges Radio 29 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 29 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 30 October 2011 (in Swedish)
* The Local 29 October 2011 (in English)
Suicide attack against UNHCR's office in Afghanistan
UNHCR in the news
Three people were killed and two injured in a suicide attack against a building with UN offices in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Monday. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesperson for the fundamentalist group said that the attack was aimed at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which had an office in the building that was hit. According to the local governor, the victims were local civilians.
* YLE 31 October 2011 (in Finnish)
* NRK 31 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Aftenposten 31 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 31 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 31 October 2011 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 1 November to Wednesday 2 November 2011
Government scraps poverty benefits
Denmark
In the budget proposal for 2012, the Government is suggesting to abolish poverty benefits such as start-help and the cash allowance ceiling. This will affect thousands of people, mostly immigrants. – It used to be believed that poverty led to employment. We say that it does not. What leads to employment is to be a part of society, says the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal. Cash-help will now be the lowest social benefit except for student allowance. This is welcomed by the Danish Refugee Council, who believes that the low benefits have harmed integration. – Children have not been able to participate in sports clubs or birthday parties. All the small things that make you become part of the society you live in, says Andreas Kamm, Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council.
* Politiken 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Nyhederne 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
* MetroXpress 1 November 2011 (in Danish)
Demand for mental health check of asylum-seekers
Norway
Despite the fact that many asylum-seekers are struggling with mental health problems, the mental health services is almost absent. Libe Rieber-Mohn, from the Labour Party, argues that mental health should be part of the health checks all asylum-seekers undergo when they come to Norway. – We know that many have experienced traumatic things in life and it must be taken seriously, she says. A survey conducted by the Institute for Social Research compared Norway with six other European countries. It showed that Norway is the worst when it comes to detecting mental health disorders among asylum-seekers.
* Dagbladet 1 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 1 Novermber 2011 (in Norwegian)
Hundreds of asylum cases published
Sweden
Hundreds of asylum-seekers have had their cases published on an anti-immigration website Migileaks. The website has published several verdicts by the Swedish Data Inspection Board and it remains unclear whether it is violating the law by doing so. The published cases contain a lot of sensitive and personal data, which has resulted in some of the asylum-seekers receiving death threats. According to the legal counsellors, Helen Westlund and Ferec Serce, the publishing of data can lead to serious consequences and affect people's confidence and trust in the whole asylum system.
* Sveriges Radio 31 October 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 31 October 2011:2 (in Swedish)
More unaccompanied minors than ever
Sweden
In October, more than 140 unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors came to Malmö, which is more than any previous month. The idea is that unaccompanied minors should be transferred to other municipalities within a few days, where they stay while waiting for a ruling in their case. However, many of these children will now have to stay in Malmö, as there are not many places in other municipalities. Now Malmö's transit accommodations are filled with children waiting to get asylum, children who have already received their deportation order and children who have received permanent residence permits. – It is not good to mix children in this way, says Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Municipal Commissioner for Malmö. – Those who have been refused asylum are not doing well and it is also difficult for children who do not know where in Sweden they will end up, she continues. The Swedish Migration Board estimates that there is an immediate need for an additional 450 places for unaccompanied minors.
* SVT 1 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Stricter requirements for accommodation for asylum-seekers
Sweden
Apartments for asylum-seekers in Sweden have looked very different, but new requirements will raise the standards of the accommodations. The Swedish Migration Board and the Swedish Standards Institute (SIS) together with other parties including landlords, immigration organizations and the Red Cross have developed new guidelines for housing. The Swedish Migration Board hopes that this will raise the standards of accommodation for asylum-seekers. The common guidelines require that homes must be equipped with hot and cold water, showers and toilets. Special needs should also be taken into account. Currently some 19,000 persons are living in accommodation provided by the Swedish Migration Board.
* Sydsvenskan 1 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 1 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 8 November to Wednesday 9 November 2011
Government is not keeping its promise
Denmark
The Red-Green Alliance demands that the Government keeps its pre-election promise to rejected asylum-seekers, but they will probably not get far with it, according to political commentator Helle Ib. Rejected asylum-seekers are allowed to move out of asylum centres and get a job if they promise to return home voluntarily later on. Therefore this offer does not apply to all 845 asylum-seekers who are currently living in Denmark and that the Government made a promise to. It only applies to 130 asylum-seekers who have agreed to leave voluntarily. According to spokesperson Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen, the scheme should also apply to those who cannot be forcibly repatriated because Denmark does not have a repatriation agreement with their homeland, and those who do not want to return voluntarily.
* Berlingske 7 November 2011 (in Danish)
Social Liberals want to break UN Convention
Denmark
A stateless man has the right to Danish citizenship even if the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) assesses him to be a threat to Danish society, according to the government. The Social Liberals, however, demand that Denmark break the UN Statelessness Convention, whilst the Conservatives say 'no'. According to the Convention Denmark should give a stateless person citizenship as long as he is not convicted of a serious crime. – The Government is putting the Convention above Danish citizens' safety, said the Social Liberals spokesperson Karsten Lauritzen. – On this issue we are ready to break the Convention. Earlier this year, the former Minister of Refugees, Immigration and Integration Affairs, Birthe Rønn Hornbeck, lost her job because young stateless persons did not get the treatment they were entitled to according to the UN Convention. – My belief is that if PET recommends that a person should not receive citizenship because he is a danger to national security, the recommendation should be followed, the previous legal Social Democrat spokesperson, Karen Hækkerup has previouly said.
* Berlingske 9 November 2011 (in Danish)
Reception centers closing
Finland
The Finnish Immigration Service is forced to shut down a number of refugee centers and cut back on the capacity of those centers that will remain open. The cost-saving measures will be implemented next year. The budget for reception centers this year was around EUR 86 million and will be reduced by approximately EUR 23 million next year.
* YLE 8 November 2011 (in English)
Bus company refuse deportations
Sweden
Strömma bus company, which previously transported forcibly deported Iraqis to the airport in Skåne, is now stopping its contract with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service. Mass deportations to Iraq have long been a controversial issue. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Swedish Amnesty International have criticised the Swedish Migration Board's assessment of the security situation in Iraq. Strömma bus company has previously allowed their busses to be used in mass deportations of Iraqis, but does not believe it goes in line with its social responsibility principles anymore. Its decision to change company policy is partly due to protests and the publicity surrounding the company after recent expulsions, according to Roger Mathiasson, chief executive.
* MalmöFria 7 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Housing shortages for refugees
Sweden
Last week the Swedish Migration Board received an unusually high amount of asylum applications. Some 700 persons applied for asylum in Sweden. Most asylum-seekers come from Afghanistan, Serbia and Somalia. Typically the Migration Board receives around 500 applications per week. The recent growth in applications means that it is more difficult to find accommodation for all the people who arrive to Sweden.
* SVT 7 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Easier for Iranians to receive asylum
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board has issued new guidelines on Iran, which means that it is easier for many Iranians to receive asylum in Sweden. According to Mikael Ribbenvik, legal expert at the Swedish Migration Board, there is willingness and capacity of some countries to monitor their own citizens, even if they become politically active abroad, and Iran is one of those countries. He states that the gradual deterioration of the situation in Iran is reflecting in the approval figures from the country.
* Sveriges Radio 7 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* The Local 7 November 2011 (in English)
Thursday 10 November to Friday 11 November 2011
No more financial aid to municipalities for voluntary repatriation
Denmark
In a new bill, municipalities no longer have to inform immigrants about the possibility for them to move back home with the use of a grant. Also, the municipalities will not receive a bonus of 25,000 Danish crowns (DKK) per immigrant that returns back home. The opposition is protesting against the Government's proposal. The new bill is meant to combat symbolic rules that create an ´us and them´ rhetoric that has characterised the integration policy for the past 10 years, according to the Government. – Bonuses are given out depending on how many persons the municipalities manage to return back home. That, I believe, sends an unfortunate signal, explains Karen Hækkerup, Minister for Social Affairs and Integration. Caseworkers must focus on integrating immigrants, rather than getting them to move home. The Danish Refugee Council is in charge of voluntary repatriation, and the organization supports the new bill.
* Jyllands-Posten 9 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 9 November 2011 (in Danish)
Municipalities reluctant in accepting quota refugees
Finland
Around 400 refugees who have already been accepted to come to Finland are still waiting in refugee camps. This is because most municipalities are reluctant in accepting refugees. Some of the refugees have been waiting for years. For the last ten years the Finnish parliament-approved annual resettlement quota has been 750 refugees annually. Municipalities also receive money from the Government when accepting quota refugees, which will cover the costs of the person for four years. In the past few years Finland has not been able to find places for all the quota refugees, which is damaging the country's reputation. For example last year Finland was not able to find places for 116 quota refugees, even though the amount included 63 UNHCR recommended emergency cases.
* YLE 9 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Suomen Kuvalehti 9 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 10 November 2011 (in English)
Few unaccompanied minors allowed to speak at migration hearings
Sweden
Only a small number of unaccompanied refugee children coming to Sweden are given the chance to speak at the Migration Courts' hearings. According to research by the Swedish National Radio News Ekot, only one in four children, or 28 per cent, are allowed to speak at their own hearing. Linus Trogeby, an expert on refugee issues at Save the Children, criticizes the system and says there is a need for change. – Children have the right to tell why they fled to Sweden and it is important to listen to them. There are three Migration Courts in Sweden and, according to Ekot, there are differences between them. For instance, at the Migration Court in Gothenburg only 9 per cent of the children spoke at their own hearing.
* Dagens Nyheter 10 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 10 November 2011 (in English)
Refugee camp bombed in South Sudan
UNHCR in the news
According to South Sudan authorities and aid organizations, Sudan has attacked a refugee camp in the state of Unity in South Sudan. At least 12 people were killed and 20 people were injured in the attack on the camp where about 20,000 refugees from the Nuba Mountains have sought refuge. Aid organizations have reported that at least five bombs were dropped on the camp run by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), but the bombs did not detonate as they landed in the mud. South Sudan seceded from Sudan earlier this year, but in recent months there have been a number of disturbances along the border between the two countries.
* Verdens Gang 10 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* 2 Nyhetene 10 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* ABC Nyheter 10 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 15 November to Wednesday 16 November 2011
Politiken dismantles Iraq Centre
Denmark
The newspaper Politiken is now dismantling its humanitarian asylum project, the Iraq Centre. The 1,5 million Danish crowns (DKK) that its readers had donated to the project has now been used up. Two year ago, Politiken's former editor Tøger Seidenfaden launched the Iraq Centre to help Iraqis stay in Denmark instead of being sent back to an unstable home. – The problem was that the Danish Government cut off the possibility of helping people while they still were in Denmark. Instead we had to wait until they were back in Iraq. It has been difficult to find candidates as many go underground, as the situation is unstable, explains Torben Saxholt, who is financially responsible. However, Anita Bay Bundegaard from Politiken still believes the project has been successful.
* Politiken 13 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 13 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Media Watch 14 November 2011 (in Danish)
Saarakkala wants fewer quota refugees
Finland
Member of Parliament, Vesa-Matti Saarakkala (True Finns), wants to lower the number of accepted quota refugees to 500 persons. Today the number is 750. According to Saarakkala, Finland is one of few countries in the world that accepts quota refugees. The municipalities, however, are no longer interested in settling them. – The economic situation is worsening and the integration of refugees has become more difficult, Saarakkala says. He has submitted a written question to the government concerning the issue. He also hopes that when choosing quota refugees the government would put emphasis on other nationalities than those who represent the top countries of origin of asylum-seekers.
* Ilkka 15 November 2011 (in Finnish)
Deported man to wrong country
Sweden
The police in Gävle was supposed to deport a man to Iran but the man was instead sent to Iraq. Now the man could get 15 years of imprisonment, suspected of presenting himself as a citizen of the country. The man was born in Iraq but was expelled by Saddam Hussein in the 1980s. He then became an Iranian citizen. After the failed deportation, the man has spent over a year in a police cell in Baghdad. It is unclear why the man was flown to the wrong country, but the event has been reported to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. In the expulsion decision it clearly states that he is an Iranian citizen and should be deported to Iran. The Swedish Migration Board's Director of Legal Affairs, Mikael Ribbenvik, says that the police have to follow what it is written on paper. – It is horrible that this can happen, says Kent Öberg at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (UD) press service. However, UD has not been involved in the case and has no intention to do so as the man is not a Swedish citizen.
* SVT 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Ystads Allehanda 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Nyheter 24 15 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors is good business
Sweden
The care company VoB Syd almost quadrupled its profits last year, from 4 to 15 million Swedish crowns (SEK). The bulk of the money VoB Syd has earned through its transit accommodation Solberga in Lomma for unaccompanied minors. The money the company receives in order to run its business comes from the Swedish Migration Board, which it gives to municipalities to take care of unaccompanied minors. In 2010, the number of employees rose from 108 to 117, a 9.7 per cent increase, while profits rose as much as 275 per cent. An investigation at the governmental level is supposed to put an end to the generous contracts with the municipalities. – We will close the gap where it has been possible to make huge profits on the basis that they did not have full occupancy, said Caroline Henjered, operations manager at the Swedish Migration Board. The new study proposes a flat rate that is below the current level. – We want the money to go to the minors as much as possible, continues Henjered, as companies should not be able to profit from unused tax money.
* Sydsvenskan 16 November 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Sydsvenskan 16 November 2011:2 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Several cases of cholera in large refugee camp
UNHCR in the news
About 60 cases of cholera have been reported to be found in the world's largest refugee camp, Dadaab in northern Kenya. At least one person has died, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Most of the cases have been detected among refugees who recently have arrived from Somalia. Ten cases of cholera have been established in lab tests. The camp houses around 450,000 Somali refugees and is regarded as Kenya's third largest city.
* Dagens Nyheter 15 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Vasabladet 15 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Verdens Gang 15 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* YLE 15 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 16 November 2011 (in Finnish)
Thursday 17 November to Friday 18 November 2011
Deported migrant children get a second chance
Denmark
The Red-Green Alliance (EH) and the Social Liberals (R) have left their mark in the Government's new immigration agreement, which the Danish People's Party calls a "disaster". It has been reported over the last few months that children as young as two years of age are denied family reunification and expelled from Denmark because the Danish Immigration Service do not find them suitable for "successful integration". Since 2005, some 800 children under the age of 15 have been expelled. EH, together with the Government and the Liberal Alliance, has this week adopted a new immigrant agreement. In several areas, such as family reunification, the rules have been relaxed towards foreigners. – The Red-Green Alliance will not be satisfied until all the children who have been expelled from Denmark due to the former Government's unreasonable rules, are back with their families, said spokesperson Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen. The new agreement will be implemented in March next year.
* Berlingske 17 November 2011 (in Danish)
Undocumented migrants have to wait for health care law
Sweden
40 organisations are demanding that the completed report on health care for asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants, presented five months ago by the Government, is sent out for comments as soon as possible. – In times of health scandals, this is the largest one, says Thomas Flodin, at the Swedish Medical Association. The report suggested that asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants should be offered health care by the County Councils. However, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, quickly judged that the report was not good enough. He argued that the financial implications were not adequately investigated. – Health care is a fundamental human right and right now there is humanitarian suffering in Sweden that many people are not aware of, says Ingela Holmertz, head of the national department of the Swedish Red Cross. – This is not ok.
* Dagen 17 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Palestinian asylum-seekers to be sent back to Italy
Sweden
Around 150 Palestinian asylum-seekers that have been residing in Åtorps are to be sent back to Italy in the coming days. The group has been in Sweden since May and was facing deportation already during the summer, but only now have the Italian authorities given the permission for them to return.
* SVT 18 November 2011 (in Swedish)
– If human rights were protected, refugees would not exist
UNHCR in the news
Hans Corell, Liv Feijen and Hanne Mathisen discussed the future of the 1951 Refugee Convention during the Human Rights days in Stockholm this week. – I believe that the solutions can be found in the legal instruments we already have. But it requires that States comply with them, said Hans Corell, Ambassador and former Director of Legal Affairs of the United Nations. – If you protected human rights, we would not have any refugees, said Corell. Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that persons displaced as a result of climate change are not protected by the 1951 Convention and that UNHCR advises against they use of the term "climate refugees".
* Dagens Juridik 16 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 19 November to Monday 21 November 2011
Government investigates whether refugee children can be returned
Denmark
The Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov, confirms that Denmark is negotiating an agreement with Afghan authorities that will make it possible to send refugee children back to so-called reception centres in Afghanistan. The negotiations include help in tracing family members and reintegration. The Government will decide whether or not to sign the agreement when there is clarity over if it is possible to enter such a deal, Bødskov confirms. The Government's plan faces stiff criticism from a wide range of organizations, such as the Danish Red Cross and Save the Children. The latter organization states that it is in violation of children's rights. The organizations are surprised that the new Government is working to send back refugee children, considering that a year ago, the current Government parties voted against the bill to create controversial reception centres for Afghan refugee children.
* Politiken 19 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands-Posten 19 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 19 November 2011:1 (in Danish)
* Berlingske 19 November 2011:2 (in Danish)
* B.T. 19 November 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Nyhederne 18 November 2011 (in Danish)
Liberal Alliance and Red-Green-Alliance approach each other concerning rejected asylum-seekers
Denmark
The Liberal Alliance is looking into whether rejected asylum-seekers, who cannot be forcibly returned and refuse voluntary repatriation, may be allowed to move out of asylum centres. – We are one step closer to an agreement with the Liberal Alliance, believes the Red-Green Alliance. Both parties entered an asylum agreement with the Government last week. Even though the agreement remains unclear in several respects, the parties agree that it needs to be clear what it means to "cooperate" with the Danish authorities. The current definition of cooperation excludes rejected asylum-seekers who refuse to go home and cannot be forcibly returned because Denmark does not have a repatriation agreement with their home countries.
* Information 18 November 2011 (in Danish)
Thousands of illegal immigrants live in hiding
Denmark
Nobody knows how many illegal immigrants live in hiding in Denmark, but the police and experts believe that the figure is much higher than the 1 – 5,000 previously assumed. – It is just the tip of the iceberg, says Associate Professor Shahamak Rezaei, who is researching illegal immigration at Roskilde University. The term illegal immigrant includes everything from refugees without residence permits and rejected asylum-seekers, to beggars, buskers, criminal gangs and trafficked women. As illegal immigrants are not registered, it is very difficult to estimate a realistic number.
* B.T. 21 November 2011 (in Danish)
Norway in negotiations to return asylum-seeking children
Norway
Norway, along with other European countries, has begun negotiating an agreement with the Afghan authorities for the possibility to return asylum-seeking minors to so-called reception centres in Afghanistan. The return concerns unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors without a need for protection, which means that they have not been granted asylum and are not entitled to humanitarian protection. Many humanitarian organizations are critical of the plans to return the children to Afghanistan. Janne Oline Raanes from Save the Children, says that Norway is not taking responsibility of the children that have fled and that the act goes against United Nations recommendations.
* Verdens Gang 20 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* NRK 20 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Aftenposten 20 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagbladet 20 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
New agreement on detention of asylum-seekers
Sweden
Rejected asylum-seekers will only be allowed to remain in detention for a maximum time of two months. This is a new agreement between the center-right Government coalition and the Green Party. There were no time limitations before this agreement. In cases where a rejected asylum-seeker refuses to leave Sweden the detention can be extended up to one month and in situations where a person is unwilling to cooperate with the authorities the detention can be extended to up to 12 months. In addition, travel restrictions will be implemented to those refusing to leave the country voluntarily. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, welcomes the new rules as a positive change, and also states that particular cases such as children's needs should be given special attention.
* SVT 18 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Ystads Allehanda 18 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 18 November 2011 (in English)
* The Local 18 November 2011 (in English)
N.B This story was also covered in Finland
* Hufvudstadsbladet 18 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Most EU countries reject refugees
UNHCR in the news
There are significant differences between EU countries when it comes to accepting refugees. A small number of nations are receiving most of the asylum-seekers that come to Europe: in 2010 ten member states received 90 per cent or 90,000 of all asylum claims across the EU. Sweden receives a large number of asylum-seekers in the EU. According to UNHCR, Sweden received 31,875 applications in 2010, third highest in Europe. The country to receive most applications was France with 51,595 applications and Germany was second with 48,490 applications. Finland that has been notorious for not accepting many refugees softened its policies a few years ago and granted asylum to thousands of Somalis. Denmark that ten years ago had as many asylum-seekers as Sweden is now less attractive to asylum-seekers due to a more restrictive asylum policy. – There are huge differences between the assessments made in different countries, says António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. According to Cecilia Malmström, European Commissioner for Migration Affairs, the EU is far from achieving a mutual and equal asylum policy. According to UNHCR there is a danger that countries that currently have a generous reception of refugees can experience growing xenophobia in the long term.
* Dagens Nyheter 21 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Four out of five refugees do not end up in the West
UNHCR in the news
Immigration is singled out as the biggest challenge for the world's rich countries. However, the majority of the world's refugees live poor countries. The number of persons who have had to flee is the highest in 15 years, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number is around 44 million persons, but only few of them come to the wealthy part of the world. The overwhelming majority lives as refugees in another part of their home country. It is estimated that about 27 million are so-called internally displaced persons (IDPs). About 17 million have crossed the border to another country, usually a poor neighbour. In fact, 80 per cent of the world's refugees live in developing countries. The number of refugees in Europe has gone down from almost half a million per year to under 300,000. Stricter border controls can be a contributing factor to the lower numbers, explains António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. – We have a situation that is totally artificial, says Guterres. UNHCR has called on EU member states to take quota-refugees in order to reduce the suffering in overcrowded refugee camps. However, there is little interest among European countries. Guterres is deeply concerned that it is becoming increasingly difficult for refugees to enter Europe and seek asylum. It is imperative to secure refugees' ability to apply for asylum in Europe. – Otherwise we are pushing the refugees into the arms of criminal smugglers and traffickers, says Guterres.
* Dagens Nyheter 20 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 22 November to Wednesday 23 November 2011
Only three persons have been granted work permits
Norway
After the Government opened up to give deported asylum-seekers the opportunity to re-enter as labour migrants, only three persons have had their expulsion orders suspended and been granted work permits because they are skilled. The government recently changed the rules so that a person who has violated the Immigration Act still can apply for a work permit. The requirements include a job offer, education and correct identification papers from the home country. – The new regulation was deliberately made as narrow as possible, says Secretary General Ann-Margrit Austenå from the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS).
* TV2 Nyhetene 21 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 21 November 2011 (in Nowegian)
Asylum-seekers regret coming to Norway
Norway
Out of the 1,500 asylum-seekers who have voluntarily returned back to Iraq, 40 per cent have said that they regretted coming to Norway in the first place. This according to a report from the Christian Michelsens Institute (CMI). - They realised when they returned back home that the development in the country has gone very well, and that they have put their lives on hold, says State Secretary Pål Lønseth at the Ministry of Justice. Director of the Directorate of Immigration, Ida Børresen, believes that the report will be an important tool for further work to increase voluntarily returns. So far this year, 1,569 persons have returned voluntarily compared to 1,253 persons the same period last year.
* Verdens Gang 22 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
UNHCR: Sweden Democrats' solution too simple
Sweden
The Sweden Democrats' answer to improving the situation of refugees in Sweden and in the world is too simplified, says UNHCR. Jimmie Åkesson, the SD party leader, says that UNHCR should receive increasing support for their work: – UNHCR helps refugees locally in areas where most of the world's 40 million refugees are. By directing resources to these regions we can help many more people than continuing the irresponsible immigration policy we have today. Hanne Mathisen, UNHCR spokesperson for Baltic and Nordic countries, says that Åkesson's solution of only supporting refugees on the region is insufficient. According to her, refugees must also be supported if they seek refuge in other countries than their neighboring regions – one does not exclude the other. – I want to emphasize that the help refugees receive in the region can never exclude the possibility that they will receive help in Europe. UNHCR Global Trends 2010 report shows that 80 percent of the world's refugees live in developing countries such as Pakistan, Iran and Syria. Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, has urged industrialized world to address this imbalance, saying that developing countries alone cannot continue to carry this burden.
* SVT 21 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seekers occupy bus
Sweden
Around 30 asylum-seekers occupied a bus in Lindesberg on Tuesday. The group has been staying in a newly opened temporary accommodation for asylum-seekers in Gärdshyttan, outside Askersund, which they left in protest. According to them Gärdshyttan has problems with sanitation and water. Many also felt that they ended up in the woods far from healthcare and schools. Director of Gärdshyttan, Camilla Carlsson, said that she can understand why the asylum-seekers are unhappy. – The rumor even in our neighboring countries is that Sweden is a fantastic country for asylum-seekers, which is why many have probably had quite different expectations.
* SVT 22 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Swedish Migration Board duck UN criticism
Sweden
The UN Committee against Torture has criticised the Swedish Migration Board and the Migration Court repeatedly when it comes to misjudgments of future risks in several cases of expulsion. The Migration Board argues that they just "made a different assessment". – They have a different opinion than Sweden has, says Fredrik Beijer, expert at the Migration Board. – The problem is that it is difficult to verify whether a person is in trouble. If there is a clear case, we embrace it and make an assessment, Beijer continues. Lars Fagerström, Chairman at Hallands Asylum Committee, says that the authorities are quick to deny their responsibility after they have reached a decision. Beijer states that the task of the Migration Board is to carry out the assessment prior to deportation, what happens after is not their responsibility.
* Nyheter24 22 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Georgia's refugee problem persists
UNHCR in the news
Georgia is struggling with persisting amount of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The conflicts remain unresolved, which is why the IDPs cannot return home. An estimated of 250,000 people first fled Abkhaz and later some 25,000 people have left South Ossetia. According to UNHCR, in 2010 there were just over 7,000 Georgian asylum-seekers in western industrialized countries. Out of the 55 Georgian asylum-seekers who applied asylum in Finland in 2010, none were granted asylum.
* Monitori 22 November 2011 (in Finnish)
Significantly fewer receive permanent residence in Denmark
Denmark
In just one year, the number of new permanent residence permits has dropped by 70 per cent, according to recent figures from the Danish Immigration Service. The significant difference coincides with the introduction of the points system for permanent residence, introduced in 2010 by the Liberal Government and the Danish People's Party (DF). – This was not the intention, says Peter Skaarup (DF). – It was meant to get people to contribute to Danish society. I think the number will increase gradually as people begin to meet the requirements, such as work experience, he continues. The Government has in the government platform announced the abolition of the points system and a simplification of current rules. The Minister for Justice, Morten Bødskov, does not want to guarantee that more foreigners will receive permanent residence in the future, but he stresses that the Aliens Act will be used to promote integration.
* Berlingske 25 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 25 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Sjællands Nyheder 25 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Avisen 25 November 2011 (in Danish)
Four reception centres closing down
Finland
The Finnish Government has authorized the Finnish Immigration Service to close four reception centres for asylum-seekers by the end of June 2012. The centres are being closed due to the drop in the number of asylum-seekers coming to Finland. The number of asylum-seekers in Finland has dropped by one third compared to 2010. It has been estimated that the total number of asylum-seekers will remain around 3,000 persons this year, out of which 140 are unaccompanied minors. In the future the Ministry of the Interior and the Finnish Immigration Service wish to accommodate asylum-seekers in empty rental apartments instead of reception centres.
* Aamulehti 23 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Karjalainen 23 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Hufvudstadsbladet 23 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Verkkouutiset 23 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 23 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Helsinki Times 24 November 2011 (in English)
* Helsingin Sanomat 25 November (in Finnish)
* YLE Svenska 25 November (in Swedish)
Norway closer to return asylum-seeking minors to Afghanistan
Norway
Some 90 refugee children that have been rejected asylum are one step closer to being sent back home after Norway and Afghanistan last Wednesday agreed to build a reception centre in Kabul. – We have agreed with the Afghan authorities to establish a centre to accommodate asylum-seekers who are not in need of protection but where the care-taker is not known. The centre will have room for 200 children, with the possibility for expansion, says Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice. Ombudsman for Children, Reidar Hjermann, is concerned that Norway cannot guarantee the safety of the children. – It creates uncertainty about the children's safety when the Ministry of Justice is not using transparency or asks for input during the planning, he says. Even though the Norwegian authorities are helping with funds to establish care and education, the full responsibility for the children's safety and development still lies with the Afghan authorities.
* Verdens Gang 23 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 24 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
Free for those without money
Norway
The hospitals in Norway must cover the costs if persons without legal residence cannot afford to pay for obstetrics, according Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, Minister of Health and Care Services. The topic was highlighted after a woman without a residence permit got a bill for 17,000 Norwegian crowns (NOK) after giving birth at a hospital in Kristiansand. Experts fear that illegal immigrants are going to give birth in medically irresponsible ways, if they have to pay to give birth at Norwegian hospitals. – If the patients cannot cover the costs themselves, the costs should be covered by the appropriate health institution or service provider, says Strøm-Erichsen.
* NRK 23 November 2011 (in Norwegian)
More apathetic refugee children
Sweden
According to the Swedish CAP association, the number of apathetic refugee children in the country's hospitals is increasing once again. Asylum-seeking children are treated for signs of deep resignation and depression at the psychiatric clinic for children and adolescence. – The same situation is being repeated. It makes me worry, says Lars Joelsson, chairman of the Swedish CAP association.
* Svenska Dagbladet 23 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Aftonbladet 23 November 2011 (in Swedish)
N.B. This story was also covered in Finland
* Österbottens Tidning 23 November 2011 (in Swedish)
More people come to Sweden to work
Sweden
For a long time Sweden has been a country receiving many refugees. However, now more and more people come to Sweden to work and the number of refugees coming to the country is decreasing. The number of refugees has been decreasing since the peak in 2006. The change is thought to be related to a law introduced in 2008 regarding immigrating workers.
* Dagens Nyheter 23 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* The Local 23 November 2011 (in English)
Mine risk in Southern Sudan
UNHCR in the news
According to a report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), more and more countries are using anti-personnel mines, and their use is now the highest in almost a decade. The increased use of anti-personnel mines by a handful of countries threatens to undermine the whole process of banning anti-personnel mines, warns the Human Rights Watch. In Southern Sudan large quantities of landmines deployed along the road intensifies the country's refugee crisis. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), refugees should be spread across the country, but the organization does not dare to transport people due to the mine risk. Every day hundreds of people are fleeing the conflict in Sudan to Southern Sudan, where the largest refugee camp has 23,000 people.
* Svenska Dagbladet 24 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 26 November to Monday 28 November 2011
Asylum-seekers shocked about closure of refugee centres
Finland
Asylum-seekers in Finland are shocked about the Ministry of Interior's decision to close four refugee reception centres. Both asylum-seekers and the staff working at the centres believe that the decision is inhuman. Osman Hassan, counsellor at the Kontionlahti reception centre, is worried about the future of the asylum-seekers in the centres. According to him, many fear that they will be deported when the centres will close. His main concern is the centre's 40 children, who first came to Finland as unaccompanied minors.
* YLE 28 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* YLE 28 November 2011 (in English)
Immigrants stuck in overcrowded accommodations
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board's accommodations are overcrowded. The reform that was supposed to get immigrants quickly into the workforce has had the opposite effect. The basic idea with the new reform was that an immigrant who receives a permanent residence permit should be directly moved from the Swedish Migration Board's accommodation to a municipality where there are opportunities to find work. However, it is taking too long to find a municipality with both housing and work opportunities. – The coordination does not work, says Caroline Henjered, from the Swedish Migration Board. – The most serious with this situation is that persons who have received residence permits are stuck in temporary housing in a place which they are supposed to leave, she continues.
* Dagens Nyheter 27 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Billström rejects an amendment of the Aliens Act
Sweden
The Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, says the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) does a good job but that it in some cases appears to be too generous towards asylum-seekers. – You also have to think about the consequences if you broaden the definition of "particularly distressing circumstances", says Billström. The Swedish Migration Board's rulings concerning two young Eritrean children risking deportation to Italy and the 91-year old Ganna Chyzevhevska who faced deportation to Ukraine have caused a lot of debate. Now five political parties want to see amendments to the Aliens Act concerning asylum on humanitarian grounds. However, Tobias Billström welcomes a debate on a possible amendment to the Aliens Act but he does not think changes are needed.
* Aftonbladet 25 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 25 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 25 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Nyheter24 25 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Difficult for immigrants with refugee background to get work in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden has received the highest grade in Europe for its work on integration. However, in reality integration goes in the wrong direction in many aspects. According to statistics from the Swedish Public Employment Service the percentage of unemployed foreign-born persons has increased from 22 per cent in 2005 to 35 per cent in October 2011. On average it takes seven years for a refugee to find employment in Sweden. According to Jan Ekberg, professor of National Economy at Växjö University, one simple reason why it is difficult for immigrants to find work in Sweden is the language, and another answer could be discrimination. However, there are no studies showing more discrimination in Sweden compared to other countries, Ekberg adds. Sweden is often compared with Canada and USA that are successful when it comes to integration.
* Dagens Nyheter 26 November 2011:1 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 26 November 2011:2 (in Swedish)
No observers present during forced return
Sweden
The Government and the Green Party have decided to disregard EU's demands for greater transparency and monitoring in connection with forced return of rejected asylum-seekers. EU calls for independent observers to be present on board the aircraft, but this is not needed, says Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. –The Government has not interpreted it as a requirement that external observers must physically accompany all forced returns, he states. According to the agreement between the Government and the Green Party, it is enough that institutions, such as the Office of the Chancellor of Justice (JK) and the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO), in retrospect examine how the police conducted themselves.
* Sveriges Radio 27 November 2011 (in Swedish)
African refugees tortured in Egypt
UNHCR in the news
Human smugglers in Egypt are targeting African refugees, threatening to steal their organs unless their relatives pay them large sums of money. Last week some 600 people, most of whom were Eritrean, crossed the border of Israel from the Sinai desert. The fleeing group apparently was targeted by human traffickers but managed to escape. - Some of them told our staff in Israel that smugglers threatened to sell their organs, says Andrei Mahehic, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Many refugees have reported of camps where human smugglers are torturing people in order to blackmail the victims' relatives into paying them money. Despite this, neither UNHCR nor Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) have been able to confirm these claims.
* Expressen 25 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 29 November to Wednesday 30 November 2011
Police watches over controversial health clinic
Denmark
The Danish People's Party (DF) is dissatisfied that the Police has not intervened against the Health Clinic for illegal immigrants in Copenhagen. Even though the clinic has been open since August, the Copenhagen police has not found any illegal immigrants at the medical clinic, according Morten Bødskov, Minister of Justice. Therefore Martin Henriksen, integration spokesperson for DF, now puts pressure on the Government. – It is unsatisfactory that there has not been a larger effort made in connection with the clinic. Either this has not been prioritized or then no one uses the clinic, says Martin Henriksen. However, Vibeke Lenskjold from the Health Clinic says there is a need for the clinic. – We have on average 7-8 patients in the two days that we are open, three hours per day, says Vibeke Lenskjold. – The police does not come when we are open, and this makes me happy. It is a human right to be able to go to the doctor, regardless of your legal status, she adds.
* Berlingske 29 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands Posten 29 November 2011 (in Danish)
* Information 29 November 2011 (in Danish)
* TV2 Nyhederne 29 November 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 29 November 2011 (in Danish)
Estonia can send illegal border crossers back to Russia
Estonia
On Monday, the implementation protocol of a treaty between Estonia and Russia entered into force, enabling the countries to send back people crossing the border illegaly to their country of origin or state of residence. The protocol was signed in September this year in Moscow. Estonia has also concluded an implementation protocol of the treaty with Moldova, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. In 2010, some 111 cases of illegal border crossing were discovered in Estonia and 169 people crossing the border illegally were detained. The majority of the illegal border crossings took place involuntarily, during fishing on border lakes or at sea or due to navigation errors. Only five cases were attempts of illegal immigration.
* The Baltic Course 29 November 2011 (in English)
Immigrants active in setting up businesses
Finland
According to a survey by the Uusimaa Regional Council, immigrants in Finland are active in starting their own businesses. The survey shows that immigrants have set up more companies than people of Finnish origin in the 2000s. Last year, there was around 6,000 companies set up by foreigners. Over 80 per cent of the businesses are located in the metropolitan area, and more than half of the companies are in the Helsinki region. The companies are mostly small single owner business enterprises or small corporations. In Uusimaa region, most of the immigrant businesses are owned by Asians. The survey reveals that women were especially active in setting up their own businesses; they bear the main responsibility in one-fourth of all the companies.
* MTV3 28 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Taloussanomat 28 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Turun Sanomat 28 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Kaleva 28 November 2011 (in Finnish)
* Länsiväylä 29 November 2011 (in Finnish)
The municipality of Vimpeli joins refugee negotiations
Finland
The municipal government of Vimpeli decided to start negotiations with the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY) regarding accepting quota refugees. The other municipalities in the area, Alajärvi and Soini, have already announced that they will join the negotiations.
* Ilkka 29 November 2011 (in Finnish)
Asylum hearings not centralized
Finland
The authorities' plans to centralize asylum hearings to specific police stations have so far failed. This is due to the Police's reluctance to conduct the initial hearings of asylum-seekers in a few stations. According to Esko Repo, director of the Finnish Immigration Service, the police has not issued a formal decision on the plans to concentrate its part of the asylum procedure in certain localities. Therefore asylum-applications can still be submitted to the police across the country.
* YLE 23 November 2011 (in Finnish)
Requirement for equal healthcare
Sweden
Some 42 different organizations have signed a petition demanding equal health care for undocumented persons and asylum-seekers. Currently refugees in hiding are only entitled to emergency health care in the Skåne region. Many of the organizations signing the petition are medical associations. – It is difficult to judge what counts as an emergency, says Åsa Wieslander, from the Delta Foundation Health Care Network for Hidden Refugees in Malmö. Currently undocumented persons in the Scania province are entitled to the same health care as asylum-seekers, but all children receive the same care as Swedish children. The petition was initiated since the Government's inquiry into health care for undocumented persons has not advanced since it was presented in May. In the inquiry it was suggested that undocumented persons should receive the same health care as those registered in Sweden.
* NårraSkone 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Rebels attack the UN
UNHCR in the news
Somalia's neighbouring countries want the Government to put pressure on the Islamist rebels that on Monday attacked several UN offices and banned additionally 16 international organizations from operating in the famine stricken country. Al-Shabab has attacked and raided several aid organizations in different parts of Somalia, in what appears to have been a well coordinated attack. The group has several times attacked aid agencies in the past that it accuses of political bias. Also the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been banned by the group. – We are discussing with our partners on how to manage our work there, says Andy Needham from UNHCR.
* SVT 28 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Politiken 28 November 2011 (in Danish)
Thursday 1 December to Friday 2 December 2011
Municipalities more open to accepting refugees
Finland
In the Ostrobothnia region a couple of municipalities have asked the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY) for more time in deciding about receiving quota refugees. At the same time at least 4-5 municipalities in South Ostrobothnia have announced that they wish to join the negotiations on receiving quota refugees. Hanna Auranen from ELY says that these answers are positive signals from the municipalities. A majority of the municipalities in Ostrobothnia receive quota refugees, in total they receive around 130 refugees annually. Finland receives quota refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
* YLE 1 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Minister Räsänen: reception centres closed due to budget cuts
Finland
According to the Minister of the Interior, Päivi Räsänen, the reception centres of Kontionlahti and Kontionniemi are closed due to budget cuts. - The decision has been made in the Ministry of the Interior and it was based on expert analysis. Directly speaking the purpose is to save money, says Räsänen. The Ministry of the Interior has given the Finnish Immigration Service the right to resign the contract with the reception centres of Kontionlahti and Kontionniemi from the end of June 2012.
* YLE 1 December 2011 (in Finnish)
MP from True Finn's suggests citizenship test
Finland
Olli Immonen from the True Finn's party has submitted a written question asking whether the Government attempts to investigate the need for citizenship tests for those applying for Finnish citizenship. - An increasing number of European countries have recently started using citizenship tests. The tests are already used for instance in Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands and Denmark, says Immonen. The Director-General of the Finnish Immigration Service, Jorma Vuorio, said last October that he would like to investigate whether there would be a need for a test for those who apply for Finnish citizenship. According to Immonen, a citizenship test would be a good way to determine and measure how successfully immigrants have integrated into their new home country
* Verkkouutiset 1 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Decision on care of victims of torture to be appealed
Sweden
The company Wemind was selected to provide care of refugees who have been exposed to torture and other war trauma. The Red Cross that has run the care centre up on till now will appeal the decision. – If we do not win the bid, we have to close down our operation, says Monica Brendler, director at the Red Cross Centre for Tortured Refugees in Stockholm.
* Dagens Nyheter 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Smålandsposten 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio Stockholm 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Expressen 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
* Nyheter24 30 November 2011 (in Swedish)
Norway donates money to Greek asylum centres
Norway
Greece is in a deep economic crisis but cannot opt out of its responsibility to give asylum-seekers a worthy treatment. At the same time, there is an increase in the number of persons illegally crossing the border into the country. – It is a difficult political exercise to spend money on the asylum system in a country where people are experiencing a deep economic crisis, says State Secretary Pål Lønseth at the Ministry of Justice. In total, Norway will contribute with 160 million Norwegian crowns (NOK) to improve the Greek asylum system until 2014. Of this money, 40 per cent will go through the UN and other NGO's, and 60 per cent to the Greek authorities. – In today's Europe, our external borders go along Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea. This situation cannot only be Greece's responsibility. The whole of Europe must solve it together, Lønseth argues. Norway's contribution will, among other things, be used to improve the conditions for asylum-seekers, who today risk being arrested at the border and imprisoned for months. According to the UN Refuge Agency (UNHCR), the treatment of minors is a major problem. – They risk being imprisoned longer than adults as it takes a long time to find a guardian. At the same time they need protection from traffickers as they are very exposed, says Ketty Kehayioylou from UNHCR's office in Greece. Today, Greece has a backlog of 38,000 pending asylum applications, compared to 47,000 last year. The queue has gotten shorter thanks to the support from other EU countries, says Kehayioylou.
* 2 Nyhetene 1 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Dagsavisen 1 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Agderposten 1 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* MRE 1 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 3 December to Monday 5 December 2011
New project to improve integration of immigrants
Finland
In Ostrobothnia a new project has been established to better integrate immigrants into the society. The project is using a Swedish model from Skåne and aims to get everyone to work together to create conditions for refugees that will enable them to become part of the society faster. This includes for example informing new arrivals in their native language at an early stage about the location of health care centers and hospitals. The project also takes into account the importance of learning the local language and emphasizes the role that hobbies can play in successful integration of new arrivals.
* YLE Svenska 2 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Demonstration against deportations
Sweden
Last Saturday afternoon a demonstration was held in central Stockholm calling for a more generous immigration policy. Approximately 250 participants demanded an end to deportations to Syria, Afghanistan and Ethiopia. They also called for an end to the deportations of children, elderly people and people with medical conditions to countries where they have no relatives. One of the demonstrators was Anna Otto, the granddaughter of 91-year old Ganna Chyzhevska who was under threat of being deported back to Ukraine by the Swedish Migration Board.
* SVT 3 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Sweden stops without immigrants
Sweden
Several industries in Sweden are carried by foreigners. Many have a key role, particularly in service industries and parts of the public sector. More than every fourth doctor is born abroad. – Without our foreign born staff, a large part of our medical care would quickly cease to function, says Gunnar Blomquist, personnel manager at the County Council in Värmland. – This applies to many functions, such as specialist doctors and nurses. In a few years, Sweden will have labour shortage in several areas, partly because of a population with many elderly and few young people. Labour can be crucial for the welfare system. – It is sad that we in Sweden are so bad at taking advantage of the newcomer's skills, says Anders Lago, former mayor of Södertälje.
* Dagens Nyheter 4 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugees fleeing Burma
UNHCR in the news
In Burma a ceasefire has been reached between government troops and one of the country's major armed ethnic groups in the state of Shan, on the border with China. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), up to 30,000 people have fled the fighting across the border into China.
* Sveriges Radio 3 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Al-Shabaab has taken Somalia hostage
UNHCR in the news
Somalia's population is left to defend for itself after al-Shabaab has expelled almost all aid organisations. The different organisations try to negotiate with the group but the prospect of success is small. Only Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross are currently allowed to work in the field, but their capacity is far from sufficient to meet the people's needs. The ban on the international aid organisations are expected to have dramatic consequences for the four million Somalis, out of which about 250,000 are directly threatened by the famine. One of the major organisations that were expelled was the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). – We are about to assess the extent of the situation, says Andy Needham, spokesperson at UNHCR's office in Nairobi. – We know that about half of Somalia's population is in need of help, and we know that they will need it for at least a year to come, but we do not know yet how many are specifically affected by the ban, he continues.
* Information 30 November 2011 (in Danish)
Tuesday 6 December to Wednesday 7 December 2011
Ministry of Interior to investigate asylum procedure length
Finland
The Ministry of Interior has hired a team to investigate what are the factors that prolong asylum procedures in Finland. The team consists of individuals from different ministries. The aim of the project is to establish new ways of communication between authorities, in order to improve co-operation. The project also looks at how those asylum-seekers who have received asylum could be transferred from reception centers to municipalities faster. In addition to this, the project investigates how the process of dealing with complaints from negative decision could be speeded up. By increasing the efficiency of immigration authorities, the Ministry hopes to save 20 million euros by the year 2015.
* Turun Sanomat 5 December 2011 (in Finnish)
* Verkkouutiset 5 December 2011 (in Finnish)
* Iltalehti 5 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Immigration's image gets a boost
Norway
A survey conducted by Statistics Norway (SSB), shows major increases in positive response to issues involving immigration. Before the terrorist attack on 22 of July, 73 per cent of the respondents agree that "immigrants make a useful contribution to the Norwegian workforce", while 85 per cent agreed in the days afterwards. Before the 22 July, 72 per cent believed that "immigrants enrich the cultural life in Norway" compared to 82 per cent afterwards. In the same way, the number increased among those who disagreed with the stament "most immigrants abuse the social welfare system", from 47 to 56 per cent. The greatest change was in the attitudes towards the statement "most immigrants are a source of insecurity in society", where the number of disagreements went from 48 to 70 per cent. Compared with the corresponding survey from last year, there was a slight increase among those who believe immigrants abuse the social welfare system this year. Other than that, there were no significant changes in attitudes from last year.
* NRK 5 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Views and News from Norway 6 December 2011 (in English)
Thursday 8 December to Friday 9 December 2011
Half of the immigrants return home
Denmark
Far from all immigrants coming to Denmark stay in the country. More and more immigrants leave after a number of years. A new report from Statistics Denmark shows that more than half of the people that immigrated to Denmark in 2002 had gone back home again in January this year. – The tighter polices that were introduced by the former government has certainly played a role, says Thomas Nielsen, one of the statisticians behind the figures. He also mentions other possible reasons like increasing globalisation and the EU's enlargement towards the East. This means that the proportion of immigrants staying only temporarily in Denmark is higher. The austerity measures can clearly be seen in the groups of immigrants that have received residency in the country. – In ten years, the immigration pattern has changed from mostly refugee and family reunions to become more work and study focused, Nielsen continues.
* Avisen 7 December 2011 (in Danish)
Government will not investigate further violations
Denmark
The Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov will not investigate if there are further cases of children refused residence. It caused sensation when the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) this summer ruled that Denmark had violated the European Convention on Human Rights in the case of a girl from Somalia who had been refused to reinstate her residence permit in Denmark. The Danish Immigration Service has identified 75 cases of children who have been denied residence permit. Bødskov explains that all the 75 cases are not necessarily relevant in connection to the sentence from ECtHR and does not want to investigate. – We do not think this should be a reason for not reviewing the cases, says Eva Singer from the Danish Refugee Council. – It is probable that some of the rulings are wrong and they should be corrected, she says.
* Information 7 December 2011 (in Danish)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs must use eight billion NOK in five days
Norway
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just five days to spend 8 billion Norwegian crowns (NOK) in humanitarian aid before the last processing deadline in 2011. – When a lot of money has to be spent in the end of the financial year, there is potential for abuse and corruption. The money may also be less effective, says Elling Tjønneland at the Christian Michelsen Institute in Bergen. The institute evaluates Norwegian development aid. Hilde Bakken in the Finance Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that certain large payments expire late in the year. These include refugee measures, vaccine programmes and refilling of the Development Fund.
* Aftenposten 8 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* Adressa 8 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
* The Foreigner 9 December (in English)
Growing number of refugee children in Västerås
Sweden
According to the Police, more and more unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors arrive in Västerås. Children have been found in several locations around the area, and only few come to the police station. Local politicians demand that the Swedish Immigration Board takes responsibility for these children. The community is having difficulties in dealing with the growing number of arrivals, and there is no more room to accommodate all of them. According to the politicians, Västerås has become a new destination for organized smuggling of unaccompanied refugee minors.
* Sveriges Radio 7 December 2011 (in Swedish)
* SVT 7 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Refugee and statelessness conventions celebrate 60th and 50th anniversaries
UNHCR in the news
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 50th anniversary of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. These anniversaries were celebrated in a high level meeting in Geneva on the 7-8 December with over 70 ministers participating. Sweden was represented by the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, who by virtue of the Swedish Chairmanship of UNHCR's Executive Committee, lead the meeting during the opening ceremony. Other speakers of the conference included the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Gutérres and the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Finland's former president and Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari also attended as a guest speaker. – Sweden was one of the first countries to sign the Refugee Convention and it remains a cornerstone in the protection of human rights, says Billström.
* Aftonkuriren 8 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Saturday 10 December to Monday 12 December 2011
Social Liberals: Do not expel children
Denmark
Children as young as two years can be refused to live with their immigrant parents in Denmark, due to the strict rules on family reunification. Apparently nothing can be done to change this right now. – The rules are disgusting, says Zenia Stampe from the Social Liberals. She has previously stressed that this directly goes against the beliefs of the party. Yet, there is nothing to be done for the children, who will be expelled from now until March, when the Government is expected to be ready to implement the new relaxed rules on family reunification. The other day, the Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov explained that it is not possible to put deportations on hold until the Government has implemented the new rules. – We can and must not delay their applications. Therefore we are working hard on the new legal basis, he has said.
* Berlingske 9 December 2011 (in Danish)
* Politiken 11 December 2011 (in Danish)
Lack of housing for refugees
Norway
The municipality of Bergen cannot house as many refugees as it had decided to. – I wanted to live alone, but I agreed to share an appartment with someone else because it was the only option, says Tesfay from Eritrea. He recieved a permanent residence permit in August but it he could not get his own apparment. The housing shortage in Bergen has made it difficult for a number of refugees. One reason is that an increasing number of refugees are single, and therefore more homes are needed, according to the City Council. – We have not reached our goal. Therefore, we are intensifying our efforts to provide more housing, says Lisbeth Iversen at the City Council. Some solutions include to let refugees live together in other communities and to provide more housing in the private market.
* Bergens Tidende 10 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
No proof of an increasing number of climate refugees
Sweden
According to new research there are no signs that the flow of refugees worldwide is increasing due to extreme climate conditions. The population expert Christian Skarman from Statistics Sweden, says the term 'climate refugee' gives an impression of a dramatic situation that does not necessarily emerge. One of the most dramatic effects of climate change has been people fleeing drought, storms and coastline flooding. The UN Climate Panel predicted a few decades ago that the number of climate refugees will increase, yet according to the new report this has not happened. According to Skarman, extensive migration flows take place constantly. – There is major urbanization taking place in poor countries, and in a hundred years the world map might show people living in different areas. Yet it is not the rise in temperatures that motivates people to flee, he says.
* Dagens Nyheter 9 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Strong criticism after forced return
Sweden
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen have strongly criticized the actions of the Gävle police, who forcefully deported a 53-year old man to the wrong country. The Swedish Migration Board decided that the man, who is Faili Kurd, could be deported to Iran. However, he was sent to Iraq instead, where he was immediately arrested and accused of falsely claiming to be an Iraqi national. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has confirmed that the man is being held in Al-Elwya police station in central Baghdad.
* Dagens Nyheter 9 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Stop forced return to Iraq
Sweden
Iraq's Minister of Displacement and Migration, Dindar Ndjeman Dosky, has urged Sweden to stop forced deportations to Iraq. According to him, the Iraqi Government cannot guarantee the security of for example Christians. He also says that there should be no deportation to the country, since the unemployment rate is currently 30 per cent. For a few years Sweden was the country in the West that granted residence permits to most Iraqis. – We haven taken our responsibility by giving asylum-seekers a legally secure process, but if those who have been rejected do not leave the country it could be interpreted that Sweden allows unrestricted immigration from Iraq, commented Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. Since 2007 Sweden has sent back 1,147 people who have received a negative asylum decision.
* Dagens Nyheter 11 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Stateless man uncertain about citizenship
UNHCR in the news
Earlier this year, Søren Pind, former Minister for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs, described a case regarding a young stateless man as a 'dilemma'. The man was suspected to be a danger to national security, according to the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET). However, lawyers at the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, assessed that this man had the right to Danish citizenship according to the UN Convention on Statelessness. Legal experts ruled that he could not be denied citizenship, and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) agreed. UNHCR has a mandate to monitor States' compliance with the Convention. – It is not enough that a person is suspected, charged or indicted, said Hans ten Feld, UNHCR's former Regional Representative of the Baltic and Nordic countries. He stressed that the Convention on Statelessness is very clear when it comes to national security: Persons convicted of an offence against national security may not enjoy the rights of the Convention. Nevertheless, the parliamentary parties have asked Pind to consult with UNHCR and other European countries if they interpret that being a suspect by PET should be a reason to refuse a stateless person citizenship. The answer from UNHCR in Stockholm was clear: No, it is not possible to interpret the Convention in such a way that a person can be denied citizenship because he is a suspect. The new Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov, agrees that the man should be granted citizenship.
* Information 9 December 2011 (in Danish)
Tuesday 13 December to Wednesday 14 December 2011
Immigrants have to wait too long for residence permits
Denmark
The point system for permanent residence is so difficult to manage that currently 1,100 applications are pending in the Danish Immigration Service. Despite the rule that cases should take no more than 5 months to process, applicants have to wait up to 14 months for a decision. According to the Head of Office at the Immigration Service, Merethe Nord Philip, it is the new rules, including the point system that delays the decision making. It is particularly the requirement about active citizenship and exemption cases, such as people with disabilities, that creates a lot of work. Nord Philip adds that the point system has also led to significantly more rejections and that it takes longer to process rejections than to process approvals. Nord Philip emphasizes that last year the Danish Immigration Service set up a special team to deal with the backlog of cases.
* Berlingske 13 December 2011 (in Danish)
* DR 13 December 2011 (in Danish)
Only Savonlinna refuses refugees without bank accounts
Finland
The municipality of Savonlinna has informed the Finnish Immigration Service that it will not receive refugees who have not been given bank accounts. According to Monica Harju from the Finnish Immigration Service, Savonlinna is the only municipality that refuses to accept refugees without bank accounts. Nevertheless, the lack of bank accounts for refugees is a problem almost everywhere in Finland. Next year Savonlinna has committed to accepting 20 -25 quota refugees.
* Itä-Savo 12 December 2011 (in Finnish)
200 asylum-seekers forced to leave reception centres
Finland
An estimated number of 200 asylum-seekers is forced to leave the reception centre of Kontionlahti, which will be closed due to budget cuts. In addition to this, negotiations have begun about dismissing 60 staff members. Even though some of the 200 asylum-seekers would want to continue living in Kontionlahti, this scenario is unlikely for the majority of them. According to the Director of the reception centres at the Finnish Immigration Service, Jorma Kuuluvainen, asylum-seekers are most likely transferred to other reception centres.
* YLE 13 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Fear that European asylum breakdown could affect Norway
Norway
Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, who is responsible for asylum issues, criticizes his European counterparts. New figures show that despite the Government's effort to tighten asylum policies, Norway is among the top countries, percentage wise, when it comes to receiving asylum-seekers. Lønseth believes that other countries strict asylum practices may make it more difficult to send asylum-seekers to countries where they risk bad treatment. – I do not believe we are close to a Dublin II collapse, but the EU's work to harmonize the asylum policy is important for a well functioning Dublin II Regulation, says Lønseth. He has also discussed this issue with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Only Switzerland rejects fewer asylum-seekers than Norway. – It gives reason to doubt whether European countries can provide protection for those who need it, Lønseth adds.
* Verdens Gang 13 December 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
* Verdens Gang 13 December 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
Asylum-seekers forced to wait for health checks
Sweden
Only four out of ten asylum-seekers who arrive in Sweden receive appropriate health checks, according to statistics from municipalities and county councils. Only few will be examined, and the waiting time is long; up to six months. Swedish law states that counties should offer free health screenings to asylum-seekers upon arrival. To follow this procedure is important both for the individuals and from a communal perspective, especially for infectious disease control reasons.
* SVT 13 December 2011 (in Swedish)
* Dagens Nyheter 13 December 2011 (in Swedish)
* Sveriges Radio 13 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Violent battles in Sudan
UNHCR in the news
New bloody fights have broken out at the Sudan/South Sudan border. Some 19 people have been killed in the clashes between the Sudanese army and rebel forces. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 27,500 refugees have crossed the borders to Ethiopia and South Sudan after a series of clashes between Sudanese forces and rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).
* Politiken 12 December 2011 (in Danish)
* Jyllands Posten 12 December 2011 (in Danish)
* Dansk Radio 12 December 2011 (in Danish)
* B.T. 12 December 2011 (in Danish)
Thursday 15 December to Friday 16 December 2011
Social Liberals put pressure on Bødskov regarding deported children
Denmark
Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov should speed up the efforts to prevent children as young as two years from being deported, demands the Social Liberals party. It is both appalling and totally unacceptable that young children are separated from their parents and deported due the strict rules on family reunification. – We will ask the Minister to explore all options in order to find a legal solution, and to push the political negotiations to reach an agreement already in January or February, says Zenia Stampe from the Social Liberals.
Berlingske 14 December 2011 (in Danish)
Some 74 rejected Somalis have their cases heard again
Denmark
Some 74 Somalis will get their cases reassessed after a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The reason for this is dangerous living conditions in Somalia. Already this summer the deportations of the persons concerned were suspended. The decision by the Refugee Appeals Board to reassess the Somali cases is based on a ruling in ECtHR, where the Court found that the British Government would violate the European Convention on Human Rights, if they deported two Somali asylum-seekers from Britain to Somalia. This in turn has an impact on the Somalis in Denmark who are waiting to be sent back or whose cases are currently processed.
Politiken 15 December 2011 (in Danish)
Dansk Radio 15 December 2011 (in Danish)
Minister Søvndal rejects sick refugees
Denmark
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal receives criticism after rejecting sick Iranians' request for medical treatment in Denmark. The Iranian opposition group 'National Council of Resistance of Iran' (NCRI) has asked Denmark to allow 11 of its wounded and sick members to stay for a short while in order to receive hospital treatment. NCRI has guaranteed payment of all costs and that the 11 Iranians will leave Denmark after treatment. However, Søvndal has refused the request by, among other things, referring to the fact that the opposition group NCRI is on the United States terrorist list. This is a weak argument according to critics as the Minister and the Socialist People's Party helped remove the same Iranian organization from the European Union terror list two years ago.
Berlingske 16 December 2011 (in Danish)
TV2 Nyhederne 16 December 2011 (in Danish)
130 asylum-seekers to Västsura mansion
Sweden
Västsura mansion has announced it will offer temporary accommodation to 130 asylum-seekers. The first asylum-seekers are expected to arrive on Monday. The Swedish Migration Board welcomes the decision and says that Västsura made a quick decision to take in asylum-seekers. There is a great need for accommodation for asylum-seekers; in August the Swedish Migration Board had 800 people in temporary accommodations whereas today the number of people is 2,500.
SVT 15 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Iraq to expel Iranians from Camp Ashraf
UNHCR in the news
The Government of Iraq has threatened to expel 3,400 exiled Iranians from the refugee camp of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. According to Parviz Khazai, member of the Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Iraq is acting in the interests of Iran. The European Parliament has twice demanded that the Iraqi regime insures the safety of the camp's residents and that the international community seeks a long term solution to the security threat. Since September there has been an agreement where the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) allows camp residents to seek asylum. However, it is still unclear where the 3,400 expelled people could go. The European Parliament proposes that Camp Ashraf's residents should be protected by the UN for another year. During this year they should try to find resettlement places for the refugees.
Saturday 17 December to Monday 19 December 2011
UDI wants to introduce asylum for homosexual asylum-seekers
Norway
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) proposes an amendment to the current immigration policy so persecution due to sexual orientation would be considered as a reason for asylum. The changes would mean that it might be possible for more homosexual asylum-seekers to stay in Norway. – UDI has asked the Department of Justice for a change of practice of the treatment of homosexual asylum-seekers, says Ida Børresen, Director at UDI. – What we should consider is that the danger of persecution and the reactions towards them in the home country, due to their sexual orientation, might be so severe that they are in need of protection, she adds. UDI would like Norway to follow practice that goes in line with other European countries legislation and the Refugee Convention.
TV2 Nyhetene 15 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Over 400 waiting for police after rejected asylum
Sweden
An increasing number of rejected asylum-seekers are waiting to be deported by the police. Handling rejected applicants can take up to three years after the decision has been made. Getting a hold of the right identification documents usually prolongs the process. Furthermore, the bureaucratic process in other countries usually takes a lot longer than in Sweden. Still, Börje Öhman, secretary of communications at the Västernorrland County Police, does not consider the police administration to be lacking resources. However, Öhman remains self-critical of how the overall system of returning asylum-seekers operates.
SVT 16 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Millions of SEK used for empty places for refugees
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board has since last summer paid over 20 million SEK, through Malmö municipality, to four health care companies in Malmö for places that have not been used. The places have mostly been intended for unaccompanied refugee minors. However, since the children are relocated to different municipalities faster than before, most of the places remain unused. Since around half of the places have not been used, the agreements are now being terminated. – It is not reasonable to pay for so many empty places, commented Lena Cordes, from Malmö municipality.
Dagens Nyheter 16 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 16 December 2011 (in Swedish)
SVT 16 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Skånskan 16 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 17 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 20 December to Wednesday 21 December 2011
Dear Baltic and Nordic Headline followers. We take a break in our service for the holidays but will resume on 2 January 2012. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year!
Socialist People's Party wants to remove 24-year rule
Denmark
The Government will before the next election present a plan for the abolition of the 24-year rule for family reunification. – We have made an agreement with the Government that we would stick with the 24-year rule during this election period, says Jesper Petersen, the spokesperson for the Socialist People's Party (SF). However, he does not want to guarantee that the rule will continue into the next parliamentary term.
Berlingske 21 December 2011 (in Danish)
Developing countries pay for housing asylum-seekers
Denmark
The Government is accused of hypocrisy after moving money from foreign aid to the asylum system. Poor countries are paying so that asylum-seekers are entitled to their own home after six months in Denmark. The Government is moving 86 million Danish crowns (DKK) from development assistance to its initiative on housing for asylum-seekers. – It must be used on poverty reduction, says Trine Pertou Mach, a member of the Socialist People's Party (SF) Executive Committee. This act has been criticized as the current Government criticized the previous Government when it did the same thing.
Jyllands Posten 20 December 2011 (in Danish)
Starving in Norwegian reception centres
Norway
Asylum-seekers that have received their final decision on rejection have so little money that they cannot afford to buy enough food, warns personel at reception centres. 19 year old Jan Agha Rasoli only receives half the monetary support compared to other asylum-seeker. – They think that if we get less money we will go home, but they are wrong, he says. – I will rather starve in Norway than be dead in Afghanistan. According to the State Secratary at the Ministry of Justice, Pål Lønseth, the reason why rejected asylum-seekers receive less money is that it should indicate that they no longer have a residence permit in Norway. – They have a return obligation, he says. However, Norwegian People's Aid is now raising alarm on the issue, as the rejected asylum-seekers' financial support is so low that they do not get enough nutrition. – It is heartbreaking that they try to make people leave Norway by making them starve, says a nurse at Ringsaker reception centre.
NRK 21 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Family reunification should not be tightened
Finland
Several organizations object to Finnish Minister of Interior Päivi Räsänen's proposal to tighten family reunification criteria. The organizations, including different child- and refugee organizations and the Finnish Red Cross, believe that the rules are already strict. Quota refugees and refugees who have been granted asylum on the grounds of their need of international protection can apply for family reunification. The organizations are especially worried about minors. The reunification of the family might fall short if a child comes of age during the application process. According to the law, the decision about family reunification must be told to the applicant no later than nine months after the application. Yet reality is far from this. The Finnish Immigration Service reports that this year the applications of the child arriving to the country have taken approximately 460 days to process, whereas the family reunification applications for other members of the family has taken on average around 690 days.
Itä-Savo 20 December 2011
Stop deportations from Örebro airport
Sweden
The Green party and the Left party in Örebro demand an end to deportations from the Örebro airport. Still as recently as on 15 December the airport was used to forcefully deport refugees back to Afghanistan. – We want the airport to be used for travelling and development of the Örebro region, not to forcefully send people directly back into ongoing wars, says Jihad Menhem from the County Council.
SVT 20 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Santa Claus handed out gifts to refugee children
Sweden
Around 50 people came together yesterday to participate in a Christmas gathering organized by the Älvkarleö reception center in Kunda. Some 30 refugee children received presents from Santa Claus who came to visit them. Dolls, pencils, games and teddy bears were among the presents handed out to the children. Jenny Ronnefors, who is a receptionist at Älvkarleö and organizer of the event, was moved to tears when the refugee children received their Christmas presents. – This is the best Christmas present I could have ever received, she said.
Arbetarbladet 20 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Thursday 22 December 2011 to Wednesday 4 January 2012
Stateless criminals granted Danish citizenship
Denmark
The political opposition is now calling for a change to the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. The issue concerns granting citizenship to stateless persons in Denmark. Candidates for naturalization are usually approved by the Government without much debate. However, out of the 1,700 applicants in December, 36 are known to have committed serious offences in Denmark and one is considered a threat to national security. Currently some 460 stateless individuals reside in Denmark; most of them are children of Palestinian refugees. The 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness entitles these individuals to Danish citizenship. However, some political parties disagree with a convention that allows candidates who ordinarily would be denied citizenship due to their criminal past.
The Copenhagen Post 21 December 2011 (in English)
Jyllands-Posten 21 December 2011 (in English)
Danish Immigration Service split
Denmark
The Danish Government reorganises the much criticized Danish Immigration Service. In 2012 applications regarding family reunification will be treated in a newly created Immigration Service under the Ministry of Justice while work permits will be handled by a new agency under the Ministry of Employment. However, the Government is divided on the recent changes.
Jyllands-Posten 22 December 2011 (in Danish)
Berlingske 23 December 2011 (in Danish)
Traumatized refugee children need help
Denmark
There is a shortage of guardians for unaccompanied refugee children and youth. Currently, 54 children are in acute need of a guardian in Denmark. According to the law, all children under 18 have the right to a custodian and it is up to the municipalities to find these. The Danish Red Cross is now assisting in finding and training people for the job. The number of unaccompanied minors that receive a residence permit has drastically increased from previous years; up until November last year, 152 unaccompanied minors received residence permits.
TV/midt-vest 26 December 2011 (in Danish)
B.T. 26 December 2011 (in Danish)
Dansk Radio 26 December 2011 (in Danish)
Severely disabled boy deported
Denmark
The Danish Government wants it to be easier for severely disabled asylum-seekers to be allowed to stay in Denmark on humanitarian grounds. Still, humanitarian residence has been denied for 12-year old Zoran Markovic, who is seriously ill and disabled. Markovic's illness was not considered serious enough for him to be granted a residence permit. However, Eva Singer from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) argues that the Ministry of Justice should have a more comprehensive approach when assessing cases like this. DRC has asked the Ministry of Justice to reconsider the case.
Sjælands Nyheder 29 December 2011 (in Danish)
Refugees more likely to die from infectious diseases
Denmark
Refugees and immigrants are more likely than native Danes to die from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis or AIDS. A study of more than 56,000 refugees and immigrants in Denmark shows that the mortality rate is especially high amongst those coming from hot spot refugee camps and sub-Saharan Africa. Part of the explanation behind the high mortality rates is more infectious diseases and poor health care services in the countries where the refugees arrive from. Furthermore, there are no Danish national standards for health check-ups for quota refugees upon arrival, causing many refugees to go untreated for their infectious diseases. Only 27 per cent of Danish municipalities have guidelines in this area. Danish People's Party now demands mandatory health check of all refugees and immigrants arriving in the country.
Jyllands-Posten 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad January 2012 (in Danish)
Fyens 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Videnskab 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Dansk Radio 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Lorry 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Dansk Radio 3 January 2012 (in English)
No need to panic over increase in early retirement among immigrants
Denmark has seen a 51 per cent increase in early retirement among non-Western immigrants. Local Government Denmark (LGDK) explains that this is mainly due to more non-Western immigrants residing within Denmark compared to five years ago. Figures show that early retirement among those under the age of thirty is slightly lower among immigrants than native Danes. However, older immigrants go on early retirement more often compared to native Danes. According to LGDK there is a completely natural explanation to this. - There are two groups in which early retirement is significantly higher than the national average. The first group is persons who have had a hard life and are worn down; typically found among Turkish immigrants. The second group is immigrants having to deal with psychological traumas, common among Bosnian immigrants, says Vivian Jordansen from LGDK.
Jyllands-Posten 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Avisen 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Danske Kommuner Nyhedsmagasinet 2 January 2012
Dansk Radio 2 January 2012 (in Danish)
Århus Stiftstidende 3 January 2012 (in Danish)
Pudasjärvi wants more immigrants
Finland
The small town of Pudasjärvi, located in Northern Ostrobothnia, needs more immigrants. The city's goal is that every tenth citizen is an immigrant by 2018. The city would then have the same number of immigrants per resident as Helsinki. The city has seen many of its inhabitants move elsewhere and now has around 9,000 residents. It has also announced that it will start receiving quota-refugees. The first refugees are due to arrive within a few weeks from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Taloussanomat 22 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Radiomega 22 December 2011 (in Finnish)
MP's racist comment on Facebook wall might be criminal
Finland
Racist comments have been posted on True Finns MP James Hirvisaari's Facebook wall. The comments are insulting towards immigrants and state that all Arabs are inclined to commit sexual violence. James Hirvisaari says that he is not aware of the comments. According to Matti Tolanen, professor of criminal and procedural law of the University of Eastern Finland, the comments can be regarded as criminal. He adds that Hirvisaari could be held responsible of the content published on his Facebook page, even if it is not directly written by him.
MTV3 22 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Bishop questions decision to send back Iranian man
Finland
Bishop Irja Askola is going to send a letter to the Supreme Administrative Court to defend the negative decision received by an Iranian man who has converted to Christianity in Finland. Earlier this week the Administrative Court of Helsinki refused the man's asylum application since it did not deem it credible. The man claims that he will experience religious persecution if sent back to Iran. Bishop Irja Askola wonders if there is enough theological expertise in the Court to determine a person's Christian beliefs.
Kotimaa24 23 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Processing period of residence permits varies
Finland
The time that asylum-seekers have to wait for a decision on their asylum application varies greatly. The immigration supervisor of Kotka municipality, Pirjo Puolakka, says that the applications will be processed on average within a year, the fastest in a few months. Applications will be processed at the immigration office, where the applications are divided between different officers depending on the country of origin of the asylum-seeker. If a large number of persons from one country apply for asylum, this can slow down the processing time for their applications.
YLE 28 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Biometric residence card complicates illegal immigration
Finland
It will become more difficult to be an illegal immigrant in Finland in 2012, when biometric residence permits are introduced. All residence permits, asylum and visa applications will start to feature fingerprints in addition to a picture. Fingerprints will be stored in the electric register of the Finnish Immigration Service, When applying for extension or permanent residence permit new fingerprints will be taken.
YLE 29 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Soini wants more sensible immigration policy
Finland
The presidential candidate of the True Finns party, Timo Soini, wants a more sensible and reasonable immigration policy. As an example he says a wife and a daughter of a foreigner can be deported if the father of the family does not earn enough, whereas a murderer or a rapist can stay in the country. Soini wants a policy that would make the population respond to immigrants more positively. – I hope that after the first term of the new president, Finns will have understood how valuable immigrants are to us, Soini says.
Turun Sanomat 29 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Aamulehti 29 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Ilta-Sanomat 29 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Job quotas proposed for immigrants
Finland
The employability of immigrants in Kuopio may soon be improved through job quotas. Jarmo Rautjärvi, social director of Kuopio, says that the city could decide on a recommendation where there would be a ratio of people with foreign background being hired. This would concern around 100 employees. According to Rautjärvi hiring more immigrants to work for the city would also improve its services, since a growing number of customers have a foreign background.
YLE 30 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Governments argue for tolerance
Finland
The Swedish and Finnish governments have opened websites to respond to extreme right-wing views on immigration. The recent immigration debate in Finland has led the authorities to reconsider what kind of discussions on this topic should be appropriate. Ritva Viljanen, Permanent Secretary of the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO), supports the Government's decision to answer criticism. According to her, no-one should be silenced or excluded in the discussion, but the debate on immigration should not be based on racist theories or myths.
YLE Svenska 30 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Biaudet positive to immigration
Finland
Eva Biaudet, presidential candidate for the Swedish People's Party, does not understand the fear of immigration. -It seems to me that we should rather be happy that someone wants to see Finland as a possible place to live and build a community, she says. Finland needs work-based immigration in the future, but there is a fear that skilled labour does not want to come to Finland if there are unfavourable attitudes. Biaudet sees no reason to dismantle the existing social networks of immigrants coming to Finland. She would welcome the families of immigrants, including children and grandparents. In her presidential campaign Biaudet has emphasised themes of gender equality, openness and tolerance.
Seinäjoen Sanomat 31 December 2011 (in Finnish)
NB. this story was also covered in Sweden
Sveriges Radio 29 December 2011 (in Finnish)
New Norwegian passport legislation
Norway
A new citizenship law will most likely come into force in the spring of 2012. Those who were between 14 and 17 years old when they got their first residence permit will be granted Norwegian passports. The new legislation will not apply to Hewa Rashid and Dizeh Zewar who were just over 17 when they fled from the Iraq war in 1999. They are disappointed that they are still not considered Norwegian citizens after paying taxes for 13 years. Records show that 2,422 similar cases were rejected between 2010 and November 2011, because of ID doubts. 582 of these cases involved children.
NRK 27 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Ministry of Justice will not allow illegal workers to pay tax
Norway
Jon Ole Martinsen at Self Help for Immigrants and Refugees argues that illegal immigrants should be allowed to work and pay tax. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, disagrees. The Government focuses its resources on returning rejected asylum-seekers to their countries of origin.
Aftenposten 29 December 2011:1 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 29 December 2011:2 (in Norwegian)
Norway to receive 1,200 quota refugees next year
Norway
In 2012 the Norwegian resettlement quota will remain at 1,200, with refugees originating from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran and Somalia. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, 60 per cent of the quota refugees in 2012 will be women. In 2011, the annual quota of 1,200 was expanded with an additional 100 persons arriving as a result of the conflict in Libya.
Dagbladet 29 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
P4 29 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
MRE.no 29 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Municipalities demand more financial support
Sweden
Several municipalities in Scania county demand that the state reimburse them for additional costs related to the increasing reception of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. Representatives from the municipalities have already written a letter to and met with the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström.
SVT 23 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Skånskan 23 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Still no solution on health care for paperless persons
Sweden
Three and a half years after the Government promised to look over the rules regarding health care for so-called paperless persons, the question is still not solved. In the spring of 2011 the Government published an investigation on health care for paperless persons. The report recommended that paperless persons should receive subsidised health care. However, the economical calculations were rejected by Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy. Since then nothing has happened. Now some 50 organizations and federations of labour unions urgently demand better care for people without legal permission to stay in the country.
Sveriges Radio 26 December 2011 (in Swedish)
- Sweden accepts more refugees than before
Sweden
According to Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, Sweden is experiencing a paradigm shift, in which Sweden accepts more people than before. Ribbenvik says the debate about a harsher refugee policy is distorted. – During the first half of the 21st century we granted residence permits to some 40,000 persons annually. During the second half the number was 100,000, states Ribbenvik. However, the numbers include asylum cases, family reunification, quota refugees and labour migrants.
Dagen 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Municipality requests more funding for family reunification
Sweden
Gnosjö municipality has written to the Government requesting more funding to deal with the increasing number of family reunification cases among Somalis in 2012. There are new rules regarding family reunification that will come into force 1 July 2012. The new rules make it easier for Somali families to reunite even if their Somali identity documents have not been recognised by the Swedish authorities.
Sveriges Radio 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Municipal politicians issue a complaint against Billström
Sweden
Politicians in the surrounding municipalities of Malmö have written a letter to Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, complaining about the situation of unaccompanied refugee children. Malmö, that annually receives around 1,000 unaccompanied minors, places some of the children for example in a transit accommodation outside the city. This worries some of the politicians in the surrounding areas. – We do not have room for more children, says Andres Bergman, Mayor of Lomma.
Dagens Nyheter 2 January 2012 (in Swedish
Sveriges Radio 2 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingborgs Dagbladet 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
More Afghans seek asylum in Sweden
Sweden
In 2011 most asylum applications were lodged by Afghans (over 4,000); the number increased with 72 per cent compared to 2010. The number of asylum-seekers from Syria increased with 52 per cent, according to the Swedish Migration Board. In total, some 29,648 persons sought asylum in Sweden in 2011 compared to 31,819 in 2010. Around 30 per cent of the applicants were allowed to stay, compared to 28 per cent in 2010. – Sweden is one of the European countries accepting most asylum-seekers, says the Swedish Migration Board. There were also many asylum-seekers originating from Somalia, Serbia, Eritrea and Iraq. The number of asylum-seekers from Bosnia-Herzegovina increased with almost 700 per cent, from 123 persons in 2010 to 981 in 2011.
Dagens Nyheter 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Folkbladet 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 24 December 2012 (in Swedish)
Kristianstadsbladet 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Borås Tidning 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
NB. This story was also covered in Finland
Aamulehti 2 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Åbo Underrättelser 2 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Itä-Savo 2 January 2012 (in Finnish)
UN seeks 20 million for Philippine floods
UNHCR in the news
The United Nations appeals 30 million dollars for assistance to the flood-affected area of the Philippines. The funds are needed to provide clean water, food and temporary shelter for half a million people, whose lives were affected by the flood. The tropical storm Washi that killed around a thousand people has been described as similar to the effects of a tsunami. UNHCR has shipped blankets and food supplies for around 10,000 people in the flooded areas. Over 30,000 people have lost their homes.
YLE 22 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Disagreement regarding death toll in Syria
UNHCR in the news
In a report to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) [sic], Syria said more than 2,000 members of the security forces had been killed since the uprising begun in March. According to UNHCR more than 5,000 persons have been killed, a number the Syrian regime disputes.
Dagens Nyheter 22 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Kristianstadsbladet 22 December 2011 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: - Afghan strategy a mistake
UNHCR in the news
Peter Nicolaus, representative for UNHCR in Afghanistan, describes the Agency's strategy in Afghanistan as the biggest mistake UNHCR ever made. Almost a quarter of Afghanistan's population is refugees returning from Pakistan and Iran. Many find themselves homeless or living in slums. The UN has only recently started working on reintegrating them into society. Nicolaus says the international community has failed to help returnees find means to earn a living and therefore to reintegrate into society.
Sveriges Radio 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Arbetarbladet 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
GP 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Sydösterbotten 27 December 2011 (in Swedish)
Helsingin Sanomat 27 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Ilta-Sanomat 27 December 2011 (in Finnish)
Dagsavisen 27 December 2011 (in Norwegian)
Politiken 27 December 2011 (in Danish)
Berlingske 27 December 2011 (in Danish)
DR 27 December 2011 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 27 December 2011 (in Danish)
Avisen 27 December 2011 (in Danish)
Estonia helps Georgia prevent violence against women
UNHCR in the news
The Foreign Ministry in Estonia has donated 55,000 euros to the UN Refugee Agency for its work against sexual and domestic violence among internally displaced women in Georgia. According to reports by UNHCR and its partners, violence against women is common in Georgia. However, the Georgian government works together with the UN and local non-governmental organizations to resolve this situation.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_news/?doc=8450
The Baltic Course 28 December 2011 (in English)
Integration procedures updated in Lieksa
Finland
The city of Lieksa will change its integration procedures for immigrants and refugees. This is the third time the procedures are being renewed. One of the reasons for the revision is that the law has changed a lot in the last few years. There are around 300 immigrants in Lieksa.
YLE 4 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Minister concerned about immigration in Greater Helsinki
Finland
Krista Kiuru, Minister of Housing and Communications, calls for better co-operation between municipalities of the Greater Helsinki region to ensure a skilled workforce and affordable housing. Kiuru is worried about increased segregation. – The number of immigrants will more than double in the next 20 years. To meet the demand for labour we need to ensure the supply of workers from both in- and outside the region, says Kiuru.
Uusisuomi 4 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Municipalities cannot afford family reunification
Sweden
This summer, up to 400 Somali refugees are expected to arrive in Katrineholm municipality in Södermanland County. This is due to changes to the regulations on family reunification that will come into force 1 July 2012. Family ties can then be proven by DNA-testing instead of only ID-documents. Göran Dahlström, member of the Social Democratic Party and Chairman of the Municipality Council in Katrineholm, says that the community cannot afford to receive the refugees' families. – We do not have a single accommodation available, says Dahlström. However, the Government has set aside 850 million SEK for implementing the family reunification reform.
Sveriges Radio 6 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 7 January to Monday 9 January 2012
Rejected families stay in Denmark
Denmark
Some 68 rejected asylum-seekers, including children, have stayed in Denmark for more than 10 years because they cannot be forcibly returned to their country of origin and they do not wish to return voluntarily. Reports show that if asylum-seekers live in uncertainty for a long time it can cause psychological traumas and even lead to suicide. – It's a humanitarian catastrophe that people are left in uncertainty for such a long time, says Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen from the Red-Green-Alliance. An amnesty clause in the immigration law states that rejected asylum-seekers not able to return within 18 months should be granted a residence permit, but this clause is rarely applied.
Berlingske 7 January 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 6 January 2012 (in Danish)
Avisen 7 January 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 7 January 2012 (in Danish)
Fyens 7 January 2012 (in Danish)
Finland deported homosexual asylum-seekers
Finland
Asylum-seekers belonging to sexual minority groups are still treated against international agreements. From 2008-2010 Finland has sent back at least ten asylum-seekers to countries where homosexuality is against the law and can lead to a death sentence. It is suggested that the Finnish immigration authorities have encouraged asylum-seekers who are being sent back to their countries of origin to hide their sexuality or move to safer areas. Even though these negative decisions are in beach of Finnish law, they are against international standards. – If these decisions were compared to UNHCR's guidelines they would noticeably be wrong decisions, says researcher Outi Lepola.
YLE 9 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE Svenska Nyheter 9 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Helsingin Sanomat 9 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Rejected Afghan asylum-seekers finding their way back to Norway
Norway
Many rejected Afghan asylum-seekers who have been forcibly returned are trying to get back to Norway with false documentation. Zaki Karimi is one of them, desperately trying to get back to his wife and children in Norway.
http://www.tv2.no/nyheter/utenriks/sendt-med-tvang-til-afghanistan-paa-vei-tilbake-til-norge-3677273.html
TV2 8 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fewer refugees come to Sweden, immigration from EU increased
Sweden
Immigration to Sweden is still at a high level, but the number of refugees has been halved in recent years. EU citizens from countries such as Poland and Romania account for the largest increase in immigration, according to new statistics. Between 2006 and 2007 there was a peak in the number of refugees coming to Sweden due to immigration from Iraq. Since then the number of refugees has halved, even though it is now slowly rising again. Across Europe the number of asylum-seekers from Afghanistan increased. Afghans were also the largest group to receive residence permit (3,160) in Sweden in 2011. Meanwhile the number of Somali asylum-seekers has decreased.
Dagens Nyheter 8 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 8 January 2012 (in English)
Tuesday 10 January to Wednesday 11 January 2012
Medical clinic for illegal immigrants a success from the start
Denmark
The medical clinic for illegal immigrants in Copenhagen has been a success from its start some five months ago. The clinic is run by non-governmental organizations on a secret address and is staffed by volunteers. Typical patients are illegal immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East who do not dare to seek public medical care for fear of being sent out of the country.
DR 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
Immigration policy about to change in Denmark
Denmark
The point system for family reunification will be eliminated and a greater focus will be put on language courses in Danish. The point system, introduced by the previous government in 2010, required people wanting to reunite with family members in Denmark to earn a certain amount of points based on educational, job and language skills. – The system has been a bureaucratic obstacle for normal functioning families to reunite while at the same time highly criticized by the business community, says Morten Bødskov Minister of Justice. The new proposal on immigration policy will, in large, be a return to the practice before the point system.
Information 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
DR 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 9 January 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 9 January 2012:1 (in Danish)
Politiken 9 January 2012:2 (in Danish)
Eight persons granted asylum in 2011
Estonia
Last year eight persons were granted asylum in Estonia. In 2011 some 67 persons sought asylum, compared to 33 in 2010.
Rus Delfi 10 January 2012 (in Russian)
Record number of asylum-seekers
Latvia
In 2011 some 335 persons sought asylum in Latvia, according to statistics from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Last year 27 people received refugee status or subsidiary protection. The majority of the asylum-seekers originate from Georgia (176), followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (39) and Russia (18). In 2010, there were 61 asylum-seekers in Latvia.
The Baltic Course 5 January 2012 (in English)
Telegraf 6 January 2012 (in Russian)
Asylum-seekers to receive free emergency health care
Norway
Hospitals will be required to cover the cost of childbirth and other medical emergency assistance for asylum-seekers. Minister of Health and Care Services, Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, states this in a letter to the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights. The letter was preceded by harsh criticism from the Association regarding a case back in November of 2011 when an Ethiopian woman was billed NOK 17,000 for giving birth in a Norwegian hospital. The Association for Women's Rights deemed it "inhumane" to charge a woman who had just been rejected asylum and who had no funds to pay for the hospital stay.
Dagsavisen 9 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Discrimination of job-seekers with foreign names
New research shows that the likelihood of being called for a job interview drops by 25 per cent on average for applicants with foreign names. Almost two thousand fictitious job applications were submitted. For each job advertisement two almost identical applications were sent. The researchers then compared the applications with traditional Norwegian names to those with foreign names. The study also indicates that the level of discrimination is higher in the private sector than in the public sector. Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion Audun Lysbakken is both disappointed and worried about the results.
Verdens Gang 10 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Major fines facing those who hire people without work permit
Norway
So far, 30 Norwegian employers have been fined for having hired illegal workers. Among them is Stavanger University Hospital that was fined for having employed ten people without work permits. Politicians around the country now admit that it was a big mistake by the Government to deprive undocumented people the right to work. It all started in Trondheim in late September 2011 when the City Council decided to send an inquiry to the Government about whether the paperless could get work permits, and meanwhile established a local solution.
Aftenposten 10 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Verdens Gang 10 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
E24 10 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagsavisen 10 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Suspected arson in reception centre
Sweden
On Tuesday 10 January a reception centre for asylum-seekers caught fire in Gärdshyttan, Askersunds municipality. The police are treating the fire as possible arson. No-one was injured in the fire.
SVT 10 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Halmstad municipality to receive 100 refugees
Sweden
The municipal committee of Halmstad has proposed to receive 100 newly arrived refugees this year. Previously Halmstad had a contract with the Swedish Migration Board to receive 150 refugees annually. Meanwhile the Sweden Democrats have objected to the proposal. The matter will be solved in the City Council.
SVT 10 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 12 January to Friday 13 January 2012
Government looking to renew visa procedures
Denmark
The Danish Minister for Justice says amendments allowing Schengen partners to process Danish visas are under way. The Government is looking into changing a law passed last year that left Denmark without consulates in 27 countries. - The ministry is working on an amendment that will allow our Schengen partners to once again process visa applications for Denmark, Justice Minister Bødskov told Politiken. The Foreign Ministry has expressed concern for months about the effects of the visa restrictions on tourism and commerce in Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 11 January 2012 (in Danish)
The Copenhagen Post 12 January 2012 (in English)
Growing interest for Estonian citizenship among Russians
Estonia
In 2011, Estonian authorities issued some 2,066 new Estonian passports in Russia of which half where issued to new citizens. The number is significantly higher than previous years. This is considered to be due to a growing interest in living anywhere within the EU and visa-free travel to the US that an Estonian passport would allow. Thousands of Russians have a legal claim to Estonian citizenship if able to prove that at least one parent was an Estonian citizen before 16 June 1940.
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/30290/
The Baltic Times 11 January 2012 (in English)
148 new citizens in Estonia
Estonia
The Estonian government is expected to pass a draft law giving Estonian citizenship to 148 individuals. In total, 1,498 persons were naturalized in Estonia in 2011, 314 more than in the all-time low year of 2010. The number of stateless residents has steadily declined since the country gained independence in 1990. In 1992, stateless residents made up 32 per cent of the population while the same number was 8 per cent in 2011.
Postimees 9 January 2012 (in English)
Finland responsible for deporting gay asylum-seekers
Finland
Finland has continuously deported homosexual asylum-seekers to countries where homosexuality is still a crime. According to the Ministry of Interior, Finland is now responsible if anything happens to the deported asylum-seekers due to their sexual orientation. Director-General of the Ministry of Interior's Immigration Department, Pentti Visanen, believes that Finland is responsible for the safety of these asylum-seekers. – If human rights violations have occurred then they should not have been sent back and Finland is responsible, says Visanen.
YLE 11 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 9 January 2012 (in English)
Fewer new refugees join the workforce
Norway
55 per cent of refugees completing the Norwegian introduction program go on to work or education. The percentage has declined in recent years and the trend continues, according to new statistics. Among men 66 per cent are working or studying, while the corresponding figure for women is 46 per cent. Differences based on nationality can also be seen; 71 per cent of Ethiopians were working a year after completing the introductory program while the same number for Somalis was 39 per cent.
Verdens Gang 11 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Hamar Arbeiderblad 11 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aura Avis 11 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Deportations to Syria despite violence
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board continues to deport rejected Syrian asylum-seekers back to their country of origin, despite continued violence there. In 2011 some 500 Syrians sought asylum in Sweden, but only 100 were granted asylum. According to the Swedish Migration Board there are severe conflicts in Syria, yet the situation cannot be classified as an armed conflict. To state that there is armed conflict would mean that both of the parties involved in the conflict are equally strong. It is only in the case of armed conflict that deportations to Syria can be halted. The UN estimates that over 5,000 people have been killed during the last nine months in Syria.
Sveriges Radio 11 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 11 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 11 January 2012 (in English)
Language analysis under scrutiny
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has announced that it will launch an extensive inquiry into the quality of the language analysis used to determine origin of asylum-seekers. The announcement follows extensive criticism by the Swedish Migration Courts of the poor quality of the language analysis. SMB has based negative decisions in asylum cases on findings from these tests. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has suggested that there are national qualification tests for language analysts. Today the analysts only have to pass the tests given by the language analysis agencies.
SVT 12 January 2012 (in Swedish)
SVT 12 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter (DN I: 12) 12 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter (DN I: 12) 13 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Eritrean refugees abducted and killed
UNHCR in the news
Eritrean refugees are abducted and killed by human traffickers in Sudan, according to UNHCR. There is a network of criminals, smugglers and human traffickers who profit from the desperate situation of Eritreans leaving the country, says UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, after a visit to the Shagarab refugee camp in Sudan. Many people are kidnapped for ransom and in Sinai, Egypt, there are cases in which Eritrean refugees are killed for their organs, according to Guterres. UNHCR will work closely with Sudanese authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen security around refugee camps where Eritreans who have fled the Eritrean military service are living. Guterres further states that this is not only a Sudanese issue as these gangs are operating on an international level. Cooperation between several countries is necessary in order to stop them.
Verdens Gang 13 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 14 January to Monday 16 January 2012
Many want to help unaccompanied minors
Denmark
In late December Danish media reported there was an acute need of guardians for unaccompanied minors. Some 250 Danes contacted the Danish Red Cross wanting to become guardians to support these children and help them with their contacts with authorities. In 2011, Denmark received 152 unaccompanied minors.
Dansk Radio 13 January 2012 (in Danish)
Changed immigration policies
Denmark
The Government and the Red-Green-Alliance began negotiations on amendments to the immigration policies on 12 January. The Government has in a draft for a new immigration policy proposed the following; to abolish language tests, application fees and the point system for family reunification as well as reducing the bank guarantee from 100,000 to 50,000 Danish krone. Immigrants will have to pass a language test within six months of getting their personal identification number. The two-year-rule, stating that children of immigrants may be denied family reunification if they arrive in Denmark more than two years after their parents, is still under discussion.
Berlingske 13 January 2012 (in Danish)
Presidential candidates discuss racism in electoral debate
Finland
Presidential candidates debated at Järvenpää high school on 12 January. Racism, internationalism and discrimination were high on the agenda. True Finns party chair Timo Soini was confronted with a question regarding why he has not taken a clearer stand against racism. Other presidential candidates particularly criticized Soini's appointment of True Finns politician Jussi Halla-aho to chair the parliamentary committee dealing with immigration.
Yle 13 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle 13 January 2012 (in English)
Influx of illegal immigrants from Georgia
Lithuania
Lithuania has experienced an influx of illegal immigrants from Georgia over the last couple of years. According to the Pabrade-based Foreigners' Registration Center, a centre for illegal immigrants and people seeking asylum, out of the 508 foreigners at the centre over half were Georgian nationals.
Baltic News Service 10 January 2012 (in English)
Minister for Integration: Upgrade Swedish citizenship
Sweden
The Government will initiate a study on how citizenship can be upgraded and used as a tool for integration. The study will amongst other things propose ceremonies for new Swedish citizens. - In countries with successful integration policies like Canada, US and Australia, citizenship ceremonies is a given, writes Erik Ullenhag, Minister for Integration.
Dagens Nyheter 16 January 2012 (in Swedish)
TV 4 Nyheter 16 January 2012 (in Swedish)
A Sweden Democrat resigns
Sweden
In the municipality of Halmstad, a local politician Göran Lundqvist from the Sweden Democrat's (SD) resigns. He says SD is not speaking the truth. – I no longer buy their lies regarding immigration, Lundqvist says. He was elected chairperson of SD in Halmstad last year.
Göteborgs Tidningen 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Göteborgs-Posten 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Ystads Allehanda 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 15 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Few affected by stricter rules for family reunification
Sweden
Since spring 2010, immigrants who want to reunite with their families have to arrange housing and show they can take care of their family members financially. In 2011 the Swedish Migration Board turned down almost 11,000 applications for family reunification. Some 177 of these decisions were due to the stricter rules on family reunification.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 16 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Charities find tax deduction benefit difficult
Sweden
Swedish Tax Agency has only received some twenty applications from charity organizations wanting to implement the tax deduction benefit. The tax deduction makes it possible for individual donors to use their donations to benefit from tax reductions. Many charity organizations do not even consider applying for this benefit since they find the procedures too difficult. In Sweden there is 328 charity organizations with a so-called 90-account. Every year they collect hundreds of millions of Swedish krona in voluntary contributions from private donors. Some 50 organizations were asked about their view on the tax deduction benefit. UNHCR Insamlingsstiftelse says they follow the developments with great interest.
Sydsvenskan 16 January 2012 (in Swedish)
The current situation in Haiti
UNHCR in the news
Two years after the earthquake in Haiti many problems persist. International aid has been a disappointment, since all promised contributions have not materialised. Even though the number of tent cities has been reduced, many persons continue to be homeless. According to UNHCR's regional representative, Vincent Cochetel, many have moved to already overcrowded shanty towns. – These persons are a future time bomb, he says. Haiti was one of the world's poorest countries already prior to the earthquake.
Aamulehti 14 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 14 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Tuesday 17 January to Wednesday 18 January 2012
Immigrants disproportionately inactive
Denmark
Out of almost 80,000 young people who have not been working or studying during the last six months, some 26,000 are either immigrants or descendants of immigrants, according to a study made by the Economic Council of the Labour Movement. When it comes to vocational programs, drop-out rates are almost twice as high among immigrants compared to ethnic Danes according to another study made by the Danish Institute of Governmental Research (AFK). Hans Hummelgaard, researcher at AFK, is worried that these individuals will remain on welfare as the jobs they can get without an education are disappearing from Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 17 January 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 Nyhederna 17 January 2012 (in Danish)
Dansk Radio 17 January 2012 (in English)
Supreme Administrative Court stops deportation of Iranian homosexual
Finland
The Supreme Administrative Court has stopped the deportation of a homosexual Iranian asylum-seeker. According to the Court's decision, further investigation is needed to determine whether the man in question will face persecution in his country of origin due to his sexual orientation. The case has been returned to the Finnish Immigration Service for reconsideration. This precedent setting case will for example affect the Finnish Immigration Board so it can no longer urge homosexual asylum-seekers to return to their country of origin and hide their sexual orientation. It also clarifies how persecution in the asylum-seekers' country of origin will be evaluated.
YLE 17 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 17 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 17 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Huvfudstadsbladet 17 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Pohjolan Sanomat 17 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Aamulehti 18 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 18 January 2012 (in English)
Hanko wants to resettle 30 Burmese refugees
Finland
The town of Hanko is interested in receiving 30 refugees from Burma. The authorities will discuss the issue on Thursday. In 2007 Hanko received four Burmese refugee families and the same year it decided to receive refugees every third year. Already last year Hanko tried to get more Burmese refugees to the municipality.
http://svenska.yle.fi/nyheter/artikel.php?id=235610
Svenska Yle 16 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Luleå municipality wants to host new Migration Court
Sweden
The country's fourth Migration Court should be situated in Luleå, says a delegation from Norrbotten County. This was the delegation's message to Beatrice Ask Minister for Justice. Currently there are three Migration Courts, which deal with asylum cases. They are located in Malmo, Stockholm and Gothenburg. In order to speed up the work a forth Migration Court will be established in Norrbotten county. The delegation wishes that a decision will be made by the end of February.
Sverige Radio 17 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Piteå-Tidningen 18 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Integration from a local and global perspective
Sweden
In Haparanda a local integration project is run in order to make it easier for refugees to get access to the Swedish society. On Thursday 12 January the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) held a presentation about its work for refugees globally. Karin Davin from UNHCR Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries located in Stockholm talked about UNHCR's work for forcibly displaced persons worldwide. She explained the difference between an economic migrant and a refugee and informed that UNHCR is a non-political organization that aims to offer durable solutions for forcibly displaced persons.
Haparandabladet 17 January 2012 p:12 (in Swedish)
37 unaccompanied children from Tunisia resettled in Norway
Norway
This week 37 [sic] unaccompanied refugee children fleeing the conflict in Libya have received a new home in Norway. This is the largest group of unaccompanied minors arriving at the same time in Norway. The 37 children have lived in Shousha refugee camp located in Tunisia near the Libyan border. The majority of them are originally from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia and almost 70 per cent are boys. Norway has received these children as part of its annual resettlement quota. They have been resettled with the help of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). UNHCR has called upon states to offer more resettlement places for the remaining refugees who have fled the conflict in Libya and who are unable to return there or to their country of origin.
Aftenbladet 17 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Avisen Agder 17 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Webfinanser 17 January 2012 (in English)
TV 2 17 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
ABC Nyheter 17 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Avisa Møre 18 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Norway News 17 January 2012 (in English)
Largest number of Iraqi refugees returning home since 2004
UNHCR in the news
New statistics from UNHCR shows that 62,340 refugees returned to Iraq between December 2010 and November 2011. This is the highest number since 2004, when 193,997 refugees returned home. Iraq was invaded by US-led forces in 2003. Syria who has been hosting the largest number of refugees informed that 24,730 Iraqis returned home in 2011. UNHCR believes that many decided to return in 2011 as the Iraqi government increased support to former refugees.
Dagbladet 18 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Hamar Arbeiderblad 18 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 19 January to Friday 20 January 2012
Many Russian speakers in Estonia do not want Estonian nationality
Estonia
The number of stateless people is high in Estonia. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are only seven other countries in the world that have the same amount of stateless people in relation to the population. UNHCR encourages Estonia to hand out more passports, but the problem is not as simple. Remaining without nationality gives benefits that not everyone is willing to give up. Koidu Mesilane, Head of the Citizenship and Migration Department of the Police and Border Guard Board, says many people don't consider citizenship necessary. – For them it is enough that they can get to Russia without visa for a business trip or to see relatives, he says.
NB. This story was covered in Finland.
Kaleva 18 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Over 900 persons sent back to Lithuania in 2011
Lithuania
In 2011, some 903 people were sent back to Lithuania for various reasons. That is an increase by 20 per cent compared to 2010. The increase is thought to be due to growing emigration from Lithuania in recent years. The state Border Guard confirms that among them were people who hade applied for asylum in Lithuania now trying to make their way to Western Europe. If detained in Western countries, they are returned to the first country of asylum according to the Dublin II Regulation.
BNS 19 January 2012 (in English)
Eritreans risk imprisonment and torture in their home country
Norway
Many paperless Eritreans try to stay in Norway despite the fact that they are not allowed to work in the country. There is an imminent risk that if they return to Eritrea they will end up in some of the world's most notorious prisons. All political opposition is banned in the African dictatorship where around 2,000 young Eritreans cross the border every month to escape persecution or getting picked up by the notorious military service. Kjetil Tronvoll, researcher at the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights, says that no one should be sent back to Eritrea under current circumstances. Chances are they will end up in prison right upon arrival.
Aftenbladet 19 January (in Norwegian)
Family reunification to become easier
Sweden
The Migration Court eases its interpretation of the ID requirements in relation to family reunifications. The new interpretation followed a Migration Court ruling allowing a mother and child to reunite with their Iranian father solely based on a DNA-test. This is thought to increase family reunifications from, first and foremost, Somalia. The Migration Court finds that a DNA-analysis can substitute the previously demanded identity documents to confirm a family bond. Mikael Ribbenvik, Director of Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board, notes that the new interpretation of the law will make family reunifications possible if a kinship is "probable".
Dagens Nyheter 20 January 2012 p:15 (in Swedish)
Nerikes Allehanda 19 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Unaccompanied minors are welcome
Sweden
The county of Halland has announced that all of its municipalities will welcome unaccompanied refugee children. This means that in total, there is place for 53 unaccompanied minors. The county almost doubles the number of unaccompanied refugee children it receives compared to last year.
SVT 18 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seekers teach themselves Swedish
Sweden
Previously newly arrived asylum-seekers have received Swedish language lessons while waiting for a decision to stay in the country. But from 1 January onwards this will stop. According to the Swedish Migration Board, there is no need to teach Swedish because the time it takes to process applications has become shorter. In response to this, asylum-seekers in some areas such as in Horndal have begun to teach themselves Swedish.
Sveriges Radio 19 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 21 January to Monday 23 January 2012
Danes more realistic when estimating number of immigrants
Denmark
A new transatlantic study from the German Marshall Fund shows that people in Western countries overestimate how many immigrants there actually are in their own countries. Researchers are worried that this misconception does not foster the debate about necessary immigration. – The discrepancy between the estimated number and the actual percentage of immigrants is a result of the politics in this part of the world describing immigration as a problem, says Ninna Nyberg Sørensen from Danish Institute for International Studies. However, Danes are more realistic compared to other countries. According to a Danish opinion poll Danes estimate that immigrants constitute 8.9 per cent of the population compared to the actual number of 7.9 per cent.
Politiken 22 January 2012 (in Danish)
Unaccompanied refugee children have right to education
Finland
– Unaccompanied children applying for international protection are entitled to free primary education, says Maija Sakslin, Deputy Ombudsman. According to Sakslin, the legislation should be revised in these cases, because both the Constitution and the Convention on the Rights of the Child requires it. An inspection in 2010 showed that primary education was not organized for unaccompanied minors in the municipality of Siuntio. At first the municipality said it had no legal obligation to provide education to unaccompanied minors but later it changed its mind. Sakslin also points out that it is important that unaccompanied minors have access to child welfare services. She calls for the Interior-, Social Affairs and Health Ministers to assist municipalities with child protection.
Svenska YLE 20 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Film-maker criticizes Finland for deporting victims of torture
Finland
Finland sends back dozens of tortured asylum-seekers to their country of origin every year. This is criticized by film-maker Mervi Junkkonen in her documentary film "Jälki Elämässä – Neljä tarinaa kidutuksesta". According to Junkkonen, deportation is a death sentence for many tortured asylum-seekers and Finland violates the Convention against torture by doing so. One of the tortured asylum-seekers in her film was deported and after three months he became unreachable.
Aamulehti 21 January 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV3 21 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Kaleva 21 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 23 January 2012 (in Finnish)
NB. This story was also covered in Sweden
Dagens Nyheter 21 January 2012 (in Swedish)
26,000 applications for residency pending
Norway
There are currently approximately 26,000 applications for residency waiting to be processed. Some 4,000 are asylum cases and approximately 700 of these have been pending for more than a year. – A number that is too high, says Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretary General of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS). Ida Børresen, Director General of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, agrees that application processes, especially during the appeal, are too lengthy. – Cutting the processing time of applications is a major challenge we are working on, Ida Børresen explains.
Aftenposten 22 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
More complaints about interpreters in asylum cases
Sweden
According to both asylum-seekers and the Swedish Migration Board, the interpreters used by the Board are not up to standards. More and more complaints about the interpreters are being submitted. The interpreters have been accused of misunderstanding several things in the asylum process. Asylum-seekers tell about interpreters who take long pauses to look for the right words, change their minds and are unclear when translating. – We see a great variation in the quality of the interpreters that we use. Some are very good but in some cases we have to stop and cannot carry out our investigations, says Christian Blackmon Head of the Swedish Migration Board in Gävle.
Sveriges Radio 23 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Record number of African refugees and migrants cross the Gulf of Aden
UNHCR in the news
Over 100,000 refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers from the Horn of Africa made the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen in 2011. The number has almost doubled from 2010 (53,000), states the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. In 2011 more than 130 persons are known to have drowned while making the journey. Most of those reaching Yemen are in desperate condition - dehydrated, malnourished and often in shock. According to UNHCR refugees who travel from the Horn of Africa face extreme risks at every stage of their journey.
Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Folkebladet 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Harstad Tidene 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Framtid i Nord 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
iTromso.no 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Adressa.no 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fædrelandsvennen 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Avisen Agder 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sunnmørsposten 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Rbnett.no 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Trønder-Avisa 20 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 24 January to Wednesday 25 January 2012
Politicians consider copying the Norwegian asylum model
Denmark
In Norway rejected asylum-seekers are given an economic bonus if they leave the country voluntarily. The rules were introduced last year and this has increased the number of voluntary repatriations by 42 per cent. Several Danish politicians consider copying the Norwegian model. In Denmark only 16 per cent of rejected asylum-seekers return voluntarily.
Jyllands-Posten 23 January 2012 (in Danish)
Dagbladet Ringkøbing Skjern 23 January 2012 (in Danish)
Number of illegal border crossings surged in Estonia in 2011
Estonia
In 2011 some 186 attempts were made to cross the Estonian border illegally, compared to 116 attempts in 2010. Police and Border Guard Board Director General, Raivo Küüt, says the number of illegal immigration cases grew from 62 to 82. Also the number of attempts to use forged documents increased form 16 to 52 cases.
The Baltic Course 24 January 2012 (in English)
Finnish Immigration Service: Torture not enough for granting asylum
Finland
According to the Finnish Immigration Service being a victim of torture is not always enough reason to be granted asylum in Finland. When assessing the application, the living conditions of the asylum-seeker in their country of origin will also be taken into account. The comment is a response to recent claims by the film-maker Mervi Junkkonen who says that tortured asylum-seekers' life is in danger if they are deported from Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service says that Finland does not forcibly return anyone to areas where they are in danger of being tortured or might face death penalty.
Uusisuomi 23 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Suomi.fi 23 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltasanomat 23 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Syd-Österbotten 23 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Progress Party praises Government for high numbers of forcibly returned
Norway
In 2011 some 4,744 rejected asylum-seekers were forcibly returned by the police. This is a new Norwegian record. Last year 1,812 rejected asylum-seekers chose to return voluntarily, another record. Per Sandberg from the Progress Party praises the Government for its work with efficient returns, but requests an even tougher stand. Sandberg wishes to see a reduction in the number of asylum-seekers. Regarding rejected asylum-seekers who cannot return to their countries of origin, Sandberg, calls for intensified efforts to sign a readmission agreement with the Governments concerned and if necessary cut development aid to mount pressure.
Nettavisen 24 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Xenophobic website urges people to report about paperless persons
Sweden
Web site Avpixlat has urged its readers to pretend to want to help paperless people, but instead use the information they get and hand it over to the police. – This is a terrible way of sabotaging for persons in need of protection, says Kenny Källström from the organization Asylgruppen Lund. The non-profit organization had announced on their website that a family with children was in a need of accommodation. The day after the announcement was published, Avpixlat which is known for its xenophobic remarks, encouraged its readers to provide the paperless family with housing, receive as much information as possible from them and then submit the information to the police. Aypixlat's editor in chief says that the website aims to stop people from living in Sweden illegally.
SVT 24 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 24 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 24 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Extreme violence in South Sudan
UNHCR in the news
Over 120,000 persons are affected by the violence in South Sudan. Doctors without Borders say it is extremely volatile in Jonglei state. There has also been violence in areas near Sudan's Blue Nile state. UNHCR condemns an air raid on Sudanese refugees in South Sudan on Monday 23 January during which at least one Sudanese refugee boy was injured and 14 others went missing.
Politiken 24 January 2012 (in Danish)
Nordjyske 24 January 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 24 January 2012 (in Danish)
Fyns Amts Avis 24 January 2012 (in Danish)
Aftenposten 24 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre 24 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fædrelandsvennen 24 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
iTromsø 24 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Webfinanser 24 January 2012 (in English)
Thursday 26 January to Friday 27 January 2012.
EU Justice and Interior ministers drop asylum-seeker relocation scheme
Denmark
During the first ministerial meeting under the Danish EU Presidency that took place on 26 January, the EU's Justice and Interior ministers decided not to pursue the controversial scheme to relocate asylum-seekers from southern Europe to other areas of the EU. The European Commission had proposed a relocation to help EU countries, such as Italy and Malta, faced with a surge in asylum-seekers during the Arab Spring, but there was no support for this proposition among the EU member states.
Jyllandsposten 26 January 2012 (in Danish)
B.T 26 January 2012 (In Danish)
Dansk Radio 26 January 2012 (In Danish)
TV 2 Nyhederne 26 January (In Danish)
Kristiinankaupunki to receive 30 asylum-seekers
Finland
Kristiinankapunki is expected to receive 30 new asylum-seekers next week. In November there was a decrease in asylum-seekers to Finland and the Ministry of Interior decided to close four reception centers in Helsinki and North Karelia, but the reception center in Kristiinankaupunki has remained ready to accept new groups of asylum-seekers. – We have had a hundred places so far, but now it is increasing with 30 new ones, says the manager of asylum reception center, Annica Riddar.
Svenska Yle 27 January 2012 (in Swedish)
"Research has been misused by government"
Norway
According to research director Arne Strand, the Government has misused his research to spread incorrect information about asylum-seekers. In November 2011, the Ministry of Justice State Secretary Paul Lønseth said that 40 per cent of those who came to Norway regret the fact that they did. Although Lønseth referred to the report on the return program for asylum-seekers from the Christian Michelsen Institute (CMI) in Bergen, research director Arne Strand says that the figures Lønseth referred to cannot be found in the report.
Aftenposten 26 January 2012 (In Norwegian)
VG Nett 26 January 2012 (In Norwegian)
Norway signed agreement with Ethiopia on return of asylum-seekers
Norway
On 26 January, Norway – as the first European country - signed an agreement with Ethiopia concerning the return of Ethiopian asylum-seekers. Those who choose to return voluntarily to Ethiopia will receive a NOK 40,000 lump sum to help them reintegrate. The agreement also allows for forced return of rejected Ethiopian asylum-seekers in Norway who do not return voluntarily. Several non-governmental organizations working with asylum-seekers are critical of the agreement. They fear that some Ethiopians could be forced to return to a situation were their lives would be in danger.
- We fear that we will see examples of imprisonment, and at worst, torture and killing of people and families, says Secretary-General of NOAS (Norwegian Organisation for Asylum-seekers) Ann-Magrit Austenå. There are currently approximately 400 Ethiopians in Norway who have been rejected asylum.
NRK 27 January 2012 (In Norwegian)
NRK 27 January 2012 (In Norwegian)
NRK, Dagsrevyen 26 January (In Norwegian)
Asylum-seekers stuck in asylum accommodations
Sweden
Many asylum-seekers who have already obtained a residence permit remain stuck in asylum accommodation provided by the Swedish Migration Board. This is due to the so-called 'establishment reform' introduced last year, which is supposed to help new arrivals to find jobs faster. The problem, however, is that there are not many jobs available in the same places where the asylum accommodations are located. Around 2,600 persons with residence permits live in accommodation provided by the Migration Board, compared to just over 1,000 persons last year.
Dagens Nyheter 25 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 25 January 2012 (in Swedish)
SVT 25 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 25 January 2012 (in Swedish)
The National Board of Health and Welfare criticizes refugee accommodation
Sweden
The National Board of Health and Welfare criticizes one of Eskilstuna's accommodations for unaccompanied refugee children. There are suspicions that young people are subjected to collective punishment at the premises. Other shortcomings have been reported, such as how the staff has behaved towards refugees. The Board is concerned about the situation and has visited the accommodation conducting interviews with both the staff and the refugees. The municipality of Eskilstuna has until the end of February to respond to the criticism.
SVT 26 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Danish Foreign Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation meet UN Refugee High Commissioner
UNHCR in the news
On 25 January, Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal and Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach met UN Refugee High Commissioner António Guterres. Amongst other things they discussed the need to better coordinate humanitarian aid. They also discussed UNHCR's work in Sudan, the Horn of Africa, North Africa and the Middle East.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs news site 25 January 2012 (In Danish)
UN Refugee High Commissioner calls for more solidarity
UNHCR in the news
In an interview with Jyllands-Posten during his visit to Denmark, UN Refugee High Commissioner António Guterres says that Denmark and other countries in northern Europe should show more solidarity with countries in Europe and the world that are facing large numbers of asylum-seekers.
Jyllands-Posten, p. 10-11, 26 January 2012
Saturday 28 January to Monday 30 January 2012
Expert: Problematic rulings within Refugee Appeals Board
Denmark
The Refugee Appeals Board is criticized for having weak grounds for sending back Iranian Kurds to Northern Iraq. Despite internal disagreement within the Refugee Appeals Board, it has started a general praxis that Iranian Kurds seeking asylum in Denmark should be sent back to Northern Iraq. Both Jens Vedsted-Hansen, Professor of Law at Aarhus University, and Eva Singer from the Danish Refugee Council find this problematic and worrying. They call for more thorough investigations before ruling that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) can be considered a first country of asylum.
Information 27 January 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 28 January 2012 (in Danish)
Hundreds of asylum-seekers returned home voluntarily
Finland
Hundreds of asylum-seekers in Finland have voluntarily repatriated to their countries of origin over the past two years. Some 550 foreigners have left Finland; most of them were asylum-seekers. Most of the asylum-seekers have returned to Iraq, Russia, Serbia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. The resettlement project by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Finnish Immigration Service offers people living in Finland, who are from outside the European Union, the opportunity to voluntarily repatriate to their home countries. The project began in early 2010. Voluntary repatriation has been arranged to over 40 different areas. The number of return applications has increased rapidly, while the number of asylum-seekers has dropped. In 2010 there were 386 return applications, when last year there were 422 applications.
Verkkouutiset 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Pohjolan Sanomat 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Suomen Kuvalehti 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Itä-Savo 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Suomi.fi 27 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 29 January 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 29 January 2012 (in English)
Government works on return agreement with Eritrea
Norway
State Secretary Pål Lønseth at the Ministry of Justice confirms that the Government is working on an agreement with Eritrea on returning asylum-seekers who have been refused asylum. The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR advices against all return to Eritrea. Currently very few countries deport rejected asylum-seekers to Eritrea.
NRK 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Rana Blad 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Decrease in number of asylum-seekers in 2011
Norway
Statistics from the Directorate of Immigration show that 9,053 asylum-seekers came to Norway in 2011 compared to 10,064 in 2010. Somalis were the largest group of asylum-seekers in 2011 (2,216). Contrary to other groups of asylum-seekers, the number of Somali asylum-seekers has increased with 59 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010.
Verdens Gang 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Decision concerning allocation of quota refugees has been made
Sweden
This year Sweden will receive 1,900 so called quota refugees. Sweden will concentrate on resettling people who have fled the conflict on the Horn of Africa. Sweden collaborates with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on resettlement since the 1950s. This year Sweden has 250 places for emergency resettlement. – These places are important so we can act fast and where UNHCR says there is the greatest need, says Christina Werner from the Swedish Migration Board. She highlights that Sweden is the largest receiver of quota refugees in Europe.
Skånskan 30 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Norra Skåne 30 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 31 January to Wednesday 1 February 2012
Socialist Left Party supports forced return to Eritrea
Norway
Socialist Left Party (SV) supports forced return of rejected asylum seekers to Eritrea as long as it complies with UN guidelines. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) and the Christian Democratic Party are surprised by the statement. According to SV the UN has clear guidelines as to who should be considered a refugee from Eritrea, guidelines that the Norwegian authorities fully comply with. – Everyone has the right to apply for asylum but protection should only be given to those who are entitled to it, says Heikki Holmås from SV. NOAS is surprised and calls the statement unacceptable. The Christian Democratic Party also expresses its concern and looks forward to hearing the grounds for such a proposal.
Aftenposten 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
FriFagbevegelse 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
TV 2 Nyheter 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Number of asylum-seekers halved within three years
Norway
The number of people seeking asylum has halved since 2009. Meanwhile the number of positive decisions on asylum applications has increased. According to statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) some 9,053 asylum-seekers came to Norway in 2011 compared to 17,226 in 2009. Of the asylum cases processed by the UDI in 2011, some 52 per cent received asylum compared to 41 per cent in 2010.
Verdens Gang 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Østlands-Posten 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagen 30 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sweden halts deportations to Syria
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board announced on Monday that Sweden will temporarily stop all deportations to Syria because of increased violence in the country. In its statement the Board said that the security situation in Syria has dramatically deteriorated. Amnesty International welcomes the Board's decision and calls it a correct decision. Last December the Board decided that the situation in Syria was so serious that the number of Syrians who are granted asylum in Sweden should be increased. Over 650 Syrians applied for asylum in Sweden last year.
Dagens Nyheter 30 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 30 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Skånskan 30 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Nyheter24 31 January 2012 (in Swedish)
The Local 31 January 2012 (in English)
N.B. This story was also covered in Finland
YLE 30 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 31 January 2012 (in Finnish)
More refugees and migrants die trying to cross the Mediterranean
UNHCR in the news
UNHCR states that at least 1,500 migrants and refugees fleeing from Africa to Europe have died while crossing the Mediterranean in 2011. The figure is based on actual registered deaths and persons reported missing after having begun their journey crossing the Mediterranean. UNHCR spokesperson Sybella Wilkes concludes that it is the highest number of deaths in the region since UNHCR started recording statistics in 2006. Particularly the Arab Spring – especially in Tunisia and Libya – has had an impact on the number of refugees and migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean. Around 58,000 people from Africa reached Europe by crossing the Mediterranean, mainly entering through Italy, Malta, and Greece. – Most of these were migrants and not asylum-seekers, says Sybella Wilkes. In addition to these figures, Greek authorities estimate that around 55,000 people entered the EU by crossing the boarder between Turkey and Greece.
NRK 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si nettutgåve 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 31 January 2012 (in Norwegian)
Jyllands-Posten 31 January 2012 (in Danish)
BT 31 January 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 31 January 2012 (in Danish)
Fyens Stiftstidende 31 January 2012 (in Danish)
Dagbladet Ringkøbing-Skjern 31 January 2012 (in Danish)
Sveriges Radio 31 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 31 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 31 January 2012 (in Swedish)
Iltalehti 31 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltasanomat 31 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Uusisuomi 31 January 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 1 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Thursday 2 February to Friday 3 February 2012
Minister Räsänen sees no reason to change asylum rules
Finland
Päivi Räsänen, Minister of Interior, believes that the laws for asylum-seekers do not need to be changed. However, she hopes for better co-operation between different Finnish authorities when processing asylum applications. Her statement comes after a case concerning a Christian Pakistani woman who was rejected asylum in Finland sparked criticism towards the Finnish asylum policies. Räsänen would not comment on the specific case, but expressed her concern that asylum applications are not always treated equally.
Hufvudstadsbladet 2 February 2012 (in Swedish)
NGOs warn against forced return to Eritrea
Norway
Norway has commenced negotiations with Eritrea to send back rejected asylum-seekers, this is confirmed by Pål Lønseth State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. Lønseth stresses that even though an agreement would be reached, all cases will nevertheless be handled on an individual basis and Norway will not return rejected asylum-seekers who risk persecution in Eritrea. Based on a number of reports showing human rights violations in Eritrea the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) fears an agreement will jeopardize the safety of the people returned to Eritrea. NOAS also states that the situation in Eritrea has worsened throughout the last years and NGOs have been told by the Eritrean authorities to leave the country.
Nettavisen 1 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Socialist Left Party: children without documents should stay in Norway
Norway
The new agreement between Norway and Ethiopia ensures that rejected asylum-seekers can be forcibly returned to Ethiopia. The Socialist Left Party (SV) now demands that children without documents should be able to stay in Norway if they have lived here for 2-3 years. – It is imperative that the Government's policy is clear on this issue, so it ensures that the children can stay, before we start returning the rejected asylum-seekers, says Heikki Holmås from SV. The issue has been discussed in Parliament before but the parties have yet to reach an actual agreement. According to Heikki Holmås the procedure should be to let the children and their families stay in Norway.
NRK 2 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Quarrel about asylum-seekers' work-permit
Norway
The procedure for granting and dismissing temporary work-permits for asylum-seekers is so non-transparent that companies employing asylum-seekers risk fines from the Norwegian authorities. Companies are not automatically informed once an asylum-seekers work-permit is expired or dismissed; it is thus up to the company to check up on the work-permit of the employee regularly.
Aftenposten 2 February 2012
Arlanda airport's border police required to wear uniforms
Sweden
The management at Arlanda airport wants the police officials to wear uniforms at work and report to the police if they catch refugees with false identification. However, several police officials refuse to follow these instructions. – We have not had to wear uniforms in the past 15 years and it is inappropriate in our work. We meet refugee families, not criminals, says a senior border official. He also believes that his uniform is not compatible with the UN Refugee Convention, which requires sensitivity and understanding of refugees' plight. According to Juni Berglund, Public Information Associate for UNHCR in Stockholm, the general rules are clear. – Generally a person who flees should not be punished for the lack of identification documents or false identifications when coming to Sweden. One should keep in mind that when someone flees, he or she might not have the time to bring ID-documents. Sometimes false identification papers are the only way to get out of the country and seek protection, says Berglund.
Aftonbladet 3 February 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Adel Iman sentenced for insulting Islam
UNHCR in the news
Famous Egyptian actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2000, Adel Iman, has been sentenced to three months in jail by an Egyptian court for mocking Islam. Adel Iman states that he wishes to appeal the ruling.
Kristeligt-Dagblad 2 February 2012 (in Danish)
DR Nyheder 2 February 2012 (in Danish)
Ekstra Bladet 2 February 2012 (in Danish)
Fyens Stiftstidende 2 February 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 2 February 2012 (in Danish)
Mediterranean most deadly stretch of water for refugees in 2011
UNHCR in the news
A record-breaking 1,500 Africans fleeing to Europe by crossing the Mediterranean have died in 2011. They escape from war and poverty and many end up paying with their lives. – It is the highest number since we have begun collecting these statistics and the numbers may be even higher, says Pia Prytz Phiri, Regional Representative for UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries. Phiri adds that the number is based on the information UNHCR has been able to gather from the survivors. Due to the unrest in Libya and Tunisia in 2011, the borders in these countries have not been supervised strictly. –When you have to flee you simply take a chance and say if I stay here I can die, if I manage to escape I might be able to survive, says Pia Prytz Phiri.
P3 Nyheder 1 February 2012 (in Danish)
Saturday 4 February to Monday 6 February 2012
Children should not be punished for having false documents
Denmark
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors should not be punished for entering Denmark with false ID-documents. The Supreme Court has decided to overrule a sentence by the High Court of Eastern Denmark. It sentenced an Afghan and a Somali asylum-seeker, both under 18 years, to 40 days in prison and deportation for entering Denmark with false identification documents. In addition the two asylum-seekers are also exempt from paying the costs of the trial.
Fyens Stiftstidene 3 February 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 Nyhederne 3 February 2012 (in Danish)
Avisen.dk 3 February 2012 (in Danish)
DR P4 København 3 February 2012 (in Danish)
Only 25 cases of successful family reunification since July 2011
Denmark
Due to the new point system implemented by the prior Danish government in July 2011, which demands that the applicant either holds an education or job experience, only 25 families have had success with their application for reunification. In 2010 some 3,869 applications for family reunification were successful. The number of family reunification with a spouse has gone down 50 per cent from 2010 to 2011.
BT 4 February 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske Tidende 4 February 2012 (in Danish)
More Africans coming to Finland illegally
Finland
More and more people from Western and Central Africa are coming to Finland illegally. Most of these persons are young men for whom Finland is a transit country through which they can reach the Schengen area, including countries such as Italy, Spain, France and Germany. Many illegal immigrants reach Finland through Russia. The Arab Spring did not seem to have an impact on the increase of illegal immigration in Finland. However, for instance Libya's situation remains unstable, which could have an effect on the Finnish borders. The biggest group of Africans coming to Finland is people from Somalia, who also want to stay in Finland due to family reunification.
Turun Sanomat 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Kouvolan Sanomat 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltalehti 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Etelä-Saimaa 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 4 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Socialist Left Party politician embarrassed of her own Government
Norway
Marianne Borgen from the Socialist Left Party (SV) is embarrassed about the strict practices concerning refugee children. She points out that the situation of the child is not carefully considered; she believes that UN standards are not being met. Borgen also advises that children should not be forcibly returned before the Parliament has finished its discussion on refugee children. Borgen believes the current practice interferes with the Convention of the Rights of the child. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, disagrees and says it is a political matter how strict the rules should be. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has stated that the practice should be softened.
NRK 5 February 2012:1 (in Norwegian)
NRK5 February 2012:2 (in Norwegian)
Demonstration against forced return of refugee children
Norway
Around 40 demonstrators from various youth, humanitarian and political organizations were assembled 3 February to demonstrate against the Government's return agreement with Ethiopia and its steps towards a possible return agreement with Eritrea.
VG Nett 3 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
High number of asylum-seekers dealing with narcotics in Oslo
Norway
Last year the police apprehended 500 people dealing in narcotics in Oslo. Many of them were asylum-seekers or people without ID-documents, mainly originating from Africa. The police characterize the drug-dealing as well organised. According to the police it is difficult to deport the people involved since many have no documents and therefore cannot be identified and some come from countries that Norway has no return agreements with. Last year alone 134 people were found reentering Norway after having been deported.
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/norge/1.7983730NRK 5 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Deaths in the Mediterranean not widely covered in media
UNHCR in the news
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has stated that at least 1,500 refugees have died when crossing the Mediterranean in 2011, but the number could be higher. However, another accident in the Mediterranean, the sinking of the cruise liner Costa Concordia, received much wider media attention. According to Pia Prytz Phiri, the Regional Representative for UNHCR in the Baltic and Nordic countries, only two journalists have approached UNHCR's office in Stockholm for further inquiries about the deaths in the Mediterranean.
Sveriges Radio P1 Medierna 4 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 7 February to Wednesday 8 February 2012
Politicians: New framework for the Danish Refugee Appeals Board
Denmark
Politicians and experts now point to the lack of transparency and statistics concerning the rulings of the Danish Refugee Appeals Board. The Government is currently discussing how to change this and points to the way it used to be in 2002. Currently there are three representatives of the Appeals Board, however the Social Liberals and the Red-Green Alliance would like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Refugee Council to be represented. Zenia Stampe from the Social Liberals adds that statistics should be more transparent and accessible, ensuring that the rulings may set a legal precedent.
Information 7 February 2012 (in Danish)
Estonia prepares for more asylum-seekers
Estonia
Estonia expects an increase in asylum-seekers this year. According to Ellen Lebedeva from the Police and Border Guard Board's status determination bureau this is partly due to the Arab Spring and tightening of immigration rules in Finland and Sweden. Lebedeva adds that most of the asylum-seekers however use Estonia as a transit country. The number of asylum-seekers doubled last year. Chief specialist at the Social Affairs Ministry, Triin Raag, states that they have already thought about solutions if the number of asylum-seekers exceeds the capacity of the facilities.
Baltic News Service 7 February 2012 (in English)
NOAS criticizes asylum policy for leading to child abuse
Norway
According to the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) letting children live in asylum reception centres for years constitutes child abuse. – When children 8-9 years of age develop anxiety, it is a warning sign about their living conditions, says Jon Ole Martinsen from NOAS. The statement comes as Norway is currently discussing the rights of children in connection to the new return agreement with Ethiopia. Pål Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, disagrees and points to the responsibility of the parents.
Verdens Gang 7 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Amnesty remains concerned about forcibly returned asylum-seekers
Norway
Amnesty advocates for a more elaborate Norwegian policy ensuring tracking of asylum-seekers forcibly returned to their country of origin. According to Beate Ekeløve-Slydal, political advisor at Amnesty, the Norwegian authorities ought to establish a system that deals with the asylum-seekers after they have been returned, guaranteeing that asylum-seekers are being treated according to their rights. The Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) adds that it is not their responsibility to follow asylum-seekers who have been forcibly returned, however UNE uses general knowledge about returnees when handling cases.
Aftenbladet 7 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Directorate of Immigration calls for softening of asylum policy
Norway
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) now takes a stand in the debate on forced return of refugee children. Officials point to four areas where they would like to see legal changes regarding those with small children: better consideration of children in deportation cases; increase of permanent residence permits to those with less verifiable identities; lower income requirements in cases of immigrating dependants with a family, and fines instead of deportation in some cases. The Government has refused the first two suggestions and not answered the other ones. - Making these regulations less stringent would undermine respect for the Immigration Act, would lead to more people breaking the law, and would lead to more people coming to Norway, if every child was allowed to stay, says Pål Lønseth State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice.
NRK Søndagsrevyen 5 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK Kveldsnytt 5 February 2012 (in Norwegian) (see 3 min 40sec into programme)
The Foreigner 7 February 2012 (in English)
Situation in Somalia still fragile
UNHCR in the news
Even though there has been some precipitation in areas of Somalia, and some persons have returned, most internally displaced persons are still too scared to return home. - I think there is a considerable number of people who would return if the conditions were better in their home areas, says Gwendoline Mensah from UNHCR in Mogadishu. - A lot of the refugees are farmers. It is very obvious to them that there is not much they can do here. I do not think they just want to walk around in Mogadishu, Gwendoline Mensah adds.
Information 5 February 2012 (in Danish)
Continuous unrest in Mali
UNHCR in the news
Fights between resistance groups and government forces in Mali have forced an estimated 20,000 people to flee the country. According to UNHCR most of them reach the borders of Niger and Mauritania, while a smaller number flee to Burkina Faso. UNHCR has sent emergency teams to the neighbouring countries to deal with the influx of refugees.
Hamar Arbeiderblad 7 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
iTromso 7 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 9 February to Friday 10 February 2012
New agreement on family reunification
Denmark
The Government has entered into an agreement with the Liberal Alliance and the Red-Green Alliance, making it easier for children under the age of eight to be reunited with their families. The main change is that children under eight will not be evaluated on their potential for integration, however the so-called two-year rule still applies, which means that family reunification may still be denied in cases where it has gone more than two years between the arrival of the parent and that of the child. - It is the Government's core belief that children and parents should be able to live together with regards to family reunification, says Morten Bødskov Minister of Justice.
Jyllands-Posten 9 February 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 9 February 2012 (in Danish)
Deportation of children can be put on hold
Denmark
Due to the new agreement on family reunification, which makes it easier for children under eight to come and live with their parents in Denmark, all deportations of children concerned by the new agreement will be put on hold. This will be the case until the new rules come into force this summer.
Berlingske Tidene 9 February 2012 (in Danish)
Asylum-seekers want Government to stick to its promises
Denmark
Asylum-seekers remind the Government of its promises during the election in September 2011. During a public hearing at a community centre asylum-seekers voiced their disappointment of the lack of concrete action when it comes to working and living outside accommodation centres.
Arbejderen 9 February 2012 (in Danish)
Ombudsman criticises the Danish Immigration Service
Denmark
The Parliament's Ombudsman criticises the immigration authorities handling of renewals of residence permits. The Ombudsman urges the Immigration Service to give clear information to the applicant regarding documentation when his or her paperwork has been received and how long it will take to process the application. The Danish Immigration Service has responded by promising to change its guidelines especially when it comes to the application procedures conducted over the phone.
Berlingske Tidende 8 February 2012 (in Danish)
The Copenhagen Post 10 February 2012 (in Danish)
Employing illegal immigrants could lead to penalty
Finland
The Government of Finland proposes a penalty for employers who hire an illegal immigrant. The penalty could be between 1,000 and 30,000 euros. The Finnish Immigration Service would determine the fee. The proposal is based on an EU-directive. Its aim is to ban the recruitment of illegal immigrants and thus prevent illegal immigration.
Iltasanomat 9 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Itä-Savo 9 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 9 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltalehti 9 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Aamulehti 9 February 2012 (in Finnish)
New NGO to help asylum-seekers
Norway
The new Norwegian NGO, Association of 12 January, wants the public to be aware of the conditions of asylum-seekers by focusing on stories of deportation and showing the gaps in the asylum policy. The NGO sees itself as a counterweight to information provided by immigration authorities and states that it will primarily use social media to get its voice heard.
Nytid 9 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Earmarked funds cause problems for the UN
UNHCR in the news
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) states that earmarked funds are a problem for the United Nations (UN). According to Norad there are millions of dollars left on the UN bank accounts as the year runs out. One of the main reasons is that the funds are earmarked and therefore can only be used for specific purposes. Along with other recommendations the study suggests that more funds should be un-earmarked. Norad bases its statement on a recent study carried out by the Investment Development Consultancy. The UN agencies targeted in the study covering the period from 2000-2010 are UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, and WFP.
Aftenbladet 8 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si nettutgåve 9 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Saturday 11 February to Monday 13 February 2012
Political quarrel concerning new agreement on family reunification
Denmark
The Danish People's Party (DF) says the Government's new agreement on family reunification will give parents an incentive to send their children back to their country of origin in order to make them aware of their cultural and religious heritage. DF argues that even though the child who is sent back might loose his/her residence permit, the new agreement makes it possible to regain the permit upon return to Denmark. However, the Social Democrats (S) says that there will be preventive measures making sure that parents know their children may loose their residence permits if they are sent on a cultural familiarisation visit to their country of origin.
Berlingske Tidene 10 February 2012 (in Danish)
New agreement makes it easier for children to reunite with their families
Denmark
Experts say the new agreement on family reunification makes it easier for children to reunite with their families; however it does not live up to the Government's aim to simply the immigration law. – The immigration law's article 9 on residence permit alone has 27 sections. The same goes for the rules on family reunification, which will not be less complicated by these changes, says the well-known lawyer Bjørn Elmquist. He adds that it is very difficult to change an entire law and that is why the Government has to come up with this patchwork approach.
Information 9 February 2012 (in Danish)
Finland receives criticism for deporting refugees
Finland
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the United Nations Committee against Torture have stopped a number of deportations of rejected asylum-seekers from Finland in recent months. In many cases the asylum-seekers, who have been refused asylum, have risked becoming victims of inhumane treatment. According to the Finnish Immigration Service torture is not a sufficient reason to be granted asylum or a residence permit if conditions have improved in the asylum-seekers home country. However, the Finnish Refugee Advice Center and the Center for Torture Survivors argue that tortured asylum-seekers have been sent back, even though the authorities have failed to demonstrate the improved conditions in their country of origin. In the past three months the UN and the ECtHR have halted four deportations of rejected asylum-seekers who have been victims of torture. The latest intervention took place last week.
Iltalehti 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Aamulehti 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Lapin Kansa 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV3 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Kaleva 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Eleven dead and several others missing in a refugee boat incident
UNHCR in the news
At least eleven Somalis were killed and another 34 are missing after a boat carrying refugees to Yemen sank in rough weather in the Gulf of Aden last Wednesday, says the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The dead have been washed ashore on beaches around the coast and 13 survivors have been found. Last year it was estimated that over 100,000 refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa crossed the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Aftonbladet 10 February 2012 (in Swedish)
SVT 10 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Länstidningen Södertälje 10 February 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie makes controversial film
UNHCR in the news
Angelina Jolie's controversial film "In the Land of Blood and Honey" has premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. The film tells about the Balkan war and so-called rape-factories in Bosnia, where Muslim women find themselves degraded by Serbian prison guards. Angelina Jolie's experiences working for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have inspired her in making this film.
Berlingske Tidene 10 February 2012 (in Danish)
Tuesday 14 February to Wednesday 15 February 2012
Christian asylum-seekers encouraged to hide their faith
Denmark
The Refugee Appeals Board will meet today to discuss the issue of evaluating Christian and converted asylum-seekers. – The Danish asylum system breaches human rights by encouraging Christian rejected asylum-seekers to hide their faith, says conversion consultant Mogens S. Mogensen and immigration pastor Niels Nymann. They add that the converts may encounter fatal consequences when returning home, and that the Danish immigration authorities have developed the idea that a convert can just keep a low profile once he or she returns. –The thought of hiding your faith may not be so appalling to a secular Danish mindset as it is considered private. However, many other places and especially in the Middle East religion is considered more public, says Mogens S. Mogensen.
Berlingske 14 February 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 14 February 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 14 February 2012 (in Danish)
Difficult for asylum-seekers to prove their faith
Denmark
The interpretation of what it takes for an asylum-seeker to prove conversion to for instance Christianity is now being criticised. – As the procedure is now it is very difficult to prove that you have converted and thereby make claim to asylum on the grounds of persecution, says lawyer Niels Henrik Christensen and Amnesty International. One of the reasons is that the Refugee Appeals Board puts emphasis on that the conversion has been made official by informing authorities, says Niels Henrik Christensen.
Kristeligt Dagblad 15 February 2012 (in Danish)
Homosexuality not enough to justify asylum
Finland
Persecution in the grounds of homosexuality is not usually strong enough reason for granting asylum in Finland. Despite this, it is used quite frequently as a reason for seeking asylum. In mid-January the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland halted the deportation of an Iranian man and sent the case back to the Immigration Service. According to the Supreme Administrative Court, the Immigration Service has not determined in its previous decisions whether the asylum-seekers were facing fears of persecution in their country of origin due to their sexual orientation.
Iltasanomat 13 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Norway's reputation results in less asylum-seekers
Norway
While Sweden received 30,000 applications for asylum last year Norway only received 9,000. – I think it is an effect of the strict immigration policy in Norway, says Ann-Magrit Austenå, Secretary General of the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS). She adds that information about where it is easiest to be granted asylum is spread through smuggler networks and relatives and that Sweden has a whole other debate on the topic. – Sweden has a reputation for a generous asylum- and immigration policy, and they also have many exile groups which attract more asylum-seekers of the same nationality. Besides, Norway has managed to dissuade asylum-seekers not in need of protection to come to Norway by putting in place accelerated procedures, says Frode Forfang, Director at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
VG Nett 15 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Converted rejected asylum-seekers may face fatal consequences
Norway
People converting from Islam to other religions can now be hanged in Iran without a fatwa first. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, spokesperson for Iran Human Rights in Norway, says he is concerned about these new changes and what it can mean for converted rejected Iranian asylum-seekers returning to Iran.
Aftenposten 14 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Workers at the Swedish Migration Board HIV-trained
Sweden
Since 2009 the Migration Board has conducted a pilot project for the better handling of HIV-positive asylum-seekers, which has been partially funded by the European Refugee Fund. According to Eva Thyselius, Project Manager at the Migration Board, the HIV training will become a permanent part of the internal training program at the Board. Now all officers are taking part in the two day training in subjects such as HIV-trends in the world, discrimination and how to better handle the shame many HIV-positive feel. According to Thyselius, the training aims at increasing the proportion of asylum-seekers who will undergo the offered medical examination. Many believe that it can have a negative effect in their ability to stay in the country, says Thyselius. The psychological support of HIV-positive asylum-seekers should also be taken into account, and the asylum-seekers should receive more help in seeking out health-care resources.
Dagens Nyheter 14 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Several refugee accommodations closing down
Sweden
The city of Malmö has started canceling contracts with private transit accommodation providers for refugee children after too many places have remained empty. On Monday some 147 refugee children were placed in one of Malmö's transit centers, while at the same time 90 places out of 237 remained empty. – I know that the Swedish Migration Board thinks we shouldn't terminate the contracts since the need for placements is subject to change. But at the same time we feel responsible for our tax money, says Carina Nilsson, Chairman of the Social Resource Board of Malmö.
Skånskan 14 February 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: - Return to Eritrea no less problematic than earlier
UNHCR in the news
This week news broke that Norway is negotiating a readmission agreement with Eritrea, for return of rejected asylum-seekers. – Readmission agreements in and of themselves are positive as they commit states to receive back their nationals, says spokesperson Hanne Mathisen at UNHCR's office in Stockholm. UNHCR's latest guidelines on asylum-seekers from Eritrea do not pronounce themselves on return whilst UNHCR's general guidelines advocate that returns take place in safety and dignity. – When we do not include information on return to Eritrea in our latest guidelines it is not because we are more open to return [than in previous Eritrea guidelines]. Our primary role is to advise on eligibility and our emphasis is therefore on groups or profiles that in particular may have international protection needs. In some instances UNHCR provides advice on return, as part of its wider humanitarian role. This is decided on a case by case basis. Given the lack of information and difficulties in monitoring the situation for forcibly returned, UNHCR cannot advise on return of rejected Eritrean asylum-seekers. We do not exclude that there are asylum-seekers from Eritrea that are not in need of international protection, says Mathisen.
Dag og Tid Friday 3 February 2012, page 3 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 16 February to Friday 17 February 2012
No change in conversion procedure
Denmark
The Danish Refugee Appeals Board has after a two-day meeting decided not to change procedures when it comes to asylum-seekers who have converted from Islam to Christianity. Immigration pastor Niels Nymann Eriksen, who has taken an active part in the debate, says that he is disappointed and says that it is troubling that Denmark is not capable of protecting people who risk persecution if they practice their faith in their country of origin.
Kristeligt Dagblad 17 February 2012 (in Danish)
Pudasjärvi to accept 40 quota refugees
Finland
The city of Pudasjärvi is ready to accept 40 new quota refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Development Director Mikko Kälkäjä, quota refugees are an important part of the future of the city of 9,000 inhabitants, since the population of Pudasjärvi is decreasing. The arrival date of the refugees is still unknown, but the hope is that they would arrive during the spring. The quota refugees are part of the 750 quota refugees that Finland has committed to taking each year.
Kaleva 17 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Progress Party calls for restrictions of movement
Norway
An Iranian asylum-seeker has been killed by knife after a fight at Dale reception centre in Sandnes. The police have arrested and charged two other asylum-seekers for the crime. The asylum-seekers were residents at another reception centre in the region. The Progress party immigration spokesperson Ørsal Johansen is asking that increased restriction on movement be introduced at reception centres for asylum-seekers. State Secretary for the Ministry of Justice Pål K. Lønseth says that he does not believe that restrictions on movement will decrease violence, on the contrary it may add to it.
NRK 16 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 17 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 15 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 17 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Iran Human Rights: New law should have consequences on Norwegian asylum policy
Norway
New changes in Iranian law makes it easier to sentence people who have converted from Islam to other beliefs to death. Spokesperson for the Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights Amiry-Moghaddam says these changes should impact on Norway's asylum policy. – With the latest changes in Iranian law it is reckless to return asylum-seekers who have openly come forward as converts, says Amiry-Moghaddam. Head of the asylum department at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) Tone Loge Tveter says that they are awaiting confirmation and monitoring the situation closely. She adds that it will be an individual assessment of each case and that UDI will not send anyone back to Iran who are in risk of persecution.
Dagen 17 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Level of violence in reception centres considered low
Norway
A thorough study from made by Brøset Kompetansesenter in 2007 shows that the level of violence in Norwegian reception centres is remarkably low. – The study from 2007 clearly states that there were few cases of violence. Actually we find this surprising as the reception centres do not receive people according to ethnicity or any other sort of affiliation, which means that asylum-seekers from conflicting states live side by side, says Jim Aage Nøttestad, senior researcher on the study.
Aftenbladet 16 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Municipalities must accept more refugee children
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board urges municipalities to accept more refugee children. Last year 2,657 unaccompanied refugee minors sought asylum in Sweden, most of them boys from Afghanistan. The numbers were three times higher than four years ago. Next week the government will receive a report of the number of asylum-seeking children that are expected to come to Sweden in the future years. In January, some 235 unaccompanied minors sought residence permit in Sweden, which was the highest figure for January on record. In 2012 the accommodation of the refugee children was divided between the 236 municipalities throughout the country, but mainly the responsibility rests on Malmö and eight other municipalities.
Sydsvenskan 16 February 2012 (in Swedish)
The process of care for undocumented accelerated
Sweden
Tens of thousands of undocumented refugees have been denied health care in Sweden. The United Nations has criticized Sweden for violating human rights in not granting undocumented similar access to health care as the local population. A government proposal that came in May proposed that the health care law should be amended to meet the international standards. However, the proposal has not yet been sent out on hearing. Today the Ministry of Health received a petition from the Swedish Red Cross along with 60 other organizations and 12,000 individuals requiring that the proposal be sent out immediately for comments.
SVT 17 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Increase in voluntary Swedish lessons
Sweden
Since the Swedish Migration Board has stopped teaching Swedish to adult asylum-seekers, voluntary actors are taking the responsibility for it. According to Daniel Uddling, Refugee Coordinator of the Swedish Church, the teaching is the responsibility of the Migration Board and it is important in promoting integration into the society. – The voluntary sector is trying to cover up as well as possible, but we recognize that we don't have the capacity to cope with this fully, he says. Since the Migration Board stopped the organized teaching last autumn, there has been a significant increase in the number of asylum-seekers seeking teaching at the church. Another result from the lack of language classes has been the inactivity of people. – I understand that the teaching will cost money, but I think this is money well spent, says Uddling.
Sveriges Radio 16 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Friday 18 February to Monday 20 February 2012
Significant decrease in applications for family reunification
Finland
The number of Somalis applying for family reunification has decreased significantly since the beginning of the year. Since the beginning of January 2012 the Finnish Immigration Service has received 5 applications for family reunification compared to around 200 a month in 2011. Jaana Vuorio, Director of the Legal and Country Information Unit at the Finnish Immigration Service, believes the number of Somalis applying for family reunification has reduced due to a new law amendment that came into force 1 January 2012. The tightening of the regulations for family reunification means that a person living in Finland no longer can start the process of applying for family reunification for a family member living abroad. Now each family member has to hand in their own application at a Finnish embassy.
Aamulehti 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Kainuun Sanomat 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Keskisuomalainen 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltalehti 20 Feburary 2012 (in Finnish)
Porin radio 20 Feburary 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 20 Feburary 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE Svenska Nyheter 20 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Bishops remain critical of possible return agreement
Norway
Refugees and asylum-seekers were one of the topics of the bishops' recent meeting held in Norway. Especially the topic of persons without documents, the rights of the child, and cases of conversion were discussed. According to the bishops it is unacceptable on humanitarian grounds to return children who have lived in Norway for years, which the return agreement with Ethiopia seems to open up for. The bishops would also like to see the religious institutions given a larger role when it comes to cases that involve conversion.
Vårt Land 17 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagen 18 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
NOAS fears consequences of Ethiopian return agreement
Norway
In the newly signed return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia it is stated that Ethiopian intelligence will contribute to identifying rejected asylum-seekers. Norway obligates itself to pass on as much information as possible about the rejected asylum-seeker to the Ethiopian intelligence. – We fear that the risk of persecution will increase with this agreement, says Ann-Margrit Austenå Secretary General of the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS).
Aftenposten 20 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Four years living in a reception centre, despite residence permit
Norway
Statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) show that 2,030 persons have received residence permits with restrictions that do not give them the right to apply for family reunification or live outside reception centres. Many of these persons are children. UDI informs that unknown identity and lack of ID documents are the most common reasons for issuing these limited permits. – The procedure of issuing residence permits with restrictions has been so efficient that half of the persons put forward identity papers in the second round, says Pål K. Lønseth State Secretary for the Ministry of Justice. He adds that he is aware of the problems that residence permits with restrictions create and states that there may be reasons to look into minimizing these problems.
Aftenposten 19 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Prepared for Syrian refugee influx to Jordan
UNHCR in the news
Some 10,000 – 15,000 people have already crossed the border from Syria into Jordan. Jordanian authorities are now preparing for more people and they are setting up camps in the North together with the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR.
VG Nett 19 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 21 February to Wednesday 22 February 2012
The majority of quota refugees from Afghanistan
Finland
This year Finland will receive mainly quota refugees who are from Afghanistan, Myanmar and Democratic Republic of the Congo. On Monday 20 February the Ministry of the Interior decided on accepting 750 quota refugees this year. Finland will accept 200 Afghan refugees from Iran, 150 of Myanmar from Thailand, and 150 Congolese from Rwanda. In addition to this, Finland will accept a pool of 150 refugees originating from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Somalia and 100 so-called emergency cases. Finland has accepted 750 quota refugees every year since 2001.The allocation of quota refugees is based on a proposal by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
YLE 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 20 February 2012 (in English)
Svenska YLE 20 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 20 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Kotimaa24 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Etelä-Suomen Sanomat 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Suomen Kuvalehti 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Bulevardi 20 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 21 February 2012 (In Finnish)
Quota refugees need motivated municipalities
Finland
The discussion about accepting quota refugees that started last March in Pohjois-Savo may proceed to the decision making phase during the spring. On Monday 20 February an event was held at the Regional Council of Iisalmi, where municipalities who have already accepted quota refugees talked about their experiences. According to Lisbeth Mattsson, Head of Immigration at the North Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, it is important that municipalities receive all possible information before decisions are made. – When accepting quota refugees it is important to remember the so-called two way integration where both the refugee and the municipality are motivated, she says.
Iisalmen Sanomat 21 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Directorate of Immigration lacks funding
Iceland
The number of asylum-seekers in Iceland has increased remarkably during the last few years. Meanwhile the allocation of money to the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has not gone up. – The Directorate of Immigration (UTL) is understaffed, underpaid and overworked, and needs more funding from the Parliament to do its job effectively, says Kristín Völundardóttir Director of UTL. It currently takes about a year for UTL to process an asylum application, a timeframe that could be cut in half if UTL was to hire a few more lawyers, Kristín Völundardóttir adds.
The Reykjavík Grapevine 21 February 2012 (in English)
Six people seek asylum in Latvia
Latvia
Three teenagers from Abkhazia [Georgia] crossed the border into Latvia and applied for asylum this week. On the same day, three citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo with counterfeited Italian ID cards also crossed the border, and have now applied for asylum. Meanwhile, the border guards at Liepaja did not let a Russian national cross the border as he was banned from entering the Schengen countries.
Baltic News Service 21 February 2012
Conflict in Somalia – world's largest humanitarian crisis
UNHCR in the news
The prolonged conflict in Somalia has led to the world's largest humanitarian crisis with 2,3 million Somalis displaced, says the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Over half a million Somalis are currently living in Kenya. The Kakuma refugee camp has 88,429 inhabitants half of whom are children and young persons. There is not enough food available and malnutrition and diarrhoea remain serious problems. According to UNHCR, just 36 per cent of the children have access to education.
Dagens Nyheter 22 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 23 February to Friday 24 February 2012
Danish Immigration Service wants to correct statelessness issue
Denmark
Last year it was revealed that the Danish Immigration Service had failed to identify several stateless persons as stateless. This is important since stateless persons born in Denmark are entitled to Danish citizenship. Now the Immigration Service wants to correct all mistakes made and during the next months it will send out letters to a broad range of possible stateless persons from Syria, Myanmar, and Bhutan, who have a Danish residence permit. The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) are pleased with the Immigration Service's efforts to correct the errors made.
Information 22 February 2012 (in Danish)
Danish asylum policy violates Conventions
Denmark
Last weeks' debate on rejected asylum-seekers who have converted to Christianity and are being sent back to their home countries make experts talk with one voice; it is a clear violation of the UN Conventions. UNHCR's guidelines on religion-based refugee claims clearly states that "religious belief, identity or way of life can be seen as so fundamental to human identity that one should not be compelled to hide, change or renounce this in order to avoid persecution." In one specific case the Danish Refugee Appeals Board recognises the conversion of an Afghan man, but does not think he will be persecuted if being deported. Instead he is encouraged to avoid exposing himself as Christian. Professor of law and previous member of the Danish Refugee Appeals Board, Jens Vedsted-Hansen, says that there is no doubt that the Danish Refugee Appeals Board violates the Refugee Convention. – You cannot deport people whose conversion you recognise, he says.
Berlingske 24 February 2012 (in Danish)
BT 24 February 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 24 February 2012 (in Danish)
Majority of asylum-seekers have experienced violence
Finland
In Finland the majority of asylum-seekers have experienced some level of violence, but the reception centres deal with the issue to a varying degree. The employees at the Multicultural Women's Association in Finland (MONIKA) have been trained to identify and assist victims of violence. In addition to the training, MONIKA has also produced multilingual material for asylum-seekers about the rights and services in Finland.
Turun Sanomat 22 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 23 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 22 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Somali asylum-seekers may wait longer for decisions
Norway
Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) has suggested changes for Somali asylum-seekers that may result in prolonged processing times for some cases. The changes follow a decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) regarding two Somalis with criminal records who were rejected asylum in Great Britain. The two Somalis appealed the verdict arguing that they could not return to Somalia due to the security situation in the country. According to ECtHR deportation would have been a breach against its core principles.
Aftenposten 23 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 23 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Ljusdal to receive around 60 refugees
Sweden
The municipality of Ljusdal has signed a contract with the Swedish Migration Board about receiving 50-70 refugees per year. In 2011 a total of 60 refugees came to the municipality. The refugees that come to Ljusdal have been selected in consultation with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Swedish Migration Board and the municipality. The refugees come directly to the municipality from any of the refugee camps around the world that are run by the UN.
Hela Hälsningland 23 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Expected increase in applications for family reunification
Sweden
The recent ruling of the Swedish Migration Board makes it easier for people from countries where official identity documents are hard to find to apply for family reunification. The decision makes it possible to identify family members through DNA testing. The decision is believed to significantly increase the ability of families to reunite. The Swedish Migration Board estimates that the number of Somali family reunification applications may increase by 18,500 this year. Overall the number of people applying for family reunification in Sweden is believed to increase by 45 per cent, to about 59,500 applications compared to 41,000 in 2010.
Dagens Nyheter 22 February 2012 (in Swedish)
SVT 22 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Skånskan 22 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Göteborgs-Posten 23 February 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR helps Syrian refugees in Jordan
UNHCR in the news
For the first time since the riots in Syria begun last spring, the Jordanian authorities now provide numbers of how many Syrians have crossed into Jordan. According to Jordanian authorities only 2,000 people have applied for help. However, UNHCR in Amman states that it right now helps some 3,500 Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Tromso 23 Feburary 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si nettutgåve 24 February 20102 (in Norwegian)
Uganda after close down of UNHCR last office in camp
UNHCR in the news
More than 1,8 million internally displaced Ugandans have returned to their home villages after living in camps for several years. Two months ago UNHCR closed down its last office in Uganda and declared one of the world's biggest crisis concerning internally displaced persons (IDP's) over. Some 95 per cent of the persons living in camps in 2006 have now returned to their home villages.
Kristeligt Dagblad 24 February 2012 (in Danish)
Saturday 25 February to Monday 27 February 2012
UNHCR: Danish asylum procedure clearly violates 1951 Convention
Denmark
The procedure of the Danish Refugee Appeal Board regarding rejected asylum-seekers who have converted has been criticised by Amnesty, human rights specialists and now UNHCR. – Faith can be such an integral part of a person's identity that you cannot demand that the person shall hide his or her faith in order to avoid persecution. To deny someone refugee status by demanding that the person hides his or her religious beliefs is not in coherence with the protection principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries.
Kristeligt Dagblad 25 February 2012 (in Danish)
Norway gives 22 million NOK to help Syrian refugees
Norway
-I am extremely worried that Syrian authorities do not give aid organisations access to provide emergency assistance in the conflict zone, says Jonas Gahr Støre Minister of Foreign Affairs. The money will go to humanitarian organisations helping Syrian refugees both in Syria and refugee camps in the neighbouring countries Lebanon and Jordan.
P5 25 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Indre.no 24 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Reception centres are not safe
Norway
The murder of a young Iranian asylum-seeker in Dale reception centre has been discussed widely the last few weeks. Now a researcher states that reception centres are unsafe. - There are daily incidents which are not reported and there is a low threshold for violence and conflict in reception centres, says Girum Zeleke researcher of social work at Stavanger University. He adds that there is a tendency not to report on these incidents.
Nettavisen 25 February 2012 (http://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/article3343207.ece) (in Norwegian)
ECtHR condemns Italy for sending back African migrants
UNHCR in the news
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that Italy violated human rights by sending back migrants crossing the Mediterranean by boat even before they arrived at the coast of Italy. – It was against national and international law to reject a boat full of men, women, and children in the middle of the Mediterranean without knowing their identity or the reason as to why they flee, says Laura Boldrini, spokesperson for UNHCR. According to UNHCR, at least 1,000 people have been intercepted and rejected, and subsequently sent back to Libya. During the uprisings in 2011, Italy suspended a 2008 deal with Libya on sending migrants back. UNHCR is worried since the deal has been resumed with the new Libyan Government without explicitly suspending the practice of sending back refugees.
Information 24 February 2012 (in Danish)
70,000 refugees already crossed into Jordan
UNHCR in the news
The unrest in Syria has caused thousands of people to flee. UNHCR and the Jordanian authorities face challenges in assisting these refugees. – Many of these people are severely traumatised and therefore very suspicious of authorities, which also complicates our work in trying to map out what their needs are, says Andrew Harper UNHCR's Jordan Representative.
Klassekampen 25 Feburary 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 28 February to Wednesday 29 February 2012
Municipalities reluctant in receiving quota refugees
Finland
Some 400 already accepted quota refugees are still waiting in refugee camps to come to Finland. The reason for the waiting is that most of the Finnish municipalities are not interested in receiving quota refugees. The situation has not improved despite the government's efforts to encourage municipalities by granting four years of financial support. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, due to the unwillingness of municipalities, Finland has not been able to receive all the quota refugees in recent years it has committed to accepting. Now the Ministry of Employment and the Economy tries to push municipalities with a special project that also hopes to encourage those municipalities to participate who have accepted quota refugees in previous years but have since stopped to grant places.
Turun Sanomat 28 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 28 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Svenska Yle 28 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Conference regarding Latvian Citizenship law amendments
Latvia
A conference with the aim of influencing upcoming amendments to the Latvian Citizenship law is to be held in Riga on 2 March. Amongst its guests are experts from all across Europe as well as representatives of the Latvian Diaspora. A range of topics are to be discussed, such as the questions of dual citizenship and whether children born to non-citizens in Latvia are to be given citizenship. The amendments are necessary in order to correspond to EU regulation.
Baltic News Summary 28 February 2012 (in English)
Norway has received and resettled 24,000 quota refugees since 1970
Norway
A new report from Statistics Norway shows that Norway has received 24,000 refugees for resettlement since 1970. The report also shows that the refugees were mostly from Iran, Iraq and Vietnam in the 90's and 80's, whereas the last decade they have been from Myanmar, DRC and Afghanistan.
VG Nett 27 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Hardanger Folkeblad 27 February 2012 (in Norgwegian)
Hamar Arbeiderblad 27 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si nettutgåve 27 February 2012 (in Norwegian)
Asylum espionage a problem in Norway
Norway
The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) admits that at least 10 countries carry out espionage on asylum-seekers in Norway. – It can be carried out by diplomats or their associates contacting the asylum-seeker. But there are also asylum-seekers who are in Norway to report and inform about other asylum-seekers, says Erik Haugland from PST. Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) fears that it is just a matter of time before espionage can lead to serious incidents.
NRK 28 February 2012 (http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/hordaland/1.8015162) (in Norwegian)
Family reunification to Sweden expected to increase
Sweden
The number of people seeking Swedish residence permit due family reunification is expected to increase by 45 per cent in 2012. A substantial number of the applicants are children seeking to be reunited with their families. Previously the majority of applicants were rejected due to lack of proof of identity, but now DNA samples are to be used. In Kronobergs county alone, 500 Somali children are expected to be reunited with their families.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 28 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Swedish government facing criticism over deportation
Sweden
The Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, Tobias Billström, is to answer criticism in Parliament raised against the Swedish Migration Board. Specifically, he is to answer whether the government can guarantee that the Swedish Migration Board, when considering deportation cases, has reliable information concerning the security situation of individuals when arriving in their country of origin. The question was raised after the deportation of reverent Jean Kabuidibuidi to the Democratic Republic of Congo, whom upon arrival was arrested and subsequently tortured. There have been four previous attempts to deport the reverent, all which were stopped.
Nyheter 24 28 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 1 March to Friday 2 March 2012
Spying on refugees on the increase
Finland
The annual report of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (SUPO) shows that spying on foreigners residing in Finland has increased. Dissidents and refugees face regular surveillance by foreign intelligence services who try to keep an eye on their citizens who live abroad. In worst cases this can lead to relatives being tortured back in their home countries. "Refugee spying" is illegal in the other Nordic countries, but not in Finland.
Yle 1 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska nyheter 1 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Yle 1 March 2012 (in English)
Number of asylum-seekers dropped significantly
Finland
Statistics from the Finnish Immigration Service show that the number of asylum-seekers dropped by almost a quarter and the number of residence permit applicants also decreased by a few per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. One out of three asylum-seekers was granted either asylum or a residence permit. Iraq and Somalia remained the top two countries of origin. Syrians were for the first time among the top ten nationalities seeking asylum, with an increase of 62 per cent in the number of applications compared to 2010.
Aamulehti 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Keskisuomalainen 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltalehti 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV 3 Uutiset 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Verkkouutiset 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle 29 February 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska nyheter 29 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Åbo Underrättelser 29 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Österbottens tidning 29 February 2012 (in Swedish)
AUF: Norway's asylum policy inhumane and unfair
Norway
Norwegian Labour Party's youth organisation (AUF) calls for changes in the policy regarding undocumented children in Norway. – The children's attachment to the country, language, and culture must weigh more than immigration policy, says Linn Kristin Engø from AUF in Hordaland. AUF is ashamed of the treatment of 400 undocumented children in Norway.
Bergens Tidende 1 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Few people lacking legal residence seek medial care
Sweden
During the last four years, people without a residence permit have been able to seek medical care in Skåne County. Despite this, few have sought medical care; out of an estimated 2,000 people, only 125 sought assistance last year. Fear of repercussions is seen as a possible cause. Those who do seek help do so mainly because of issues related to anxiety, stomach problems and lack of sleep.
SVT Sydnytt 2 March 2012 (in Swedish)
SD seeks to abolish agreement with the Swedish Migration Board
Sweden
A member of the Swedish Democrats is attempting to abolish Ånge municipality's agreement with the Swedish Migration Board. The agreement, which dates back to 2007, requires the municipality to accept around 20 refugees each year. The bill will now be discussed within the Municipality.
Sundsvalls Tidning 1 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Thousands of Malian refugees seek shelter in Niger
UNHCR in the news
In the last few months, an armed conflict has emerged between the Malian Government and independence seeking Tuareg rebels of the Liberation Army of Azawad (MNLA). As a consequence, UNHCR estimates that 44,000 people have become refugees, of whom 15,000 have sought shelter in Niger. Humanitarian organisations report that there are soldiers from the Malian army among the refugees.
Omvärlden 29 February 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 3 March to Monday 5 March 2012
Hanko to receive first refugees in years
Finland
The city of Hanko is preparing to receive some 30 refugees from Myanmar. The city has committed to receiving refugees every three years, but the last refugees arrived five years ago. Hanko City Council will make the final decision on accepting the new group of refugees.
YLE 5 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Finland will donate 17,5 million EUR to UNHCR
Finland
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland together with Heidi Hautala, Minister for International Development, has granted 67 million EUR in humanitarian aid for world crises. The main channels for providing assistance will be the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) receiving 17,5 million EUR and the World Food Programme (WFP) that receives 7,9 million EUR. This year Finland will grant humanitarian assistance to Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
YLE 2 March 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 2 March 2012 (in English)
Verkkouutiset 2 March 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV3 2 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Expert calls for citizenship law to be reformed
Latvia
Egils Levits, who is a Latvian judge at the European Court of Justice, called the current citizenship law suicidal. The comment derives from the fact that the law forbids dual citizenship. As Latvia is currently experiencing a mass outflow of people, it is in the interest of the country to amend the law, according to Levits. The issue of double citizenship for expatriate Latvians and children born to Latvian non-citizens are to be brought up by a sub-committee, which is to address amendments of the law. Latvian lawmakers have concluded that the law needs to be reformed in order to be aligned to EU migration processes.
Baltic News Summary 3 March 2012 (in English)
Expert: Letting children grow up in asylum centres is harmful
Norway
Child psychiatrist Aina Basilier Vaage says it is very harmful for children to spend a big part of their lives in asylum centres. –They continue to live with the traumas they escaped because they do not know if they are able to stay. It is very stressful, says Aina Basilier Vaage. State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Pål K. Lønseth confirms that the children are in a very complicated situation but says the parents have put their children's' lives on hold by not complying with the return policy after rejection. A discussion in the Parliament on refugee children was scheduled for February but is now postponed until this summer.
NRK 3 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Ombudsman for Children: Norwegians have chosen brutal asylum policy
Norway
The case of a ten year old girl who has been living her whole life in Dale asylum centre in Norway has sparked a debate. The family has been rejected asylum but cannot be returned. The Ombudsman for Children states that it is damaging for children to grow up in this way, but it is what the Norwegian people have voted for. – This is the will of the people, a result of democracy. These are the politicians we have voted for, and therefore we as voters are responsible, says Reidar Hjermann Ombudsman for Children.
NRK 4 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Researcher: Return agreement with Ethiopia separates families
Norway
Elise Kipperberg researcher at Stavanger University has recently surveyed the situation of 16 undocumented Ethiopians. The results will support the pledge for reconsideration of the families' situations. – Those I have talked to have been in Norway up to 14 years. They all speak Norwegian very well and are integrated into society. Elise Kipperberg says that Ethiopia has a brutal regime and it is surprising that Norway, as the only country in Europe, has implemented a return agreement.
NRK 2 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Swedish municipality to receive fewer unaccompanied minors
Sweden
Staffanstorp municipality has renegotiated its deal with the Swedish Migration Board regarding the number of unaccompanied minors it is to receive. The municipality did so because of the associated economic costs and claimed the deal is in the best interest of the minors. Whilst the Social Democratic opposition finds the deal embarrassing, it highlights a concern regarding which institutions are to be held responsible for0 unaccompanied minors; be it the state, the Migration Board, or the municipalities.
Sydsvenskan 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Criticized language analysis still in use
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) uses language analysis to discern the origin of asylum-seekers, despite facing fierce critique over its accuracy. As languages are spoken across borders, it is hard to pinpoint someone's origin using this method. Also, the competency of the analysts has been questioned; only a third of the 1,200 analysts have education in languages and several work with languages that are not their mother tongue. Both researchers and UNHCR are critical about the usage of language analysis. SMB is now to assess the accuracy of its language analysis.
SVT, Ekot 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Metro 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Östra Småland 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Quota refugees selected in Tunisia
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board has chosen to provide asylum for 200 refugees from a Tunisian refugee camp. They are part of the 1,900 annual resettlement quota that Sweden has committed to receive in consultation with UNHCR. The refugees are considered to be in an extra precarious situation, having fled from warn-torn Libya. Tobias Billström, Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, calls for EU member states to increase their acceptance of refugees. Currently, the EU accepts 5,000-6,000 quota refugees annually. If all member states received the same share of refugees per capita as Sweden, around 100,000 quota refugees would be accepted annually.
SVT Rapport 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Thousands fleeing from conflict-ridden Syria
UNHCR in the news
– Between 1,000 and 2,000 people are crossing the border from Syria into northern Lebanon, says Jean Paul Cavalieri Deputy Representative for UNHCR in Lebanon. There were reports of violence in the Syrian city Qusair near Lebanon on Sunday 4 March.
Sveriges Radio 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenskan 5 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Skånskan 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 4 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Tromso.no 4 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 4 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
BT 4 March 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 4 March 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 4 March 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 4 March 2012 (in Danish)
Humanitarian crisis worsens in Sahel region
UNHCR in the news
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) over 130,000 persons have fled from Mali to the neighbouring countries of Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and to other parts of Mali. UNHCR has asked for 36 million dollars to assist the refugees. The situation is especially difficult in Niger that has received around 29,000 refugees and where a third of the population is facing food shortages in the upcoming months.
Maailma.net 2 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Tuesday 6 March to Wednesday 7 March 2012
Thousands of people with Afghan background in Finland
Finland
There are already thousands of people with Afghan background living in Finland, many of which have Finnish nationality. Most of them came to Finland as asylum-seekers, quota refugees or through family reunification. In 2005 Finland stopped taking quota refugees from Afghanistan, since the situation in the country was believed to be improving rapidly. However, in 2010 Finland restarted receiving quota refugees from Afghanistan.
Helsingin Sanomat 5 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Progress Party: 450 cases should be re-opened
Norway
-The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) ought to re-open every single case concerning rejected asylum-seeking children. It is possible to show discretion and pay attention to young people and their situation, says Morten Ørsal Johansen from the Progress Party. While the Labour Party says the children should return to their country of origin, the Socialist Left Party wants them and their families to stay and get the chance to create a future for themselves in Norway. The Government has recently made it very clear that it expects the children and their families to accept the deportation procedure and leave Norway.
VG Nett 7 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
SMB expects high number of unaccompanied minors
Sweden
This year 3,100 unaccompanied minors are expected to come to Sweden. This is 300 more than the original estimation. The prognosis for 2013 is set to be 500 more. In 2011 the majority of these unaccompanied minors were young Afghan boys. As a consequence of shorter processing times the municipalities must already now plan for an influx of unaccompanied minors.
Uppsala NyaTidning 5 March 2012 (in Swedish)
SDU seeks to increase voluntary repatriation through campaign
Sweden
The youth party of the Swedish Democrats (SDU), has applied for 100,000 SEK from the Swedish Migration Board in order to produce 10,000 'goodie bags'. These bags, containing information on voluntary repatriation, would be given to immigrants, whom the SDU consider to have insufficiently assimilated into Swedish society. Both the Social Democrats and the Conservatives have distanced themselves from the proposal.
Dagens Nyheter 5 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Expressen 5 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Nyheter 24 5 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Christian Democrats accuse border police of using bribes
Sweden
Two Christian Democrats accuse the Swedish Migration Board of not respecting freedom of religion and also accuse the border police of using bribes. The critique derives from the failed attempt to deport an Iranian family who had converted to Christianity, despite the father having no passport. A source at the Swedish Migration Board claims the border police sometimes uses bribes to make the authorities in the rejected asylum-seeker's country of origin accept the entry of this person, even though he/she does not have a valid passport.
Folket 7 March 2012 (in Swedish)
SMB: Increase in immigration will cost 100 million SEK
Sweden
According to the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), a softening of the identification rules with regards to family reunification will cause an increase in applications. Due to strict rules of identification, many Somalis have not been able to apply for family reunification as Sweden does not acknowledge Somali passports. This January a ruling made it possible to prove kinship through DNA. According to SMB there will be an estimated 59,000 applications for family reunification in 2012, which is an increase of 45 per cent compared to 2011. To meet the needs, SMB has asked the Government for an additional 101 million SEK.
Dagens Juridik 6 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Syria bombed bridge used by refugees
UNHCR in the news
Syrian forces have reportedly bombed a bridge used by Syrian refugees to get from the city of Homs to Lebanon. The bridge also operated as an important route to transport wounded persons. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) there are some 7,000 registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon, but the numbers are expected to increase. Only in the past two days over 1,500 people have fled from Syria to Lebanon. According to UNHCR, a majority of the refugees are women and children who have escaped the violence in Homs.
YLE 6 March 2012 (in Finnish)
VG Nett 6 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 6 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 6 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
UNHCR staff donates blood after explosion in Brazaville
UNHCR in the news
At least 236 persons have lost their lives and 2,000 are wounded after an explosion in Brazaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. UN aid organisations have provided basic necessities and UNHCR informs that its staff is currently donating blood. The explosion occurred in a storehouse with ammunition and caused several fires to break out and the building to collapse.
Politiken 6 March 2012 (in Danish)
MetroExpress 6 March 2012 (in Danish)
Fyens Stiftstidende 6 March 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 6 March 2012 (in Danish)
Thursday 8 March to Friday 9 March 2012
Danish Minister of Justice calls Europe's asylum system problematic
Denmark
The Minister of Justice, Morten Bødskov, is pleased by EU's decision to reform its asylum system, not least in order to address the immigration challenges facing Greece. Last year, 60,000 illegal immigrants entered the EU through Greece. According to Attorney Morten Bødskov, the situation is putting unusually high pressure on Greece whose asylum system has collapsed under the pressure. As a result, Bødskov claims it makes it more difficult to identify those persons in real need of protection.
Jyllands Posten 8 March 2012 (in Danish)
Refugee Woman of the Year
Finland
Finnish Refugee Council has selected Afghan-born Malalai Rahim as the Refugee Woman of the Year 2012. She first came to Finland with her family as a quota refugee in 2000. She currently lives in Seinäjoki where she works in the general hospital as a doctor. Rahim was forced to flee Afghanistan under the Taliban rule and escaped to Iran. – As the Refugee Woman of the Year I hope and believe that I am able to help people. It is natural to me and I have done it all my life, even during the war, Rahim says. Afghans are the largest refugee group worldwide. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in 2010 over 3,5 million Afghans were in need of protection.
Aamulehti 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
YLE 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Satakunnan Kansa 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Pohjalainen 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Kansan Uutiset 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Iltasanomat 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Kouvolan Sanomat 8 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Large increase of asylum seekers
Latvia
In 2011 some 335 people sought asylum in Latvia, compared to 61 in 2010. Around half of the asylum-seekers were from Georgia. In 2011, 27 people were granted asylum.
Currently 80 asylum-seekers are waiting for a decision regarding their asylum claim. – We have received 32 asylum applications, including four minors, during the first two months of this year, says Andrejs Rjabcevs, spokesperson for Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Baltic News Summary 8 March 2012 (in English)
Baltic News Summary 9 March 2012 (in English)
Illegal immigrants from Afghanistan detained in Lithuania
Lithuania
A man, a woman and three children, were found attempting to cross into Lithuania from Belarus. They lacked documentation as well as personal belongings. Due to a lack of translators, the communication has been difficult but they are believed to originate from Afghanistan.
Baltic News Summary 8 March 2012 (in English)
Progress Party regains support in the aftermath of the Utøya terror incident
Norway
Immigration critical Progress Party has regained the public support it lost after the revelation of links between the party and the terrorist Anders Breivik. In a poll commissioned by the Norwegian Public Radio, the party has gained 3.1 per cent in popularity and is now supported by 17.3 per cent of the Norwegian electorate.
NRK 8 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
N.B. This story was also covered in Sweden.
Svenska Dagbladet 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Transit homes for refugees in great demand
Sweden
Currently, the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) is lacking 1,700 transit homes for newly arrived refugees. Hence, there are attempts to increase capacity. Burlöv municipality is skeptical of SMB's attempt to convert a hotel into transit homes for refugees. SMB understands the position of the municipality but argues that the current demand overrides other considerations.
Skånska Dagbladet 7 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Study: People from Värmland are positive towards immigration
Sweden
A study made in 2010 by Gothenburg and Karlstad University found that a large majority of the people of Värmland are very positive towards immigration and multiculturalism. The study covered the region's cultural, social, political, economic and medial landscape. As a consequence, Värmland is one of the most benevolent towards receiving refugees.
Värmlands Folkblad 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Common EU policy regarding quota refugees decided
Sweden
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has decided to introduce a common resettlement program regarding quota refugees entering the EU. The policy will make it easier for countries to apply for funds that will enable them to develop their ability to receive refugees. Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, lauds the decision, calling it a means to show solidarity with those countries who currently receive the most refugees.
Svenska Dagbladet 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
N.B. This story was also covered in Denmark
Berlingske 8 March 2012 (in Danish)
Children deported to an orphanage in Montenegro
Sweden
Three children have lost their appeal process with the Swedish Migration Board (SMB). The children have lived in Sweden for several years with a foster family, but are now being deported to a Montenegrin orphanage. The spokesperson for the SMB in Borås, Johan Rahm, says it is highly unusual for a family to be separated in such a way. Moreover, Rahm states an orphanage is usually not considered a suitable habitat for children.
Expressen 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 10 March to Monday 12 March 2012
Over 13,500 illegal immigrants recorded in 9 years
Estonia
The people have come from 83 countries. As human trafficking has become the second most important revenue source for criminal organizations, Thomas Kuuse, head of the Police and Border Guard Board's migration supervision bureau, believes Estonia might soon change from a transit to a destination country for illegal immigrants. Subsequently, he fears the country will soon face "the same migration problems that most West European countries are grappling with at present".
Baltic News Summary 9 March 2012 (in English)
Displacement and migration among themes at the Markets of Possibilities
Finland
This May for the 23rd time the Markets of Possibilities is held in Oulu, Finland. This year the event's themes are people on the move, migration and displacement. The program includes music, dance, art, workshops and market atmosphere. The refugee theme will be addressed in more depth in a panel discussion. The theme is relevant since migration is not a voluntary option for everyone. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) there are 43,7 million persons in the world who have been forced to flee their homes. Over 15 million of them are refugees and nearly 30 million internally displaced people (IDP's). In Finland only a small per cent of immigrants are asylum-seekers or refugees. The most common causes for immigration are marriage, work or studying. Between 2006 and 2009 some 2,000 to 3,000 asylum-seeker, quota refugees and their family members have received residence permit in Finland, which is about one seventh of all immigrants.
Oululehti 12 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Drafting of new immigration law
Latvia
A part of the Latvian Government's action plan is to look into the immigration law. This includes looking at new solutions such as immigrant quotas and a bonus point system. - Because of demographers raising alarm that we would have to bring in foreign labor, we have to produce a clear concept about how many and what kind of labor we want to have and on what conditions, said Maira Roze, the deputy head for migration of the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP).
Baltic News Summary 11 March 2012 (in English)
Police: Belarusians are exploiting asylum system
Norway
In the first two months of this year 75 asylum-seekers from Belarus have arrived in Norway. Last year at the same time the number was one. 55 of the 75 asylum-seekers are from the same town. Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and the International Police Immigration Service (PU) in Norway think the asylum-seekers are exploiting the return agreement that Norway has with former Soviet countries. The agreement ensures a return support of 20,000 NOK to asylum-seekers from former Soviet countries who voluntarily return after having been rejected for asylum. – This is definitely organised crime and we view it as exploitation of the system. In addition, we see that many of these people have a criminal background and get involved with crime for profit in Norway, says Eli Fryjordet from PU. UDI has decided to temporarily suspend the return support to Belarusian asylum-seekers, however they are still entitled to help with the return travel.
Dagbladet 12 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 12 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 12 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Less rejected asylum-seekers taking residence in churches
Norway
The number of persons taking residence in churches after having their asylum applications rejected has gone down the last years. – Church asylum is an extreme sport, says Jon Ole Martinsen from NOAS. There is no national overview of how many people are in permanent church asylum but Sven Thore Kloster from the Church of Norway says it is below 10 people in their churches. The Church of Norway does not recommend church asylum and underlines that church asylum is not an alternative to the laws of society. Jon Ole Martinsen from NOAS says that one of the reasons less asylum-seekers choose church asylum is exactly because of the Church of Norway's recommendations. He also points to a different cause, that many asylum-seekers come from countries which the police cannot return them to, consequently leaving the rejected asylum-seekers in the regular reception centres.
NRK 11 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Waiting time for young rejected asylum-seekers in centres is damaging
Norway
- It is very hard to see a young person who is 18 years old sitting in his or her room all day. It deteriorates them slowly, says Britt Tove Sletten who works at a reception centre. Young people above 18 years old who are rejected but where it is difficult to return them to their country of origin may be waiting for a very long time in a reception centre. Geir Ketil Hansen from the Socialist Left Party (SV) says that there is no doubt that young people who are inactive in a reception centre without the possibility of going to school or working are in a very critical position. State Secretary from the Ministry of Justice Pål K. Lønseth disagrees and states that the rule for residence for youth between the ages of 16-18 who are not in need of international protection will not be changed.
NRK 9 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
FP leader calls for amended Swedish refugee laws
Sweden
At the Liberal Party's annual conference, Jan Björklund, the party leader, called for the Swedish refugee laws to be amended. Specifically, he argues that immediate family members who are elderly or sick should be able to be reunited with family resident in Sweden. The rule should only be applied if it is the only alternative available. It existed previously, but was abolished by the former Prime Minister Persson. In general, Björklund calls for a more humane refugee policy.
Södermanlands Nyheter 10 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Industri 11 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Stricter rules being introduced concerning economic migrants
Sweden
People who have had their Swedish asylum applications turned down are looking at ways to become economic migrants. However, to get a work permit, the seeker has to reside outside of Sweden, and many are applying from the Swedish embassy in Oslo without really moving to or living in Norway. In response, the rules are being sharpened, with applicants now having to prove they are not residing in Sweden illegally. Joanna Teglund of the Swedish Church argues the rules are created by bureaucrats divorced from reality.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 10 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Common EU policy regarding quota refugees decided
Sweden
The Council of the European Union has decided to introduce a common resettlement program regarding quota refugees entering the EU. The policy will make it easier for countries to apply for funds that will enable them to develop their ability to receive refugees. Tobias Billström, Swedish Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, lauds the decision, calling it a means to show solidarity with those countries who currently receive the most refugees.
Svenska Dagbladet (http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/gemensamt-flyktingprogram-i-eu_6910901.svd) 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet (http://www.aftonbladet.se/senastenytt/ttnyheter/inrikes/article14494883.ab) 8 March 2012 (in Swedish)
N.B. This story was also covered in Denmark.
Berlingske (http://www.b.dk/politiko/justitsminister-glad-for-solidarisk-vaerktoejskasse) 8 March 2012 (in Danish)
US air strike kills 18 al-Qaeda supporters in Yemen
UNHCR in the news
At least 18 al-Qaeda supporters have been killed in Yemen in a US air strike in Bayda, southern Yemen. The attack last Friday night killed several al-Qaeda leaders. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) the clashes between al-Qaeda and the government of Yemen have forced tens of thousands of people to flee in Abyan province, southern Yemen.
Helsingin Sanomat 10 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Thousands of Malians flee from their homes daily
UNHCR in the news
Fighting between government forces and Tuaregan rebels has turned 160,000 Malians into refugees. Whilst half remain internally displaced, some 22,600 have fled to Burkina Faso, 24,800 to Niger and 34,000 to Mauritania respectively, according to UNHCR. – The majority of the refugees are Tuaregan. They tell us that they do not want to get caught in the crossfire between Tuareg rebels and government forces. Many also fear the bandits who operate in the area, says Helene Caux, press officer at the UNHCR. The threat level has forced humanitarian aid providers to evacuate from the area. Moreover, the risk of famine in the region is real, caused by drought, the spiraling conflict, and guest workers returning from Libya. According to the Red Cross, 80 to 90 per cent of refugees who are females and minors in Niger, are malnourished.
Dagens Nyheter 12 March 2012 (in Swedish)
The people no one wishes to acknowledge
UNHCR in the news
The Rohingya people, who are from western Burma, have during the last few decades been forced to flee from their homes in their hundreds of thousands. The ethnic and religious minority is not recognized by either the Burmese government, opposition, or by most receiving countries, such as Malaysia. As a consequence, many live in squalor, unable to provide education for their children. The UN lobbies for the ability of refugees to return home, and families are provided ID cards by the UNHCR. With more refugees arriving by the day, it is Asia's worst refugee crisis and it has no end in sight.
Svenska Dagbladet 11 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 15 March to Friday 16 March 2012
More rejected asylum-seekers stay in Denmark
Denmark
The number of rejected asylum-seekers with an order to leave but who remain in Denmark has increased from 815 in the beginning of 2011, to 980 at the end of the year. In the case of Afghan asylum-seekers, the long processing times due to challenges with personal identification contributes to the problems, and the readmission agreements with Afghanistan and Iraq are not functioning optimally. Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov will set up a task force to promote voluntary as well as forced return and highlights that it is imperative to send a clear message to the rejected asylum-seekers that the rejection is final. The Danish Red Cross is worried about the long time the rejected asylum-seekers spend in the accommodation centres and state that many develop mental problems after a year. Morten Bødskov is willing, under certain conditions, to look at some ways of improving the time spent in the centres.
Berlingske 15 March 2012 (in Danish)
2012 refugee quota about as last year
Finland
The Ministry of Interior has decided on taking 750 quota refugees in 2012. The refugees received will be 200 Afghan refugees from Iran, 150 Myanmarese refugees from Thailand, 150 Congolese refugees from Rwanda, and 150 Iraqi, Iranian, Afghan and Somali refugees from Turkey. In addition, Finland has 100 slots for emergency cases.
Bulevard 16 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Region preparing to receive quota refugees
Finland
Several municipalities in the Upper-Savo region are preparing to receive a total of 150 quota refugees over the coming years. According to Advisory Chairman Maija-Leena Kemppainen, it is a humanitarian act, as many of the people have previously been living in refugee camps for years.
Iskelmä Oikea Asema 15 March 2012 (in Finnish)
UDI broke own rules
Norway
Last year the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) introduced an accelerated procedure for asylum-seekers who were thought likely not to be in need of protection. Asylum-seekers in this fast track procedure lost their right to counselling with the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS). NOAS protested and the practice was stopped. UDI underlines that anyone with a rejection would subsequently be appointed a lawyer in the appeals procedure.
VG Nett 14 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Internal dispute in the Labour Party on asylum policy
Norway
The return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia has led to a heated debate in Norway. - We call for greater justice and solidarity, says Vegard Grønlie Wennesland, leader of the Labour Party's youth branch in Oslo. He adds that asylum policy will be one of the topics at the annual Labour Party meeting this weekend. A new opinion poll carried out by InFacts show that only 15 per cent of theLabour Party's voters are in favour of the deportation of 450 refugee children. Of all the pople asked half say that the children should stay while 24 per cent say they should be returned, and 24 per cent have no opinion. Internally in the Labour Party there has also been a divide, and some local politicians have criticised the asylum policy openly. Minister of Justice Grete Feramo does not wish to comment on InFacts's survey.
VG Nett 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Adresseavisen 15 March (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 14 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Churches calls for Ethiopian children to stay
Norway
Norges Kristne Råd (Council of Norwgian Churches) is asking the Government to let the children affected by the Ethiopian return agreement stay in Norway. – We think it is unacceptable and inhumane to forcibly return children who have lived in Norway for a long period of time to Ethiopia, says general secretary Ørnulf Steen from Norges Kristne Råd.
NRK 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VårtLand 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NOAS calls for reopening of Ethiopian cases
Norway
Norway's return agreement has spiked a lot of debate the last couple of weeks. The Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) criticises the very grounds for rejection of the asylum-seekers concerned. NOAS says that all kinds of opposition is illegal in Ethiopia, and renders that many of the asylum-seekers may have engaged in activities in Norway which will be viewed as opposition when returning to Ethiopia. –This may be something which was not included in the original grounds for rejection. Therefore, it is important that their cases be re-opened, says Ann-Magrit Austenå from NOAS.
Aftenposten 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Liberal Party calls for deportation halt
Norway
The Liberal Party will put forward seven suggestions in Parliament on Monday which is supposed to help the many asylum children affected by the return agreement with Ethiopia. – We hope that people vote according to their beliefs and what they have stated in the public debate. Many MPs have called for the cases to be put on hold until the government white paper on refugee children is announced, says Trine Skei Grande from the Liberal Party. The Centre Party and The Socialist Left Party are positive towards looking at the suggestions.
TV2 15 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
166 of the 463 refugee children to be deported are under five years old
Norway
New figures from the Directorate of Immigration show that many of the rejected asylum-seeking children who may be deported are very young. Some 463 children are affected; 166 are under 5 years old and 103 are born in Norway. Only 24 of the 463 children are from Ethiopia and may be affected by the recently signed return agreement. The National Police Immigration Service says that no-one will be put on planes the forthcoming days. – The agreement opens up for sending a request to the Ethiopian authorities. Previously, this has been difficult, but now we can do it. Then we start working on the deportations, says Cecilia Johansen from the National Immigration Police Service. It will take weeks before the first returns may take place, if the police manage to track down the people concerned.
VG Nett March 15 2012 (in Norwegian)
Government and the Green Party reach agreement concerning immigration
Sweden
The agreement involves the inspection of how the Swedish Migration Board selects the legal counsel who assist asylum seekers. Moreover, a committee is to be formed which will overhaul how the institution gathers country of origin information, as well as assessing how its decisions and rulings can become more transparent and detailed. The parties still disagree over what rights people without documentation should have to health care and education.
Svenska Dagbladet 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Nyheter 24 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Swedish Migration Board faces criticism over age determining technique
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has let doctors x-ray the wrists of four Afghan refugees in order to determine their age. By using this technique, the SMB has come to the conclusion that the youths are of age. However, the legitimacy of the technique has now been put in question by doctors. According to Carin Oldin, chief physician in childrens health at Jönköping's hospital, the technique is too imprecise to tell the age of a person. The case is of great importance because asylum seeking youths more often receive the right to stay in the country.
Sveriges Television Jönköpingsnytt (http://svt.se/2.82111/1.2742677/metod_att_bestamma_alder_ifragasatts) 14 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Majority believe being coerced into receiving refugee children is wrong
Sweden
The majority of municipalities, governing bodies and organizations who have been asked, believe it is wrong of the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) to force municipalities into receiving unaccompanied minors. They believe it is hard for municipalities to retain constant preparedness, and that it is not good for the children to move to municipalities who do not wish to receive them. The SMB has constant problems finding municipalities who are willing to receive unaccompanied minors.
Svenska Dagbladet 16 March 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR calls for Italy to prepare for Syrian refugees
UNHCR in the news
Of the many refugees fleeing Syria these days, UNHCR estimates that a big part of them will flee to Europe. The refugees will first arrive at the Italian Island of Lampedusa. Therefore, UNHCR now urges Italy to prepare for the influx and start making the refugee centres ready.
DR (http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Ligetil/Dagens_fokus/Udland/2012/03/15135059.htm) 15 March 2012 (in Danish)
Saturday 17 March to Monday 19 March 2012
Elimination of poverty benefits may affect refugees' employment rate
Denmark
The Government's initiative to eliminate poverty benefits make integration more difficult and results in unemployment. – By eliminating the poverty benefits you take away the incentive to work for a large group of society, and that is a big problem, says Ole Steen Olsen at the Danish Chamber of Commerce. According to the Government's own calculations, the elimination of the poverty benefits reduces the employment by 2,000 to 3,000 people who will transfer from employment to cash help. Professor Torben Tranæs from the Rockwool Foundation's Research Unit has previously stated that some of the poverty benefits resulted in refugees being employed faster in the short term, and he agrees that the new framework will make it harder than before for new refugees to get employment. – However, it is almost only the new refugees which will be affected by the elimination of some of the poverty benefits, and that constitutes such a small group of all the refugees and immigrants from non-western countries that it probably will not show on the group's overall employment rate, says professor Tranæs. The Danish Chamber of Commerce adds that the elimination of the poverty benefits may act as a pull factor for immigrants who do not wish to contribute to society at a time where Denmark needs foreign skilled labour in order to create growth.
Berlingske 19 March (in Danish)
Foreign minister: half of True Finns in Parliament are extremists
Finland
The Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, claims that nearly half of the True Finns in Parliament belong to an organized immigration critical faction. He believes the situation is worrying, and argues the success of the True Finns derives from increasing income inequality within Finnish Society. The criticism comes as two active members of the True Finns party have been reported to the police for allegedly threatening a human rights activist.
Hufvudstadsbladet 17 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 16 March 2012 (in Swedish)
PM Jens Stoltenberg defends asylum policy
Norway
At the annual Oslo Labour Party meeting Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg defended the Government's asylum policy saying that the number of asylum-seekers have gone down whilst the approval rate has gone up. – We cannot have a policy which rewards the ones who do not respect decisions. Having a child is not an excuse not to respect decisions which are based on laws and rules, said Stoltenberg. – I say this because we must deal with the difficult choices. We cannot have a certain policy one day and then the next day be against the consequences of that policy, Jens Stoltenberg said.
Møre Si Nettutgåve 16 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 16 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
PM Jens Stoltenberg's asylum policy defeated by own party
Norway
One of the topics on the agenda for the annual regional meetings of the Labour Party was the recently heavily debated party's asylum policy. The Labour Party in Oslo voted in favour of putting on hold the cases of 463 children who have lived more than three years in Norway, and are in danger of being deported, some because of the return agreement with Ethiopia. They also agreed that the cases should be put on hold until the Government publishes its white paper on refugee children this summer. At the annual meetings held in regions Møre and Romsdal and in Hordaland, similar suggestions were voted in favour of. Hordaland even made a proposal that would grant residence to all well-established families with children who have lived long in Norway. The region Aust-Agder voted against granting residence and putting the deportations on hold.
FriFagbevegelse.no 17 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 18 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Agderposten 18 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 18 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NOAS sceptical to doubling of aid to Ethiopia
Norway
- I do not think it is a coincidence that the return agreement with Ethiopia has gone through at the exact same time we see an increase of the aid, says Ann-Magrit Austenå from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), alleging the agreement is special as no third independent party is used to administer the aid for re-integration efforts. Torgeir Larsen from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismisses the alleged connection between aid and return agreement. – They are two completely separate things, says Torgeir Larsen. He adds that the return agreement is placed under the Ministry of Justice where as the aid is under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Pål K. Lønseth says that the question of aid was not a part of the negotiations on the return agreement with Ethiopia, but also states that he does not know to what extent it has influenced the willingness to sign the agreement.
Aftenposten 17 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NOAS: Men without families most likely to be the first forcibly returned
Norway
According to the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) single men without families will most likely be the first Ethiopians to be forcibly returned. – We do not think that there will be a mass-deportation of Ethiopian families right away. National Police Immigration Service (PU) will most likely attempt to forcibly return a limited number of rejected asylum-seekers to see how the agreement works in practice, says Jon Ole Martinsen from NOAS.
Aftenposten 16 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Unaccompanied minors not welcome in every fifth municipality
Sweden
Many municipalities do not wish to receive unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers and refugees, arguing they have insufficient resources to cope. However, soon the arguments might be meaningless as the government is preparing a law proposal that could force municipalities to receive unaccompanied minors. The proposal is caused by increasing numbers of children arriving, with reception centres failing to meet the demand. However, the proposal is meeting criticism from municipalities, as exemplified by local politician Monica Widnemark (S), who claims it is wrong for municipalities to be forced.
Sveriges Television Smålandsnytt 19 March 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: lack of aid to Western Sahara
UNHCR in the news
Even though the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has stated that there is a lack of 32 million US dollars for refugees in Western Sahara, UN, EU, and ECHO have cut off funds. Every third child under the age of five living in the refugee camps in Western Sahara is malnourished. Half of all the children suffer from anemia. There is only food enough to cover the need of half the 165,000 people living in the fragile tents in the desert of south west Algeria. The cut off in funding means that 70 per cent of all the money needed to run the camps are yet to be found.
Arbejderen 19 March (in Danish)
Malmström: EU mismanaged the Arab Spring refugees
UNHCR in the news
The EU Commissioner of Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, is calling EU's handling of the refugee crisis emitting from the Arab Spring to be a mistake of historic proportions. The criticism is based on the fact that the EU does not receive those who are in acute need of refuge. – UNHCR made an appeal, stating they had a list of 8,000 people who were in acute need of protection and asked the whole world to receive them as quota refugees. Together, EU's 27 countries managed to offer 4-500 places, says Malmström. It is her aim to finalise a common European refugee policy, but sees immigration-critical parties in Europe as a grave threat for the policy's realisation.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 17 March 2012 (in Swedish)
TV 4 17 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 17 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Worry over mass refugee flows emitting from Syria
UNHCR in the news
Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey are increasing their capacity to receive many more than the 30,000 refugees who have so far fled Syria. – In situations of large refugee outflows anywhere in the world to a neighbouring country, we have experts whom we can send down on short notice. We have personnel and supplies and can quickly establish a camp, says Hanne Mathisen, spokeswoman for the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic countries. – The most important thing is that borders remain open and that the refugees are registrered, says Mathisen. With regards to Syria, Mathisen highlights UNHCR's focus on humanitarian needs and the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees living within Syria, saying some of them have been forced to flee within Syria. Dana Sleiman at the UNHCR office in Beirut: – We are distributing food, blankets and hygiene products. And we are trying to bring psychologists when we make house calls, as some refugees are traumatised. Over 500 refugee children have been helped to continue their education.
Göteborgs-Posten 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 Nyheterna 15 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 16 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Tuesday 20 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012
Two parties in Government want to improve conditions of tolerated stay
Denmark
The Social-Liberal Party (R) and the Socialist People's Party (SF) want to change the conditions for foreigners on tolerated stay. According to Zenia Stampe (R) foreigners on tolerated stay should have the opportunity to move out of Sandholm asylum centre and be allowed to work. Last year there were 41 foreigners on tolerated stay. Tolerated stay primarily concerns people who have served their sentence and on top of that been sentenced to deportation. However, they cannot be deported due to the UN Refugee Convention, which prohibits deportation of people in risk of torture, persecution or receiving a death sentence in their home country. Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov disagrees with R and SF and says the Government has no plans to change the rules of tolerated stay for people who have received sentence to be deported because of committing crime or people who have been excluded on the basis of having committed war crimes.
Børsen 20 March 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 20 March 2012 (in Danish)
DR 20 March 2012 (in Danish)
Estonian government earmarks money to repatriates
Estonia
For years, Estonia has been giving financial assistance to repatriates and this year it has allocated 61,557 EUR for the purpose. The assistance targets some 60 Estonians to return to their homeland. The maximum amount a returning Estonian can apply for is 2,000 EUR.
BNS 19 March 2012 (in English)
Alajärvi negative to receiving quota refugees
Finland
The municipality of Alajärvi does not want to receive resettled refugees. Insufficient financial compensation is one of the main reasons given for the decision.
Ilkka 20 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Government and Socialist Left Party did not yield on asylum policy
Norway
On 19 March, the Liberal Party (V) put forward in Parliament 12 individual proposals to change the current asylum policy. One of the proposals included the re-opening of rejected asylum-applications concerning children who have lived in Norway more than three years. However, V was only supported by the Norwegian Christian Democratic Party (KrF). Minister of Justice Grete Faremo, supported by both the Conservative Party (H) and the Progress Party (FrP), disagreed with the proposals. – It is obvious that very few will choose voluntary return, if they by ignoring the rejection long enough will be granted residence, said Grete Faremo and added that introducing a form of amnesty is not the right way to go. The Government will address the situation in its white paper on refugee children to be published this summer.
Dagbladet 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Abc Nyheter 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Utrop 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Socialist Left Party accused of speaking with two tongues on asylum policy
Norway
When the Liberal Party (V) put forward its proposals to change the current asylum policy in Parliament this Monday, the government member Socialist Left Party (SV) voted against even though the party was in favour of the proposals. The party is criticised by the Norwegian Christian Democratic Party (KrF) and the Progress Party (FrP) for speaking with two tongues. Heikki Holmås from SV answers the criticism by stating that the party prioritises to have the entire Government behind a change in the asylum policy.
Aftenbladet 19 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Majority of Norwegian voters in favour of strict asylum policy
Norway
In a new opinion poll carried out by Respons, some 53 per cent of the people asked say that the deportation of 450 asylum children should be put on hold until the Government has published its white paper on refugee children. 24 per cent think the deportations should take place as planned. When asked if the asylum policy should be liberalised, 32 per cent think the rules should stay as they are today and 35 per cent think that the rules should be stricter. These answers conflict with the question of whether or not asylum children who have stayed in Norway more than three years should be granted residence, to which 50 per cent said yes and 25 per cent said no. – It is not possible to have your cake and eat it too in a fair manner. To introduce a rule which gives children the right to stay after three years because the majority is in favour would entail a significant liberalisation of the asylum policy, says Pål K. Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. He adds that the opinion poll shows the dilemma of this issue. Trine Skei Grande from the Liberal Party (V) views the opinion poll as positive and states that it shows the voters want to strengthen the rights of a limited groups of asylum-seekers - the children.
TV2 Nyhetene 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagen 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
2,434 refugee children have returned to their home countries during the last three years
Norway
Every day for the past years, between two to three children have returned to their home countries after having had their asylum applications rejected in Norway. The return of the children has not received anywhere near the same amount of attention as the current case of the 450 refugee children in danger of being deported. As many as 73 per cent of the 2,434 cases have been deportations. As of 1 March this year 1,173 children who had received final rejection on their applications lived in reception centres. – That they remain in the reception centres is the choice of their parents. They put the children in a difficult position when they chose to stay, says Mange Løve from the National Police Immigration Service (PU). Løve adds that he is afraid that feelings will decide the asylum policy, but he understands that it is difficult to leave Norway after having lived in the country for a long time.
Arbeidets Rett 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Doubling of Ethiopians seeking voluntary return
Norway
Before 15 March this year 27 rejected asylum-seekers affected by the return agreement with Ethiopia had applied for voluntary return. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) that number is now 60. The applications come from both families, single women, and men. – It is more than we expected and we are very pleased, says Gry Aalde from UDI. Jens Ole Martinsen from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) does not consider 60 people a large number. – That means 90 per cent are so afraid that they would rather be escorted by the police and returned without any form of support than return voluntarily. This is a very clear signal, which shows how these people view their own situations.
VG Nett 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Left Wing party probes Billström concerning Pastor Jean
Sweden
In a parliamentary debate, Christina Höj Larsen (V) asked the Migration and Asylum Minister, Tobias Billström, how it helps Pastor Jean that his asylum application was dealt with in a correct asylum determination procedure, when he was later tortured post deportation. The Minister defended the Swedish asylum process, stating the pastor had received an asylum decision in accordance with the rule of law. He did however state that the Government has appointed an overhaul of the country of origin information that is used when deciding upon asylum cases. The Minister also argued that Sweden on the whole has received a good grade concerning asylum cases in comparison to international standards, referring to a report published by UNHCR. Larsen was not happy with the response, arguing it is merely a matter of time before Sweden yet again is found guilty by the UN Committee Against Torture, which would be for the twentieth time.
Dagen 21 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Turkey failing to provide refugee status to fleeing Syrians
UNHCR in the news
Instead, Turkey defines those who have fled from Syria as guests, reducing in theory their right to free movement, access to education and healthcare, and the ability to work. Amnesty International, the EU and Human Rights Watch are criticizing Turkey's interpretation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which only grants refugee status to those of European origin. However, Metin Corabatir, spokesperson of UNHCR in Turkey, defends Turkey's position: – Turkey would be inundated by new refugees if the exception was removed due to its geographic proximity to Iran, Iraq and Syria. Although it is UNHCR's position that all countries should fully endorse the UN Refugee Convention, the organisation does not share Amnesty's criticism of Turkey. – It is a completely different issue. Those who come from Syria are seeking protection from the violence, they are not attempting to travel to a third country or receive asylum. Instead, Corabatir praises the responsible position Turkey has taken – immediately after people from Syria started arriving, the Turkish government pronounced that the borders would remain open, that no one would be forced back to Syria and that their needs would be satisfied. UNHCR provides technical support to the refugee camps run by Turkey and the Red Crescent. According to Corabatir, the refugees receive food three times a day, there are schools as well as lessons held in Arabic, and they are afforded temporary protection. – It is more than satisfactory how the refugees are treated. The most important thing now is that they are in safety and are protected.
Dagens Nyheter 20 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio 20 March 2012 (in Swedish)
IKEA provides more than 500 million SEK to charities
UNHCR in the news
Previously, IKEA has received fierce criticism for its lack of support to charitable purposes. However, IKEA is now increasing its donations considerably. In 2011, a total of 587 million SEK was given, an increase by 44 per cent in relation to the previous year. The organisation's aim is however to donate a total of 1 billion SEK. Amongst the receivers is UNHCR. During 2011, a 3 year project was started with UNHCR to reach out to the 120,000 refugees living in the Horn of Africa. The donation is described as the largest ever private donation made to UNHCR.
Smålandsposten 21 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 22 March to Friday 23 March 2012
PM calls for more IT to be used in internal security
Estonia
The Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip calls for the coming IT agency for Justice and Home Affairs to become a centre of excellence. The PM praised the EU Commission's attempts to reform the Schengen system. The reforms include more supervision concerning border crosses which will "reduce risks related to illegal migration."
Baltic News Summary 22 March 2012 (in English)
Finnish Immigration Service to learn about sexual minorities
Finland
The Finnish Immigration Service has requested the Association for Sexual Equality (SETA) to provide its employees with training on issues of sexual orientation, the basic concepts concerning sexual identity and, for example, appropriate interview practices. The aim is to improve the immigration officials' capacity to recognise individuals who apply for asylum on the basis of persecution for their sexual orientation or sexual identity. The Finnish Immigration Service has come under criticism for deporting homosexual asylum-seekers to countries where homosexuality is considered a crime or even can lead to a death sentence.
Yle Uutiset 22 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska Nyheter 22 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Yle News 22 March 2012 (in English)
The child's best interest does not overrule other considerations
Norway
On 21 March a parliamentary debate about asylum policy took place. PM Jens Stoltenberg stated that it is important to consider the child's best interest, but it should not overrule other considerations. - We want a fair and predictable set of rules. That is why we cannot open up for a system which awards people who cheat with their identity, and give wrong information about where they come from. Moreover, we cannot give special treatment in cases where parents push their children in front of them, said PM Jens Stoltenberg. In addition, he said that softening the rules for the children in question would be a pull factor for parents as well as siblings since families make up 40 per cent of all asylum-seekers. The PM added that the asylum policy must be fair and asked what he should tell the 600 children who were returned last year if the rules are liberalised now. Jens Stoltenberg announced possible changes to the asylum legislation by limiting the current comprehensive right to appeal. These changes may already be announced in the Government's white paper later this year.
VG Nett 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
2,500 asylum-seekers looking for housing
Norway
During the debate in Parliament on Wednesday 21 March Jens Stoltenberg argued that the people in need of protection should be the ones in focus. - The idea behind handling managing the asylum policy is to take care of the ones in need of protection. Our problem is that there are 2,459 people in the reception centres right now in need of housing, who have been persecuted and need protection, but that the municipalities say 'no' to. My problem is to find housing for the ones who need it. And that is why we cannot find room for more people, said PM Jens Stoltenberg.
Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen 21 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Police: More difficult to deport criminal asylum-seekers than families
Norway
In 2011 the National Police Immigration Service (PU) was ordered to increase the return rate of asylum-seekers to 4,600 per year, which means an average of 20 returns per working day. Oslo police representative Eirik B. Wilmann argues that the process should be changed. – If PU could use its resources as it sees fit, without being controlled from above, it would be content with 3,000 deportations per year. This would free resources to, in cooperation with other police districts, deport the people that society really does not wish to be here. These are people who sell narcotics, rape, rob, and break into peoples' homes, Erik B. Willmann says. He adds that he would rather see one criminal asylum-seeker be put on a plane and deported than ten tax-paying families with children. The Chief of PU Ingrid Wirum disagrees with the statement and refers to numbers showing that there was an increase of 50 per cent in deported convicted criminal asylum-seekers last year. State Secretary from the Ministry of Justice Pål K. Lønseth is also very pleased with PU's efforts.
VG Nett 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Klassekampen 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Minister: No connection between return agreement and aid to Ethiopia
Norway
The Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim answers accusations from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) by stating that there is absolutely no connection between the return agreement with Ethiopia and the increase in aid to the country. - When we have increased development assistance, it is because Ethiopia is one of Africa's biggest success stories, both in terms of economic and social development. Amongst other things, it is one of the countries in the world that has done most to meet the Millennium Development Goals, says Erik Solheim.
The Foreigner 20 March 2012 (in English)
Per Sandberg (FrP) wants DNA-testing in cases of family reunification
Norway
The Progress Party's Per Sandberg (FrP) believes that comprehensive family reunification should be changed. – It is the family reunification policy that makes it unmanageable and difficult to integrate, especially for the municipalities. But if this has to carry on, we must use DNA-testing to make sure that the children have the right father, says Per Sandberg. He adds that families should be reunited in the place where they have the largest collective attachment. Per Sandberg criticises the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) for giving the refugees a formula to have more wives and children coming to Norway. According to UDI, refugees from some countries may have to make difficult choices because they have more than one wife. Snorre Sæther from UDI answers Per Sandberg's criticism by saying that it is important to prevent these situations, but cannot guarantee that some may bend the rules. In that case he adds a divorce is the solution.
NRK 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 22 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Continued internal dispute in the Labour Party
Norway
Local members of the Labour Party (AP) want the asylum children affected by the Ethiopian return agreement to stay in Norway. At a meeting in Akershus on 24 March the youth wing will put forward a proposal that Akershus should ask the Government to put the possible deportations on hold until the Government's white paper is published this summer. – The Government's white paper on refugee children was supposed to be published one year ago, now we hope that it will include some changes that may include these children. As these children have been here for many years, we should be able to postpone the decisions for three more months, says Elin L`Estrange from the youth branch of the Labour Party.
Østlandets Blad 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Deported Iranian convert faced death threats in home country
Norway
Iranian convert Behrooz Kafaei Zendehel had his asylum application rejected by the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) on the grounds that there was no risk connected with his Christian faith when returning to Iran. However, after being deported and arriving in Iran he was put in jail for some days. Bishop Tor Berger Jørgensen has been involved in the case and has talked to Behrooz Kafaei Zendehel after his arrival in Iran. – He has been threatened several times that he would be killed the next morning. You can only imagine what kind of threat that is, the Bishop says. Behrooz Kafaei Zendehel has managed to flee to Turkey where he got help from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and has applied for asylum. The Bishop does not think UNE has the qualifications needed to judge the religious beliefs of a person, and says that is the reason why Behrooz Kafaei Zendehel has ended up in this unfortunate situation. The Bishop is supported by other Bishops as well as the Norwegian-based humanitarian organisation Iran Human Rights.
Nettavisen 20 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Head of SÄPO new Director-General for Swedish Migration Board
Sweden
On Thursday morning it was announced that Anders Danielsson, the current head of the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO), will become the new General-Director of the Swedish Migration Board (SMB). – I have worked within the police force and the judicial service for 30 years and I regard the SMB and the migration issues as a part of the judicial service. He continued, stating – I am continuing my work in upholding human rights. He says the largest challenge he faces is to have short processing times and guarantee that the asylum seekers have access to an asylum determination procedure in accordance to the rule of law. Danielsson will take up his new post on the 23rd of April.
Dagens Nyheter 22 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Televison Sydnytt 22 March 2012 (in Swedish)
More families to be reunited
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have jointly requested to receive 132 million SEK in order to handle all the applications from Somali families to be reunited with their families in Sweden. After two years of no applications having been processed, 20,000 Somalis are expected to apply the coming two years. The goal of the SMB is to have the families reunited as soon as possible. Many children live in harsh conditions in their home countries. Two years ago the Migration Court of Appeal decided that all Somali reunification applications should be stopped due to their ID papers not being approved. However, this year the Court did a u-turn, which means that the SMB needs to process a backlog of 12,000 applications. This is estimated to take two years. Several municipalities are now expecting hundreds of children and are subsequently appealing to the government for assistance.
Dagens Nyheter 22 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Norra Sidan 22 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 24 March to Monday 26 March 2012
More people seeking asylum in EU than last year
Denmark
New statistics from Eurostat show that 301,000 people applied for asylum last year in the EU-countries. That is an increase of 40,000 compared to both 2010 and 2009. France was the country with the most applications; 56,300. Compared by population Malta, Luxembourg, and Sweden received the most applications for asylum. Most asylum-seekers seeking asylum in the EU come from Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria. The EU asylum system has been under pressure last year, and at least 60,000 people illegally entered Greece. The Ministers of Justice from the member states are currently looking into how to solve the problem at the EU's external borders.
DR 23 March 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 23 March 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 23 March 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 23 March 2012 (in Danish)
NB: This story was also covered in Norway
Hegnar 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Traumatised refugees in statistics of early retirement benefits
Denmark
The number of immigrants of non-western origin on early retirement benefits has ten-doubled the past 20 years. In1990 the number was 2,979 compared to 27,375 in 2010. – It is very obvious that if you look at some of the nationalities of the refugees, they make up a large part of the people on early retirement benefits. We know from the people who process these cases that there are some traumas of war which are the cause of the early retirement, says researcher Marie Louise Schultz-Nielsen from the Rockwool Foundation. The Government is currently working on reforms concerning early retirement benefits. The Danish People's Party will put forward a proposal stating that refugees may only receive these benefits if they have lived in Denmark four fifths of their lives from age 15.
Berlingske 26 March 2012 (in Danish)
BT 26 March 2012 (in Danish)
Eurostat: Estonia has few asylum-seekers in relation to the EU
Estonia
Eurostat recently published a report stating Estonia to be the third most unpopular country for third country nationals to seek asylum in. This is true both in relative and absolute terms, with a mere 85 applications. In 2011, 15 applicants were granted asylum, of whom 5 were granted the status as refugees. In total, 301,000 people sought asylum in the EU during 2011.
Baltic News Summary 23 March 2012 (in English)
Latvia faces highest levels of illegal immigration in the Baltic region
Latvia
One of the key countries of origin for the illegal immigrants is Georgia. Latvia is predominantly used as a transit country for asylum-seekers who are seeking refuge in Western Europe and Scandinavia. Lithuanian police is now seeking to uphold its border guard liaison office desks in Georgia and Belarus. During the past two years, the number of illegal immigrants has risen steadily, with several seeking asylum before escaping holding centres to proceed to their intended country of destination.
Baltic News Summary 24 March 2012 (in English)
PM: Lithuanians' negative attitude towards immigrants will change slowly
Lithuania
Lithuania's Prime Minister, Andrius Kubilius, says negative attitudes amongst Lithuanians towards immigrants are a problem, and it will take time to change public opinion. He is now calling for a long-term strategy that will address, amongst other things, the level of bureaucracy facing labour immigrants. He also called for a shift in Lithuanian mentality so that labour immigrants are increasingly seen as such. Some experts are warning Lithuania's administration that the country might face a shortage of skilled labour after an economic recovery occurs.
Baltic News Summary March 24 2012 (in English)
Less asylum-seekers but higher approval rate of applications
Norway
New statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) show that 9,053 people applied for asylum in 2011. This is a decrease of about 50 per cent in number of asylum-seekers compared to numbers in 2009 when the number was 17,226. – The decrease is especially significant in the number of Russian asylum-seekers, with 42 per cent less than in 2010, says UDI Director Ida Børresen. The largest groups of asylum-seekers come from Somalia, Eritrea, and Afghanistan. As the number of applications has dropped the approval rate has gone up from 41 per cent in 2012 to 52 per cent in 2011. The processing time for applications has also been speeded up so that the average today is about 6 months compared to a few years ago when it was about 9 months.
Utrop 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
U-turn in Labour Party's regional support on asylum policy
Norway
Last weekend during the annual regional Labour Party (Ap) meetings, four regions voted against the current asylum policy, sending PM Jens Stoltenberg and the Government the message that the party was split on the issue. This weekend seven out of eight regions voted in favour of the current asylum policy, which meant that they do not want to put on hold the cases of 450 asylum children in danger of being deported. – That seven regions vote in favour of the Government's decision show a broad support for the overall asylum policy. There are many children who stay in Norway, but that does not mean that everyone who has children can stay, says Ap's party secretary Raymond Johansen. He adds that giving amnesty to these 450 children would be a liberalisation of the policy, which would eventually lead to an increase in the number of asylum-seekers in Norway.
Bergens Tidende 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
ABC Nyheter 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
VG Nett 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NOAS: Put cases of asylum children on hold
Norway
As the first of the 450 asylum children facing deportation has been sent to Sarajevo with her family, the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) continues to call for a hold of return of asylum children who have lived long in Norway. Jon Ole Martinsen from NOAS says that these cases, which may fall under the changes being made in the Government's white paper on refugee children to be published this summer, ought to be put on hold until the white paper is official. He stresses the fact that the cases involve children who are now rooted in Norway.
VG Nett 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
TV2 23 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Asylum-seekers detained for years
Sweden
There are several people whom after having been sentenced to be deported, are either imprisoned or detained for years. This is because the deportation has not been carried out due to multiple reasons. One of them is 20 year old Kinado, who has been imprisoned for 2,5 years because he cannot be deported. Although having been sentenced to be deported, he lacks ID documents and his home country Zimbabwe is unwilling to accept his return. Despite not having committed a felony, he is not allowed visits or leave, and is locked in his cell between 14-15 hours per day.
Sveriges Television Västmanlandsnytt 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Terrified Syrians flee their home town
UNHCR in the news
After days of intense fighting, the exodus of inhabitants from the town of Saraqeb has intensified. Meanwhile, on the Syrian-Turkish border, landmines have been placed by the Syrian army. According to UNHCR, 40 000 Syrians have been forced to flee the country, with many more being internally displaced.
Yle 24 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska Nyheter 24 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagbladet 25 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 27 March to Wednesday 28 March 2012
Large drop in number of family reunifications
Denmark
According to Statistics Denmark, the number of residence permits given on the basis of family reunification has dropped by 39 per cent in 2011 from 2010. Persons with Thai and Filipino nationalities continue to be the largest groups given residence on the basis of family reunification. Simultaneously the number of residence permits given in connection with asylum applications has increased with 6 per cent in 2011 from 2,124 to 2,250 cases. Statistics Denmark points to the fact that new stricter rules regarding family reunification were introduced last year, making it more difficult to be eligible.
Politiken 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
DR Nyheder 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
Border guards allocated funds for operations in Georgia and Belarus
Latvia
The Latvian government has allocated more than 113,800 Euro to retain the border guard liaison desks in Georgia and Belarus comes as the EU ends its role as project financier. The liaison officers train Georgian border guards in detecting fake travel documents and help Latvian embassy staff in inspecting Schengen Visa applications. The liaison offices also represent the interests of Lithuania and Estonia.
Baltic News Summary March 27 2012 (in English)
Radical Islamic cleric Mullah Krekar sentenced to five years in prison
Norway
Norway has not been able to deport Mullah Krekar to Iraq since he might be persecuted when returning. Now he has been sentenced to five years in prison for making death threats towards a former government minister and several Muslims who he believed had abandoned their faith. He has appealed the ruling. Krekar came to Norway as a quota refugee in 1991, but Norway has later tried to deport him from the country. Krekar has openly voiced his support for Islamic terrorists and encouraged holy war. Krekar has been declared a threat towards national security in Norway.
Aftenposten 26 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Views and News from Norway 26 March 2012 (in English)
New statistics on unaccompanied minors
Norway
Statistics Norway (SSB) has just published a report about unaccompanied minors and their participation in the labour market as well as in educational institutions. - 46 per cent, or two out of three, of the unaccompanied minors were either in employment or in education at the end of 2009. This is much lower than the total population, where 85 per cent is in employment or in education, states SSB. Amongst Norwegians with an immigrant background the number is 83 per cent. The report also shows that the level of activity of unaccompanied minors differs according to age and nationality.
Utrop 27 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Faults found at accommodation centres for unaccompanied minors
Sweden
After an investigation, 45 out of 115 accommodation centres for unaccompanied minors have been found to be negligent in their documentation of provided treatment to the youth. During the last two years, 5,000 unaccompanied minors have entered Sweden, most of them stay at accommodation centres. The head of supervision at the National Board of Health and Welfare, Per-Anders Sunesson, says the situation is completely unacceptable. The journal is important as it documents what efforts have been made for these youths. In one incident, a youth was described a lot of painkillers, without the dosage having been documented.
SVT Rapport 27 March 2012:1 (in Swedish)
SVT Rapport 27 March 2012:2 (in Swedish)
Minister Gunilla Carlsson: Sweden should not arm Syrian rebels
Sweden
After a recent visit to Turkey, Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation, states that Sweden is prepared to help those in need, and believes a peaceful resolution is needed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is awaiting a report by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNHCR which is to estimate the financial cost of helping Syrian refugees. According to OCHA, 135 million dollars are needed the next three months. Meanwhile, UNHCR has already estimated costs to reach 84 million dollars the next 6 months.
SVT Rapport 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Government expert on apathetic refugee children joins extremist party
Sweden
In 2005, doctor Thomas Jackson was appointed by the former Government as an expert for a commission that examined the mental health of apathetic refugee children. Citing Jackson as its main source on the issue, the commission stated a possible cause of the syndrome was that the children were simulating their mental state. In an interview with the state run Swedish Television, Jackson stated – I argue that the parents are encouraging, or are close to forcing the children to lie sick and still. It has now emerged that the doctor has joined a right-wing party called "Svenskarnas Parti".
Expressen 28 March 2012 (in Swedish)
SVT Kulturnyheterna 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio P4 Norrbotten 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Hela Hälsingland 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio P1 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Västerbottens Folkblad 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Nyheter24 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Metro 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Refugees forced to wait for municipality places
Sweden
During the last ten years, Sweden has seen a large scale increase of unaccompanied minors seeking refuge in the country. The trend is striking; in 2002, 500 were welcomed, by 2012 some 3,100 are expected. This has led to a lack of homes available for the minors; this is partly caused by some municipalities refusing to accept the minors. As an effect, many are forced to live for months in reception centres. As of today, 400 unaccompanied minors are awaiting homes to be allocated to them.
TV4 Nyheterna 26 March 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR warns the lives of 16,000 refugees are in danger
UNHCR in the news
There is renewed conflict between Sudan and South Sudan along their mutual border. The fighting is amongst the worst experienced since South Sudan became independent. UNHCR is now warning that the lives of 16,000 refugees are in danger, as their camps are in the vicinity of the violence-ridden border zone.
SVT Rapport 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 Nyheterna 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftenbladet 27 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Turun Sanomat 28 March 2012 (in Finnish)
20 per cent increase of asylum-seekers to industrialised countries
UNHCR in the news
New statistics from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) show people seeking asylum in 44 industrialised countries have increased from 368,000 in 2010 to 441,300 in 2011. Southern European countries have experienced the largest influx of asylum-seekers of which many have arrived by boat to Italy and Malta. The largest group of asylum-seekers were from Afghanistan with 35,700 applications to the industrialised countries last year, an increase of 34 per cent from 2010. According to UNHCR, the turmoil in West Africa and in the Arab world was reflected in record levels of asylum-seekers from Côte d'Ivoire, Libya, Syria, and other countries in 2011 with 16,700 more claims than in 2010. The number of asylum-seekers in 2011 was the highest since 2003, when more than 505,000 applications were registered in industrialised countries. – Still, it is important to put these figures in perspective. The number of asylum claims received across all industrialised countries is still smaller than the population of Dadaab, a single refugee camp in northeast Kenya, says António Guterres the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees.
Berlingske 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
VG Nett 27 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
BT 27 March (in Danish)
NRK 27 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
P4 27 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
DR P1 27 March 2012 (in Danish)
Dagens Nyheter 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Göteborgs Posten 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Borås Posten 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Aamulehti 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Helsingin Sanomat 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Ilta-Sanomat 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV3 Uutiset 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Vasabladet 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Yle 27 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Österbottens Tidning 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Thursday 29 March to Friday 30 March 2012
New Human Right's Commissioner focuses on immigrants' rights
Latvia
Nils Muižnieks, the new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights from Latvia, says that among other issues he will focus on immigrants' rights. - Migration is currently criminalised, migrants are placed in short-term detention facilities as soon as they arrive in a country. Migrants have minimal rights, and children who have arrived in a country on their own are especially unprotected, says the Commissioner. Muižnieks adds that he is determined to look into living conditions in asylum centres. - Central and Eastern European countries, which used to be emigration countries, are now becoming immigration countries, Muižnieks says. Moreover, he finds the issue of non-citizens and especially non-citizen children in Latvia and Estonia to be very pressing.
Baltic News Summary 29 March 2012 (in English)
More asylum-seekers to Europe, but less asylum-seekers to Norway
Norway
New statistics from the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) show that the number of asylum-seekers is almost half that of 2009. Meanwhile the number of asylum-seekers to Europe has increased by 40,000 people in 2011. Ida Børresen from UDI states that the main reason for the decrease in Norway is the tightening of the asylum policy. She adds that Norway has a strict asylum policy in line with other European countries. Andreas Furuseth from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) finds it is misleading to think that Norway has a liberal asylum policy. NOAS would like to see that asylum-seekers were more evenly spread out in the European countries. UNHCR has recently published statistics on asylum-seekers registered in 44 industrialised countries, showing an increase from 368,000 claims in 2010 to 441,300 in 2011.
NRK 29 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Agreement reached concerning reception centres for asylum-seekers
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has successfully reached an agreement with ten municipalities concerning the creation of a total of 1,221 temporary reception centre places for asylum-seekers. The places will be available in May. In 2012, some 31,000 people are expected to apply for asylum in Sweden and there is subsequently large pressure on reception centres. SMB and the municipalities are now to see how for example access to education and healthcare is to be secured.
Dagens Nyheter 29 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 29 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Östran 30 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Sweden receives criticism from UN's Committee against Torture
Sweden
A Bangladeshi man who had been rejected asylum and ordered to leave Sweden has now been granted permanent residency. The decision came after Sweden received criticism from UN's Committee against Torture (CAT) who ruled that the man risked being tortured if sent back. The man was persecuted and tortured in his country of origin because of his political activism and sexual orientation. Sweden has received criticism from CAT multiple times, such as the 2001 deportation of the two Egyptians Agiza and Al Zery.
Dagens Juridik 28 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Custodians of unaccompanied minors lack education
Sweden
A recent study has found the quality of the accommodation centres for unaccompanied minors to be lacking in terms of activities offered, the qualification of the personnel and ability to handle psychologically unstable youth. The nation-wide association of legal guardians (GMF - Riksförbundet Gode Män och Förvaltare) argues that many custodians lack the competence required. Currently, there is no required education to become a custodian. GMF is calling for obligatory education of custodians. According to GMF every fifth minor is unhappy with the help they have received from the accommodation centres.
Sveriges Television Rapport 29 March 2012:1 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Rapport 29 March 2012:2 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Rapport 27 March 2012:3 (in Swedish)
Saturday 31 March to Monday 2 April 2012
Five people in prison after Right-wing rally in Aarhus
Denmark
89 people were arrested and five are now in prison after a demonstration held by anti-Islamic and right-wing organisations. The demonstration evoked a counter-demonstration for diversity. The imprisoned people participated in the counter-demonstration. Most of the demonstrators came from other parts of Denmark or from other European countries.
Copenhagen Post 30 March 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 31 March 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 1 April 2012 (in Danish)
N.B. this story was also covered in Sweden and Finland
Göteborgs Posten 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Expressen 31 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Yle Uutiset 31 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Shortcomings in language analysis for asylum-seekers in Finland
Finland
The Swedish Radio has revealed shortcomings in language analyses conducted by the company "Skandinavisk Språkanalys Ab – Sprakab for the Swedish Migration Board (SMB). SMB uses this company to determine an asylum-seeker's country of origin. The same company has done most of the language analyses ordered by the Finnish Immigration Board during the past two years. However, the Finnish Immigration Board says language analysis is only part of the evidence used in assessing asylum claims. The Finnish Refugee Advice Centre and other refugee lawyers say language analysis is often the decisive factor when determining a person's country of origin. The UN Refugee Agency questions language analysis and underlines that the analysis should be of a certain national standard. Hanne Mathisen from UNHCR states that migration authorities should not put too much emphasis on the language analysis.
Svenska Yle Radar 30 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Immigrant prisoners face racism
Finland
A recent report shows prisoners with immigrant background face racism in Finland. The scholar Helena Huhta says all prisoners with Arabic or African background included in the research had experienced racism. The prisoners face racism from other prisoners and guards. There are some 3,300 prisoners in Finland, some 12 per cent of them have a foreign background.
Yle Uutiset 2 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Rejected asylum-seekers cannot always be deported
Finland
Some people who have been refused asylum in Finland cannot be deported and are waiting in limbo. The Finnish Aliens Act forbids deportation to places in conflict or war and therefore the police cannot execute all deportation orders. Those who cannot be deported, have no residence permit, no social security number, no right to healthcare - except for emergency care - and no official documents. According to Stina Hafrén, lawyer at the Finnish Refugee Advice Centre, these persons should get a temporary residence permit. However, the Finnish migration authorities say a temporary residence permit is a problematic status and underline that one can always return voluntarily.
Yle Svenska Radar 30 March 2012 (in Swedish)
Routes to Norway for illegal immigration
Norway
Norway is one of the most popular destinations for human-smugglers of asylum-seekers. In a recently published report Europol describes how human-smugglers monitor in which European countries it is best to apply for asylum. – A safe country where you can have a future, a place where it is good to live for you and your children. In addition, there is a network of people who already come from the same countries. Furthermore, the asylum- and immigration policy plays a role, says researcher Jan-Paul Brekke. Norway receives fewer asylum-seekers today compared to 2009. The police believe that the tightening of the country's asylum policy was quickly observed by asylum-seekers and human-smugglers, and this explains a part of the decrease.
NRK 31 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK Lørdagsrevyen 31 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Private providers of reception centres make hundreds of millions in profit
Sweden
Currently, around 40 private companies, including Carema and Attendo, run reception centres for unaccompanied minors. Of these, a third had a profit margin of more than 15 per cent in 2010, with some registering a 30 per cent profit margin. Municipalities are also making a profit; as the state provides a fixed sum per day per unaccompanied minor, municipalities are able to make a profit by providing cheaper than normal services. This occurs in Uppsala, where unaccompanied minors who have turned 18 are moved to flats with no staff. By implementing this policy, Uppsala municipality made a ten per cent profit from the state subsidies it received. Uppsala municipality is the largest receiver of unaccompanied minors in Sweden.
Sveriges Television Rapport 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
S politician faces criticism over his private reception centres
Sweden
The National Board of Health and Welfare and municipalities have directed fierce criticism towards privately run reception centres for unaccompanied minors. The reception centres were previously owned by Jan Emanuel Johansson, a Social Democratic politician. The criticism has emerged after the revelation that the privately run centres have insufficient staffing, poor quality care including disrespectful treatment of minors, and rundown homes. In one home, 1 out of every 3 SEK of state funding has been registered as profit. Johansson sold his ownership of the company but still owns shares in the venture capital firm that currently runs the centres, of which he receives annual dividends.
Sveriges Television Rapport 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Östran 2 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Nyheter 24 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Expressen 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Few Roma receive asylum
Sweden
Nearly all Roma who seek refuge in Sweden have been denied asylum. One of them is 15 year old Gjansu who was held as a sex slave in her country of origin before fleeing. The Swedish Migration Board argues that her protection needs cannot be proven.
Sveriges Radio P1 1 April 2012 (in Swedish)
100,000 forced to flee in Pakistan
UNHCR in the news
Intense battles between government forces and members of the Taliban and al-Qaeda rebel forces have forced 100,000 civilians to flee northern Pakistan. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) states that the situation for the civilian population has worsened lately and warns that more people will be forced to flee. – On an average there are more than 2,000 families arriving to the refugee camps every day, and the number is growing, says UNHCR. Rebel groups with ties to the Taliban and al-Qaeda have killed more than 5,000 people since 2007, when the Pakistani Government began to fight these groups in the northern part of the country.
Jyllands-Posten 30 March 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 30 March 2012 (in Danish)
Yle Uutiset 30 March 2012 (in Finnish)
Møre si Nettutgåve 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 30 March 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 3 April to Wednesday 4 April 2012
Parliament scraps bill that sought to change citizenship law
Estonia
The opposition Center party has seen its bill which sought to reform the current citizenship law voted down in Parliament by the current Government. The bill sought to grant citizenship at birth to all children born in Estonia regardless of the citizenship of the child's parents, provided the parents had a long-term residence permit. The Center party also wished to exempt citizenship applicants of 65 years and over from the Estonian language test. Similar bills were defeated in 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Baltic News Summary 3 April 2012 (in English)
Court believes in asylum-seeker
Finland
The District Court of Kymenlaakso has rejected the charges against a Somali asylum-seeker accused of false statements to the authorities. The language analysis showed the asylum-seeker was from northwest Somalia or Djibouti, when she herself claimed to be from southern Somalia. There was also contradicting information regarding the woman's educational background. However, these contradictions were not considered as sufficient proof of a false statement regarding the asylum-seeker's native place.
Kymen Sanomat 3 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Supreme Administrative Court halts deportation of homosexual man
Finland
The Supreme Administrative Court has begun to process a Zimbabwean homosexual asylum-seeker's claim. During this procedure no deportation can take place. Homosexuality is forbidden by law in Zimbabwe. In January the Supreme Administrative Court halted the deportation of an Iranian homosexual asylum-seeker.
Yle 2 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Act on integration difficult for many municipalities
Finland
In Finland most immigrants live in the capital area. According to the new Act on integration, integration support should increasingly be achieved through services bought from immigrant organizations. This creates problems for municipalities outside the capital area that often lack immigrant organizations to buy the services from. The new law came into force in August 2011.
Yle Svenska Nyheter 3 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Reception centre opens its doors to citizens with disabilities
Lithuania
A reception centre in Rukla, providing state support for integration of unaccompanied minors and people granted asylum in Lithuania, now opens its doors for adult Lithuanian citizens with disabilities. It is to accommodate up to 40 people with disabilities coming from other social care institutions. Since 2009, the flow of asylum-seekers to Lithuania has declined significantly thus reducing the number of persons living in reception centres. As a result, last year it was decided to extend the activities of the centre - to provide long-term and short-term social care for adults with disabilities. All people granted asylum and unaccompanied minors, are accommodated in a single residential building and the second building has been adapted for new activities.
DELFI Žinios 30 March 2012 (in Lithuanian)
Lietuvos Rytas 30 March 2012 (in Lithuanian)
Balsas 30 March 2012 (in Lithuanian)
Minister of Justice and Public Security sued by 340 Ethiopians
Norway
In January Norway signed a return agreement with Ethiopia. Now 340 of the rejected asylum-seekers in danger of being deported are suing the Minister of Justice and Public Security Grete Faremo stating they will risk persecution if sent back to Ethiopia. – It is against Norwegian law to return these people, says Girum Zeleke who represents the 340 rejected asylum-seekers. Seleke adds those who are forcibly returned to Ethiopia are in danger because of the dictatorship. The Ministry of Justice is informed about the lawsuit through the lawyer Bent Endresen. Communication advisor Tonje Torsgard at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security says it is too early to comment as they have not yet received the lawsuit.
Aftenposten 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fri Fagbevegelse 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Hegnar 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenbladet 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad Blad 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Utrop 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Positive signals from the Supreme Court on homosexuality
Norway
On 29 March 2012, the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled on a case regarding a male homosexual asylum-seeker from Iraq. The man had previously been rejected asylum by the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI), the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board) UNE as well as by the District Court and Jury Court. The previous rulings stated that even though the man was in danger of persecution if returned to his home country, he would be able to hide his sexuality due to the socio-cultural norms of the country. The new Supreme Court ruling states that it is not enough to refer to socio-cultural norms on a general level, and individual assessment must be carried out. If a person hides his or her sexual orientation in fear of being persecuted, this should give grounds for asylum. The ruling is in line with the guidelines from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) which state that a person cannot be expected to hide his or her identity in fear of persecution.
Blikk 2 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Municipality travels to Kenya to assess needs of refugees
Sweden
Växjö municipality is expected to receive 700 Somalis who are to be reunified with their families. In order to be well prepared to meet the needs of the refugees, municipality representatives are to travel to refugee camps in Kenya to interview several of the families who are to move to Växjö.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 2 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Politician ran reception centre without permit
Sweden
Jan Emanuel Johansson, a Social Democrat politician who is criticised for profiteering from the running of reception centres, has now been found to have failed to apply for required permits. In order to legally run a reception centre for unaccompanied minors with severe social issues, a permit needs to be provided by the National Board of Health and Welfare. However, during eight months, one of Johansson's reception centres, which is supposedly specialised in taking care of such minors, operated without a proper permit. It has also emerged that the staff lacked competence in the field. As a consequence, the staff has been unable to properly treat the minors, which has, amongst other things, led to one minor being prosecuted for criminal activity. The centre receives 6,700 SEK per day per minor, in relation to the 2,000 SEK provided for minors lacking severe social issues.
Nyheter24 3 April 2012 (in Swedish) (http://nyheter24.se/nyheter/inrikes/675948-jan-emanuel-drev-flyktingboende-utan-tillstand)
Late payments constitutes a worry for refugees
Sweden
Every month refugees receive their state payments nine days late. This is proving to be worrisome for people that have as yet not mastered the Swedish language, as they are forced to, amongst other things, pay their rent late every month. The Swedish Public Employment Agency in Borås is now calling for the Government to examine the current procedures.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 2 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR is extremely concerned about Mali
UNHCR in the news
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) the security as well as the political situation continues to worsen in Mali. Thousands of people are fleeing from their homes after the coup. Everyday during the last week, 400 people have crossed the borders from Mali into Mauritania and Burkina Faso. Many have had their money and personal belongings stolen whilst fleeing. – We are increasing our aid to refugees from Mali in the entire Sahel region. These people suffer from acute lack of drinking water and food, states UNHCR.
Framtid i nord 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Haugesunds Avis 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
UNHCR: refugees from Sarajevo still in need of help
UNHCR in the news
The siege of Sarajevo in 1992 and the subsequent collapse of Yugoslavia created two million refugees. 20 years later the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) still has Sarajevo as a priority. – Today most of the people who had to flee their homes during the conflict from 1991 to 1995 are back in their original setting. But the remaining refugees and internally displaced persons in this part of Europe is still one of the five cases that UNHCR prioritises highly. An international donor conference will be held later this month, which UNHCR hopes will provide 500 million Euros of promised aid.
VG Nett 3 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
UNHCR: young North Africans not coming to Europe
UNHCR in the news
Fewer young North Africans seek towards Europe. – In general people tend to stay when they see a positive development in their own country, which is the case now in more North African countries, explains Laura Boldrini from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). She builds her statement on numbers from UNHCR that are yet to be published. The numbers show 759 registered refugees on the Italian coasts from January to March this year. Same time last year the number was 20,000, and previous years also saw numbers higher than 2012. Laura Boldrini adds that there are always more refugees in spring and summer. Moreover, she does not expect the unrest in Syria to create a bigger influx of refugees to the EU, since many Syrians have already fled to Libya, Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.
Politiken 4 April 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 4 April 2012 (in Danish)
BT 4 April 2012 (in Danish)
Greeks take frustrations out on illegal immigrants
UNHCR in the news
The frustration of the Greeks now hits the more than one million illegal immigrants, who everyday face racist and violent assaults in Greece. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has documented 63 racist assaults within the past three months alone. The real number is estimated to be much higher. Most of the immigrants live illegally in the country and are therefore afraid to report the assaults to the police or the authorities.
Kristeligt Dagblad 4 April 2012 (in Danish)
Thursday 5 April to Wednesday 11 April 2012
Asylum-seekers avoid Denmark
Denmark
The number of asylum-seekers to Europe increased by 19 per cent last year, whereas the number of asylum-seekers to Denmark decreased by 23 per cent during the same period. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has recently published statistics showing an uneven influx of asylum-seekers to Europe. Eva Singer from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) says there is no systematic research on why asylum-seekers choose one country over another. However, one reason could be that human smugglers advise asylum-seekers where it is easiest to obtain asylum. According to Zenia Stampe from the Social Liberals the only sensible solution to this uneven distribution of asylum-seekers is to have a common EU policy. The Danish People's Party is opposed to an even distribution of asylum-seekers in EU, arguing it would lead to an increase in asylum-seekers in Denmark.
Jyllands-Posten 8 April 2012 (http://jp.dk/indland/article2744561.ece) (in Danish)
Politiken 7 April 2012 (http://politiken.dk/indland/article1590699.ece) (in Danish)
BT 10 April 2012 (http://www.bt.dk/danmark/asylansoegere-holder-sig-fra-danmark) (in Danish)
DR 7 April (http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2012/04/07/220349.htm) (in Danish)
The Copenhagen Post 10 April 2012 (http://www.cphpost.dk/news/international/asylum-seekers-avoiding-denmark) (in Danish)
More Syrians seeking asylum in Denmark
Denmark
In just three months, 222 Syrians have applied for asylum in Denmark, compared to 463 during 2011. Deputy Police Inspector at Sandholm asylum centre, Claus Birkelyng, states that it is easy to conclude that this is a consequence of the unrest in the region, but there have also been many asylum-seekers of Kurdish origin from Syria seeking asylum on various grounds.
Berlingske 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
BT 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
Increase in number of retired refugees and immigrants going home
Denmark
Statistics from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) show and increase in refugees and immigrants moving back home voluntarily from 370 in 2010 to 613 in 2011. Vagn Klim Larsen from DRC states that the largest groups to return voluntarily are elderly Bosnians, Turks, and Serbs. According to DRC, the rise of people repatriating is caused by the increase in financial support in 2010 to refugees and immigrants returning voluntarily. DRC advises immigrants to think carefully before returning as they lose their rights in Denmark immediately after leaving. A refugee can keep his or her rights by returning to Denmark within one year.
DR 9 April 2012 (in Danish)
Politiken 10 April (in Danish)
BT 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
Kristeligt Dagblad 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
MetroXpress 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
TV2 Østjylland 10 April 2012 (in Danish)
Decrease in number of naturalised new citizens
Estonia
During the first quarter of 2012, a mere 166 people were granted Estonian citizenship. In comparison, the same period last year saw 366 people being granted citizenship. There are currently close to 97,000 people with undetermined citizenship living in Estonia, a number which has steadily decreased since the country regained its independence. In 1992, stateless residents accounted for 32 per cent of the population, a figure which has currently fallen to 8 per cent.
Baltic News Summary 5 April 2012 (in English)
Increase in number of persons granted asylum
Estonia
During the first quarter of 2012 four persons were granted asylum in Estonia, an increase from the same period last year. The authorities also received 16 asylum claims during the same period. According to Eurostat, Estonia is an unpopular country to seek asylum in. Last year, Estonia received 85 asylum claims, the lowest number amongst EU member states. In comparison, its neighbouring countries Latvia and Lithuania, received 340 claims and 535 claims respectively.
Baltic News Summary 9 April 2012 (in English)
Municipalities not interested in receiving refugees
Finland
Municipalities received around 1,100 refugees and asylum-seekers last year. The Ministry of the Interior's goal was the double. In September 2011 the new integration law came into force; prolonging the financial compensation to municipalities for receiving refugees from three to four years. Despite this change, the willingness to receive refugees has not increased. Last year only 15 per cent of the municipalities opened their doors for refugees. For example Muurame municipality says that the financial situation makes it difficult for them to receive refugees. This year the demand for municipality places has decreased due to fewer asylum-seekers and is now 1,700 places.
MTV 3 Uutiset 8 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Forced return of Ethiopians continue as planned
Norway
More than 300 rejected asylum-seekers from Ethiopia have sued the State, arguing that the return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia should be stopped. Pål K. Lønseth State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, says that the deportations will be carried out as planned and that those who have been rejected asylum must return. Girum Zeleke, who represents the Ethiopians who have sued the State, says that many now consider church asylum. Pål K. Lønseth states that church asylum is not the solution. He points out that the Norwegian authorities will not give in to people choosing church asylum.
Fri Fagbevegelse 4 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 4 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Asking for 93 million NOK to return asylum-seekers
Norway
Norwegian police and the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) wants to spend 93 million NOK in order to return some 800 rejected asylum-seekers. The police states that about half of the 800 people will be forcibly returned. State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Pål K. Lønseth, is positive towards the suggestion and adds that it is important with an efficient return policy. However, confirming the identity of the rejected asylum-seekers is often a problem states the National Police Immigration Service (PU).
NRK 10 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 10 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sweden directs aid towards Sahel region
Sweden
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has decided to redirect 32 million USD to the Sahel region, with a special focus on West Africa. This is in order to prevent a famine in the region, which is unstable for a number of reasons, amongst them the recent coup in Mali. The money is to be given to organisations such as UNICEF, UNHCR and FAO, which are providing humanitarian assistance. The region is experiencing a dry period which is longer than usual, with subsequent signs of malnourishment in children. Around 15,6 million people lack stable food supplies.
Sveriges Radio 7 April 2012 (in English)
Aftonbladet 7 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonkuriren 8 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sweden to help fund Syrian refugee response
Sweden
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is to give 30 million SEK for providing humanitarian assistance to those internally displaced in Syria. The aid is to be given to organisations that are active in the country. The decision is a response to an appeal for funds from the UN organisations OCHA and UNHCR.
Dagens Nyheter 5 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Industri 5 April 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 Nyheterna 5 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Increase in number of Somalis seeking asylum
Sweden
The number of people seeking asylum has increased dramatically during the first quarter of 2012. A decision by the Migration Court of Appeal, which made it easier for Somalis to be reunited with their families, is believed to be the cause of the rise in the number of Somalis seeking asylum. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of asylum-seekers. This has led the Swedish Migration Board to increase the prognosis of the number of asylum-seekers to seek refuge in Sweden during 2012.
Dagens Nyheter 6 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Göteborgs Posten 6 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 6 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Swedish Migration Board's staff often faces violence at work
Sweden
In 2011, a total of 349 incidents were reported. Of them, 58 included violence against staff. According to Annette Carnhede, Chair of the Union of Civil Servants (ST), the situation is very serious. More than half of the incidents occurred at centres where rejected asylum-seekers await to be returned to their country of origin. According to a questionnaire commissioned by the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), 13 per cent of those asked has experienced violence or threats at work. ST argues that an increased pressure on its staff, inadequate time and need for more resources, can partly explain the problem. It also calls for increased staff education.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 9 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 9 April 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 Nyheterna 9 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Asylum-seeker deported to the wrong country
Sweden
The Swedish border police deported a rejected asylum-seeker to the wrong country. Instead of being sent to Iran, the man was sent to Iraq. Subsequently, the man has been held in an Iraqi police cell for 1,5 years. UNHCR has confirmed his detainment. He has been charged with falsely alleging to be an Iraqi citizen, which could lead to 15 years imprisonment. The man's legal representative in Sweden has finally managed to persuade Swedish officials to become involved in the man's case. The legal representative now hopes he will be allowed to return to Sweden as a quota refugee.
Dagens Nyheter 5 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR, UNICEF, and WHO ask for money to Sahel region
UNHCR in the news
- Children are the victims. In the worst case scenario many children will die, many families will suffer, says Anthony Lake from UNICEF during a press conference held with WHO and UNHCR. The Sahel region is heavily affected by drought, high food prices, and regional conflict.
VG Nett 11 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 10 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 12 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagsavisen 12 April 2012 (in Norwegain)
Thursday 12 April to Friday 13 April 2012
New immigration rules implemented next month
Denmark
The Government, which was elected last year, now seeks to keep its promises regarding adjustments in the immigration laws. Some of the changes include removing the point system, abolishing the immigration test, and eliminating some application fees. – We will be getting a new immigration policy that will better reflect the political sentiment, says Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov. He adds that the 24-year rule and the affiliation requirement will remain - but that in the future the immigration laws will be used more to promote integration in Denmark. Immigration lawyer, Åge Kramp, argues that although the adjustments are a step in the right direction, the shift is inadequate and the Danish immigration policy will still be far too harsh.
The Copenhagen Post 12 April 2012 (in English)
Jyllands-Posten 12 April 2012 (in English)
Study proposes higher threshold for some family reunification
Finland
A new study on family reunification proposes that an income requirement could be applied also for persons granted humanitarian protection and who want to be reunited with their families. The report by the Finnish Ministry of the Interior also proposes that another study should be conducted to consider if a person already residing in Finland would need to meet specific housing standards before his or her family members could be granted residence permits. The new study will now be circulated for review and comment.
STT 11 April 2012:1 (in Finnish)
STT 11 April 2012:2 (in Finnish)
Yle Uutiset 11 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle News 11 April 2012 (in English)
Yle Svenska Nyheter 11 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Hufvudstadsbladet 11 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Turun Sanomat 11 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Kainuun Sanomat 11 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Kouvolan Sanomat 11 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Five Ethiopians returned without force
Norway
According to the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) and the National Police Immigration Service (PU), only five Ethiopians have returned so far, and none were forcibly returned. Ethiopian authorities require Norwegian police to take fingerprints of the people that are to be returned in order to provide correct travel documents. However, the Norwegian police is thus far uncertain if it has the authority to do so, which is the reason why so few have returned. Girum Zeleke, from the University of Stavanger and of Ethiopian origin, says that taking fingerprints will jeopardise the returnees' lives once they return to Ethiopia, as many of them have used fake identities. He adds that they will face severe punishment for falsification of documents.
VG Nett 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Palestinian refugee camp in Oslo torn down
Norway
For a year, 23 rejected Palestinian asylum-seekers have lived in a self-made refugee camp in the middle of Oslo. A decision from the municipality has now ordered the Palestinians to tear down the camp. One of the asylum-seekers says that the removal of the camp occurred in agreement with the municipality, but they did not really have any other choice. The rejected asylum-seekers have been offered to live in accommodation centres, but they want to be visible to the public. As one of the asylum-seekers says:– We are working politically for a fair asylum policy, which means that we have to stay in Oslo and be visible.
VG Nett 12 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 12 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NORCAP world's most active emergency force
Norway
Norwegian Capacity (NORCAP) is an emergency force that has existed for 20 years and is currently the world's most active. Nearly 80 per cent of its missions are for the UN, and of these a third is for UNICEF and UNHCR. Currently, 70 per cent of the organisation's work is in North Africa and the Middle East.
Bistandsaktuellt 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Refugees face lack of accommodation
Sweden
Växjö municipality is expecting 500 Somali refugees who are to be reunited with their families during this year. As there is already a lack of accommodation in the municipality, the municipality has asked the neighbouring municipalities for help in providing accommodation. However, none of the neighbouring municipalities are prepared to help. Hence, the newly arrived refugees will have to expect to live in crowded flats with their already settled families.
Sveriges Radio P4 10 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: Up to 800,000 Afghans returning the next two years
UNHCR in the news
The past year, hundreds of thousands refugees from Afghanistan have returned to their homes. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that about 400,000–800,000 Afghan refugees will return within this year and next year. Most of the refugees live in camps around Kabul. The camps are in poor condition and UNHCR is currently negotiating with the Afghan Government to get its support to establish 40 new and better camps.
DR 13 April 2012 (in Danish)
Saturday 14 April to Monday 16 April 2012
Minister of Labour warns of unsuccessful integration
Finland
The unemployment rate is three times higher among immigrants compared to native-born Finns. Minister of Labour Lauri Ihalainen sees this as one sign of unsuccessful integration. He says foreign-born persons are a big resource. If integration is not done in the right way there is a risk that Finland will have two separate labour markets, says Ihalainen. He adds that the State will invest more money to provide education to immigrants already at an earlier stage.
Yle Uutiset 14 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska nyheter 14 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Taloussanomat 14 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Liberal Party attacks Government asylum-policy
Norway
At the Liberal Party's national convention, party leader Trine Skei Grande attacked the current Government's asylum policy. Skei Grande stated that the Liberal Party wants deportation of asylum children to be put on hold temporarily. She added that the practice must be one that focuses on the best interest of the child. She also warned against punishing the asylum seeking children who have grown up in Norway for their parents' or grandparents' mistakes.
VG Nett 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fri Fagbevegelse 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Møre si Nettutgåve 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Adresseavisen 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
UN wants answers on Ethiopians' return
Norway
In a letter to the Norwegian authorities, the UN questions, among other things, how Norway can guarantee the safety of Ethiopian returnees. The letter, signed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights of Migrants, François Crépeau, states that the agreement does not have any guarantees that the asylum-seekers will not be exposed to harassment, persecution, discrimination or prosecuted upon return. In the letter, Crépeau is also critical of how the money that the Ethiopian asylum-seekers receive when they return will be used. Moreover, the UN is concerned about the part of the return agreement which states that Norwegian authorities commit to giving the Ethiopian authorities as much information as possible about the asylum-seekers.
NRK 14 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Sweden received most unaccompanied minors in Europe during 2010-2011
Sweden
According to the Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC) Sweden receives most unaccompanied minors in Europe. From 600 asylum applications in 2006, the number has increased to 2,500 annually during the last few years. In comparison, a mere 800 and 1,300 sought asylum in Norway and Great Britain respectively in 2011. According to Mikael Ribbenvik, Director for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), the reason why unaccompanied minors arrive to Sweden is that they have good chances of obtaining asylum.
Dagens Nyheter 15 April 2012 (http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/flest-ensamma-barn-till-sverige) (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 15 April 2012 (http://sverigesradio.se/sida/gruppsida.aspx?programid=83&grupp=10974&artikel=5066219) (in Swedish)
Trelleborgs Allehanda 15 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Östran 15 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: 181,000 people fleeing fighting in Pakistan
UNHCR in the news
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) states that 10,000 new refugees arrive to its camp in Jalozai every day. – Most of them, up to 85 per cent, choose not to stay in the camp, but try to stay with family and friends or rent rooms elsewhere, states UNHCR. UNHCR has distributed more than 37,000 emergency aid kits lately. The fighting in Pakistan has intensified since mid January.
Aftenposten 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
UNHCR helps Turkey with Syrian refugee influx
UNHCR in the news
According to diplomats the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) sent 1,500 tents and 1,500 blankets to Turkey this week. Turkey has started to ask for international assistance and aid in handling the influx of Syrian refugees. Around 25,000 Syrian refugees now live in refugee camps in Turkey.
VG Nett 13 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 17 April to Wednesday 18 April 2012
UN criticises Denmark concerning racist assault on refugee family
Denmark
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination criticises Danish police for not investigating the case of an assault on an Iraqi refugee family in 2004. The Iraqi refugee family was attacked in their home by 35 youngsters – some of them armed. Four of the attackers were convicted of violence, vandalism and illegal possession of weapons, but a possible racist motive for the assault was never investigated. The family has unsuccessfully tried to take the case of racism to court. The Committee recommends that Danish authorities give the family a suitable compensation for material and moral damages caused by violations of UN conventions. The Committee also recommends that Denmark reviews its policy and guidelines on prosecution of alleged racial discrimination and racially motivated violence.
Ringkøbing Skjern Dagbladet 16 April 2012 (in Danish)
DR 16 April 2012 (in Danish)
Jyllands-Posten 16 April 2012 (in Danish)
The Copenhagen Post 17 April 2012 (in English)
Opposition fought against new family reunification rules
Denmark
The Conservatives (C), the Liberal Party (V), and the Danish People's Party (DF) all voted against new family reunification rules making it easier for small children to stay with their families. However, the Government had sufficient support in Parliament when the agreement was negotiated in February. The legal amendments mean that children up to eight years old can be reunited with their families without the so-called integration evaluation. The Danish People's Party remains very critical of the changes and says that the Government is undermining the current rules. The Red-Green Alliance (Ø) is pleased but would like to see more changes in the same direction.
Berlingske 17 April 2012 (in Danish)
Oulu opens a clinic for paperless persons
Finland
A clinic for undocumented immigrants will open in a couple of weeks. Four doctors and two nurses have volunteered to work for the clinic. – There are around twenty to thirty paperless immigrants in Oulu, says Hannu Rahikainen, Head of the Deaconess Institute in Oulu. A similar clinic in Helsinki treated some 300 paperless persons last year.
Yle 17 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Lapin Kansa 16 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Lääkärilehti 16 April 2012 (in Finnish)
UDI expects to return Ethiopians soon
Norway
Despite the return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia, very few rejected asylum-seekers have returned to Ethiopia. One of the issues delaying the process is that the Norwegian police doubt it has the authority to take fingerprints of the returnees. The Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) views it as a practical problem, which will be solved soon. – Last week 68 people had sought to return voluntarily. As far as I know, the police have not carried out any forced returns yet, states Åsmund Eide from UDI.
Dagbladet 16 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 16 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Decrease in number of asylum-seekers
Norway
So far, 2,077 persons have applied for asylum in Norway this year, a decrease of three per cent compared to 2011. The most important source countries of asylum-seekers are Somalia, Afghanistan and Eritrea. The number of unaccompanied minors has also decreased in the first three months compared to the same period last year. Afghans constituted the largest group of unaccompanied minors with a total of 98 people seeking asylum. The Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) and the National Police Immigration Service (PU) have temporarily stopped giving financial aid to people returning to Belarus, and as a result the number of asylum-seekers from Belarus has decreased significantly.
Dagbladet 17 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Church of Norway deeply concerned about asylum policy
Norway
The Church of Norway's recent church meeting showed an unanimous deep concern for the 450 children living as paperless immigrants in Norway. The church community is also concerned about converts being returned to countries where conversion is not accepted. – We expect the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) to listen to pastors, deaconesses and others who have thorough knowledge of the convert's story of conversion when the credibility of the person is evaluated, states the Church of Norway.
Vårt Land 17 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Swedish Migration Board's facilities face criticism
Sweden
Two of the Swedish Migration Board's facilities face criticism. One is a reception centre in Fellingsbro, which is specialised in accommodating pregnant asylum-seekers and asylum-seekers with children. Staff at the centre has sent a letter to the Government, informing that the infrastructure is not sufficient to meet the needs of the centre. The other case concerns an asylum unit in Boden. An investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsmen criticises the unit for having long processing times and for how they conduct asylum cases of unaccompanied minors.
Sveriges Television Tvärsnytt 16 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Nordnytt 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Green Party demands new law concerning family reunification
Sweden
In 2011, the Green Party and the Government agreed upon the framework of a new immigration policy. The Green Party agreed to help the Government in order to secure the reunification of Somali families residing in Sweden with their children, but it has now emerged that the parties differ in their understanding of what they concluded. A promised alteration of the family reunification laws was never enacted. Instead the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy argued that a precedence-setting case in the Migration Court of Appeal would be sufficient to secure the reunification of families. However, judges have interpreted the ruling differently, which has caused 100 cases to be rejected. Consequently, the Green Party is demanding a new law, which will secure the reunification of families.
Dagens Nyheter 18 April 2012 (http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/mp-kraver-ny-lag-om-aterforening) (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 18 April 2012 (http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=5069977) (in Swedish)
Angelina Jolie gets new UNHCR role
UNHCR in the news
For ten years, Angelina Jolie has been working as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, visiting refugee centres in countries such as Iraq, Pakistan and Haiti. She has now been appointed Special Envoy of High Commissioner António Guterres. In her new role, she will represent the organisation on a diplomatic level, where she will focus her efforts on large scale humanitarian crises, such as those gripping Somalia and Afghanistan. - I do not think you need a rocket scientist to see the benefits that she is bringing in terms of the attention she is getting for the plight of the world's displaced, says Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for UNHCR in Geneva. - Angelina Jolie is very knowledgeable about displacement issues and has the ability to communicate in a way which raises interest and empathy. She is taken seriously by heads of state, says Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson for UNHCR in the Nordic countries. When asked if there can be a conflict between Angelina Jolie's commercial interests and her work for the UN, Mathisen replies that it is a potential problem which applies to all Goodwill Ambassadors. - It is important that the person has integrity which does not disturb the tasks he or she is given and that the artistic work and family life do not overshadow this. It is our impression that Jolie has the necessary integrity - she is genuinely concerned with the issue and has been an amazing Goodwill Ambassador for us, Mathisen adds.
Aftenposten 18 April 2012 p: 19 (in Norwegian)
Dagens Nyheter 18 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Gotlands Tidningar 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Helsingborgs Dagblad 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Gefle Dagblad 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Södermanlands Nyheter 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Göteborgs Posten 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Bohusläningen 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Ekuriren 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Hallands Posten17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Norrbottens Kuriren 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Länstidningen Östersund 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Ångermanland och Örnsköldsvik Allehand 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
meny.nu 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sundsvalls Tidning 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Vestmanlands läns Tidning 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dalarnas Tidningar 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Ttela 17 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Yle 18 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle Svenska Nyheter 18 April 2012 (in Swedish)
MTV3 18 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Jyllands-Posten 19 April 2012 (in Danish)
Hegnar 18 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
TV2 Go' 18 April 2012 (in Danish)
Refugee Woman of the Year in Uganda
UNHCR in the news
Uganda has chosen its first Refugee Woman of the Year. The Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) has already awarded 15 refugee women in Finland and decided to hand out a similar award in Uganda where FRC has worked for a long time. FRC, UNHCR and Uganda's ministry responsible for immigration were part of the award committee.
Kansan Uutiset 16 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Thursday 19 April to Friday 20 April 2012
New task force to battle human smuggling
Lithuania
Lithuania's new Minister of the Interior, Arturas Melianas, has set up a task force to improve coordination of prevention and control of human smuggling. The task force will analyse national and international legal acts as well as other documents and procedures, before submitting proposals on how to improve the Lithuanian system. The task force is expected to work for a few months and submit their proposals by October this year.
Baltic News Summary 20 April 2012 (in English)
Liberal Party gaining support
Norway
An opinion poll by Aftenposten shows a 3.5 per cent rise in the Liberal Party's popularity after the Party's national convention last weekend. The party would receive 7.8 per cent of the votes, had the election been today. This equals 14 seats in the parliament compared to its current two seats. – It is very encouraging, it is about people wanting a proper change with a better environmental policy and a humane asylum policy, says Trine Skei Grande, leader of the Liberal Party.
Stavanger Avisen 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Trønder-Avisa 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Hegnar 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
ABC Nyheter 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Østlands-Posten 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagbladet 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Swedish Migration Board accused of breaking ethical guidelines
Sweden
A man was requested to attend a meeting at the Swedish Migration Board's (SMB) office in Karlstad, believing he was to receive a notification. Instead, the police were hiding in an adjacent room, ready to arrest him. The action contravenes SMB's ethical guidelines.
Dagens Nyheter 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Västerbottens Kuriren 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Victims of human trafficking often lack support when returning home
Sweden
The majority of victims of human trafficking return to their home countries after a judicial process. Normally the state in which the exploitation is taking place should help the returnees finance their move. In Norway the authorities help the victims financially, but in Sweden returnees need to seek donations from a private foundation. Usually a sum of 25,000-50,000 SEK is needed in order for individuals to return home to a safe environment. According to Ekot, only six returnees out of 21, live in security.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 21 April to Monday 23 April 2012
Free health clinic for illegal immigrants a success
Denmark
The much debated free health clinic in Copenhagen for illegal immigrants has been a success. It has seen more than 500 requests the first six months of its existence. The organisations running the free clinic have now expanded the opening hours with one extra day. The patients at the clinic are from Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. They seek dental care and various other treatments. A large part of the patients are pregnant women. Before the clinic opened the police said it would keep an eye on the clinic, but the police have not visited the clinic so far.
Politiken 23 April 2012 (in Danish)
BT 23 April 2012 (in Danish)
DR 23 April 2012 (in Danish)
Deputy Ombudsman criticises immigration officials and police
Finland
Deputy Ombudsman Maija Sakslin criticises the Finnish Immigration Service and Helsinki immigration police for slow processing time of residence permit applications. According to the law, an application for residence permit on the basis of family reunification should be processed within nine months. However, in one particular case the processing time took up to 18 months. Maija Sakslin says the time limit should only be exceeded in exceptional circumstances.
Yle Uutiset 20 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 20 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Aamulehti 20 April 2012 (in Finnish)
MTV 3 Uutiset 20 April 2012 (in Finnish)
No liberal asylum policy
Norway
At the Progress Party's (Frp) national convention this Sunday, party leader Siv Jensen stated that the Party will not support a government that it is not a part of. Moreover she stated that there will be no liberal asylum policy in Norway, thereby rejecting the Liberal Party's idea of a less strict asylum policy.
VG Nett 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Fri Fagbevegelse 22 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nationen Politikk 22 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Avisa Nordhordland 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Indre Akershus Blad 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Lawsuit from 342 Ethiopians rejected
Norway
A few weeks ago more than 340 paperless Ethiopians sued the State on the grounds that the recently signed return agreement between Norway and Ethiopia was a violation of human rights, and all returns should be halted until the lawsuit was carried through. On 17 April 2012 the office of the Attorney General rejected the case. According to the Attorney General's office the asylum applications are not based on the same factual and judicial grounds and should therefore be assessed individually. The Attorney General's office also states that the general security situation does not indicate that all plaintiffs upon return are in real danger of capital punishment, torture or other forms of inhumane or degrading treatment.
Aftenbladet 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Vårt Land 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Somali refugees bring most family members to Norway
Norway
Almost all asylum-seekers from Somalia seeking asylum in Norway are given residence permits. In 2011 some 1,334 Somalis arrived in Norway through family reunification. However, 51 per cent of the Somalis are also rejected family reunification. According to the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI), the reason for rejection is that many do not reach the income threshold, and sometimes there may be doubts about the identity and family relation. The reunification of families creates extra pressure on the need for municipalities to find housing.
Aftenposten 22 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
1,173 rejected asylum children living in centres
Norway
By March this year 1,173 rejected asylum children were living in reception centres in Norway. In total these families account for 2,087 persons including adults and children. If an asylum-seeker is rejected by the Norwegian Directorate for Immigration (UDI) and does not appeal, or appeals but is rejected by the Norwegian Immigration Appeals Board (UNE), the decision is final and the person is obligated to leave the country.
Avisen Agder 19 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Somalis find work in the forest
Sweden
The combination of a lack of lumberjacks and the difficulty for immigrants to find work, has led to a new project in the Swedish province of Dalarna. The project is run by the National Board of Forestry, in which a group of Somalis are educated to become lumberjacks. The first participants are now to start working in the forest.
Sveriges Radio P1 19 April 2012 (in Swedish)
SMB receives internal criticism over trap set against asylum-seeker
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board's (SMB) office in Karlstad is receiving substantial internal criticism for luring an asylum-seeker into the office on false pretexts, in order for the police to arrest the individual.
Göteborgs Posten 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Värmlandsnytt 20 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Värmlands Folkblad 23 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Municipalities are to be forced to receive unaccompanied minors
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) is finding it difficult to find sufficient municipalities willing to receive unaccompanied minors. Consequently, Tobias Billström, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, argues that it will probably be necessary to allocate unaccompanied minors to municipalities. The question is to be taken up in Parliament. Many municipalities are critical of receiving minors, mainly due to economic arguments. Last year, a record number of 2,657 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in Sweden.
Sveriges Television Rapport 22 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 22 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 22 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Tvärsnytt 22 April 2012 (in Swedish)
S and MP support Government line on unaccompanied minors
Sweden
The Social Democrats (S) and Green Party (MP) are supportive of the Government's attempt to force municipalities to receive unaccompanied minors. They do, however, have conditions. The Green Party wishes to see more concrete details concerning the proposal before it will back it. The Social Democrats argue that the municipalities should receive economic compensation.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 22 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UN Human Rights Council: Sweden is guilty of wrongfully deporting author
Sweden
A few years ago, Sweden deported an Afghan author despite him being threatened with torture and the death penalty in his country of origin. The UN Human Rights Council has now found Sweden to have acted wrongfully. The man can consequently return to Sweden and could probably receive compensation. However, no one has heard from him in two years. There are currently several authors residing in Sweden whom the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has decided to deport. The chairman of Swedish Pen, Ola Larsmo, says the politicians talk a lot about freedom of speech but it does not seem as though the Swedish governing bodies are taking a similar approach.
Sveriges Radio P1 14 April 2012 (in Swedish)
The world neglects Syrian refugees
UNHCR in the news
A month ago, a number of aid and relief organisations asked for 84 million US dollars to aid and assist Syrian refugees. This Friday, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stated that less than 16 million US dollars had been given. More than 61,000 Syrians are now registered as refugees in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq. UNICEF is among the organisations not being able to carry out their plans due to lack of funding.
Møre si Nettutgåve 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Folkebladet 20 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Tuesday 24 April to Wednesday 25 April 2012
Danish EU Presidency deals with pressure on external borders
Denmark
In 2011 the number of persons attempting to illegally enter the EU increased by 35 per cent compared to 2010. A new action plan to be presented Thursday 26 April by the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will address this issue. According to FRONTEX, the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, 104,000 persons were caught trying to cross EU-borders illegally in 2010 compared to 141,000 persons in 2011. – We will put forward a historic plan to strengthen the effort against illegal immigration to the EU, which is a major problem. The precondition for a functioning and open EU is a strong external border, says Morten Bødskov Danish Minister of Justice. Bødskov adds that the action plan is prepared in dialogue with the other EU member states, hence he expects a consensus to be reached.
Berlingske 25 April 2012:1 (in Danish)
Berlingske 25 April 2012:2 (in Danish)
BT 25 April 2012 (in Danish)
Number of persons with undetermined citizenship decreases
Estonia
The number of persons with undetermined citizenship has for the first time fallen below 100,000 persons in 2011. According to the report "Estonian Integration Monitoring 2011", people's desire to apply for Estonian citizenship has increased in 2011. The Government's goal is to have no more than 89,700 persons with undetermined citizenship by 2015. In the beginning of 2012 there were 94,397 persons with undetermined citizenship, which is 7 per cent of the total population.
Delfi 22 April 2012 (in Russian)
Naturalization applicants need to improve language skills
Latvia
Persons who apply for naturalization in Latvia need to improve their knowledge of the state language in order to pass the test, says Andris Berzins President of Latvia. After a visit to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), Berzins states that many people in Latvia could obtain citizenship through few very simple steps. However, more than 40 per cent of those who conducted the naturalization test in 2011 failed the Latvian language test. Berzins also says that the growing number of asylum-seekers in Latvia is alarming and the situation needs to be assessed immediately to create the capacity required to address this successfully.
Baltic News Service 25 April 2012 (in English)
Massive support for accepting more unaccompanied minors
Sweden
The politicians in Ljusdal municipality have voted for accepting more unaccompanied minors. All politicians supported the proposal, except the local representative of the Swedish Democrats. The municipality has previous experience in accepting unaccompanied minors.
Hela Hälsingland 24 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Green Party accuses Government of breaking asylum deal
Sweden
The Green Party (MP) questions the Government's interest in fulfilling the objectives in their one year old joint asylum deal. The Green Party is concerned that the Government is not attempting to expand asylum-seekers' and undocumented individuals' right to healthcare. Moreover, the two parties disagree on the issue of family reunification. Whilst the Government argues the deal has been fulfilled after this winters ruling by the Migration Board of Appeal concerning the use of DNA to identity family members, the Green Party wishes to see new legislation on the matter. Consequently, the Green Party is threatening to withdraw its support of the asylum deal.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 25 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 25 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Swedish Migration Board faces millions in damages
Sweden
The Swedish Migration Board (SMB) will potentially have to pay millions of SEK in damages to third parties after having lost several cases concerning faulty public procurement practices. Instead of following the law of having a public procurement procedure concerning the acquisition of services from contractors, the SMB has made private deals. The Swedish Competition Authority will fine the institution for its actions.
Dagens Nyheter 24 April 2012 (in Swedish)
35,000 people fleeing from unrest in South Sudan
UNHCR in the news
Recent fighting between Sudan and South Sudan are the most serious since the peace agreement in 2005. The unrest comes on top of an already difficult humanitarian situation, as refugee camps are overcrowded. This Tuesday, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimated that 35,000 people have been forced to flee due to the latest fighting along the borders.
NRK 24 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Thursday 26 April to Friday 27 April 2012
Significant increase expected in family reunifications
Denmark
The Government's recent changes to the immigration law is estimated to cost DKK 210 million. The new less strict rules on family reunification will be implemented as of 1 July. The Ministry of Justice has calculated the costs and estimates that the number of family reunifications will increase by 1,000 persons per year from 2,900 in 2011. Inger Støjberg from the Liberal Party says that the numbers clearly show that there is no coherence between the rhetoric of the Government and its policy.
Jyllands-Posten 25 April 2012 (in Danish)
BT 26 April 2012 (in Danish)
DR 26 April 2012 (in Danish)
Liberal Alliance wishes to increase spending on family reunification
Denmark
The Liberal Alliance wishes to liberalise the rules concerning family reunification. The Party has also proposed to move asylum-seekers out of reception centres and into individual apartments and remove the start-up assistance. The Danish People's Party is calling the promise contradictory, as it seemingly clashes with the Liberal Party's promise to cut expenditure in the public sector.
Jyllands Posten 27 April 2012 (in Danish)
Expert: Impossible to stop illegal immigration to the EU
Denmark
Danish expert Hans Kornø Rasmussen, who has a PhD in international economy, states that the action plan to be put forward by the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on illegal immigration will only slow down illegal immigration. He adds that it looks like a good action plan, but he does not believe the problem of illegal immigration will ever be stopped. – The EU is surrounded by poor countries with many young people who have ties to Europe. That is why illegal immigration is similar to the one you see in the US with people from Mexico, Rasmussen states. Rasmussen also points out the southern European countries' demand for immigrant labour.
BT 25 April 2012 (in Danish)
Berlingske 25 April 2012 (in Danish)
Video conferences save time and money in asylum centres
Denmark
Up until now, asylum-seekers from an accommodation centre in Tranum have spent time and state money travelling back and forth for interviews. New video conferencing facilities have cut time and costs. The head of the centre, Thorkild Poulsen, states that their residents often have to travel many hours to Copenhagen in order to meet with various authorities regarding their cases. The video conference system is expected to be implemented in 20 asylum centres before the end of 2012.
Nordjyske 26 April 2012 (in Danish)
Minister of Justice accused of speaking with two tongues
Denmark
Parts of the opposition accuses Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov of speaking with two tongues regarding changes in connection to rules concerning deportation of criminal immigrants. The Danish public has been told that the new rules do not have any real impact, while the EU Commission has been informed that criminal immigrants will be more difficult to deport due to the changes.
Information 25 April 2012 (in Danish)
BT 26 April:1 2012 (in Danish)
BT 26 April:2 2012 (in Danish)
Immigrant youth face higher risk of alienation
Finland
Pekka Myrskylä, researcher from Statistics Finland, says more efforts should be made to prevent alienation of immigrant youth in society. The marginalization percentage of Finnish and Swedish youth is 3.7 per cent compared to 20 per cent among other language speakers. Myrskylä has called on the Government to give more priority to the plight of immigrant youths as part of its Youth Guarantee project.
Yle Uutiset 25 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Yle News 25 April 2012 (in English)
Norway increases aid to Syrian refugees
Norway
Norway increases its humanitarian support to Syrian refugees by NOK 25 million. – All the money is not yet channelled, but we work closely with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) concerning how and where the money will be spent, says Gry Larsen from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, it is clear that some of the money will go to helping Syrian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries as well as to the many Syrians who now find themselves internally displaced. Gry Larsen also states that Norway has earmarked some of the money for school projects carried out by UNHCR.
VG Nett 25 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Dagen 25 April 2012 (in Norwegain)
Centre Party politician demands unaccompanied minors to be age tested
Sweden
Staffan Danielsson from the Centre Party wants to age test unaccompanied minors to ensure that there are no adults among them. Both the Centre Party's spokesperson for migration issues and the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy are however critical of Danielsson's stance, not least because age tests already are in use.
Dagens Nyheter 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Östnytt 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Rapport 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Administrator at SMB who hid documents is fired
Sweden
An administrator at the Swedish Migration Board (SMB) has been caught hiding 130 citizenship and residence permit applications in her office, dating back from 2008. Several people have subsequently been denied permits due to her actions. The administrator has now been fired and the SMB is to examine how much damage has been done, with possible charges being brought against the administrator.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet 26 April 2012:1 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 26 April 2012:1 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 26 April 2012:2 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Trelleborgs Allehanda 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Ystads Allehanda 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Kristianstads Bladet 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Sydnytt 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Borås Tidning 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
TV4 Nyheterna 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Right wing extremist party allowed advertising on Facebook
Sweden
Svenskarnas Parti (SVP) has been allowed to publish an advertisement on Facebook which states – tired of multiculturalism and criminality? Follow SVP on Facebook – Swedens fastest growing nationalistic party.
Sveriges Television kulturnyheterna 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Web sites publishing Migration Court verdicts reported to the police
Sweden
The Data Inspection Board has reported three websites to the police as they have published rulings from the Migration Court that include sensitive personal data. At least one of the servers is situated in the USA which will complicate the process as the country's laws differ from Sweden's.
Sveriges Radio P3 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Television Rapport 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Municipalities receive insufficient funds to integrate refugees
Sweden
The refugee coordinator in Lycksele municipality, Elin Eriksson, claims that the funds municipalities receive from the state to integrate refugees are insufficient. Currently, the municipality receives SEK 82 000 per refugee per year. However, the Swedish classes alone cost SEK 104 000 per person per year. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions is now surveying the costs associated with receiving refugees.
Sveriges Radio P4 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Newly arrived refugees stuck in transit
Sweden
Around 3,000 newly arrived refugees are currently living in temporary accommodation provided by the Swedish Migration Board (SMB), a number which has increased by 400 since the beginning of the year. Since 2010, the Swedish Public Employment Service has been responsible for providing jobs and housing to newly arrived refugees. However, investigations show that it takes a long time for refugees to get access to the services they are promised, hence the large numbers that are currently stuck in transit.
Sveriges Radio, Radio Sweden 26 April 2012 (in English)
Sveriges Radio P1 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sweden's new migration deal has "unsolved problems"
Sweden
Although a constructive dialogue exists between the Green Party (MP) and the Government according to Tobias Billström, the Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy, "unsolved problems" still exist. However, he believes they will be solved before 2014. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has stated that the large costs related to providing healthcare to undocumented individuals are proving to be an obstacle.
Sveriges Radio Ekot 25 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 26 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Saturday 28 to Monday 30 April 2012
Lønseth: It must be possible to establish identity
Norway
In cases where identification of an asylum-seeker is problematic, it is crucial that the asylum-seeker participates in clarifying the situation, says Pål K. Lønseth, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. – In cases where immigration authorities believe that persons do not make an effort to establish their identity, there must be consequences, Lønseth states. He adds that if a person has contributed fully to the clarification of his/her identity a less strict approach will be taken. Andreas Furuseth from the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) says that the organisation would like to see changes in cases where it is very difficult to establish an identity. He adds that one change could be to accept an undocumented identity for a limited period if nothing indicates that the identity is wrong.
Dagbladet 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Faults found at reception centres for unaccompanied minors
Sweden
Reception centres for unaccompanied minors hold a lower quality than other homes, according to a new study. This is serious according to the National Board of Health and Welfare, as unaccompanied minors are particularly vulnerable.
Sveriges Television Rapport 27 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Aftonbladet 27 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 27 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Svenska Dagbladet 27 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Scientists: Apathetic refugee children are not simulating
Sweden
Apathetic refugee children have been found to have heightened levels of stress-related hormones in their blood, according to a joint research study conducted by Uppsala University and the Karolinska Institute. Similar heightened levels can be found in war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. A link was also found between the severity of the symptoms, and levels of hormones. When the children recover, their blood levels return to normal. The study was relatively small but according to the scientists, the results are clear enough to repudiate any assertions that children are simulating.
Sveriges Television Rapport 29 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 29 April 2012:1 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio Ekot 29 April 2012:2 (in Swedish)
Sveriges Radio, Radio Sweden 29 April 2012 (in English)
Sveriges Television ABC 29 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Dagens Nyheter 29 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Piteå Tidningen 30 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Uppsala Nya Tidning 29 April 2012 (in Swedish)
The Local 29 April 2012 (in English)
N.B. This story was also covered in Finland.
Aamulehti 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Ilta-Sanomat 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Itä-Savo 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Mtv3 Uutiset 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Satakunnan kansa 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Turun Sanomat 29 April 2012 (in Finnish)
Österbottens tidning 29 April 2012 (in Swedish)
Victims of torture crossing Sinai-Israeli border
UNHCR in the news
In Sinai, thousands of refugees are held captive and threatened. If they do not pay ransom they risk getting tortured and at worst being killed. – Every month, about 1,000 refugees and asylum-seekers cross the border from northern Sinai into Israel. Many of these people report to UNHCR in Israel that they have been captured by human smugglers. The smugglers first claim they want to help them, but then they take them as prisoners. Afterwards they expose them to enormous pressure in order to extort money from them, states Hanne Mathisen, spokesperson from the UN Refugee Agency's Regional Office in Stockholm.
Søndagsrevyen 29 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
NRK 29 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Israel denies refugee status
UNHCR in the news
In south Tel Aviv tens of thousands of African migrants and refugees live. They have come to Israel through dangerous smuggling routes. They receive help from volunteers, but the Ministry of the Interior wants to deport all of them. The authorities want to stop the refugee influx from Africa. Every month about 2,000 asylum-seekers arrive in Israel. 85 per cent of all asylum-seekers are from Eritrea or Sudan. There asylum claims are not assessed individually. 175 people have been granted refugee status in Israel during the last nine years based on recommendations from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). In 2011 the authorities claim 8 persons were recommended to receive refugee status, however UNHCR is informed about only 3 cases. In 2009, Israel took over the refugee status determination from UNHCR.
Svenska Dagbladet 28 April 2012 (in Swedish)
UNHCR: 65,000 have fled from Syria the past year
UNHCR in the news
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has registered 49,193 refugees from Syria and an additional 15,877 people are still waiting to be registered. It is estimated that around 200,000 Syrians have been displaced within the country due to the unrest. According to UNHCR 23,942 Syrians have fled to Turkey, 22,000 to Lebanon, 15,999 to Jordan and 3,129 to Iraq. About 9,000 people have been killed since the fighting begun in March 2011.
VG Nett 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Stavanger Aftenblad 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Aftenposten 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
P5 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)
Nettavisen 28 April 2012 (in Norwegian)