Asylum seekers: A Asylum seekers: A profileprofile

Kristina Zammit – JRS MaltaKristina Zammit – JRS Malta

25/05/1025/05/10

Aims:Aims:

To provide basic background To provide basic background information on asylum and immigration information on asylum and immigration within the European contextwithin the European context

To provide some insight into the reality To provide some insight into the reality faced by asylum seekers arriving in faced by asylum seekers arriving in Europe, through examples drawn from Europe, through examples drawn from my experience working in Malta my experience working in Malta

International migrationInternational migration

““Today, the number of people living outside Today, the number of people living outside their countries of origin is over 175 million, their countries of origin is over 175 million, more than double the number from 35 years more than double the number from 35 years ago. This significant movement of people ago. This significant movement of people occurs not only from developing countries to occurs not only from developing countries to developed countries but also from one developed countries but also from one developed country to another, as well as developed country to another, as well as between developing countries. Indeed most between developing countries. Indeed most international migration takes place between international migration takes place between the developing countries that hold more than the developing countries that hold more than 80 per cent of the world's population.”80 per cent of the world's population.”

IOMIOM

There are roughly There are roughly 20 to 30 million 20 to 30 million unauthorized migrants worldwideunauthorized migrants worldwide, , comprising around 10 to 15 per cent comprising around 10 to 15 per cent of the world's immigrant stock.of the world's immigrant stock.

In 2007, In 2007, remittance flows are remittance flows are estimated at USD 337 billion estimated at USD 337 billion worldwideworldwide, USD 251 billion of which , USD 251 billion of which went to developing countries.went to developing countries.

Forced migration worldwide Forced migration worldwide

[UNHCR report 2009][UNHCR report 2009]

Category of displaced Category of displaced populationpopulation

TotalTotalUNHCUNHCR R assisteassistedd

Refugees under UNHCR mandateRefugees under UNHCR mandate

Refugees under UNRWA mandateRefugees under UNRWA mandate10.510.5

4.74.710.510.5

--

TOTAL NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER OF REFUGEESREFUGEES

15.215.2 10.510.5

Asylum seekers (pending cases)Asylum seekers (pending cases)

Conflict-generated IDPsConflict-generated IDPs0.80.8

26.026.00.20.2

14.414.4

TOTAL TOTAL 42.042.0 25.125.1

Major refugee-producing Major refugee-producing countries countries

COUNTRCOUNTRYY

NUMBER OF REFUGEESNUMBER OF REFUGEES

AfghanistAfghanistanan

2.8 million [96% in Pakistan & 2.8 million [96% in Pakistan & Iran]Iran]

IraqIraq 1.9 million [maj. in neighbouring 1.9 million [maj. in neighbouring countries]countries]

SomaliaSomalia 561,000561,000

SudanSudan 419,000419,000

ColombiaColombia 374,000374,000

DRCDRC 368,000368,000

Refugee populations by Refugee populations by regionregion

RegionRegion Total (refugees and Total (refugees and people in refugee-like people in refugee-like situations)situations)

AfricaAfrica 2,106, 3002,106, 300

AmericasAmericas 803,500803,500

Asia and Pacific Asia and Pacific 3,596,1003,596,100

EuropeEurope 1,621,7001,621,700

MENAMENA 2,351,0002,351,000

10, 478,60010, 478,600

Major refugee hosting countries end-Major refugee hosting countries end-2008:2008:UKUK

ChinaChina

Kenya (65,000 Somali refugees in Kenya (65,000 Somali refugees in 2008)2008)

TanzaniaTanzania

ChadChad

JordanJordan

GermanyGermany

Iran (almost all Afghans)Iran (almost all Afghans)

Syria (mostly Iraqis)Syria (mostly Iraqis)

Pakistan (almost all Afghans)Pakistan (almost all Afghans)

292,100301,000320,600321,900330,500500,400582,700980,100

1,105,7001,780,900

Preliminary statistics issued by UNHCR for 2009 Preliminary statistics issued by UNHCR for 2009 show that the overall number of asylum seekers in show that the overall number of asylum seekers in industrialized nations was stable in 2009industrialized nations was stable in 2009

"The notion that there is a flood of asylum seekers "The notion that there is a flood of asylum seekers into richer countries is a myth. Despite what some into richer countries is a myth. Despite what some populists claim, our data shows that the numbers populists claim, our data shows that the numbers have remained stable.“have remained stable.“

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio GuterresUN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres

Although the overall number of asylum seekers Although the overall number of asylum seekers remained the same with 377,000 applications, the remained the same with 377,000 applications, the number of asylum applications increased in 19 number of asylum applications increased in 19 countries, while they fell in the other 25. countries, while they fell in the other 25. The Nordic region that recorded a 13 percent increase The Nordic region that recorded a 13 percent increase

with 51,100 new applicants, the highest in six years. with 51,100 new applicants, the highest in six years. The number of applications in southern Europe went The number of applications in southern Europe went

down by 33 percent with 50,100 claims, driven by down by 33 percent with 50,100 claims, driven by significant declines in Italy (-42%), Turkey (-40%) and significant declines in Italy (-42%), Turkey (-40%) and Greece (-20%).Greece (-20%).

Local contextLocal context

Since 2002:Since 2002: Sharp increase in number of Sharp increase in number of

undocumented migrants arriving by undocumented migrants arriving by boat from Libyaboat from Libya

Mostly undocumentedMostly undocumented

Vast majority apply for protectionVast majority apply for protection

Arrivals 2002-2008Arrivals 2002-2008 2002 – 1468 – 21 boats2002 – 1468 – 21 boats

2003 – 586 – 12 boats2003 – 586 – 12 boats

2004 – 1388 – 53 boats2004 – 1388 – 53 boats

2005 – 1822 – 46 boats2005 – 1822 – 46 boats

2006 – 1780 – 57 boats2006 – 1780 – 57 boats

2007 – 1694 – 67 boats2007 – 1694 – 67 boats

2008 – 2775 – 84 boats2008 – 2775 – 84 boats 2009 – 1475 – 17 boats2009 – 1475 – 17 boats

Main countries of originMain countries of origin SomaliaSomalia EritreaEritrea NigeriaNigeria

Other:Other: North Africa/Middle East – Egypt, Morocco, North Africa/Middle East – Egypt, Morocco,

Tunisia, Palestine, IraqTunisia, Palestine, Iraq West Africa – Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Ivory West Africa – Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Ivory

Coast, NigerCoast, Niger East Africa – EthiopiaEast Africa – Ethiopia Central Africa – DRC, Cameroon, Chad, Central Africa – DRC, Cameroon, Chad,

SudanSudan

All have good reasons for leaving, All have good reasons for leaving, yet not all will qualify for yet not all will qualify for international protectioninternational protection

In a context where the focus is often In a context where the focus is often on the ‘undeserving’ it is important on the ‘undeserving’ it is important to remember that a significant to remember that a significant number of these arrivals are in fact number of these arrivals are in fact granted some form of protection (In granted some form of protection (In Malta +52% since 2002)Malta +52% since 2002)

If you are safe in your country you If you are safe in your country you cannot leave. Those who are safe stay cannot leave. Those who are safe stay in their country. To cross many in their country. To cross many countries – to cross the desert, to countries – to cross the desert, to cross the Mediterranean Sea – is not cross the Mediterranean Sea – is not safe because you can be killed for your safe because you can be killed for your money; you can drown in the rough money; you can drown in the rough seas… We took these risks only seas… We took these risks only because we are human beings trying because we are human beings trying to find freedom.”to find freedom.”

FrancoisFrancoisan asylum seeker from Congo detained for almost 19 months between 2004 an asylum seeker from Congo detained for almost 19 months between 2004

and 2006and 2006

Procedures on arrivalProcedures on arrival

Registration [basic details & Registration [basic details & fingerprinting]fingerprinting]

Issuing of Removal Order if Issuing of Removal Order if necessarynecessary

Confiscation of money & Confiscation of money & other personal effects [e.g. other personal effects [e.g. document]document]

Provision of basic medical Provision of basic medical carecare

Identification of obviously Identification of obviously vulnerable asylum seekersvulnerable asylum seekers

Information [booklet]Information [booklet]

Transfer to Transfer to detention centredetention centre

Distribution of basic Distribution of basic itemsitems

Application for Application for asylumasylum

Medical screening Medical screening [TB][TB]

Medical assessment Medical assessment [MSF][MSF]

DetentionDetention Detention lasts:Detention lasts:

Till asylum application is determined, in cases Till asylum application is determined, in cases where protection is granted before the lapse of 12 where protection is granted before the lapse of 12 monthsmonths

Up to Up to 12 months12 months in cases where the asylum in cases where the asylum application has not been finally determined before application has not been finally determined before thenthen

Up to Up to 18 months18 months where the individual concerned where the individual concerned does not apply for asylum or where the application does not apply for asylum or where the application is rejected before the lapse of 12 monthsis rejected before the lapse of 12 months

Only Only exceptionexception: vulnerable immigrants, who are : vulnerable immigrants, who are released once vulnerability is confirmed and released once vulnerability is confirmed and accommodation is found in the community accommodation is found in the community [pregnant women, families with minor children, unaccompanied [pregnant women, families with minor children, unaccompanied minors, elderly persons, persons with disability, victims of trauma minors, elderly persons, persons with disability, victims of trauma and torture]and torture]

Asylum in EuropeAsylum in Europe

Asylum seeker populations differ in each Asylum seeker populations differ in each of the countries we come from, as do the of the countries we come from, as do the specific national contextsspecific national contexts

Yet there are common trends:Yet there are common trends: Increased focus on immigration control – often Increased focus on immigration control – often

at the expense of protectionat the expense of protection Growth of smuggling and trafficking networksGrowth of smuggling and trafficking networks Increased use of detention – pending outcome Increased use of detention – pending outcome

of asylum procedures or removalof asylum procedures or removal

Across Europe:Across Europe: Asylum seekers are detained in facilities Asylum seekers are detained in facilities

ranging from adequate to extremely basic – ranging from adequate to extremely basic – rarely ever above the rarely ever above the basic standardsbasic standards recommended by the CPT or UNHCRrecommended by the CPT or UNHCR

They are often detained in prisons, with They are often detained in prisons, with people convicted of criminal offencespeople convicted of criminal offences

In most detention centres, asylum seekers In most detention centres, asylum seekers are held in prison-like conditions – e.g. bars are held in prison-like conditions – e.g. bars on the windows, barbed-wire, restricted on the windows, barbed-wire, restricted freedom of movement within the centresfreedom of movement within the centres

Research conducted by JRS in the Research conducted by JRS in the 10NMS shows that scope of activities 10NMS shows that scope of activities provided is generally very limited provided is generally very limited

This, together with the sense of This, together with the sense of isolation and the lack of information isolation and the lack of information caused by forced deprivation of caused by forced deprivation of liberty, increases tension, frustration liberty, increases tension, frustration and powerlessness. and powerlessness.