Asylum seekers: A profile Kristina Zammit – JRS Malta 25/05/10

Aims: To provide basic background information on asylum and immigration within the European context To provide basic background information on asylum and immigration within the European context To provide some insight into the reality faced by asylum seekers arriving in Europe, through examples drawn from my experience working in Malta To provide some insight into the reality faced by asylum seekers arriving in Europe, through examples drawn from my experience working in Malta

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

There are roughly 20 to 30 million unauthorized migrants worldwide, comprising around 10 to 15 per cent of the world's immigrant stock. There are roughly 20 to 30 million unauthorized migrants worldwide, comprising around 10 to 15 per cent of the world's immigrant stock. In 2007, remittance flows are estimated at USD 337 billion worldwide, USD 251 billion of which went to developing countries. In 2007, remittance flows are estimated at USD 337 billion worldwide, USD 251 billion of which went to developing countries.

Forced migration worldwide [UNHCR report 2009] Category of displaced population Total UNHCR assisted Refugees under UNHCR mandate Refugees under UNRWA mandate TOTAL NUMBER OF REFUGEES Asylum seekers (pending cases) Conflict-generated IDPs TOTAL

Major refugee-producing countries COUNTRY NUMBER OF REFUGEES Afghanistan 2.8 million [96% in Pakistan & Iran] Iraq 1.9 million [maj. in neighbouring countries] Somalia561,000 Sudan419,000 Colombia374,000 DRC368,000

Refugee populations by region Region Total (refugees and people in refugee-like situations) Africa 2,106, 300 Americas803,500 Asia and Pacific 3,596,100 Europe1,621,700 MENA2,351,000 10, 478,600

Major refugee hosting countries end-2008: UKChina Kenya (65,000 Somali refugees in 2008) TanzaniaChadJordanGermany Iran (almost all Afghans) Syria (mostly Iraqis) Pakistan (almost all Afghans) 292, , , , , , , ,100 1,105,700 1,780,900

Preliminary statistics issued by UNHCR for 2009 show that the overall number of asylum seekers in industrialized nations was stable in 2009 Preliminary statistics issued by UNHCR for 2009 show that the overall number of asylum seekers in industrialized nations was stable in 2009 "The notion that there is a flood of asylum seekers into richer countries is a myth. Despite what some populists claim, our data shows that the numbers have remained stable.“ UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres Although the overall number of asylum seekers remained the same with 377,000 applications, the number of asylum applications increased in 19 countries, while they fell in the other 25. Although the overall number of asylum seekers remained the same with 377,000 applications, the number of asylum applications increased in 19 countries, while they fell in the other 25. The Nordic region that recorded a 13 percent increase with 51,100 new applicants, the highest in six years. The Nordic region that recorded a 13 percent increase with 51,100 new applicants, the highest in six years. The number of applications in southern Europe went down by 33 percent with 50,100 claims, driven by significant declines in Italy (-42%), Turkey (-40%) and Greece (-20%). The number of applications in southern Europe went down by 33 percent with 50,100 claims, driven by significant declines in Italy (-42%), Turkey (-40%) and Greece (-20%).

Local context Since 2002: Since 2002: Sharp increase in number of undocumented migrants arriving by boat from Libya Sharp increase in number of undocumented migrants arriving by boat from Libya Mostly undocumented Mostly undocumented Vast majority apply for protection Vast majority apply for protection

Arrivals – 1468 – 21 boats 2002 – 1468 – 21 boats 2003 – 586 – 12 boats 2003 – 586 – 12 boats 2004 – 1388 – 53 boats 2004 – 1388 – 53 boats 2005 – 1822 – 46 boats 2005 – 1822 – 46 boats 2006 – 1780 – 57 boats 2006 – 1780 – 57 boats 2007 – 1694 – 67 boats 2007 – 1694 – 67 boats 2008 – 2775 – 84 boats 2008 – 2775 – 84 boats 2009 – 1475 – 17 boats 2009 – 1475 – 17 boats

Main countries of origin Somalia Somalia Eritrea Eritrea Nigeria NigeriaOther: North Africa/Middle East – Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Iraq North Africa/Middle East – Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Iraq West Africa – Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Ivory Coast, Niger West Africa – Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Ivory Coast, Niger East Africa – Ethiopia East Africa – Ethiopia Central Africa – DRC, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan Central Africa – DRC, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan

All have good reasons for leaving, yet not all will qualify for international protection All have good reasons for leaving, yet not all will qualify for international protection In a context where the focus is often on the ‘undeserving’ it is important to remember that a significant number of these arrivals are in fact granted some form of protection (In Malta +52% since 2002) In a context where the focus is often on the ‘undeserving’ it is important to remember that a significant number of these arrivals are in fact granted some form of protection (In Malta +52% since 2002)

If you are safe in your country you cannot leave. Those who are safe stay in their country. To cross many countries – to cross the desert, to cross the Mediterranean Sea – is not safe because you can be killed for your money; you can drown in the rough seas… We took these risks only because we are human beings trying to find freedom.” Francois an asylum seeker from Congo detained for almost 19 months between 2004 and 2006

Procedures on arrival Registration [basic details & fingerprinting] Registration [basic details & fingerprinting] Issuing of Removal Order if necessary Issuing of Removal Order if necessary Confiscation of money & other personal effects [e.g. document] Confiscation of money & other personal effects [e.g. document] Provision of basic medical care Provision of basic medical care Identification of obviously vulnerable asylum seekers Identification of obviously vulnerable asylum seekers Information [booklet] Information [booklet]

Transfer to detention centre Distribution of basic items Application for asylum Medical screening [TB] Medical assessment [MSF]

Detention Detention lasts: Detention lasts: Till asylum application is determined, in cases where protection is granted before the lapse of 12 months Till asylum application is determined, in cases where protection is granted before the lapse of 12 months Up to 12 months in cases where the asylum application has not been finally determined before then Up to 12 months in cases where the asylum application has not been finally determined before then Up to 18 months where the individual concerned does not apply for asylum or where the application is rejected before the lapse of 12 months Up to 18 months where the individual concerned does not apply for asylum or where the application is rejected before the lapse of 12 months Only exception: vulnerable immigrants, who are released once vulnerability is confirmed and accommodation is found in the community Only exception: vulnerable immigrants, who are released once vulnerability is confirmed and accommodation is found in the community [pregnant women, families with minor children, unaccompanied minors, elderly persons, persons with disability, victims of trauma and torture]

Asylum in Europe Asylum seeker populations differ in each of the countries we come from, as do the specific national contexts Asylum seeker populations differ in each of the countries we come from, as do the specific national contexts Yet there are common trends: Yet there are common trends: Increased focus on immigration control – often at the expense of protection Increased focus on immigration control – often at the expense of protection Growth of smuggling and trafficking networks Growth of smuggling and trafficking networks Increased use of detention – pending outcome of asylum procedures or removal Increased use of detention – pending outcome of asylum procedures or removal

Across Europe: Asylum seekers are detained in facilities ranging from adequate to extremely basic – rarely ever above the basic standards recommended by the CPT or UNHCR Asylum seekers are detained in facilities ranging from adequate to extremely basic – rarely ever above the basic standards recommended by the CPT or UNHCR They are often detained in prisons, with people convicted of criminal offences They are often detained in prisons, with people convicted of criminal offences In most detention centres, asylum seekers are held in prison-like conditions – e.g. bars on the windows, barbed-wire, restricted freedom of movement within the centres In most detention centres, asylum seekers are held in prison-like conditions – e.g. bars on the windows, barbed-wire, restricted freedom of movement within the centres

Research conducted by JRS in the 10NMS shows that scope of activities provided is generally very limited Research conducted by JRS in the 10NMS shows that scope of activities provided is generally very limited This, together with the sense of isolation and the lack of information caused by forced deprivation of liberty, increases tension, frustration and powerlessness. This, together with the sense of isolation and the lack of information caused by forced deprivation of liberty, increases tension, frustration and powerlessness.