Asylum seekers: A profile

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

2. Aims: • 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Forced migration worldwide [UNHCR report 2009]

6. Major refugee-producing countries

7. Refugee populations by region

9. 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. • 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%).

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

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

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

13. 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)

15. 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

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

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

18. Detention • Detention lasts: • 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 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 [pregnant women, families with minor children, unaccompanied minors, elderly persons, persons with disability, victims of trauma and torture]

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

20. 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 • 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

21. 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.