COUNTRY FACTSHEET: DENMARK 2013

Transcription

1 COUNTRY FACTSHEET: DENMARK 213 EUROPEAN MIGRATION NETWORK 1. Introduction This EMN Country Factsheet provides a factual overview of the main policy developments in migration and international protection in Denmark during 213, including latest statistics. 2. Legal Migration and Mobility 2.1. PROMOTING LEGAL MIGRATION CHANNELS During 213, Denmark continued to provide information to foreigners through the official national website for International Recruitment and Job Seeking. The Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment also continued the Portal for foreigners New to Denmark - with all relevant information about the possibilities for foreign nationals to reside in Denmark ECONOMIC MIGRATION During 213, there were no new policy developments or changes to the existing legislation. The Danish system continues to be based on different schemes and lists of jobs available for foreigners (Green Card Scheme, Positive List, Pay Limit scheme and a work permit based on professional or labour market considerations). Twice a year the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment publishes a labour market analysis (the Labour Market Balance) and based on such analysis the Positive List under the Job Card Scheme is updated and revised. The Job Card Scheme concerns professions associated with easier and faster issue of a residence permit. By 213 Denmark was still considering on new possibilities to attract highly qualified workers and on ways to facilitating highly qualified workers, students and researchers. Such possibilities include for example, the simplification of the legislation for obtaining work permits for highly qualified third-country nationals in order to increase its efficiency, while at the same time protecting the wage and employment conditions at the Danish labour market FAMILY REUNIFICATION In May 213, an amendment 1 to the Aliens Act on the rules of revocation of residence permits issued on the basis of spousal reunification, in cases where the foreigner concerned or the foreigner s child has been exposed to abuse etc. by the spouse, entered into force. The amendment was introduced to ensure that no foreigner feels forced to stay with a violent spouse out of fear of losing his/her residence permit. The amendment entails that the length of the foreigner s residence in Denmark can no longer be taken into consideration if the abuse has caused the cessation of cohabitation and the invoked abuse has been substantiated, when deciding whether a foreigner can retain his or her residence permit INTEGRATION Based on an amendment to the Integration Act, as of 1 st July 213, municipalities are obliged as soon as possible and within three months upon arrival in the municipality to offer the following: An integration plan for newly arrived refugees and persons involving family reunification cases; and A medical screening for newly arrived refugees and their family members. The integration plan aims to ensure a better coordination of all integration efforts concerning thirdcountry national migrants and their family. This includes employment measures, language training, health care and initiatives to support active citizenship. Medical screenings, which are carried out by family doctors, are activated as early as possible to provide adequate health treatment or social measures that would support successful integration of migrants and their family. In June 213, recommendations on how to improve local integration process and promote citizenship in 1 Presented by the Danish Government

2 Denmark were published by the Governments Task Force on Integration. The Task Force aims to identify good local methods and experiences to be shared at local and national level. In the field of active citizenship, a national campaign was launched to increase voter turnout among ethnic minorities by informing and motivating them to vote for the Regional and Local Governments elections that took place in November 213. In addition, in December 213 a new strategy to improve local integration in Denmark was launched. The strategy aims to establish formalised corporations between local municipalities and civil society organisations with regard to integration measures (e.g. a joint reception of newly arrived refugees and immigrants). With regard to non-discrimination policy, a pool for Equal treatment of ethnic minorities and antidiscrimination was established in November 213. This pool aims to reduce the number of persons belonging to ethnic minorities who experience discrimination in their everyday life (e.g. at the labour market or in the night life) MANAGING MIGRATION AND MOBILITY 2 There were no new policy developments in 213 in relation to the implementation of the VISA Code and the Visa Information System (VIS). As for border monitoring, Denmark was considering to purchase technical equipment to implement automatic border control at Copenhagen airport. To support this ongoing process Frontex Research & Development Unit drafted a report called Operational Research Report on the Roll out of ABC in Copenhagen Airport. Finally, in August 213 the Danish National Police adopted a new National Strategy for Border Management in Denmark. The Strategy sets the general guidelines for border control in Denmark, including the mission and vision values, which are to be handled in the local police districts. The strategy objectives include the development and training of Frontex practices. 3. International Protection and Asylum During 213, several amendments were introduced to the Aliens Act. For example, in December 213, amendments 3 included the right to access to legal aid for asylum seekers, who file a complaint about being transferred under the Dublin III Regulation. Moreover, in May 213 new possibilities to live outside the asylum centres have been provided to asylum beneficiaries and international protection status holders 4. Accommodation outside an asylum 2 Managing migration and mobility refers to the following themes: visa policy, Schengen governance and border monitoring. 3 Act no of 26 December Act no. 43 of 1 May 213 centre may include: private lodging with family or friends, privately rented accommodation, or independent accommodation in connection with an asylum centre. In addition, asylum seekers are now allowed to seek for employment. Certain criteria have to be met by asylum seekers who want to qualify for accommodation and employment outside the asylum centre (e.g. not having been convicted of crime and be willing to cooperate with the authorities on their asylum case). Furthermore, Danish language lessons and orientation with regard to the Danish labour market, education system and housing possibilities are now offered to asylum seekers. Also, asylum seekers participating in a youth education programme have now access to paid internships. Additional funds have also been allocated to kinder gardens, costs for schooling and childcare. During May 213, the first instance process of asylum claims has been revised. The Danish Immigration Service is now responsible to establish asylum seekers identity and to determine their travel route through the initial interview conducted by the asylum adjudicators (such tasks were previously done by the Police). Denmark continued to participate in different types of European Asylum Support Office (EASO) activities on a regular basis. With regard to provision of staff for Asylum Support Teams, Denmark continued to support through the secondment of asylum experts to EASO and the Greek support team. In addition, Denmark continued to participate in expert meetings, practical workshops and selected working parties, for example the Group for the Provision of Statistics (GPS), which is involved in the development of an Early Warning and Preparedness Mechanism. Regarding resettlement activities, Denmark continued to provide financial and training support to the Kenyan refugee authorities in building capacity to manage asylum seekers and refugees. During 213, Denmark resettled 515 persons through mission to Nepal, Ecuador and Uganda. Finally, Denmark would be coordinating the EU Regional Development and Protection Programme for refugees and host communities in the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq), announced in December Unaccompanied Minors and other Vulnerable Groups As of January 213, changes to the Danish project on return of vulnerable migrants including both unaccompanied minors (UAMs) and victims of trafficking of human beings) have been applied. 5 Actions are expected to be initiated in

3 Furthermore, the project has been extended until 31 st December 214. The changes applied took into account a 212 evaluation report of the project. Changes include prolonging of the reintegration period from 3 to 6 months was accompanied by raising the monthly support from 15 USD to 2 USD and by doubling the amount for migrants who support minors. 5. Actions against Trafficking in Human Beings Denmark s policy with regard to Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) ensures that victim identification is further developed, especially within the group of foreign women in prostitution. Such policy is provided within the National Action Plan that has a special focus on trafficking for forced labour and on child trafficking. The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking, which acts as an equivalent mechanism of the EU THB National Rapporteurs, is also responsible for the coordination and training of stakeholders working in the field. In 213 the Centre provided training to those stakeholders getting in contact with potential child victims of THB. Courses focused on methods to identify the extent of the problem and to strengthen outreach and identification procedures. As for imprisoned persons who are at risk of being victims of trafficking and who have illegal stay in Denmark, the Centre has expanded the outreach service team and has developed written material on the services offered for victims of trafficking. In addition, by the end of 213, the Centre was in the process of strengthening the collaboration with personnel in prisons. Also, in order to promote reintegration of victims of trafficking in countries of origin, the reintegration period has been prolonged and financial support has been increased. As for minor victims of THB, in 213 Denmark continued its efforts to promote knowledge of THB among local authorities. As part of these measures the Centre disseminated a booklet to local authorities (especially municipalities) to inform them about the extent of child trafficking in Denmark 6. At the same time training was offered. During 213, an awareness raising and prevention campaign on trafficking for both sexual exploitation and forced labour was planned. The main aim is to promote knowledge of human trafficking among civil society and to disseminate information on indicators on THB. The campaign is expected to be launched in External Dimension of EU Migration Policy During 213, Denmark continued to support the Fund for Diaspora involvement in rehabilitation and development in former home countries implemented by the Danish Refugee Council. The Fund aims, through innovative forms of inclusion and participation, to strengthen the role of the Afghani and Somali diaspora in Denmark in contributing with social and financial remittance (rehabilitation and development projects) in their countries of origin. 7. Irregular Migration In 213, Denmark participated within twelve Frontex joint operations, two of them at the Greek-Turkish border by deploying both technical equipment and personnel. New measures to prevent the misuse of residence permits based on studies have been introduced in 213. As of fall 213, the number of hours worked by an individual on a student residence permit has to be examined in all cases checked. Due to the increased number of unfounded asylum applications received by Denmark from Western Balkan visa free countries nationals, the country has recently changed asylum application procedures 7. Based on these new measures, migrants are not asked to fill out an application form, and they are quickly referred for an interview with the Danish Immigration Service, which is responsible to provide a statement on each suspicious case Provision and Exchange of Information to support Policy Development During 213, Denmark continued to participate in a number of fora which also concern exchange of information. This includes regional cooperation with the Nordic countries and the Baltic countries and active participation in Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC). STATISTICAL ANNEX The Statistical Annex provides an overview of the latest available statistics for Denmark on aspects of migration and asylum ( ), including residence, asylum, unaccompanied minors, irregular migration, return and visas. Where statistics are not yet available, this is indicated in the Annex as N/A. 6 The booklet When Children are Victims of Human Trafficking provides indicators and information on how to act and get assistance on any suspicion on child trafficking 7 Between the end of 212 and beginning of The Danish Immigration Service makes a list of countries with the Danish Refugee Council and the Danish National Police where there is a presumption that the application will be treated as manifestly unfounded. 3

4 Statistical Annex: Immigration and Asylum in Denmark ( ) Figure 1: First residence permits, by reason ( ) 35, 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, Total Family reasons Education reasons Remunerated activities Other reasons Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted 28 July 214 Table 1: First residence permits: Top five third-country nationalities ( ) India 2, USA 3, USA 3, Philippines 2, India 2, India 3,96 3. USA 2, China 2,24 3. China 2, Ukraine 2, Ukraine 2, Ukraine 2, China 2, Philippines 2,89 5. Philippines 2,312 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted 4 June 214 Figure 2: Resident population of third-country nationals ( ) 25, 22, , ,494 2, 15, 1, 5, Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June 214 Table 2: Resident population: Top five third-country nationalities ( ) Turkey 28,15 1.Turkey 29, 1.Turkey 28,755 2.Iraq 16,665 2.Iraq 15,735 2.Iraq 15,16 3.Bosnia and Herzegovina 11,382 3.Bosnia and Herzegovina 11,148 3.Bosnia and Herzegovina 11,13 4.Afghanistan 9,54 4.Afghanistan 9,614 4.Afghanistan 9,779 5.Thailand 8,344 5.Thailand 8,567 5.Thailand 8,768 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June In 211 8,959 nationals of Iceland were residing in Denmark 1 In 211 8,61 nationals of Iceland were residing in Denmark 4

5 Figure 3: Asylum applications ( ) 8, 7,23 6, 6,75 4, 3,985 2, Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 3: Asylum applications: Top five third-country nationalities ( ) Afghanistan 91 1.Somalia 91 1.Syria 1, Iran Syria Russia Syria Afghanistan Somalia Russia Serbia Serbia Serbia Iran Afghanistan 41 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 4: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome ( ) Total decisions Positive decisions Refugee status Of which: Subsidiary protection Humanitarian reasons** Negative decisions 211 3,592 1, , ,597 1,75 1, , * 7,23 2,825 1,66 1, ,378 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214; * 213 data provided by DK NCP,** Including permits to e.g. unaccompanied minors and residence permits to asylum-seekers that cannot be returned. Figures 4-6: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome ( ) % 22% 23% Granted refugee status 64% 11 % 5% 64% 12% 2% 6% 16% 1% Granted subsidiary protection Granted humanitarian protection Negative decisions Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214 Table 5: Third-country nationals relocated and resettled ( ) Third-country nationals relocated* N/A N/A Third-country nationals resettled 516* 468* 515 Source: *Information provided by DK NCP and Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyresa), extracted 6 June 214 5

6 Table 6: Unaccompanied minors ( ) Unaccompanied minors (total) N/A N/A N/A Unaccompanied minors not applying for asylum N/A N/A N/A Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants 282* 355* 354* Source: EMN, A Descriptive Analysis of the Impacts of the Stockholm Programme and * Information provided by DK NCP Table 7: Number of third-country nationals refused entry at external borders ( ) Third-country nationals refused entry at external borders Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eirfs), extracted 4 June 214 Figure 7: Number of third-country nationals found to be illegally present ( ) Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eipre), extracted 4 June 214 Table 8: Third-country nationals returned ( ) Third-country Returned as part of Returned Returned through an Assisted nationals ordered to forced return measures voluntarily Voluntary Return Programme leave 211 2,17 1, ,295 N/A N/A N/A 213 3,11 1,67 31 N/A Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eiord), extracted 4 June 214 and Commission Staff Working Document - Accompanying the 5th Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 213 Table 9: Number of visas issued by type ( ) Total visas 96, ,96* N/A Schengen visa (short-stay visas) 84,27 9,587 92,668 National visa 5,97 N/A 1,91 Source: EMN, A Descriptive Analysis of the Impacts of the Stockholm Programme ; *National contributions to EMN Annual Policy Report 11 Ibid 6