COUNTRY UPDATE FOR 2010: Norwegian Red Cross. 1. Figures and facts about immigration. 2. Figures and facts about asylum

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1 COUNTRY UPDATE FOR 2010: Red Cross 1. Figures and facts about immigration National population: (as of ) 1 Percentage of population that are immigrants: 9,5% of the population 2 Estimated number of undocumented migrants: A 2006 study by Statistics Norway estimated the number of undocumented migrants to be around The number of rejected asylum seekers who have stayed in Norway for a prolonged period is expected to be lower ( ). 4 Main countries of origin of immigrants regardless of status 5 Place Country Number of immigrants 1 Poland Sweden Pakistan Iraq Somalia Figures and facts about asylum Main countries of origin of asylum seekers year Place Country Number of asylum applicants 1 Eritrea Somalia Afghanistan Russia Ethiopia Iraq Iran Nigeria Kosovo Serbia 200 Evolution of the number of asylum applications 1 Statistics Norway ( 2 This counts all those who are born outside Norway of two non- parents. 3 See 4 Estimations made by the national campaign for undocumented migrants ( 5 Numbers from Statistics Norway as of ( 6 Taken from (Directorate of Immigraiton)

2 Change +/- First applications % Rejections % Removals % Recognitions % Proportion of recognitions of all the decisions (%) 42% at first instance 8 41% at first instance 9 Voluntary returns % Number of Dublin cases sent n/a 10 back Number of Dublin cases received % 3. Political and legal developments concerning migration issues List all the remarkable political and legal changes occurred in your country. List also issues with political/ public concern. Add rows if needed. Political changes (policy programmes, guidelines, etc.) Issue Short description Remarks (RC responses, problems related to these issues, etc.) A new white paper on refugee and migration policy in a European perspective was issued by the Ministry of Justice and the Police The white paper stresses the importance of international cooperation, harmonisation and coordination in dealing with contemporary refugee and migration issues. The paper also states that policy developments in the EU will influence policy 22 main priorities in the field of asylum and migration are outlined. For more details see the white paper see: JD/Vedlegg/Faktaark/Migrasjons mld_eng.pdf 7 These removals are not necessarily back to country of origin. The largest group is returned to Italy as a result of the Dublin agreement. 8 This only relates to cases that were processed in Norway (Dublin cases excluded), it also only relates to cases that were granted in first instance (not in the appeals board) 9 Same as above 10 These figures are not available as the 2010 annual report of the Immigration Police is not published at the time of writing

3 Legal changes (laws, regulations, etc.) In September 2010 the minister of Justice and the Police decided to establish Return centres for failed asylum seekers Halt in returns to Greece Halt in forced returns to Mogadishu, Somalia New Immigration Act and Immigration regulation came into force Jan The decision was made in the wake of fires and riots at the country s two transit centres for failed asylum seekers. The government acknowledged that the lack of activities and low standard of accommodation at the transit centres was not conducive to voluntary returns and that it jeopardised the safety of staff and asylum seekers alike. The transit centres were shut down and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) was asked to work on the establishment of return centres The return centres will offer failed asylum seekers return-focused activities, information and return counselling. The standard of housing will be the same as in regular reception centres. In October 2010, the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) decided to halt all Dublin-returns to Greece following a request from the European Court of Human Rights In March 2010 the Immigration Appeals Board opened up for forced returns to Mogadishu, a decision which was severely criticized by local NGOs as well as UNHCR The Ministry of Justice and the Police requested for a review of this decision and in October 2010 the Appeals board concluded that forced returns to Mogadishu would constitute a breach of Norway s international obligations. All forced returns to Mogadishu were halted. The new act engages more directly with Norway s international commitments. The term refugee is broadened to include all applicants covered by non-refoulement provisions of any international convention to which Norway is a party (such as the European Convention on The Red Cross has monitored this policy development and has also attended meetings by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) on this issue. The Red Cross does not have any clear stance on the issue, but welcomes the government s attempt to address the humanitarian issues that emerged at the former transit centres. We await further developments. Since 2008 the government has carried out comprehensive changes in the immigration law and carried out various actions to reduce the

4 The EU returns directive is incorporated into law Campaign regarding rights of undocumen ted migrants ( ose.no) Human Rights). The act imposes greater restrictions for those who wish to apply for family reunification. Certain groups seeking family reunification may have to document four years of work or study in Norway prior to obtaining reunification permits. The new immigration regulations allows for temporary residency permits to be given to UAM aged This restrictive measure means that UAM are given permits to stay in Norway until their 18 th birthday. During this interim period in Norway the authorities expect the youth to engage in return-related activities. The changes came into force on 24. December 2010 and led to stricter regulations concerning reentry of foreign nationals who have overstayed their permits. An upper limit is set on how long a foreign national can be detained by the authorities while waiting for deportation. In accordance with the returns directive, this limit is now set to 18 months. A consortium of local NGOs launched a national advocacy campaign focusing on the rights of undocumented migrants in Norway. The campaign seeks to raise awareness and bring attention to the challenges facing undocumented migrants. One goal is to make the authorities set an upper limit to how long a person can stay in Norway as an undocumented migrant. number of asylum seekers in Norway. This has lead to a number of consultation papers from the Red Cross stressing the humanitarian consequences of these actions. The Red Cross has also participated in the writing of the shadow report to UN Committee of the Rights of the Child, pointing out the humanitarian consequences of this actions, special the consequences for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Norway The Red Cross is not part of this consortium but follows the campaign closely. The Red Cross youth is one of the 37 NGOs supporting the campaign.

5 Asylum seekers /migrants related issues raised by media, authorities, NGOs, etc. Fires at transit centres The Maria Amelie Case In July 2010 Norway s two transit centres for rejected asylum seekers received considerable media attention following riots and fires instigated by residents at the centres. These dramatic events contributed to the government s decision to close down transit centres and open return centres for rejected asylum seekers (see above) In 2010 the Russian born asylum seeker Madina Salamova wrote the book Ulovlig Norsk under the pseudonym Maria Amelie. Here Salamova describes her upbringing in Norway first as the child of asylum seekers and later as an irregular migrant. The book caused considerable debate in the media and Salamova was hailed as of the Year by the weekly Ny Tid. In January 2011 Salamova was deported by the authorities to Russia. This again sparked a heated debate about immigration policies. As a result of the Maria Amelie Case, a change was made in the immigration regulations. This enabled the swift return of certain categories of deported, foreign citizens who had violated the immigration act. In light of these legislative changes Salamova returned legally to Norway in late April 2011 Although the Red Cross is present at 57 reception centres across the country, we had no activity at the two transit centres in July The Red Cross does not comment on individual asylum cases and did therefore not engage actively in the debate regarding Salamova.

6 4. Red Cross activities in the field of migration List all different kinds of activities in order to make it easier to share ideas and good practices among the National Societies. Target Group Type of Activity Short Description of Activity Provider of activity within RC (National Headquarter, regional / local Branch, etc.) Asylum Seekers Activity in reception centres Visiting Trandum Detention Centre for immigrants Through various activities, volunteers activate residents at asylum reception centers and build closer ties between asylum seekers and the local communities. Trained volunteers regularly visit detainees at Trandum Detention Centre. Local branch with Refugees Refugee Guide By matching up refugees with individuals in their new home community, this project seeks to ameliorate some of the social isolation experienced when moving to a new home. Women/Men s groups Youth groups Women and Men s groups serve as an arena where locals and newly settled refugees can meet in an informal setting. In recent years several youth groups have been established with a particular focus on empowerment of multicultural youth /Red Cross Youth Labour Migrants Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (VOTs) language groups Til Topps outdoors hiking event No activity specifically targeted at this group registered Project against trafficking Volunteers help newly settled refugees learn outside the classroom setting An annual event whereby refugees and Red Cross volunteers hike up Norway s tallest mountain. A project which offers psychosocial support and activities for VoT. National HQ National HQ and local branches Oslo and Bergen Red Cross

7 Undocumented Migrants Other Migrants (e.g. migrants who have moved to country due to marriage or studies and thus cannot be considered as labour migrants) Health Centre for undocumented migrants Youth Groups language groups Women/Men s groups The health centre provides health care to undocumented migrants who otherwise would not seek assistance from the public health system. See above See above See above Oslo Red Cross in collaboration with the Church City Mission. Name and contact details of the lead person for migration matters within your National Society: Karin Afeef, Senior Adviser, Migration and multicultural work (PERCO rep 2011): karin.afeef@redcross.no tel: