PERCO Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Migrants

Transcription

1 PERCO Platform for European Red Cross Cooperation on Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Migrants COUNTRY UPDATE: Germany Figures and facts about asylum Principle countries of origin of asylum seekers year 2006 Place Country Number of asylum applicants 1 Iraq 2,117 2 Turkey 1,949 3 Serbia/Montenegro (Jan - 1,828 July) 4 Serbia( Aug - Dec) 1,354 5 Russian Federation 1,040 6 Vietnam Iran Syria Lebanon Afghanistan 531 Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) Comparison 2005 / 2006 Place Country Difference in % Annotation 1 Iraq about 50 % Kurds 2 Turkey about 80 % Kurds 3 Serbia/Montenegro % ethnic Albanians and 43 % Roma 4 Russian Federation Vietnam Syria Iran Afghanistan Lebanon Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) In ,029 people applied for asylum in Germany. The number of applicants in 2006 has clearly decreased; compared with the previous year, the number of applicants has dropped by 7,885 or 27.3 %. 1

2 Evolution of the number of asylum applications Difference +/- First applications 28,914 21,029-7,885 Rejections 28,109 17,781-10,328 Removals Recognitions (1) (2) Voluntary/mandatory returns 5,800 Number of Dublin cases sent 5,527 4, back Number of Dublin cases received 6,255 5,187-1,068 Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) (1) This number includes family cases. (2) 1,097 people obtained refugee status under the Geneva Convention (3.6 %), the recognition rate was 0.8 %. Second-time applications: 9,071 cases Proceedings closed due to withdrawal or other reasons:11,027 cases Decisions of revocation procedure of residence permit 2006 Place Country Totally 1 Iraq 4,440 2 Turkey 1,802 3 Serbia/Montenegro (Jan - July) Serbia (Aug - Dec) Russian Federation 8 6 Vietnam 21 7 Iran 42 8 Syria 42 9 Lebanon 4 10 Afghanistan 634 Total 7,863 Country of origin overall 8,615 Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) In total 8,615 residence permits have been revoked in Compared to 2005, this is a reduction of 23 %. 2

3 Type of residence permit Foreign Population in Germany according to type of residence permit Foreign population Total 6,751,002 This includes: Type of sojourn - Total number subject to the previous Act of Residence (1990) 2, Temporary title of sojourn 651,118 - Permanent title of sojourn 2,226,505 - Subject to the current Act of Residence (2005) 2,279,738 Residence permit - Total number 1,137,867 - Appropriated to Education 137,227 - Appropriated to Employment 72,096 - According to international law, humanitarian or 150,411 political reasons - Familial reasons 615,839 - Special sojourn rights 66,709 Settlement permit 555,334 Other Cases 172,725 EU-Residence title - Temporary title of sojourn 347,724 - Permanent title of sojourn 1,008,818 Duldung 1 (limited extension of residence permit) 165,084 Other residence permits 40,757 Without residence title, Duldung or residence permit 445,070 1 Individuals who are tolerated according to 60a (Duldung) of the Immigration Act (AufenthG), receive exceptional permission to remain within Germany for three or six months. 3

4 2. Political and legal developments concerning migration issues Political changes (policy programmes, guidelines, etc.) Issue Short description Remarks (RC responses, problems related to these issues, etc.) National Integration Plan to Improve Integration Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel initiated the First National Integration Summit, which took place in July. The aim of the German Government was to initiate a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders. German Red Cross is actively participating in two working groups. Legal changes (laws, regulations, etc.) 4 Duldung 80 representatives from federal states, town councils, employer associations, trade unions, NGO s, religious communities, media, science and migration organizations. The main aim is to elaborate a National Integration Plan (NIP) by the summer of This plan should contain aims for improving integration with concrete measurements and obligations for all participating stakeholders in working groups. The following themes were identified by the NIP: improvement of integration courses; support of German language studies from the beginning, thus ensuring improved education and training and increasing the chances on the labour market; improving the living conditions of women and girls; local integration; strengthening of intercultural competence; integration through sports; making use of a range of media; strengthening integration by encouraging responsible involvement as a citizen and equal participation. Subsidiary protection was granted to 603 cases in the year The Immigration Act granted an improved status for those who could not be deported within 18 months; in such cases a residence permit has to be granted. However if the delays in deportation have been due to deception (e.g. attempt to disguise identity) a residence permit is rejected. The total number of people who have not submitted their asylum application or whose applications have been

5 rejected, but who cannot return to their countries of origin for humanitarian or other reasons is about They received a renewable temporary residence permit of 3 to 6 months. The German expression is Duldung. It does not remove the foreigner's obligation to leave Germany, but it does postpone enforcement. About persons have stayed in Germany for more than six years and more than persons have stayed for more than eight years with a Duldung. They are not allowed to participate in the labour market. In September 2006 a regulation was passed by the Conference of the Ministers of the Interior of the federal states. It includes the rights to sojourn for refugee families who stayed in the country for more than six years and for individuals who stayed for more than eight years. About persons fulfilled these criteria. But to get a residence permit more criteria must be fulfilled such as the need to be financially independent and not dependent on social benefits. This criterion has to be reached until September For young adults the conditions concentrate on education and prospects for future employment. The elderly and disabled have the possibility to obtain a residence permit if they are independent from any social support. GRC- President, Dr. Seiters, was positively inclined. At the same time he proposed a modification for humanitarian cases, such as the severely ill, the disabled, and unaccompanie d children. Asylum seekers /migrants related issues raised by media, authorities, NGOs, etc. One year since the German Residence Act came into force To mark the first anniversary of the German Residence Act, the German Red Cross published a report on the government s evaluation in November The GRC pointed out the importance of preventing repeated extensions of short-term residence permits and argued for permission to work. The GRC also argued that permission for residence should not be dependent on getting a passport from the home country, as for many people it is difficult or impossible to apply for one. 5

6 Decrease in the number of voluntary returns A financial assistance program called REAG (Reintegration and Emigration Program for asylum seekers in Germany) or GARP (Government Assisted Repatriation Program) has been in place for those who decided to return voluntarily to their countries of origin. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) coordinates this. It was financed by the German Government and the federal states. Asylum seekers and rejected asylum seekers have the opportunity to get funds for the journey home, for a restart and guidance in the home countries. The funding available ranges from 200 to 500 Euros per adult and 100 to 250 per child under 12 years old. For families, funding is between 600 and 1,500 Euros, depending on the country of return. 6

7 3. Red Cross activities in the field of migration Target Group Asylum Seekers Refugees Labour Migrants Undocum ented Migrants Other Migrants Title of Activity Short Description of Activity Provider of activity within RC (National Headquarters, Regional / Local Branch, etc.) Reception Centres On a local level the GRC provide psychosocial counselling, legal advice, recreational activities for youngsters etc. Advisory boards Social support and advice on administrative issues, legal advice (e.g. on residence status), advice and information on how to meet basic needs such as accommodation facilities, clothing, food etc. Advocacy policy Active membership of the European Council on refugees and exiles (ECRE) and within networks on asylum policy in Germany Support of Legal Advisers' Network Psychological support Psychosocial support Family reunification for refugees with a residence permit Initial advice on immigration Counselling Emigrants for Migrants without legal status Integration projects and Migration Services for young immigrants Financial and organisational support to a Legal Advisors' Network including offering seminars to members. Financial and organisational support of a centre for psychosocial and medical treatment of torture victims in Berlin Psychosocial support for traumatised refugees in combination with practical help (e.g. providing clothes, applying for financial and administrative assistance). Helping family members to maintain and strengthen family links. Initiating communication with embassies, and other administrative bodies abroad. Social counselling for foreigners, German repatriates and recognised refugees. The focus of the services is on initiating and supporting the integration process. Counselling Germans who want to leave Germany for vocational reasons, and non-german migrants for whom Germany is not the final destination. Talks, seminars and publications to increase awareness within the GRC towards this target group. Measures aim to improve the living conditions of young people in their social and community environment. Local branches Local and Regional branches National Headquarters in co-operation with other Welfare Agencies and independent organisations National Headquarters and Regional branches in co-operation with other Welfare Agencies and UNHCR Headquarters Regional branches in Saarland and Berlin National Headquarters, Regional and Local branches Tracing Service Local branches 90 advisory centres National Headquarters, Regional and Local branches in co-operation with other Welfare Agencies 6 advisory boards National Headquarters and Regional branches Regional and Local branches 7

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