EU asylum applications up almost 30% in the first half of 2023
Asylum applications registered in the countries of the European Union, Norway and Switzerland in the first half of the year rose by 28 per cent compared to the same period last year, the EU Asylum Agency announced on Tuesday.
Some 519,000 asylum applications were lodged in these 29 countries between January and the end of June, the agency said, estimating that "on current trends, applications could exceed one million by the end of the year".
Applications in the first half of the year are at their highest for this time of year since 2015-2016. Syrians, Afghans, Venezuelans, Turks and Colombians are the main applicants, accounting for 44 per cent of requests.
Germany tops the list
In 2015-2016, during the influx of refugees into Europe, caused in particular by the stalemate in the conflict in Syria, the number of asylum applications reached 1.3 million (in 2015) and 1.2 million (in 2016). In 2022, the figure was 994,945.
Germany received the most applications, accounting for 30 per cent of the total - almost twice as many as Spain (17 per cent) and France (16 per cent).
The agency points out that, as a result of this increase, many European countries "are under pressure to process applications", and that the number of cases awaiting a decision has risen by 34 per cent compared to 2022. Some 41 per cent of applications at first instance have received a positive response.
Criticism over Belgian policy
Last week, a decision by Belgian state secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor to temporarily stop offering shelter to single male asylum seekers in Belgium sparked fierce criticism. Both ruling parties and NGOs believe the measure crosses a red line.
For months, Belgium's asylum services have struggled with a shortage of reception places. Minors and families with children have already been prioritised in the past, meaning that single men often had to wait a long time for a place in the system. Now, they will temporarily be denied shelter altogether.
(BRV)
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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