DROP IN ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
Significant decreases of the number of asylum seekers are reported in most western European states. At the same time, illegal immigration is believed to be on the increase in several countries.
Following drastic restrictions introduced in 1993 and early 1994, the number of asylum seekers decreased significantly in almost all EU member states during 1994. Only Great Britain and the Netherlands reported increases of asylum applications. In the Netherlands, the number of applications was 55,000 in 1994, against 36,000 in 1993. Finland and Portugal received the smallest number of asylum seekers, with respectively 836 and 520 applications. Once again, Germany received most asylum seekers, but the number of applications dropped by 200,000 (60 per cent) between 1993 and 1994. Only 7.3 per cent of all applicants were granted asylum.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, asylum applications declined by 30 per cent to 16,134 in 1994. The recognition quota was 11.7 per cent. A spokesman for the Federal Office for Refugees said that the acceleration of procedures had rendered Switzerland "less attractive" for asylum seekers. Moreover the blocked Balkan route was acting as a brake on refugee fluxes from India, Pakistan and Turkey.
Increased illegal immigration?
The significant drop in asylum applications appears to coincide with an increasing number of illegal entries in most western European states.
Since January, the Swiss Border Protection Corps has been equipped with electronic video devices with an aim to prevent illegal entry. The cameras are installed in "sensitive" border areas. The video recordings are erased after 24 hours, but can be retained longer for evidential purposes.
France is making wide use of random checks to detect illegal residents and Germany is continually increasing surveillance at its eastern borders, where 55,000 attempts of illegal entry were registered in 1993.
Exporting problems to eastern Europe
The western European clamp-down on asylum seekers is causing serious problems mainly for eastern European countries. According to UNHCR estimates, there are some 500,000 foreign clandestine workers in Poland. The UNHCR now warns against a deterioration of the situation in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Hungary, since these countries have announced the introduction of restrictive entry regulations.
In Poland, foreigners refusing to comply with a deportation order are now detained pending deportation under a law adopted by parliament on 5 January. Deportees can be detained for up to 90 days.
The lack of functioning asylum legislation in many eastern European countries is contributing to the problem. Thus, for example, in Estonia, asylum seekers on their way to Sweden and other western European countries are sentenced to imprisonment for "illegal entry" (see FECL No.27, p.3) and Latvia is locking up refugees returned by Estonia in old army barracks.
Sources: Frankfurter Rundschau, 19.1.95; Neues Deutschland, 19.1.95; Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 4.1.95, 3.2.95; Die Welt, 6.1.95; Dagens Nyheter, 25.1.95.