news > news releases

REFUGEE ACTION RESPONSE TO QUARTERLY ASYLUM STATISTICS

Thursday November 26th 2009

In response to the third quarterly asylum statistics 2009 released today, Sandy Buchan, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said: "These statistics show that the top countries of origin for asylum seekers are Afghanistan, Iran and Zimbabwe, countries where devastating conflict and human rights abuses are regularly in the news.

We are extremely concerned that recent rulings may put many of these asylum seekers in danger. Just a month ago, we were dismayed by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals ruling that the level of violence experienced by civilians in Afghanistan was not enough to grant humanitarian protection to Afghans in the UK. This had followed a ministerial statement that the Home Office is considering removing people to Zimbabwe.

Todays figures show that people are still fleeing these countries and are deeply fearful about returning. We urge the government to ensure that they are given full legal representation and a fair hearing, and that they only return people when it is absolutely safe to do so."

ENDS

For media enquiries call Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 233 1956 or 07771 748 159 or Juliar@refugee-action.org.uk.

For more information, visit http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/Charioke.

Notes:

The Key findings of the Control of Immigration, Quarterly Statistics, are:

The top countries of origin for asylum applications in Q3 2009 are: Afghanistan (790), Iran (540), Zimbabwe (525), Eritrea (385), China (300), Pakistan (280), Sri Lanka (225).

The total number of applications, excluding dependents, for asylum was 24 per cent lower in Q3 2009 (5,055) compared with Q3 2008 (6,685).

Including dependents, the number of applications to the UK decreased by 23 per cent in Q3 2009 (6,280) compared with Q3 2008 (8,180).

Including dependents the estimated number of applications to the EU27 decreased by 3 per cent in Q3 2009 (63,000) compared with Q3 2008 (64,600).

7,240 initial decisions, exclusing dependents, were made in Q3 2009, an increase of 38 per cent compared with Q3 2008 (5,230).

The number of cases (excluding dependents) recorded as awaiting an initial decision, was 9,300 at the end of September 2009 (9,500 at the end of Sept 2008).

12 per cent of initial decisions in Q3 were to grant asylum compared with 17 per cent in Q3 2008. 9 per cent of initial decisions were to grant Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave compared with 11 per cent in Q3 2008.

The number of applications for asylum support in Q3 2009 was 3,910, 6 per cent lower than Q3 2008 (4,175).

The total number of asylum seekers, including dependents, in receipt of support in Q3 2009 (29,895) was 7 per cent lower than at the end of Q3 2008 (32,170).

In Q3 2,725 principal applicants were removed or departed voluntarily from the UK, 16 per cent fewer than in Q3 2008 (3,260).

795 asylum seekers left under Assisted Voluntary Return schemes in Q3 2009, 5 per cent higher than the year before.
Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country's leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 27 years' experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year. For more information, visit www.refugee-action.org.uk