Refugee Situation in Serbia in July 2017

Number of refugees and migrants in Serbia at the end of July 2017 dropped to 4,997 which is the lowest number in the last eleven months. Some 93 percent were accommodated in five asylum centres (Krnjaca, Banja Koviljaca, Bogovadja, Sjenica, Tutin) and thirteen reception centres (Subotica, Sombor, Kikinda, Adasevci, Principovac, Obrenovac, Pirot, Divljana, Dimitrovgrad, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vranje, Presevo). Vast majority of refugees and migrants resided in Reception Centres in Obrenovac, Presevo and Adasevci and in Asylum Centre in Krnjaca, whereas the least stayed in Asylum Centre in Tutin and Reception Centres in Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad and Bujanovac.

According to the information obtained from the UNHCR Office in Belgrade, 80 percent of all persons accomodated in asylum and reception centres in Serbia are from so-called refugee producing countries, mostly from Afghanistan (59%), followed by Iraq (12%) and Syria (4%). Among them were 58% women and children.

During July, 297 persons expressed their intention to seek asylum in Serbia. Among them majority were from Afghanistan (160), Pakistan (80) and Syria (10). Intention to seek asylum was expressed also by persons from Libya, Iraq, Russia, Algeria, China, Iran, Eritrea, Somalia, Cuba, Morocco, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Guinea, Nepal and Tunisia. Of total number of asylum seekers there were 272 men and 25 women. Out of 159 children who expressed the intention to seek asylum, 34 children were unaccompanied or separated, all from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal.

In line with the Law on Asylum, eight asylum seekers were registered, whereas their identity was determined, they were photographed and fingerprinted. Among registered asylum seekers were persons from Afghanistan (2), Pakistan (2), Bulgaria (1), China (1), Libya (1) and Turkey (1). Seven asylum applications were submitted and one interview was conducted for asylum seekers from Iran.

During July 2017, Asylum Office delivered first positive decision from the beginning of the year, granting refugee status to asylum seeker from Afghanistan, a client of the Belgrade Centre from Human Rights. Furthermore, Asylum Office refused asylum to one asylum seeker from Afghanistan and terminated 11 asylum procedures for asylum seekers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria and Slovenia.

Photo: UNHCR