According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia has increased during July and amounted to about 3,500 persons of concern, of which around 3,100 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers by the end of the month. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in the reception center in Obrenovac (865), asylum center in Krnjaca (523) and reception center in Adasevci (308). This is followed by centers in Principovac (180), Pirot (172), Bogovadja (155), Vranje (155), Tutin (133), Sjenica (129), Kikinda (95), Sombor (92) while the least stayed in centers in Presevo (73), Banja Koviljaca (65), Bujanovac (56), Bosilegrad (31), Divljana (31) and Dimitrovgrad (25). The utilization of accommodation capacities is the highest in Obrenovac, Bogovađa, Sombor, Principovac, Vranje and Pirot, while it is the smallest in Presevo, Divljani and Bujanovac.

During July, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 1,021 in total, were expressed in police stations (967). There were also 52 intentions expressed at the Belgrade Airport. In this period 402 asylum seekers have reported to and settled in the asylum centers, while 267 persons left the centers without permission.

During July, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Pakistan (326), Afghanistan (285), Iran (189), Bangladesh (60), Iraq (57) and Syria (33). Individuals from Algeria, Eritrea, India, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, Tunisia and Turkey also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 926 were males and 95 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 262 children, out of which 132 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with the law, nine asylum seekers were registered in July. Asylum applications were submitted by 58 persons, while the Asylum Office conducted two interviews in the asylum procedure.

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office granted asylum to two citizens of Iran and subsidiary protection to five citizens of Libya. One applications concerning a citizen of Ghana was rejected.

Photo: Marco Verch (CC BY 2.0)