According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia remained unchanged during October and amounted to about 3,800 persons of concern, of which around 3,500 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 and asylum center in Krnjaca. At informal gathering sites, there were about 450 people, mostly in Belgrade and in the border areas.
During October, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 700 in total, were expressed in police stations (569). There were also 36 intentions expressed at the Belgrade Airport and 95 at border crossings.
During October, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Afghanistan (233), Iran (217), Pakistan (157) and Syria (18). Individuals from Bangladesh, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, India, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Turkey, Albania, DR Congo, Guinea, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 626 were males and 74 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 246 children, out of which 89 were unaccompanied or separated.
In accordance with the law, asylum applications were submitted by 34 persons, while the Asylum Office conducted 28 interviews in the asylum procedure.
In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office rejected four applications for four persons. For the third month in a row, the Asylum Office did not reach a positive decision.
Photo: Ivan Bandura (CC BY 2.0)