According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia has fallen during April and amounted to about 3,500 persons of concern, of which around 3,200 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers by the end of the month. However, during the second half of April there was an increase in newly arrived refugees, mainly from Iran and Afghanistan. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in the asylum center in Krnjaca and reception centers in Obrenovac, Presevo and Adasevci, while the least stayed in the asylum centers in Tutin and Banja Koviljaca and reception centers in Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad and Subotica.

During April, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 642 in total, were expressed in police stations (621). There were also 9 intentions expressed at the Belgrade airport, 8 in the reception center in Presevo and 2 in the Shelter for foreigners.

During April, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Pakistan (181), Afghanistan (178), Iran (164), Iraq (39), Libya (24) and Syria (11). Individuals from Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea, India, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, Peru, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 546 were males and 34 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 181 children, out of which 28 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with article 24 of the Law on Asylum, 40 asylum seekers were registered in April, at which time their identity was determined, while also getting photographed and having their fingerprints taken. Thirty-eight asylum applications were submitted, while the Asylum Office conducted 29 interviews in the asylum procedure.

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office granted asylum to four persons for three citizens of Afghanistan and one citizen of Iran and it also granted subsidiary protection to one asylum seeker from Pakistan during April. Five applications concerning six citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba, Ghana and Pakistan were refused and three applications for three citizens of Afghanistan, Macedonia and Pakistan were rejected.

Photo: Trocaire (CC BY 2.0)