According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia has reduced significantly during April and amounted to 3,600 persons of concern, of which around 3,100 were located in state asylum centres and reception centres by the end of the month. Most of the refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were accommodated in the reception centres in Obrenovac (723), Adasevci (290) and Principovac (328) and also in the asylum centre in Krnjaca (535). Most people are originally from Afghanistan and Iran. Among them most are men (65%), then children (25%) and women (10%).

During April, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 720 in total, were expressed in police stations (648). There were 45 intentions registered at border crossings, 21 at Belgrade Airport six at Asylum Office.

During April, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Pakistan (298), Afghanistan (211), Syria (46), India (35), Iran (22) and Bangladesh (18). Individuals from Algeria, Eritrea, Iraq, Yemen, China, Cuba, Libya, Morocco, Germany, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and Chad also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 690 were males and 30 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 170 children, out of which 62 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with the law, asylum applications were submitted by 12 persons (2 in writing), while the Asylum Office conducted 26 interviews in the asylum procedure.

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office granted refugee status to one person from Iran. The Asylum Office made two decisions rejecting asylum applications for two citizens of Afghanistan and Cameroon. In April, one asylum request for two persons from Iran was dismissed.

Photo: Joanna Malinowska – freestocks.org (CC0 1.0)