According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia remained almost the same during December and amounted to about 4,300 persons of concern, of which about 4,000 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in the asylum center  in Krnjaca (772) and reception centers in Obrenovac (690), Adasevci (349) and Presevo (290), while the least stayed in the asylum centers in Tutin and Banja Koviljaca and reception centers in Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad and Subotica. Some changes occurred due to the movement of most of the unaccompanied and separated children to Krnjaca and Obrenovac from other centers.

During December, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 497 in total,  were expressed in police stations (466). There were also 23 intentions expressed at the airport, 3 on border crossings and 2 in the Shelter for foreigners.

During December, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Pakistan (148), Iran (147), Afghanistan (90) and Iraq (58). Individuals from Algeria, Albania, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, India, Cuba, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Moldova, Nepal, Palestine, Syria and Sri Lanka also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 407 were males and 90 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 165 children, out of which 10 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with article 24 of the Law on Asylum, 29 asylum seekers were registered in December, at which time their identity was determined, while also getting photographed and having their fingerprints taken. 28 asylum applications were submitted, while the Asylum Office conducted 10 interviews in the asylum procedure.

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office made one positive decisions in December, granting subsidiary protection to a citizen of NIgeria. Eight applications concerning nine people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, China, Iraq and Pakistan were refused while three applications of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Somalia were rejected.

Photo: Lali Masriera (CC BY 2.0)