According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia has fallen during May and amounted to about 3,000 persons of concern, of which around 2,700 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 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 May, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 582 in total, were expressed in police stations (562). There were also 12 intentions expressed at the Belgrade airport, 6 in the reception center in Presevo. In this period 119 asylum seekers have reported to and settled in the asylum centers.

During May, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Afghanistan (164), Iran (133), Pakistan (123), Syria (39), Iraq (36) and Libya (34). Individuals from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Guinea, the Netherlands, India, Cameroon, Palestine, Romania, the Russian Federation, Somalia and Turkey also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 509 were males and 73 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 185 children, out of which 20 were unaccompanied or separated.

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

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office granted asylum to three citizens of Bulgaria. 12 applications concerning 15 citizens of Syria, Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran and Pakistan were refused and three applications for three citizens of Afghanistan and Turkey were rejected.

Photo: Grisha Strundzhev (CC BY 2.0)