According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia increased during October and amounted to about 4,600 persons of concern in the first week of November, of which about 4,100 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in reception centers in Obrenovac (799), Presevo (449) and Adasevci (367) and the Center for Asylum in Krnjaca (774), while the least stayed in the asylum center in Tutin and reception centers in Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad and Bujanovac.

During October, most intentions for seeking asylum were expressed in police stations (702). There were also 15 intentions expressed at the airport and 17 in the reception center in Preševo. During October, there were no recorded expressed intentions to seek asylum at a shelter for foreigners in Padinska Skela nor in the border zone.

During October, 734 individuals expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia, and the majority of them were from Iraq (264), Afghanistan (157), Pakistan (149), and Iran (79). Individuals from Syria, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Bangladesh, Somalia, India, Egypt, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Cameroon, China, Nigeria, the Russian Federation, Tunisia and Turkey also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 559 were males and 175 females. Also, the intention to seek asylum was expressed by 282 children, out of which 8 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with article 24 of the Law on Asylum, 27 asylum seekers were registered in October, at which time their identity was determined, while also getting photographed and having their fingerprints taken. 27 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 reached two positive decisions in October, and awarded refugee status to one asylum seeker from Burundi and subsidiary protection to nine asylum seekers from Libya. Both cases were represented by the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights. On the other hand, four applications were refused.

Photo: Kristian Odberg (CC0 1.0)