According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia remained unchanged during September and amounted to about 3,900 persons of concern, of which around 3,400 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers by the end of the month, including around 200 single men in rub halls in Adasevci and Principovac RTCs. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in the reception center in Obrenovac and asylum center in Krnjaca. At informal gathering sites, there were about 500 people, mostly in Belgrade and in the border areas.
During September, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 628 in total, were expressed in police stations (508). There were also 90 intentions expressed at the Belgrade Airport, 27 at border crossings and one in Shelter for Foreigners.
During September, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Iran (217), Afghanistan (141), Pakistan (68), India (52), Iraq (47), Syria (33) and Palestine (25). Individuals from Algeria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Croatia, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Sri Lanka also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 547 were males and 79 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 153 children, out of which 70 were unaccompanied or separated.
In accordance with the law, four asylum seekers were registered, asylum applications were submitted by 17 persons, while the Asylum Office conducted 13 interviews in the asylum procedure. Two asylum applications were submitted in writing.
In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office rejected three applications for four persons, namely two citizens of Afghanistan, one citizen of Ghana and one citizen of Pakistan as well as three decisions rejecting three applications for four persons, namely one citizen of Algeria, two citizens of Ghana and one citizen of Nigeria.
Photo: Curtis MacNewton (CC BY-SA 2.0)