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Sharp rise in Ukrainians seeking EU asylum - EASO data | Sharp rise in Ukrainians seeking EU asylum - EASO data |
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New data on asylum claims in the EU shows a sudden surge in Ukrainian applicants this year, as well as increasing numbers of Syrians and Eritreans hoping to stay in Europe. | New data on asylum claims in the EU shows a sudden surge in Ukrainian applicants this year, as well as increasing numbers of Syrians and Eritreans hoping to stay in Europe. |
There were 435,760 asylum claims in the EU last year - a 30% rise on 2012. | There were 435,760 asylum claims in the EU last year - a 30% rise on 2012. |
The Ukrainian applicants are widely spread across Europe and many are already working in the EU, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) says. | The Ukrainian applicants are widely spread across Europe and many are already working in the EU, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) says. |
But many more Ukrainians have fled to Russia amid clashes in eastern Ukraine. | But many more Ukrainians have fled to Russia amid clashes in eastern Ukraine. |
Between March and May this year, there were more than 2,000 applications from Ukrainians compared with an average of 100 per month over the past 20 years. | Between March and May this year, there were more than 2,000 applications from Ukrainians compared with an average of 100 per month over the past 20 years. |
There was a 19% increase in the first five months of 2014 compared with the same period last year, EASO said. | There was a 19% increase in the first five months of 2014 compared with the same period last year, EASO said. |
New asylum applicants in EU, 2013 | New asylum applicants in EU, 2013 |
Source: European Asylum Support Office | Source: European Asylum Support Office |
EASO director Robert Visser said most Ukrainians had entered the EU through traditional labour migration routes, many of them finding work in Poland and other neighbouring countries. | EASO director Robert Visser said most Ukrainians had entered the EU through traditional labour migration routes, many of them finding work in Poland and other neighbouring countries. |
The increase "might be the first step in a longer trend", he said. | The increase "might be the first step in a longer trend", he said. |
This year Italy has been particularly stretched to cope with an influx of migrants arriving on rickety boats from North Africa - in nearly all cases from strife-torn Libya. | This year Italy has been particularly stretched to cope with an influx of migrants arriving on rickety boats from North Africa - in nearly all cases from strife-torn Libya. |
There has also been a big rise in the numbers of Eritreans and Syrians among them. | There has also been a big rise in the numbers of Eritreans and Syrians among them. |
Plea for Syrians | Plea for Syrians |
In 2013 about one-third of asylum claims in the EU were successful at the first stage of assessment. | In 2013 about one-third of asylum claims in the EU were successful at the first stage of assessment. |
Refugees fleeing war and/or persecution have a right to claim asylum, and under international law they should not be deported to a life-threatening situation. | Refugees fleeing war and/or persecution have a right to claim asylum, and under international law they should not be deported to a life-threatening situation. |
It takes immigration authorities much time and money to filter illegal migrants and decide who has a genuine case for asylum. | It takes immigration authorities much time and money to filter illegal migrants and decide who has a genuine case for asylum. |
The EU's Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstroem, urged the 28 EU member states to co-operate more in resettling refugees from the Syrian civil war, noting that Sweden and Germany were taking in a disproportionate share of them. | The EU's Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstroem, urged the 28 EU member states to co-operate more in resettling refugees from the Syrian civil war, noting that Sweden and Germany were taking in a disproportionate share of them. |
Syria's Middle Eastern neighbours have given emergency accommodation to some three million Syrian refugees, while millions more remain internally displaced in Syria. | Syria's Middle Eastern neighbours have given emergency accommodation to some three million Syrian refugees, while millions more remain internally displaced in Syria. |
Fewer than 100,000 have been given asylum in the EU, Ms Malmstroem said. The EU has set aside about 6,000 euros (£4,767; $8,165) for each refugee resettled in the EU, she added. | |
Asylum applications from Russians - overwhelmingly people from the troubled North Caucasus - also soared last year, but the numbers have dropped this year. | Asylum applications from Russians - overwhelmingly people from the troubled North Caucasus - also soared last year, but the numbers have dropped this year. |
Ms Malmstroem said asylum seekers from the Western Balkans nations, including Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Serbia, were "putting a lot of pressure on the asylum system". | Ms Malmstroem said asylum seekers from the Western Balkans nations, including Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Serbia, were "putting a lot of pressure on the asylum system". |
The EU operates a visa-free travel regime for all of them except Kosovo, and Ms Malmstroem defended that system. | The EU operates a visa-free travel regime for all of them except Kosovo, and Ms Malmstroem defended that system. |
Nearly all the asylum claims from the Western Balkans are rejected, she pointed out, but processing the claims is a burden on the EU. | Nearly all the asylum claims from the Western Balkans are rejected, she pointed out, but processing the claims is a burden on the EU. |