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Important news from EUAA and the world of COI

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The News section aims to inform users about recent COI publications or upcoming workshops/conferences. EUAA selects information provided in the News section according to its relevance to the COI and asylum fields. EUAA welcomes suggestions to insert a particular news (event, publication).

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05 December 2023

Afghanistan: Latest EUAA report highlights the ongoing deterioration of human rights

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published a Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Afghanistan. It provides an update on the security, humanitarian, and socio-economic situation in the country, and reviews the latest developments on the treatment of select profiles by the de facto Taliban government. The report will contribute to a forthcoming update of EUAA Country Guidance on Afghanistan. 

Since the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021, the security situation in Afghanistan has generally improved as regards conflict-related events, but this has come at the expense of a general deterioration in the humanitarian and human rights situation. Throughout 2023, activities by opposition armed groups have decreased and not prevented the de facto authorities from exercising effective control over the country. 

The new regime appears to be gradually devolving into a theocratic police state, by taking further steps to implement their interpretation of sharia law for the reported purpose of "purifying" Afghan society and ejecting foreign influence.

Although most of the Taliban's instructions that seek to regulate the private lives of Afghans have been enforced inconsistently since 2021, they have further hindered the civil and human rights of the population. Moreover, the civic space has continued to shrink as journalists, human rights activists and persons perceived as opposing the Taliban are being intimidated or detained for questioning. Women's rights have also continued to be curtailed, including in terms of their access to education beyond primary schooling. 

In parallel, the country is experiencing its third consecutive year of drought, and the population faces a difficult socio-economic situation with widespread poverty, malnutrition, and a crumbling healthcare system.  While the need for humanitarian assistance is on the rise, the UN's appeals for international funding are not being met. 

EU Asylum situation for Afghan nationals 

Between January and September 2023, Afghan nationals lodged around 86 000 asylum applications in EU+ countries, which is on par with the same period in 2022. In these first nine months, Afghan nationals were not only the 2nd largest group seeking international protection in the EU+; they also represented around one third of all unaccompanied minors. As of August 2023, monthly applications by Afghans have begun to rise above 11 000, up from between 7 000 and 9 500 in the months prior.

EU+ countries have issued approximately 64 000 first instance decisions on Afghan applications so far in 2023, with a recognition rate of 60 %; this is a 5 percentage points increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, over a fifth of all Afghan decisions in the EU+ resulted in national forms of protection. At the end of September, some 75 000 Afghan applications were pending at first instance. 

Background 

The EUAA regularly updates its Country of Origin Information reports, which aim to provide accurate and reliable up-to-date information on third countries to support EU+ national asylum and migration authorities involved in migration and international protection procedures. 

The report was prepared in accordance with the EUAA COI Report Methodology and was drafted by EUAA COI Sector's researchers. The report was reviewed by several COI Units in EU+ countries. This information is a crucial component when assessing individual protection needs and, separately, developing Country Guidance. The common analysis on Afghanistan as a Country of Origin, agreed with Member States' experts, enables the Agency to drive convergence in national asylum practices.

 

The report can be downloaded from: Afghanistan – Country Focus.


Any further information may be obtained from the European Union Agency for Asylum’s Press Office at the following email addresses: 

 

  • Afghanistan

16 November 2023

Venezuela: Maduro consolidated control as State-enabled criminality rose, according to new EUAA COI report

​The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published an updated Country Focus on Venezuela. The country continues to experience political tension and socio-economic crises due to ongoing hyperinflation, violent crime, repression, and humanitarian difficulties such as shortages of services and food, despite a recent mild economic recovery. The situation continues to spur emigration, with more than 7 million Venezuelans having left since February 2018.

Building on its 2020 report, the EUAA has published an updated Country Focus: Venezuela report. In recent years, President Nicolás Maduro has progressively consolidated power over the various levels of government. Political repression remains widespread, with political opponents being targeted for a wide range of abuses. The government and the political opposition signed a deal to hold Presidential elections in the second half of 2024.

Since 2020, authorities have moved toward selective political repression and the targeting of certain profiles, often with the collaboration of criminal and armed groups in an effort to avoid international scrutiny. Criminal activities such as robberies, kidnapping, and extortion have increased in recent years. Several armed groups are present and operate in Venezuela, including colectivos, sindicatos (criminal groups), megabandas (large gangs), drug cartels and Colombian armed groups; the latter sometimes operate with the complicity of state security forces and authorities.

Venezuela's border areas with Colombia continued to be characterised by high levels of violence, both by armed actors and the Venezuelan state security forces. Forced displacement, illegal detentions, imposed social restrictions, extortion and extra-judicial killings have been reported in those areas.

International protection situation for Venezuelan nationals 

Between January and June 2023, Venezuelans lodged 36 000 asylum applications in the EU+ making them the third largest group applying for international protection, with the number of monthly applications rising from 4 800 in January to 7 000 in June. Applications were up by 41 % compared to the same period in 2022. This increase is part of a longer-term trend going back five years, that was interrupted only by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of 2023, over 90 % of applications were lodged in Spain, almost all being first-time applications.

The EU+ recognition rate for Venezuelan applicants for international protection in the EU+ stood at 2 % in the first half of 2023. However, it should be emphasised that Spain, which issued the vast majority of decisions, tends to grant a national form of protection accompanied by residence permits issued on humanitarian grounds; rather than international protection.

At the end of June 2023, there were 39 000 Venezuelan cases awaiting a first instance decision across the EU+, a 12 % increase compared to the end of June 2022.

Background

The EUAA regularly updates its Country of Origin Information reports, which aim to provide accurate and reliable up-to-date information on third countries to support EU+ national asylum and migration authorities involved in migration and international protection procedures. 

Any further information may be obtained from the European Union Agency for Asylum's Press Office at the following email addresses: 


  • Venezuela

20 October 2023

Peru: Political and economic challenges highlighted in new EUAA COI report

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published its first Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Peru, providing an overview of the relevant key issues for international protection claims from the country. 

Peru has been experiencing successive political crises, culminating recently in the December 2022 removal of President Pedro Castillo and his replacement by interim President Dina Boluarte. Protests against Castillo took place in early 2022 against the administration's economic policies in the context of rising inflation and an increased cost of living. However, after Castillo's ousting, large-scale protests erupted nationwide. Clashes between security forces and protesters have injured over a thousand people and killed more than sixty. 

Human Rights-focused organisations have reported on the use of excessive force by security forces, with investigations rarely leading to punishment. The country is characterised by a lack of trust in the government, problems of corruption, and repeated political turmoil. 

Several criminal organisations operate in Peru with drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and contract killings, being the most common crimes. Security forces remain hampered by resource challenges. Indigenous leaders, environmental activists, and human rights defenders have all been targeted by criminals linked to drug trafficking and illegal resource extraction. In addition, journalists have also been frequently attacked. Finally, the national economic situation in Peru remains a key challenge, as the government struggles to regain political stability. 

International Protection situation for Peruvian nationals 

In relation to Peruvian claims for international protection in the EU+, between January and June 2023, Peruvians lodged 12 000 applications in the EU+ making them the twelfth largest group of applicants for international protection. The level of Peruvian applications doubled compared to the first half of 2022. Indeed, during this period, Peruvian applications increased from 1 400 in January to 2,300 applications in June, which forms part of a longer-term trend of increased applications going back five years, only interrupted by COVID-19. During the first half of 2023, the majority of applications were lodged in Spain (65%). 

The EU+ recognition rate for international protection was around 4 % during the first half of 2023, and 5 % in 2022. At the end of June 2023, there were 20 000 Peruvian cases awaiting first instance decisions, which represents a significant 170 % increase compared to the end of June 2022. 

Background 

The EUAA regularly updates its Country of Origin Information reports, which provide accurate and reliable up-to-date information on third countries to support EU+ national authorities involved in migration and international protection procedures.

Any further information may be obtained from the European Union Agency for Asylum's Press Office at the following email addresses: 


  • Peru

09 October 2023

EUAA reports on persistent insecurity, on-going targeting of civilians and deteriorating economic conditions in Syria

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published two Country of Origin Information (COI) reports on Syria. With them, the Agency is providing an update on the security situation in the country overall, as well as the socio-economic context in Damascus. These reports will contribute to a forthcoming update of the EUAA's Country Guidance on Syria. In the first six months of 2023, Syrians were the largest group of applicants for international protection in the EU+.

In two newly published Country-of-Origin Information reports on Syria, the EUAA is providing an update on the situation in the country. Since August 2022, Syria continues to be the scene of several international and non-international armed conflicts. While there were no major changes to the frontlines during this period, the security situation has remained volatile and prone to escalation. This is notably the case in Northwestern, Northeastern and Southern Syria where the civilian population was affected both directly and indirectly, by violent clashes and explosions.

Based on public reporting, and in areas under government control in particular, targeted attacks and human rights violations have continued to take place against specific risk profiles including perceived political opponents, against persons fearing recruitment into the Syrian Arab Army and finally, against women and children.

Against this backdrop, the economic conditions in the country have also significantly deteriorated, as highlighted by a severe depreciation of the Syrian pound, acute fuel shortages and rising food prices. Around 90 % of the country's population now lives below the poverty line, and 12.1 million people are food insecure, according to UN bodies[1]. 

EU Asylum situation for Syrian nationals

In the first half of 2023, Syrians were the largest group of applicants for international protection in the EU+. Between January and June[2], they lodged 67 000 asylum applications which is an increase of 47 %, compared with the first half of 2022. During this period, the recognition rate stood at 94 % - the highest in six years. However, there has also been an emerging trend of EU+ asylum authorities granting subsidiary protection to Syrian nationals, rather than refugee status. 

The Latest Asylum Trends for applicants from Syria as well as other countries of origin are available on the EUAA website. 

Background 

The two reports were prepared in accordance with the EUAA COI Report Methodology, with both drafting and review involving several COI units in EU+ countries. This information is a crucial component when assessing individual protection needs and, separately, developing Country Guidance. The common analysis on Syria as a Country of Origin, agreed with Member States' experts, enables the Agency to drive convergence in national asylum practices. 

Read the two Country of Origin Information reports here: 


Any further information may be obtained from the European Union Agency for Asylum's Press Office at the following email addresses: 



[1]  UN, Briefers Stress to Security Council Syria's Worsening Situation Needs Fully Funded Humanitarian Response Plan, 12-Month Extension of Cross-Border Aid Mechanism, 29 June 2023, url; WFP, Syria in crisis: Food ration cuts set to plunge millions into severe hunger, 13 June 2023, url

[2] According to data collected through the EUAA's Early warning and Preparedness System (EPS).

  • Syrian Arab Republic

12 May 2023

La Agencia de Asilo de la Unión Europea (EUAA) publica por primera vez un informe de Enfoque de País sobre Colombia

​La Agencia de Asilo de la Unión Europea (EUAA) publica por primera vez un informe de Enfoque de País sobre Colombia. El documento abarca el período comprendido entre 2021 y los primeros meses de la nueva administración del presidente Gustavo Petro, que se inauguró en agosto de 2022. El informe proporciona información actualizada para asistir a los adjudicadores en la evaluación de solicitudes de protección internacional presentadas por nacionales de Colombia. El informe se centra principalmente en el escenario de seguridad posterior a la desmovilización de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) y su impacto sobre la población civil, así como en los perfiles más comunes que se encuentran en las solicitudes de protección internacional presentadas por dichos nacionales.


Colombia ha vivido más de cinco décadas de conflicto en el que han participado las fuerzas de seguridad del Estado, grupos guerrilleros de izquierda y sus sucesores, grupos paramilitares de derecha y sus sucesores, bandas y grupos de crimen organizado. En 2016, el gobierno de Colombia firmó un histórico acuerdo de paz para poner fin al prolongado conflicto con las FARC-EP, un grupo guerrillero de orientación marxista-leninista que estaba activo desde 1964.

Tras la desmovilización de las FARC-EP, los grupos armados se han reconfigurado y expandido, y el escenario de seguridad se ha fragmentado. Estos grupos se han visto impulsados también por nuevas motivaciones criminales de control territorial y economías ilícitas. La violencia y el control social por parte de los grupos armados, los desplazamientos, los confinamientos, los homicidios, el crimen organizado, las extorsiones y los asesinatos selectivos de líderes sociales, siguen afectando a la población civil.

Según el ACNUR (Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados), hasta 2021 había 6,8 millones de desplazados internos en Colombia; un número muy cercano al provocado por la guerra en Siria. En agosto de 2022, Colombia eligió al presidente Gustavo Petro, quien prometió aplicar el acuerdo de paz con las FARC-EP e intentar negociar con otros actores armados.


Solicitudes de asilo de colombianos en la UE+

Entre enero de 2021 y septiembre de 2022, las personas de nacionalidad colombiana constituyeron el séptimo grupo más numeroso de solicitantes de protección internacional en la UE+. Desde noviembre de 2021, las solicitudes de nacionales colombianos han fluctuado entre 2 400 y 4 000 mensualmente, mientras que, en septiembre de 2022, los nacionales colombianos presentaron la mayor cantidad de solicitudes (4 070) desde el inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19 en febrero de 2020.

Desde enero de 2021, los países de la UE+ han emitido aproximadamente 36 500 decisiones en primera instancia sobre solicitudes colombianas. Durante este periodo, el 7 % de las decisiones resultó en la concesión del estatuto de refugiado y la protección subsidiaria, y el 24 % concedieron formas nacionales de protección (no reguladas a nivel de la UE).

  • Colombia