Country of Origin Information
Advanced search

COI News

Important news from EUAA and the world of COI

Our approach to COI news

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).

READ LESS

11 November 2024

Afghanistan: An update on the Taliban’s new ‘Morality law’

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published a Country-of-Origin Information (COI) report on Afghanistan. It provides information on the political context and human rights situation in the country, as well as an update on the general security situation and the treatment of selected profiles.

Over three years have passed since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. Islamic law (sharia) serves as the legal framework in the country, and the still unrecognised de facto authorities have issued a series of instructions limiting the personal rights and freedoms of the Afghan population. On 21 August 2024, the Taliban announced a new 'Morality law', imposing restrictions including on general dress codes, women's voices, a prohibition of featuring animate objects in the media (e.g., pictures of humans and animals), and congregational prayer.

The EUAA's latest report provides detailed information on the so-called “Morality Law" and on how sharia is being enforced across Afghanistan, noting the vague nature of the instructions, sometimes impossible to implement, and outlines the inconsistent enforcement across provinces and communities. Although enforcement is less stringent than during the Taliban's rule from 1996 to 2001, women and girls continue to experience limitations in access to education, employment, health and justice, as well as in freedom of movement and freedom of expression. The Taliban believe in a one-party system of governance and have cracked down harshly on armed and political opposition. The civic space has shrunk significantly and Afghanistan now ranks as the third worst country in the world in terms of press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Conflict-related violence has continued to decrease, as no resistance group poses a realistic threat to the Taliban's hold on power. However, this comes as many households are facing food insecurity and malnutrition. The humanitarian situation remains precarious, therefore. In addition, and as gender-segregation is central to the Taliban's enforcement of sharia, many decisions impact women and girls' access to public spaces. In fact, women-headed households struggle especially, as they cannot travel certain distances or access some services without a male relative accompanying them.

EU Asylum situation for Afghan nationals

Between January–August 2024, Afghans were the second largest nationality applying for international protection in the EU+, with a total of 60 000 asylum applications lodged. However, this constitutes a decrease by a fifth compared to the same period in 2023. Monthly applications in 2024 have not surpassed 9 000 since and have been at the lowest levels in over three years. Germany remained the main destination country, with over two fifths of Afghan applications being lodged there.

In the same period, Afghan applicants were issued over 66 000 first instance decisions in the EU+ countries, almost two fifths of them in Germany. The recognition rate for Afghan applicants stood at 65%, just slightly above that of 2023 (61 %). At the end of August 2024, around 63 000 Afghan cases were pending at first instance in the EU+, which was stable compared to previous months, but significantly lower than in 2023.

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.​

  • Afghanistan

22 October 2024

EUAA publishes latest Country of Origin Information reports on Syria, highlighting ongoing security and humanitarian concerns

 

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, the socio-economic context in areas under government control, and reviews the latest developments on the treatment of select profiles by different actors. These reports will contribute to a forthcoming update of the EUAA's Country Guidance on Syria. In the last 12 months, Syrians were the largest group of applicants for international protection in the EU+.

As Syria enters its fourteenth year of conflict, the country continues to experience both international and non-international armed conflicts. Despite no significant changes to the frontlines during the reporting period (September 2023 – August 2024), the security situation remained volatile and susceptible to escalation. Continuing hostilities, tensions and violence have notably affected parts of Northwestern, Northeastern and South-Western Syria, resulting in civilian casualties and damage of critical civilian infrastructure. The escalation of the Israel-Hamas war has resulted in increased violence spilling over into Syria, with frequent attacks on various sites.

Based on public reporting, particularly in government-controlled areas, human rights violations and abuses persisted against specific groups, including persons who express views critical of the authorities, persons originating from former opposition-held areas, and returnees from abroad.

Against this backdrop, Syria's economic conditions have continued to deteriorate, with soaring inflation, rising food prices and growing humanitarian needs. Around 90 % of the country's population now lives below the poverty line[1], and more than half of the population (12.9 million people[2]) is food insecure, according to UN bodies.

EU Asylum situation for Syrian nationals

Syrians were the top nationality seeking international protection in the EU+ between September 2023 and August 2024, with 180 000 asylum applications lodged during the 12- month period. During this period, the recognition rate stood at 92 % similar to previous 12 months. Germany remained the main destination country, with almost half of Syrian applications being lodged there. It was followed by Greece and Austria, at much lower levels, which accounted, together, for less than a quarter.

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:

​[1] OHCHR, UN Commission of Inquiry: “Syria, too, desperately needs a ceasefire", 11 March 2024, url

[2]  UNOCHA, Humanitarian Needs Overview, Syrian Arab Republic, February 2024, url, p. 75; WFP, Syria Emergency, n.d., url


  • Syrian Arab Republic

22 August 2024

Ghana: EUAA updates on the health landscape and availability of medical services

​The EUAA recently published five topical reports on the healthcare situation in Ghana, which provide information on the prevalence of gastroenterology, hepatitis, nephrology, AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, as well as the cost and access to treatment and medicines for these diseases. These reports complement ones published earlier this year, on diabetes mellitus, neurology, pulmonology, psychiatry and paediatrics.

Since the end of 2023, the European Union Agency for Asylum  has published a series of ten medical country of origin information (MedCOI) topical reports which complement a general report on Health Care Provision in Ghana published in July 2023. MedCOI topical reports focus on the costs of treatments and medications, while the General Report provides information on the structure of the healthcare system in Ghana, the public and private health sectors, the pharmaceutical sector as well as economic factors, such as insurance schemes and health expenditure.

Ghana has a complex burden of disease, present across different age, gender, location, and socio-economic status groups. The major health conditions affecting children are communicable diseases, with malaria prevailing. Moreover, maternal and neonatal health conditions remain challenging, especially in rural areas and amongst poor women. In addition, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancers, eye disorders, genetic diseases, oral health conditions, mental health disorders, hypertension, strokes, and substance/medicine abuse are increasingly prevalent in the country’s population.

The organisation of Ghana’s health system is monitored by the Ministry of Health which acts both as policy maker and regulator. Healthcare services are provided by two public sector institutions, namely the Ghana Health Service and the Teaching Hospitals, as well as by private sector service providers. Both public and private health insurance schemes are available in Ghana. The public scheme, the National Health Insurance Scheme is available to all Ghanaians for use at all levels of care and covers a wide range of diagnosed conditions and related costs. ​

​Download the reports: 

  • Ghana

15 July 2024

Bangladesh: EUAA updates on the health landscape and availability of medical services in-country

The EUAA recently published five topical reports on the healthcare situation in Bangladesh, which provide Member States’ national authorities with information on the prevalence of gastroenterology, hepatitis, paediatric care, psychiatry, and pulmonology, as well as the access to treatment and medicines for these diseases in Bangladesh.

In total, since the start of 2024, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published a series of nine MedCOI topical reports, as in February 2024 four reports were published regarding diabetes mellitus, cardiology, neurology and nephrology. These topical reports complement the general report on Health Care Provision in Bangladesh published in June 2023.

The MedCOI topical reports focus on the costs of treatment and medication, as they provide prices for consultations, specific examinations, and medications, while the general MedCOI report provides general information on the structure of the health system in Bangladesh, the public and private health sectors, and the pharmaceutical sector. Further, the general report focuses on economic factors including the health services provided by the state, insurance schemes and health expenditure. The reports are based on publicly available information in electronic and paper-based sources and also contain information from oral sources.

Bangladesh is a densely populated country and even though it is one the fastest growing economies in the world, those in lower socioeconomic groups are not able to afford health services. Health expenditure is one of the main reasons for poverty and deprivation amongst low-income households. Bangladesh has one of the highest out-of-pocket expenditure rates in the world.

Migration from rural areas to urban areas is increasing. Bangladesh has a rural network of public sector health services but lacks an equivalent network in the urban areas. A rapid and consistent inflow of migrants provides an additional source of pressure on services in urban slums and large cities. Bangladesh is also undergoing an epidemiological transition, especially in its urban areas.

Separately, the Agency has just published an updated COI Country Focus on Bangladesh.
  • Bangladesh

11 July 2024

Nigeria: Latest report highlights the multifaceted security threats in the country

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published a new Count​​ry of Origin Information (COI) report on Nigeria​, which examines the security situation in the country and its impact on civilians, through a regional breakdown. It also looks into the issue of human trafficking and identifies selected profiles of relevance for the assessment of Nigerian applications for international protection by EU+ countries.

Nigeria’s security situation is complex, marked by the involvement of different state and non-state actors in conflicts and human rights violations. While criminality is reported as the primary source of violence, the EUAA report also highlights several major conflict drivers, including attacks by Islamist groups, counter-insurgency operations, criminal and cult-related violence, separatist movements, and clashes between farmers and herders.  Banditry and kidnappings also contributed to the country’s instability. In 2023, approximately 75 % of fatalities were reported in the north of Nigeria. That year, election-related violence added to the volatile environment.

Nigeria is also a country of origin, transit and destination for sex trafficking and forced labour, involving both children and adults. In 2022, it ranked first in terms of countries of origin for victims of trafficking in human beings in the EU. In this context, the report delves into the specific situation of women and girls, as well as LGBTIQ persons, offering insight into some of their unique challenges. 

EU Asylum situation for Nigerian nationals


Between January 2023 and March 2024, Nigerians lodged 21 000 applications for international protection in the EU+.  Monthly levels fluctuated between 1 100 and 1 700. The latter was recorded in March 2024, when Nigerians lodged the most applications since May 2022. However, compared to the previous 15 months, Nigerian applications have decreased slightly in the EU+. Around 74% of all Nigerians were first-time applicants and there were hardly any self-claimed unaccompanied minors. The main receiving countries for Nigerians were Italy, followed by France, Ireland, and Germany.

During these 15 months, EU+ countries issued approximately 16 000 decisions at first instance on Nigerian applications, with 14% of the decisions granting refugee status and subsidiary protection. At the end of March 2024, there were 15 000 cases pending at first instance, up by around 500 cases compared to January 2023. 

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 authorities involved in international protection procedures.

The report was prepared in accordance with the EUAA COI Report Methodology and was drafted by the EUAA COI Sector. The report was reviewed by members of different COI Units in EU+ countries. This information is a crucial component when assessing individual protection needs and, separately, developing Country Guidance. 
  • Nigeria