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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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13 July 2026

EUAA COI reports highlight Syria’s ongoing political transition while security, economic and humanitarian challenges persist

​The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published two Country of Origin Information (COI) reports on Syria. With them, the Agency provides an update on the situation in Syria with a focus on developments between October 2025 and May 2026. The reports examine the security and socio-economic situation in the country and review the latest political and human rights developments, including the treatment of specific population groups.

More than one year after the fall of the Assad regime, Syria's political transition has been characterised by efforts to consolidate territorial control, reform the security sector and judiciary, and advance transitional justice. The Syrian transitional government expanded its control over most parts of the country, including areas in northeastern Syria. Following a military operation in January 2026, it assumed control of large areas previously held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and concluded an agreement providing for the phased integration of the SDF into state institutions. Meanwhile, the Druze-majority Sweida governorate remained largely outside government control, amid calls for self-determination, internal rivalries among Druze factions, and recurrent violence.

Compared to the fragility and instability that followed the fall of the Assad regime, the security situation showed signs of gradual improvement during the reference period, with lower levels of direct conflict-related violence, except for hostilities in northeast Syria in January 2026. However, security challenges remain, particularly related to retaliatory, communal and sectarian violence, continued ISIL activity, Israeli military operations in southern Syria, and rising criminality.

Minority communities continued to face security threats, including killings and kidnappings by local armed groups or unknown individuals. Slow progress on transitional justice has also contributed to vigilante violence against individuals perceived to be associated with the former Assad regime.

Despite the lifting of international sanctions, government reforms aimed at liberalising the economy, and increases in public sector salaries, economic conditions remained severe. High inflation, widespread unemployment, and declining purchasing power continued to have a significant impact on daily life. Around four in five Syrians live below the poverty line, while 15.6 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

Since December 2024, more than 1.6 million Syrian refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced persons returned to their areas of origin. However, damaged infrastructure, a deteriorating economy, limited access to essential services, and a lack of livelihood opportunities continue to pose significant challenges to sustainable return.

EU Asylum situation for Syrian nationals

Between October 2025 and May 2026, Syrian nationals lodged around 17,300 applications for international protection in the EU+, almost all of them first-time applications. Applications continued to decline following the sharp decrease recorded after the collapse of the Assad regime, with Syrians falling from the third-largest applicant nationality in 2025 to sixth in 2026. Germany remained the main receiving country, accounting for more than 40% of applications.

During the same period, EU+ countries issued around 57,000 first-instance decisions on Syrian applications, with an overall recognition rate of 21%. Recognition rates continued to vary significantly across Member States.

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 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:

 

 


  • Syrian Arab Republic

01 July 2026

Venezuela: New EUAA report highlights a fluctuating political situation

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has published today its latest Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Venezuela, which updates the previous edition published in 2023. The report notably provides information on political and socioeconomic developments following the US intervention in early January 2026. It is intended to support EU+ asylum authorities in making well-informed decisions on asylum applications lodged by Venezuelan nationals in the EU+.

Following the 2024 presidential elections, which were marked by significant irregularities and whose results were not recognised by the opposition and several countries, nationwide protests erupted, leading to over 2 000 detentions and 24 deaths. Edmundo González Urrutia, who was recognised as the legitimate winner of the elections by several governments and international bodies, as well as the European Parliament, left for Spain in September 2024, while opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spent most of her time in hiding until December 2025, when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Following President Maduro's capture by the US Government, Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in by the National Assembly as 'interim president'. She has since implemented a series of changes across the executive, the military, and the economic sector, as well as limited steps on transparency and an amnesty law, which led to the release of a number of prisoners. No elections have been scheduled, however. The US have also eased economic restrictions by allowing US companies to conduct business with the State-owned oil and gas company. Venezuelan and foreign investors are returning to the country, particularly in the oil industry and infrastructure.

Despite these changes, the repressive State apparatus remains intact, and patterns of repression, institutional mistrust, and judicial opacity continue to persist. Further, a wide range of criminal actors continue to operate in Venezuela including Colombian criminal organisations, domestic structures such as megabandas, pranes, colectivos, and numerous regional or local gangs. An estimated 7.9 million Venezuelans were displaced abroad as of November 2025, most of them in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil as a result of the instability in the country.

EU Asylum situation for Venezuelan nationals

Between October 2023 and January 2026, Venezuelans lodged close to 190 000 asylum applications in the EU+, making Venezuela the third most-populous country of origin. Applications rose from just over 5 000 in October 2023 to around 8 300 in October 2025. Since November 2025, however, applications have been trending downwards. Between October 2023 and January 2026, over 90% of applications were lodged in Spain (173 000), followed at a distance by Germany (6 100) and France (4 900). Almost all of them were first-time applications.

The EU+ recognition rate for Venezuelans was very low, at less than 3 %. However, Spain which issued the vast majority of decisions to Venezuelans at first instance, granted national forms of protection in almost all cases. These are not reflected in the recognition rate, as , under the Qualification Regulation, these were considered negative decisions.

Finally, 121 000 applications by Venezuelans were pending a first instance decision by the end of January 2026. Venezuelans accounted for more than half of all pending cases in Spain.

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 in reaching accurate and fair decisions in asylum procedures, as well as to support national policymaking.

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

 


  • Venezuela

29 May 2026

Somalia: New reports highlight a still fractured and highly volatile security situation, while Mogadishu’s IDPs population is exposed to polarising evictions, along with other issues

The EUAA has published a Country of Origin Information (COI) report on the security situation in Somalia and a COI report on displacement in Mogadishu. The security situation report provides a comprehensive overview of the country's highly volatile and regionally fractured political settlement, while the thematic report on displacement in Mogadishu focuses on the predicament of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country's capital.

The report on the security situation provides an overview of the renewed cycle of political violence experienced by the country in the period 1 April 2025 - 30 March 2026. It examines the security situation at both country and regional level, while highlighting conflict trends and dynamics. Compared to the preceding three years, in the period April 2025 – March 2026, Somalia saw a peak number of fatalities and security events. While the Al-Shabaab – Anti-Al-Shabaab conflict, in the south-central part of the country, continued to absorb most of the registered political violence events (62 %), the fight against the Islamic State in Somalia, in the north of the country (Puntland), accounted for another 15 %, and clan rivalries, more spread out across the country, for another 11 %.

At the same time, with over 1.1 million internally displaced people, Mogadishu continued to represent the biggest displacement hub in the entire Somalia, but also the site of most evictions taking place at country level, over 150 000 in the sole 2025. The COI report on displacement in Mogadishu provides a detailed overview of IDP camps life and management, including access to basic rights, while it also addresses the situation of people affected by widespread evictions. The report finds that displacement issues intersect with marginalisation, minority, and gender issues and help explain the predicament of minority clans, minority groups, and racialised minorities, which represent the vast majority of IDPs. This same population segment is overrepresented in Mogadishu's prison establishments, whose conditions are thoroughly investigated, and struggles to access ID documents, which are crucial to integrate in the local context.  

EU asylum situation for Somali nationals

Between April 2025 and March 2026, Somalis lodged 21,000 asylum applications in the EU+, slightly more than the previous 12-month period. Overall, more than one fifth of Somali applications were lodged in Germany (4 500), followed by France (3 800), Ireland (2 300) and Switzerland (2 100). The recognition rate for Somali applicants fluctuated around 50%. At the end of March 2026, close to 13 000 Somali applications were awaiting a decision at first instance, a fifth less compared to April 2025 and the lowest number since August 2021.

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+ asylum and migration authorities in reaching accurate and fair decisions in asylum procedures, as well as to support national policymaking.

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


  • Somalia

26 May 2026

Pakistan: EUAA COI report highlights human rights violations

The EUAA has just published a new Country of Origin Information (COI) report on Pakistan. The report highlights an increasingly volatile security situation in Pakistan, exacerbated by economic turmoil and political instability, with the country ranked as the most terrorism-affected in 2025.

While the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), in coalition with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and smaller allies, remained in power and strengthened its parliamentary position through November 2025 by-elections, the political opposition led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remained constrained by arrests, legal proceedings, and disqualifications. Meanwhile, violence increased in scale and lethality in 2024–2025, with militancy identified as the main driver of insecurity amid intensified state responses. The violence was largely concentrated in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which accounted for most incidents and fatalities.

Enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on civic space in Pakistan continued, with allegations of legal action and arrests affecting political activists, journalists, and opposition figures. The space for dissent was described as shrinking amid the deployment of security and anti-terrorism laws. Incidents of discrimination and violence against ethnic and religious minorities were also reported. Additional concerns were reported regarding women and children, as well as LGBTIQ+ persons, who faced alleged violence, discrimination, and limited access to services. 

EU Asylum situation for Pakistani nationals

Between November 2024 and March 2026, Pakistani nationals lodged 27 000 applications for international protection in the EU+. In 2025, applications (19 000) decreased by almost a fifth compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest number since 2020. In the first three months of 2026, applications (4 400) continued to decrease, representing a year-on-year decrease of around a fifth. 

In the 17 months up to March 2026, more than half of the applications were lodged in Italy, the main EU+ country of destination for Pakistani applicants since 2017, followed by Greece and France. The recognition rate for Pakistani applicants was 12 %. At the end of March 2026, nearly 30 000 Pakistani applications were awaiting a decision at first instance, representing a slight decrease compared to the beginning of 2025 (34 000), when pending cases had reached their highest level since 2016. 

Background

​The EUAA regularly produces and updates 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 in examining applications for international protection in Europe.

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




  • Pakistan

12 May 2026

Belarus: New report highlights deteriorating human rights situation

​

The EUAA has published a Country of Origin Information (COI) report on political opposition and dissent in Belarus. It provides a comprehensive overview of the country's increasingly restrictive political landscape following the 2025 presidential elections, and the lasting impact of the 2020 protests.

Covering the period between 1 January 2025 and 1 April 2026, the report gives a detailed overview of the current human rights situation in Belarus. It highlights restrictions on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association, and examines the situation of political opponents, protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, political prisoners, and their relatives, as well as LGBTIQ+ persons and activists.

The country's political system and governance is characterised by the authoritarian power of President Lukashenka, who, following the January 2025 elections, claimed a seventh consecutive term in office. The authorities have continued a systematic campaign of repression against those involved in the 2020 protests, with thousands of people convicted on politically motivated charges or forced into exile. Legislation has been widely used to criminalise dissent. Individuals have been subjected to prosecution for expressing critique of the authorities, supporting Ukraine, or associating with organisations deemed extremist.

The judiciary functions as a tool of political repression, with proceedings conducted in absentia and trials held behind closed doors. Law enforcement agencies carry out large-scale surveillance over the population and the Belarusian diaspora abroad. Belarusians returning to the country are subjected to systematic phone searches and interrogations at border crossing points. The authorities have also extended repression to the family members of activists and political prisoners through raids, interrogations, and the confiscation of property.

EU asylum situation for Belarusian nationals

In 2025, Belarusians lodged 3 800 asylum applications in the EU+, a decrease of a quarter compared to 2024. So far, this declining trend has persisted in January and February 2026, with Belarusians lodging 450 applications, almost 40% less than in the same period the previous year. Between January 2025 and February 2026, over three quarters of Belarusian applications were lodged in Poland.

In the same period, around 3 200 first instance decisions were issued, with a recognition rate of 71%. Notably, over three quarters of positive outcomes granted subsidiary protection. At the end of February 2026, close to 4 000 Belarusian applications were awaiting a decision at first instance, with the majority pending in Poland.

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+ asylum and migration authorities in reaching accurate and fair decisions in asylum procedures, as well as to support national policymaking.

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


  • Belarus