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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).

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11 February 2025

Sudan faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis amid ongoing ‘forgotten war'

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The EUAA has just published two new COI reports, a Country Focus and a  Security Situation report on Sudan. Conflict-related violence has had a particular impact on women and girls, as well as perceived political opponents, while famine has been declared in at least five parts of the country. The Agency's new reports come as over 10 000 Sudanese nationals sought asylum in EU+ countries in 2024.

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published two Country-of-Origin Information (COI) reports on Sudan, including on the security situation as well as an updated Country Focus report that builds on an earlier report from April 2024. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2023, Sudan has been plunged into severe instability leading to the world's largest internal displacement crisis – with over 11 million people displaced.

Over the past 20 months, indiscriminate violence has affected large portions of the country. The situation is severely worsened by acute food insecurity affecting over 25 million people, and famine has been declared in at least five areas of the country. Food deprivation and sexual violence have also been systematically used as weapons against civilians.

Conflict-related violence has targeted large sections of the civilian population, in particular women and girls, non-Arab Africans in Darfur and Nuba in South Kordofan, journalists and media personnel, humanitarian and health personnel and perceived political opponents. The use of child soldiers has also been documented. Despite international appeals – includin​g from the EU – urging the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, the civil war continues.

Meanwhile, the conflict remains largely underreported. A crackdown on local media outlets, and repeated communication blackouts, have severely hindered reporting capabilities across the country, making the conflict in Sudan a 'forgotten war'.

EU Asylum situation for Sudanese nationals

In 2024, Sudanese nationals lodged over 10 000 applications for international protection in the EU+. Throughout the year, Sudanese applications followed an upward trend and with the highest number of monthly applications received in November 2024 (1 100). Almost all (95 %) were first-time applicants. France was the main receiving country for Sudanese nationals, followed at a distance by Greece and Germany.

In 2024, EU+ countries issued approximately 6 300 decisions at first instance on Sudanese applications, with 74 % of the decisions granting refugee status and subsidiary protection (which was up from 66 % in 2023). At the end of the year, there were nearly 7 700 cases pending at first instance, which was up by around 1 900 cases compared to December 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.

 

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


  • Sudan

17 December 2024

Pakistan: EUAA publishes first Country Focus report

The EUAA has just published a Country-of-Origin Information (COI) report on Pakistan. It provides an overview of the political and security context of the country, the treatment of certain profiles and groups of the population and the situation of Afghan refugees in the country.

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has just published a new Country Focus on Pakistan, a Country-of-Origin Information report. This new report outlines the political and security context in Pakistan, the main actors involved in shaping it, the role of the judiciary, as well as the treatment of certain profiles and groups of the population in the country.

Violence in Pakistan has escalated since October 2023 particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with groups such as the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) intensifying their insurgent activities. The Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) has also intensified its activities and the dissemination of propaganda, the latter by using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread its narratives.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have faced significant legal challenges and political setbacks following their defeat in 2022. The former Prime Minister's imprisonment as well as the crackdown on PTI by the authorities have sparked nationwide protests, underscoring the deepening political turmoil in the country.

Media censorship, repression and human rights abuses intensified ahead of the 2024 elections. Ethnic minorities, including Pashtuns and Baloch faced widespread discrimination and violence. Sectarian violence has further affected groups such as Shia Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Ahmadis. Women and children faced discrimination, violence, and legal barriers, with high rates of child labour and forced marriages. Transgender individuals continued to experience violence, despite legal protections.

Pakistan's economy struggled in 2023, with rising poverty, inflation, and unemployment, all of which have been worsened by the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) austerity measures. By September 2024, there were over 3 million Afghans residing in Pakistan. The government's 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP)', initiated in September 2023, has led to the return of 738 583 Afghans and has also resulted in arrests, harassment, and an increasingly hostile environment.

Asylum situation for Pakistani nationals in the EU+

Between October 2023 and October 2024, Pakistani nationals lodged 28 000 applications for international protection in the EU+. After reaching a peak in October 2023, when Pakistanis lodged around 3 400 applications, the monthly figures have followed a downward trend, standing at 1 900 in October 2024. Italy was the main receiving country for Pakistani applications, followed at a distance by France, Greece and Germany.

Over the same period, EU+ countries issued around 20 000 decisions at first instance on Pakistani applications, with just 12 % of granting refugee status or subsidiary protection. At the end of October 2024, there were nearly 34 000 decisions pending at first instance.​


  • Pakistan

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.​

EUAA_COI_Report_Afghanistan_country_focus_14012025.JPG 


  • 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.

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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