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Norway: One asylum seeker granted asylum

01 May 1996

During the first four months of 1996, one - 1 - asylum seeker was granted asylum in Norway. In addition, 425 were granted residence on humanitarian grounds. The number of applicants was 1,114. During 1995, only 29 asylum-seeker were granted entry. 1,909 were granted residence on humanitarian grounds. The number of applicants was 4,357. Critics argue that the documentation required by the authorities is so extensive that almost no asylum seekers are able to meet the requirements. They also argue that there is a major difference between asylum and residence on humanitarian grounds, in that the latter status leads to right wing allegations that Norway is too open and lenient towards foreigners. This in turn leads to a more restrictive policy. At present about 70 refugees who have been denied asylum, most of them Kosovo-Albanians, remain in refuge in Norwegian churches, where the police according to tradition do not have access. The Head Bishop and many ministers demanded an amnesty for them on 17 May, Norway's national holiday. The prime minister refused, arguing that this would lead to new groups making similar demands. The extremely restrictive Norwegian policy in asylum matters has brought international attention with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announcing a review of Norwegian asylum policy.