Belgium has most Palestinian asylum seekers in EU
Belgium has the highest number of Palestinian asylum seekers in the EU, surpassing Greece. Since March, Palestinians have been the largest group of asylum seekers in Belgium, according to the General Commission for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS).
In June, 301 Palestinians applied for asylum in Belgium. In March this year, Palestinians became the largest group of people to apply for asylum, with 417 applications.
From January to June this year, a total of 2,506 Palestinians sought protection in Belgium. In the whole of 2023, there were 3,249 applications. Last year, 6,713 Palestinians applied for asylum in Greece. In the first five months of this year, the number in Greece is 1,106, while Belgium has received 2,167 applications.
When asked why Palestinians have migrated towards Belgium, CGRS spokesperson Olivier Brasseur said: "We just don't know." About 90 per cent of Palestinians come from Gaza.
"Moreover, about half of the Palestinian asylum seekers have already received international protection in another EU country," Brasseur said. This places an additional burden on asylum services. "A person with a status in another EU country will be rejected in principle. We are obliged to invite them for an interview."
In the first six months of this year, the acceptance rate was 89 per cent, up significantly from 58 per cent in 2022.
Other asylum-seeking countries
Syrians (285) and Eritreans (224) are in second and third place, respectively. Eritrea has one of the most repressive regimes in the world, according to Human Rights Watch, while Syria has been in civil war since 2011.
Afghans dropped out of the top three for the first time in a long time, with 125 initial applications. "The protection rate for Afghans has dropped. Many Afghans are still recognised as refugees, but our country no longer grants subsidiary protection status to Afghans. This is a special status for people from a region of intense war," said Brasseur.
Following the Taliban's violent seizure of power in Afghanistan in 2022, the situation there has de-escalated, according to the CGRS. "However, certain profiles at risk of persecution, such as women or ex-soldiers who collaborated with the West, are granted refugee status," said Brasseur.
© PHOTO EYAD AL BABA
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