Swedish Migration Agency Postpones Quota Trip to Iraq Due to Security Concerns
In light of the recent high-profile Koran burnings that sparked outrage in the Muslim world, the Swedish Migration Agency has postponed its planned quota trip to Iraq. The agency had intended to bring refugees who are considered to be particularly vulnerable back to Sweden for resettlement, granting them a residence permit. However, the security situation in Iraq has deteriorated, prompting concerns for the safety of agency staff.
Velibor Ljepoja, an operational expert at the Swedish Migration Agency, explained the reasons behind the decision, stating, “We assess that we cannot send our staff there at the moment due to the security situation. It is common knowledge that Sweden’s reputation has been affected in the Arab world in particular.” The agency will now closely monitor the security situation and make a new assessment in the coming weeks and months.
The agency had also planned a trip to Lebanon later this autumn to select quota refugees, but this trip may also be in jeopardy if the security situation does not improve. The Swedish Migration Agency collaborates with the UN refugee agency UNHCR to identify refugees who may be eligible for admission to Sweden. In both Iraq and Lebanon, approximately 200 refugees, all Syrian citizens, have been presented for resettlement consideration.
Unfortunately, due to the postponement of the trips, these refugees will have to wait in their current situation. Ljepoja stated, “They will continue to be presented, and then we will see if it will be relevant to take them out next year.” The hope is that the refugees who have already been presented will still be able to be taken out at a later date.
The Swedish Migration Agency has been tasked by the government to take out 900 quota refugees in 2023, a significant reduction from previous years. However, if the security situation does not improve, the agency may be unable to fulfill this mission. In such a case, they will consult with the government to determine alternative selection countries.
The recent announcement by the Security Police regarding the increased terrorist threat level in Sweden may also impact future quota withdrawals. Ljepoja acknowledged that this development could affect upcoming trips and stated, “We will have to take a closer look at it when it is time to decide whether a selection should be carried out.”
According to UNHCR, there are currently 110 million displaced people worldwide, and it is estimated that over two million refugees are so vulnerable that they should be resettled in a third country. The number of refugees in need of resettlement is expected to increase to over 2.4 million in 2024. The permits for quota refugees are permanent, and approximately 95% of those investigated within the refugee quota receive a residence permit in Sweden.
In 2023, quota withdrawals were planned for Uganda, Iraq, and Lebanon. However, it is currently uncertain if the trips to Iraq and Lebanon will proceed as scheduled. The Swedish Migration Agency will continue to monitor the security situations in these countries and make necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of their staff and the refugees they aim to resettle.
Source: Migration Agency, UNHCR