Swedish Migration Agency Postpones Refugee Trip to Iraq Due to Security Concerns
The Swedish Migration Agency has indefinitely postponed its planned trip to Iraq to evacuate vulnerable refugees in light of the recent Koran burnings and the subsequent deteriorating security situation. The trip, known as a “quota trip,” was initially scheduled for mid-September but may now be cancelled altogether.
The high-profile Koran burnings have caused major reactions in the Muslim world, impacting Sweden’s reputation, particularly in the Arab world. The agency has expressed concerns about the safety of its staff in the current security climate.
Similarly, a selection trip for quota refugees in Lebanon, which was planned for later this autumn, may also face postponement or cancellation if the security situation does not improve. The agency will closely monitor the developments in the coming weeks and months before making a final assessment.
The Swedish Migration Agency collaborates with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, to identify refugees eligible for admission to Sweden. The agency conducts on-site investigations to determine if the refugees meet the criteria for refugee status and a residence permit.
In both Iraq and Lebanon, there are approximately 200 Syrian refugees. All refugees planned for evacuation from Iraq have been presented to the Swedish Migration Agency, while in Lebanon, only half have been identified.
The affected refugees will now have to wait until the security situation improves and the agency can safely send its staff. The Swedish Migration Agency has been tasked by the government to evacuate 900 quota refugees in 2023, a significant reduction from previous years.
If the security situation does not improve before the end of the year, the agency may have to seek consultation with the government for a potential change in the selection country or countries. The hope is that the refugees already identified will still be able to be evacuated at a later date.
The recent announcement by the Security Police, raising the terrorist threat level in Sweden from 3 to 4 on a five-point scale, may also impact future quota withdrawals. The agency will carefully consider this factor when deciding on future selections.
Quota refugees are individuals deemed vulnerable and in need of resettlement in a third country. According to UNHCR, around two million refugees worldwide meet this criteria, with the number expected to increase to over 2.4 million in 2024. The Swedish Migration Agency investigates and grants permanent residence permits to approximately 95 percent of those examined within the quota system.
This year, the agency was instructed to accommodate a lower quota compared to previous years, with only 900 individuals allowed. The permits for quota refugees are permanent, and in 2023, withdrawals are planned for Uganda, Iraq, and Lebanon. However, the trip to Uganda is the only one currently confirmed.