Afghan, Iraqi, Somali situation still unstable: Migri

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has found that the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia is continuing to be unstable and has even worsened in certain areas.

According to the latest review of security situation of the three countries, the level of violence in Afghanistan is at an extremely high level in more areas than before, said a press release, adding that no asylum seeker will be returned to such areas.

On the other hand, major changes have taken place in the situation of Iraq in the summer and autumn, as further victories were won in the fight against ISIS.

Simply stating that an adult or an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker is originally from a certain area in any of these three countries will not automatically make him or her eligible to the right to have international protection.

Asylum seekers from all countries are always granted international protection, if they are at risk of personal persecution or serious harm in their home country.

According to the recent policy of the Supreme Administrative Court, it must always be ensured that an unaccompanied minor is always returned into the care of a family member or appointed guardian, or that appropriate reception has been organised.

In practice, the minor’s return to his or her home country must always be arranged with the authorities or the guardians of the minor.

Although the immigration service updates its report every six months, it always makes decisions based on the latest country information.

The security situation in these countries can vary extremely quickly, and therefore the strict instruction for decision-makers is to check the latest country information when making a decision. If the situation in the countries of origin changes, decision-making practices are altered as necessary in between reports.

The possibility of internal flight is determined for all asylum seekers, that is, whether it would be possible for them to relocate to another area in their home country. These decisions are made on an individual basis and by taking all the personal circumstances of the asylum seeker into consideration. This is why those originating from the above-mentioned areas are not automatically granted international protection.

However, internal flight is not required of unaccompanied minors that have come to Finland. In addition, lone women are not required to flee internally to a part of the country where they do not have a safety network.

Internal flight also does not apply, if it is probable that the asylum seeker would have to live in an internal evacuee camp upon their return.

The general security conditions in Somalia have remained unstable, and the country has suffered a serious drought and humanitarian crisis. By the end of October, 1,062,000 people had had to relocate internally, most commonly due to drought.

The situation in Iraq saw continuous and significant changes in summer and autumn 2017. The Iraqi Armed Forces and supporting militias have continued to triumph over ISIS. By the end of November, ISIS had lost all the cities and larger areas it had controlled in Iraq.

In Iraq, the threat of violence on active front lines is extremely high and therefore no one will be returned to these areas. Furthermore, no one will be returned to certain areas that have recently been liberated from ISIS control, such as Mosul. The security situation can change very fast in these areas and the situation is being constantly monitored.

Decision-makers always assess whether an asylum seeker can relocate to another area of their home country. If internal flight is possible, even asylum seekers originating from the above-mentioned areas will not be granted international protection.

The security situation in the City of Baghdad has improved significantly in 2017. The campaign of terrorist strikes that ISIS targeted at Baghdad in 2014-2016 waned in autumn 2016, when the operation to conquer Mosul began. At the same time, the Baghdad operational centre focused on cleaning up the countryside around Baghdad, and ISIS withdrew its forces. The improved security situation in Baghdad can be seen from the active street life in the city and the discontinuation of numerous security checkpoints.