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People fleeing generalised violence

Main problem: Persons fleeing persecution and generalized violence are rarely granted protection in Iceland.

Main Reason: Icelandic authorities seldom grant refugee status even where the "individualized persecution" criterion appears to be met. While the Act on Foreigners can be interpreted to encompass protection for people fleeing generalised violence, it is not stipulated in the text and hence protection is not guaranteed as such.

Hence, there is an urgent need for a more reasonable interpretation of the existing laws to bring interpetration and practice in accordance with the international obligations undertaken by the Icelandic government.

Consequence: Despite international recommendations, asylum applications from citizens of countries such as Afghanistan, Mauritania and Iraq have been rejected with reference to the fact that the asylum-seeker does not fulfil the criteria of being personally persecuted.

In rare instances asylum seekers are granted permits to stay on humanitarian grounds but it is unclear what rights these permits entail.

Rejected asylum-seekers who cannot be returned receive extended temporary residence and work permits. These are generally granted for four to six months at a time and there is no limit for how many times they can be extended.

In practice, this leads to asylum-seekers living in limbo for years on end as such permits grant the holder no rights beyond a legal residence and the right to work; there is no right to family reunification, travel documents or placement in a municipality.

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