Svenska

People fleeing generalized violence

Main problem: Protection coverage for persons fleeing generalized and targeted violence as well as human rights violations is diminishing in Sweden.

Main Reason: lies in the application of the law. More specifically, it rests on the narrow interpretation of "armed conflict" and the insistence on asylum-seekers having to prove an individualised risk of persecution or serious harm to gain protection in situations of severe conflict.

Consequence: Contrary to UNHCR's recommendations, Eritrean asylum-seekers are rejected and threatened with deportations back to their home country which is marred by violence and human rights violations.

Asylum-seekers from Southern and Central Iraq have been rejected despite UNHCR's assessment of their international protection needs and recommendation to recognize them as refugees.

If these decisions are not rescinded by the appeal court, more will be rejected even if it is not possible to forcibly return them. This will increase the number of persons in legal limbo in Sweden, left to live a life on hold in a marginalised socio-economic situation, unable to work or study, and subject to increased psychological strain and mental illness.

Main groups affected: Iraqis, Eritrean, Somalis and Afghans.

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