The end of freebies: only residents of western Ukraine will be able to apply for asylum in Norway – without a guarantee of receiving it
As reported by ABC Nyheter, Norway stops automatically granting asylum to all Ukrainians who want itAt the same time, applications from residents of six western regions of Ukraine will be considered individually, without a guarantee of receiving protection.
The Norwegian Ministry of Justice notes that over two and a half years, the overwhelming majority of refugees who arrived from Ukraine received temporary collective protection in Norway, and the authorities did not consider each application individually.
"From today, people who come to Norway from areas of Ukraine that the UDI (Directorate for Immigration) considers safe will be treated in accordance with the normal asylum rules. This currently includes six destinations," the statement said.
"Ukrainians from these territories will not automatically receive protection in Norway, they will receive a specific and individual assessment of their need for protection. Ukrainians from territories that UDI considers safe may be denied asylum," the Norwegian Ministry of Justice added.
ABC Nyheter notes that the changes will affect six regions: Lviv, Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil and Rivne.
Collective protection in Norway means that there is no need to prove a need for protection on an individual basis, as in the case of regular asylum, and the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) provides protection to all Ukrainians who have fled the war, as well as their family members.
"Immigration to Norway must be controlled and sustainable, and not disproportionately greater than in countries to which we naturally compare ourselves, such as the Nordic countries. That is why the government is introducing new austerity measures. Asylum seekers from Ukraine are now treated more equally, like other asylum seekers. The collective protection system is now more focused on those who need protection," said Norway's Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Mehl.
Norway has accepted more Ukrainians than other Nordic countries: 85 Ukrainians have settled in Norway over the past two and a half years.
English version :: Read in English The end of freebies: only residents of western Ukraine will be able to apply for asylum in Norway – without a guarantee of receiving it