On Tuesday morning, around 40 Iraqi asylum seekers gathered in front of the Directorate of Immigration buildings to protest what they felt has been a prioritisation of Syrian asylum applications over those of other refugees.

According to the Iraqi newcomers, their requests for international protection have been delayed in favour of Syrian asylum seekers, leading them to demonstrate silently yesterday morning against this perceived discrimination.

In response, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, claimed that the files of Iraqi asylum seekers were far more complex than those of Syrian individuals. A statement released by the Directorate of Immigration Tuesday evening pointed to Article 26 of the law of 18 December 2015 on temporary protection which provides for a six-month period within which the procedure should be completed, which however may be extended for nine more months when it constitutes factual or legal issues.

The statement further commented that the extension of the procedure can be applied in the event that a large number of third nationals or stateless persons simultaneously request international protection, highlighting the fact that Luxembourg received 374 asylum seekers in September, 381 applicants in October, 423 in November and 429 in December 2015.

Minister Asselborn further stated that all Iraqi applicants who filed their request before August 2015 have been invited for a personal interview, whilst the Refugees Service claimed that those who have arrived since September 2015 will be convened in coming weeks.

According to the Minister, in the case of Syrian asylum seekers the examination of applications is limited to shorter interviews with the main focus being on establishing the identity and origin of people - a process which he claimed shortened the time needed to evaluate Syrian records. He further stated that the staff at the Refugee Service of the Directorate of Immigration has been strengthened with a view to decreasing applicants' waiting time.

 

Photo by European Union (Jean Asselborn)