The Finnish Immigration Service will update its assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan in November. At the same time, EU practices and possibilities to return people to Afghanistan are reviewed. The guidelines for making decisions on asylum applications are updated on the basis of the obtained information.
The decision-making concerning Afghan asylum claims will be frozen until the security assessment and the guidelines for making decisions are completed. The pending applications from Afghan nationals are to be decided equally according to the same guidelines that may possibly change.
Every asylum decision is made in accordance with the guidelines that are valid when the application is decided. The date when the application was submitted makes no difference.
Up until 3 November, 25,308 asylum seekers have arrived in Finland this year. Eight per cent of them, that is 2,071 applicants, have come from Afghanistan. Half of all Afghan asylum seekers have arrived in Finland after the beginning of October.
Further information for the media
Director General Jaana Vuorio, tel. 0295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi
