The Finnish Immigration Service intensifies its acquisition of information from Iraq

The Finnish Immigration Service has launched a country of origin information system project on Iraq, which is partly funded by the European Return Fund and which is to be completed by the end of 2011. The purpose of the project is to create conditions that would ensure a sustainable, stable and safe remigration to Iraq of Iraqis who have sought international protection.

The aim is to create a system for enabling the acquisition of up-to-date and versatile country of origin information about Iraq for the purpose of assessing the conditions for return. The project is also intended to be used to establish the prospects for concluding a protocol for cooperation in remigration between Finland and Iraq which would contain an agreement on the practical arrangement for and implementation of the remigration of Iraqis who have withdrawn their application for asylum, have been refused asylum or a residence permit, or are staying in Finland with a residence permit.

Iraq is one of the major countries of origin

Country of origin information on Iraq is the key factor when the Finnish Immigration Service assesses the needs of an asylum seeker coming from that country for international protection and his/her prerequisites for safe return. Information is acquired from sources such as local and international authorities in Iraq and humanitarian and civic organisations.

Iraq is one of the major countries of origin for international migration and refugees: for the past three years (2008-2010), Iraqi citizens have constituted the largest individual group in Finland seeking international protection. From 2005 to 2009, some 3,300 Iraqi citizens sought international protection in Finland. In 2010 there were 575 Iraqi applicants. In addition, Iraqis have moved to Finland as quota refugees or with a residence permit granted on the basis of family ties.

Fact-finding mission in early summer and a seminar in the autumn

In early summer, representatives of the Finnish Immigration Service will set out on a fact-finding mission to northern Iraq, where the majority of Iraqis seeking international protection in Finland come from. During this mission, they will meet local authorities who are important for the acquisition of information as well as representatives of civic organisations, political parties and international organisations. The key aim is to create a network of contacts on the local level for the acquisition of country of origin information.

In September, a seminar will be held at the Finnish Immigration Service for the presentation of information obtained during the mission to officials, researchers and representatives of civic organisations as well as to Iraqis residing in Finland. Following the seminar, a report on the results of the project will be presented on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service. Based on the project information, the Finnish Immigration Service will also update its application directive for Iraq, which guides the practice related to decisions on Iraqi citizens’ applications for asylum.

Further information for the media:

Martin Airisto, researcher, Legal Service and Country Information Unit, tel. 071 873 0431, email: firstname.lastname@migri.fi

11.4.2011