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How does converting to Christianity affect asylum applications?

Migri
Publication date 12.6.2017 11.34
Press release

There has been a public debate about how asylum seekers’ conversion to Christianity is examined and why. This is a topical issue, as the phenomenon has become more widespread recently. Hundreds of asylum seekers have stated that they have converted to Christianity in Finland.

When asylum applications are being decided, asylum seekers are asked about issues that are relevant to the decision. If an applicant tells us that they are seeking asylum due to having converted to Christianity and being persecuted in their home country, they are asked for more details. We do not automatically grant asylum or a residence permit to applicants who have been baptised, for example.

How is conversion to Christianity examined?

It is not enough for asylum seekers to state in their interview that they have converted to Christianity; they must be able to give details. However, the aim is not to interrogate applicants about their religious beliefs or determine who is a real Christian. In other words, applicants are not expected to have a perfect understanding of Christianity and the details of practising it.

They should, however, be able to describe, from their personal experience, the importance that Christianity has for them or how their religion manifests itself in their daily lives. If an applicant is unable to give enough details, this provides the authorities with grounds for questioning whether their conversion is genuine.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued a guideline on the need for protection on religious grounds. Asylum seekers who convert after leaving their home country are a special case, and must be able to provide a credible explanation and prove that their conversion is genuine and not just to obtain asylum. According to the UNHCR, it often makes sense to ask applicants about their motivations for converting and the effects of their conversion on their lives. Particular attention must be paid to whether the authorities of the applicant’s home country are aware of their conversion and what their attitude to that might be. In a recent ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court emphasised the importance of examining conversions carefully, as only a genuine conversion can constitute grounds for granting an individual international protection.

It is not easy to examine conversions. The Finnish Immigration Service seeks information from various churches about their practices. We have also consulted bodies such as the Finnish Ecumenical Council. In meetings held last autumn, our experts gained important new information about how different churches examine conversion before performing a baptism and accepting new members into their congregation.

Are Christians always granted asylum?

Religion does not automatically provide grounds for granting asylum. Asylum is only granted to people who would be at risk of persecution if they returned to their home country.

Under international law, religion is viewed as an integral element of an individual’s identity which no-one can be expected to give up, even to avoid persecution.

How common is it for asylum seekers to convert to Christianity?

Because statistics are not gathered on grounds for seeking asylum, there are no accurate estimates of this.

There has been an increase in the number of applicants who say that they fear persecution in their home country due to converting to Christianity in Finland. There have been several hundred such cases recently. Conversion to Christianity is often used as new grounds for appealing against asylum decisions.

Further information for the media:

Head of Section, Asylum Unit, Juha Similä, tel. 0295 430 431, E-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi

Press release