Czech Republic to curb number of economic asylum seekers
The number of asylum seekers in the Czech Republic is on the increase. The Interior Ministry reports that over 12,000 applications were filed in the first eight months of this year putting the Czech Republic in eighth place on the ladder of European asylum destinations. The increase has led to a change in asylum legislation as the country seeks to protect its labour market and curb the flow of asylum seekers heading from the east.
In 2001 Czech Interior Ministry officials processed 18,000 applications for asylum. Only 80 of the applicants were granted asylum status. Petr Novak of the Department for Asylum and Migration at the Czech Interior Ministry says that despite the low figure the process was fair. "We have to take into consideration the following: first, we have a relatively high number of asylum seekers from Slovakia, Romania and other so called safe countries of origin. It is really not possible to grant asylum to the citizens of such countries - if, then only in individual cases. The second important point is that a high percentage of asylum seekers abandon the procedure before a decision is reached because the Czech Republic is not their country of destination. Several years ago the percentage of "transit" asylum seekers was very high at around 70%, now it is 40%, but it is still a high number."
In tightening its asylum law the Czech Republic is not only bringing its legislation in line with that of the EU and protecting its labour market. The ministry argues that it wants to make the system work better for people who are in real need. The main goal of the amendment, which was approved by the Senate earlier this week and which will come into force as of January 1st, is to speed up the processing of applications. At present some economic migrants are filing applications as many as 13 times in succession and spending years in the
Czech Republic. As of next year they may be asked to leave within a matter of weeks. On the other hand, asylum seekers will also have a better chance to defend their case in court. Under the new law, asylum seekers who have been turned away can appeal their case at any regional court in the country.
