In the morning news of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) on 4 October, a spokesperson of the UNHCR was asked to comment on reports that rejected asylum-seekers in Norway had been denied free boarding and food by the social authorities. The spokesperson replied that it was the understanding of the UNHCR that according to Norwegian law, rejected asylum-seekers do have the right to these benefits, and that therefore, a denial of these benefits would be a violation of these rules.

Reacting to this comment, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development contacted the UNHCR Regional Office for the Baltic and Nordic Countries and pointed out that as from January this year, foreign nationals whose application for asylum has been rejected after careful examination by Norwegian authorities are no longer offered free boarding and lodging at the government’s expense if they refuse to clarify their identity or otherwise refuse to co-operate to facilitate their return. When the application is finally rejected, the foreign national has no longer status as asylum-seeker nor does he/she any longer enjoy the benefits accorded to asylum-seekers in Norway.

This policy has been criticized by non-governmental organizations and individuals in Norway. Some of the criticism has not been based on accurate information about the practice.

“UNHCR holds the general view that the Norwegian asylum system is in line with international standards and that the adjudication of single cases is reliable. To apply economic incentives to induce failed asylum seekers to co-operate to obtain a valid travel document is not in breach with international law and UNHCR’s guidelines,” says Måns Nyberg, Head of Information at the UNHCR Regional Office.

UNHCR is mandated by the international community to ensure that individuals’ right to seek asylum is respected and that their application is processed in accordance international standards. Persons who after such a process are deemed not to be in need of international protection are normally of no concern to UNHCR.

Priv. til red.: Pressemeldingen er laget i samarbeid med UNHCR i Stockholm. En norsk versjon følger når teksten er oversatt.