First Deportations to This Country in a Long Time

For the first time in about 20 years, refugees were deported to Somalia on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the two men have already landed in the capital, Mogadishu. The individuals were criminally convicted in Austria for various offenses, according to the Interior Minister's office to APA. Among other things, drug-related offenses were reported.

Over 600 Asylum Applications from Somalis This Year

Somalis were the third-largest group of asylum seekers in Austria in the first seven months of the year. A total of 648 applications were submitted by citizens of the East African state. The recognition rate this year was 44 percent. Asylum was granted to 463 Somalis. Additionally, subsidiary protection was granted in 334 cases. Twelve Somalis received a humanitarian residence permit.

The East African country has been considered one of the most unstable regions on the continent for decades. After comparatively calmer times, the radical Islamic militia Al-Shabaab has intensified its activities again this year. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud narrowly escaped an attack in mid-March, which resulted in several deaths.

"Consistent, Tough, and Fair Asylum Policy"

The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the deportations to Somalia continue a "consistent, tough, and fair asylum policy." Recently, for the first time in years, a person was transferred to Syria. Deportations to Afghanistan are also planned. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) coordinated with his German counterpart Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) on Tuesday on how future deportations to various countries from Austria and Germany could be implemented "even more efficiently" together.

(APA/Red)

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