Myria is concerned about the refusal rate for Afghan asylum seekers in Belgium and about the risks of inhuman and degrading treatment if they are returned to Afghanistan
Myria has published the sixth thematic section of its 2023 annual report. This section entitled "International protection" reports that the refusal rate for asylum seekers from Afghanistan in 2022 is higher in Belgium (56%) than the average for EU countries (47%). In the event of return, some Afghan asylum seekers could risk degrading or even inhuman treatment (prohibited by Article 3 of the ECHR), given the current situation in Afghanistan.
In a press article released today, Myria underlined that 5.700 Afghans submitted a first-time application for international protection in Belgium (18% of the total) in 2022.
In this context, Myria expressed concern about the refusal rate for Afghan asylum seekers in Belgium (56%), which is higher than the EU average (47%). The Federal Migration Centre also underlined the risks of degrading and inhuman treatment in case of return to Afghanistan and recommended putting in place legal and procedural guidelines to guarantee that such risks are examined in a systematic and individualised manner.
Myria finally pleaded for people who are denied international protection but who can't be returned to Afghanistan to obtain a residence permit in Belgium (like in Germany, which granted humanitarian status to 26.000 Afghans in 2022).
For more information, please read the press release from Myria in French or in Dutch.