Refugee commissioner sees 4.6% rise in asylum applicants

A total of 1,928 applications for international protection were received by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner during 2016, marking an increase of 4.6% over the preceding year

Almost three-fourths of those applying for asylum in Malta were citizens of African countries (File photo)
Almost three-fourths of those applying for asylum in Malta were citizens of African countries (File photo)

A total of 1,928 applications for international protection were received by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner during 2016, marking an increase of 4.6% over the preceding year.

In comparison with other European Union member states, Malta ranked fourth after Germany, Austria and Greece when considering applicants per million population.

Almost three-fourths of those applying for asylum in Malta were citizens of African countries, with over 34.5% being Libyan citizens. A further 17.1% of the applicants were Syrian citizens.

During 2016, no boat arrivals were recorded in Malta, with only 24 persons being airlifted out at sea and brought to Maltese shores. The absolute majority of these persons were citizens of African countries.

The Office of the Refugee Commissioner processed a total of 1,435 applications, of which 83.1% were granted at first instance. The remaining applications were rejected. Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of the successful asylum applicants last year were citizens of African countries, while a further 32.7% were citizens of Asian countries. Of all the applicants granted international protection during 2016, 44.5% were of Libyan citizenship while 30.1% were of Syrian citizenship.

Additionally, an increase of 11.4% was registered last year in the resident population of open centres and other institutional households, when compared to the previous year. Just over half of these persons were residing in Ħal Far while 28.4% were living in Marsa. A further 272 persons were residing in other institutional households, excluding open centres. The majority of the residents were males while almost a quarter were of Eritrean citizenship.

Last year, 461 third-country nationals were resettled in another country – a decrease of 19.1% over 2015. Another 14 persons benefitted from assisted voluntary return programmes.