Afghans make up largest group of asylum-seekers in Europe this year – UNHCR

With a 14 per cent jump in asylum applications in Europe this year compared to the same period in 2000, most asylum-seekers come from Afghanistan and Iraq, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today in Geneva.

Briefing the press, Ron Redmond said the total number of asylum applications submitted in Europe during the third quarter increased by 20 per cent over the previous quarter, including 27,418 from Afghans and 26,892 from Iraqis. The number of Afghan applications rose by 12 per cent over the previous quarter, and the number of Iraqi requests by even more - 34 per cent.

Germany remained the country receiving the most asylum applications with a total of 66,017 during the first three quarters of 2001, Mr. Redmond said.