Asylum seekers in EU countries increased by 28 percent in 6 months, 21 thousand Bangladeshis

In the first 6 months of this year, 5 lakh 19 thousand citizens from different countries of the world applied for asylum in 27 countries of the European Union (EU). Among them, the number of Bangladeshi asylum seekers is about 21 thousand. The number of asylum seeker applications increased by 28 percent compared to the same period last year.

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) published the information on Tuesday. News AFP

According to the report, about 25 percent of the asylum seekers are citizens of Syria and Afghanistan. Citizens of Türkiye, Venezuela, Colombia, Pakistan are also in this list. According to EUAA sources, the number of asylum seekers in European Union countries in 2022 was 53 percent higher than the previous year. Compared to 2022, the number of asylum seekers has increased by about 28 percent this year. According to the data, about 46,000 applications were submitted in the first six months of last year. And this year it has exceeded 5 lakh.

About 59 percent of asylum applications have been rejected this time. EUAA estimates that the number of asylum seekers could reach 1 million by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, due to the Russia-Ukraine war, 4 million people of Ukraine have taken refuge in various EU countries. They are getting protection due to war. This has narrowed the accommodation and support system for migrants from other countries to the EU area.

EUA states that EU countries are under pressure to process asylum seekers’ applications.