Asylum Seeker
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Bjarni Ben’s Facebook Posts About Alþingi Encampment Cause Uproar
The head of Solaris, an aid organisation for refugees and asylum seekers in Iceland, is calling out a recent Facebook tirade by Foreign Minister Bjarni Benediktsson as falling under the definition of hate speech in the penal code. Bjarni’s original post on…
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Survivor Of Human Trafficking Facing Deportation
A young man who fled Nigeria and subsequent human trafficking is now facing deportation from Iceland, despite having a strong social network and a job offer in this country. Uhunoma Osayomore, who is 21 years old, left home in Nigeria when he…
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Writer Researching 1627 Ottoman Invasion Of Iceland Befriends Algerian Asylum Seeker
“The Turkish Invasion really brought us together,” says writer Steinunn Jóhannesdóttir on her acquaintance with an Algerian woman who sought refuge in Iceland years ago. The two became great friends, as they were able to connect through Steinunn’s knowledge of the woman’s…
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Seeking Asylum In Iceland In The Time Of COVID-19
Three asylum seekers entered the Iceland on Tuesday and were placed in quarantine at Rauðarárstígur, Visir reports. There are currently 17 individuals staying at the government’s quarantine facility, not all of whom are asylum seekers. The immigration authorities have instated a new…
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Dental Age Tests for Asylum Seekers: Immigration Authorities Still Committed
The Directorate of Immigration (UTL) has advertised on its website for a new partner to assist officials in their efforts to determine the age of asylum-seeking applicants through analysis of their teeth. This follows yesterday’s announcement that the University of Iceland will…
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MPs, Bishop Of Iceland And Others Condemn Deportation Of Pregnant Asylum Seeker
Yesterday’s deportation of an Albanian asylum seeker family, including a woman who is nine months pregnant, has raised pointed questions and strong condemnation from numerous corners of Icelandic society. The Directorate of Immigration (ÚTL) continues to contend that they have done nothing…
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Family, Including Woman Nine Months Pregnant, Deported Under Suspicious Circumstances
A family from Albania, including a woman who is nine months pregnant, was arrested early this morning for deportation. The family received no warning, their case was still pending appeal with immigration authorities, and medical personnel who examined the mother certified she…
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Nigerian Woman, With Son Born In Iceland, To Be Deported Without Case Examined
A young woman who fled Nigeria and gave birth to her son in Iceland will nonetheless be deported, without her case even being examined by immigration authorities. The deportation quite possibly violates the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental…
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7000km Offside: Iraqi Asylum Seeker Referees Icelandic Football Matches
Twana Khaled, a 28-year-old former Iraqi Premier League referee, is now stewarding matches in Iceland while his appeal to a rejected asylum application is being processed. After discussing his career history and aspirations with family doctor, Tekla Petursdóttir, who also liaises with…
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Hazara Youth On Hunger Strike Now Hospitalised
Ramazan Fayazi, an asylum seeker originally from Afghanistan, began his hunger strike late last month. People close to Ramazan have told Grapevine he was admitted to the hospital two days ago with dangerously low blood sugar levels, and is in great pain.…
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Iraqi Asylum Seeker Refusing To Return To Shelter
Likening the facility to a “prison”, Raisan tells The Grapevine he will sit in front of parliament until he is physically moved. Raisan, now on the 11th day of his hunger strike, is currently sitting in front of parliament, where he intends…
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Nigerian Asylum Seeker Can Finally Stay In Iceland
After over four years of uncertainty and discussions, an asylum seeker from Nigeria can stay in Iceland. RÚV reports that his lawyers announced yesterday that he finally got a residence permit. Originally from Nigeria, he sought asylum in Iceland four years ago…
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Delay In Opening Permanent Asylum Seeker Centres
A sudden increase in the number of asylum seekers affects the opening of permanent reception centres for them. Minister of the Interior Ólöf Nordal predicts that these asylum applications will only increase in the coming years. The Ministry of the Interior announced…
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Deported After 4 Years In Iceland, Faces Certain Persecution
A Nigerian asylum seeker who faces certain persecution in his home country for his sexual orientation is to be deported from Iceland. RÚV reports that a Nigerian man who sought asylum in Iceland four years ago, received notice yesterday that he is…
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Citizenship Decision For Albanian Family Now Pending
The countdown now begins towards whether or not an Albanian family that was recently deported will be granted citizenship. Vísir reports that the deported family, who are currently in Albania, have had to gather documentation for the parliamentary Judicial Affairs and Education…
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Single Mum Denied Apartment Because She’s Muslim
Marwa Salameh, a single mother with two children and a Palestinian asylum seeker, was told she couldn’t rent an apartment in Reykjavík because she’s muslim, reports Vísir. In the exchange seen above, the landlord first writes in Icelandic “I don’t want muslims”…
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About A Million ISK Going To House Asylum Seeker Families
The Directorate of Immigration (UTL) will put 1 million ISK towards housing for three asylum seeker families coming to Hafnarfjörður, and pay additional costs totaling some 1.5 billion ISK to the town. RÚV reports that these are amongst the terms of an…
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Reykjavík Will Start Accepting Asylum Seeker Families
Reykjavík will be welcoming 90 asylum seekers, and will for the first time include whole families as well as individuals. RÚV reports that the City of Reykjavík signed the agreement with the Directorate of Immigration this morning. The agreement is a continuation…
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Another Asylum Seeker On Hunger Strike
An asylum seeker currently on a hunger strike is facing deportation from Iceland, and authorities have so far refused to even review his case. Kvennablaðið reports that Iz El Din Med Mouhammed, an asylum seeker from Sudan, is facing deportation to Italy…
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Another Asylum Seeker Attempts Self-Immolation At Red Cross
An asylum seeker threatened to set himself on fire at Icelandic Red Cross offices today, protesting the length of time he has had to wait for processing. Vísir reports that the asylum seeker, originally from Iran, arrived at the offices of the…
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Asylum Seeker Granted Residence, Reunited With Wife
Nigerian asylum seeker, Samuel Eboigbe Unuko, was reunited with his Icelandic wife last Friday after finally being granted residence in Iceland, reports DV. This marks the end of a long struggle to obtain a residence permit. In March 2012 The Directorate of Immigration refused…
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Group Demands Palestinian Be Granted Asylum
A group calling for asylum seeker policy reform wants a Palestinian asylum seeker who was deported to be allowed to return to Iceland. RÚV reports that the group, Ekki fleiri brottvísanir (“No more deportations”), handed over a petition of support for Ramez…
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Ministry Will Not Appeal Court Decision
The Ministry of the Interior will not appeal a Reykjavík District Court ruling to award damages to an asylum seeker for mistreatment of his case.RÚV reports that the ministry has agreed to pay Atila Askarpour over 2 million ISK in damages for not…