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Norway proposes stricter asylum rules | Norway proposes stricter asylum rules |
(about 2 hours later) | |
STOCKHOLM — Norway’s center-right government on Tuesday proposed tightening the country’s asylum rules to avoid what the immigration minister described as “violent consequences” for the country’s welfare system. | STOCKHOLM — Norway’s center-right government on Tuesday proposed tightening the country’s asylum rules to avoid what the immigration minister described as “violent consequences” for the country’s welfare system. |
The measures, which would need parliamentary approval, include making it more difficult for refugees to bring family members to Norway and raising the requirements for permanent residence permits. | |
The move comes after more than 30,000 asylum-seekers sought shelter this year in the wealthy country of 5.1 million people. Immigration Minister Sylvie Listhaug, of the right-wing Progress Party, noted that’s one of the highest numbers in Europe in relation to population size. | The move comes after more than 30,000 asylum-seekers sought shelter this year in the wealthy country of 5.1 million people. Immigration Minister Sylvie Listhaug, of the right-wing Progress Party, noted that’s one of the highest numbers in Europe in relation to population size. |
She said 10,000 to 100,000 people are expected to apply for asylum in Norway in 2016. | She said 10,000 to 100,000 people are expected to apply for asylum in Norway in 2016. |
“If we are anywhere near the latter number it could have violent consequences for our welfare society,” Listhaug was quoted as saying by Norwegian news agency NTB. | “If we are anywhere near the latter number it could have violent consequences for our welfare society,” Listhaug was quoted as saying by Norwegian news agency NTB. |
Refugees are entitled to many of the same welfare benefits as Norwegians. | Refugees are entitled to many of the same welfare benefits as Norwegians. |
The government’s proposals met fierce criticism from refugee rights advocates. | The government’s proposals met fierce criticism from refugee rights advocates. |
“It is very serious that politicians are using punitive measures that would make life more difficult for a number of asylum-seekers who are entitled to protection,” Andreas Furuseth, of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, told NTB. | “It is very serious that politicians are using punitive measures that would make life more difficult for a number of asylum-seekers who are entitled to protection,” Andreas Furuseth, of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, told NTB. |
The coalition government also called for restrictions on who can get refugee status, which comes with more rights and benefits than other forms of protection. | The coalition government also called for restrictions on who can get refugee status, which comes with more rights and benefits than other forms of protection. |
Currently Norway grants refugee status to a wider group of people than those considered refugees under U.N. standards, including people who would be at risk of the death penalty in their home countries. | Currently Norway grants refugee status to a wider group of people than those considered refugees under U.N. standards, including people who would be at risk of the death penalty in their home countries. |
Listhaug told public broadcaster NRK that the measures would “make it less attractive” for asylum-seekers to come to Norway, whose offshore oil and gas resources have made it one of the world’s richest countries on a per-capita basis. | Listhaug told public broadcaster NRK that the measures would “make it less attractive” for asylum-seekers to come to Norway, whose offshore oil and gas resources have made it one of the world’s richest countries on a per-capita basis. |
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |