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Norway tightens rules for refugee protection

Xinhua, April 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Norway's Ministry of Justice and Public Security said on Thursday it has sent instructions to the immigration authorities that refugee status and a residence permit shall be revoked if the refugee no longer needs protection.

"The instructions are important tightening in asylum practice. Those who no longer have the need for protection must return to their homeland and help to build it again when it is safe," Norway's Minister of Immigration and Integration Sylvi Listhaug was quoted as saying in a statement.

The instructions are in line with the agreement of Norway's major political parties, including the Labor Party and the ruling Conservative Party, in November 2015 on measures to address the refugee crisis, the statement said, adding that the Refugee Convention allows for such a revocation when the need for international protection has lapsed.

According to the instructions, the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) will consider a revocation if security, political or human rights situations in a refugee's home country change and indicate that it is safe to return.

Furthermore, the UDI will issue a revocation in cases where other factors indicate that the refugee no longer needs protection.

The instructions do not apply to quota refugees or refugees who have already had a permanent residence permit or residence on humanitarian grounds.

According to the UDI, a total of 31,145 asylum seekers came to Norway in 2015 and the immigration agency was planning to prepare for up to 60,000 asylum seekers this year. Endit