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2022 was characterized by high numbers of irregular arrivals (27,429)*, particularly in the second half of the year, reverting to pre-COVID-19 levels.
UNHCR advocates with the authorities for the early identification among all persons crossing into BiH irregularly of those genuinely interested in seeking asylum, and in particular the most vulnerable persons, to prioritize their asylum cases.
To support these efforts, UNHCR established a new partnership with the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs for capacity-building and engagement of profiling assistants.
HIGHLIGHTS
No refugee status was granted in 2022
All 46 positive asylum decisions (not all final and binding) issued in 2022 granted subsidiary protection. In BiH, subsidiary protection does not provide access to family reunification, travel documentation nor a path to naturalization.
Thus, UNHCR advocates for the authorities to ensure that persons who meet the legal definition of a refugee are granted refugee status rather than subsidiary protection.
UNHCR welcomes shorter asylum waiting times
The average waiting time to register an asylum claim was 64 days in 2022, almost three times less than in 2021. Similarly, average time from asylum-claim registration to first instance decision (at case-level and excluding appealed decisions) decreased by 30% compared to 2021. UNHCR and partners follow-up on individual cases to sustain this positive trend.