Refugees in legal limbo as Norway and Russia argue over their fate

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Refugees in legal limbo as Norway and Russia argue over their fate



PARIS: -- Norway’s “attempts to deport hundreds of asylum seekers to Russia have hit problems with Moscow objecting to the programme.

It has left those refugees who had crossed the Arctic border from Russia earlier this year in a state of limbo with little idea of what is to become of them.

Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spelled out that Russia had no obligation to take them.

“The talk is about people who arrived in Russia saying it was to either work in Russia or to see relatives. They did not declare the (true) purpose of their visit, which was transiting on their way to Norway. This means they gave false data about the purpose of their visit to the Russian Federation.”

The dispute is over 5,400 migrants who Oslo wants to expel as the government tries to clampdown on asylum seekers. It says Russia is a safe country and so they should leave.

It follows a week of confusion at a detention camp in Kirkenes, near the border, where scheduled expulsions were repeatedly postponed.

Abdul Rahim who is an asylum seeker from Afghanistan said the whole situation was very difficult: “ It’s the waiting. If you are waiting and know what is going to happen, it is okay. But if you do not know what is going to happen it is very difficult.”

So far 13 refugees have been deported but Russia has a reputation for rejecting asylum applications and even returned three people back to Syria last year. It means Norway’s migrants don’t want to leave.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-27

[Ulic]

As soon as you pass by or through a safe country you are a migrant and not a refugee.

That said, Norway should never have let them in.

[Saradoc1972]

As soon as you pass by or through a safe country you are a migrant and not a refugee.

That said, Norway should never have let them in.

At least 3 safe countries actually, including either Turkey or Iran.

Russia is not in the business of keeping them out for Norway, and there's going to be a big hullabaloo at the border if they are refused.

Well, either they get rid of them fast or they'll be swarmed, bicycles or not.

There are very reliable self-opening parachutes, or so I've heard...

[Krataiboy]

Hey, what a great idea! Find an uninhabited island somewhere, preferably in the Mediterranean, name it Limbo and turn it into a temporary resettlement camp for all Europe-bound refugees and economic migrants until peace breaks out in their countries and they can be returned to their families.

If there is no suitable island available, we could always pay the Chinese to build one for us!

[torpedo1970]

Interesting to read some of those so-called refugees stories in the papers....

The majority had spent years already in Russia, but had heard on the grapevine that it is much better in Norway than in Russia....

[JHolmesJr]

Keep them and their ipads there at the border as long as necessary, till they beg to be sent home. Freeloaders.

[Credo]

Hey, what a great idea! Find an uninhabited island somewhere, preferably in the Mediterranean, name it Limbo and turn it into a temporary resettlement camp for all Europe-bound refugees and economic migrants until peace breaks out in their countries and they can be returned to their families.

If there is no suitable island available, we could always pay the Chinese to build one for us!

I bet some countries would like to put them on Atlantis.

[Baerboxer]

Interesting to read some of those so-called refugees stories in the papers....

The majority had spent years already in Russia, but had heard on the grapevine that it is much better in Norway than in Russia....

Wonder if Mutti Merkel expected only genuine refugees, families at that, would respond to her calls of all welcome in Germany and Europe.

Of course, the majority now seem to be illegal economic immigrants trying to jump on the free ride to a better life. And mainly young single aggressive males.

Now two non EU countries are involved in a spat. It really is a problem for the extended Europe, not just the EU, the West or richer Northern countries.

No wonder the Greeks and Turks want to just move the problem onward and upwards.

[baboon]

The talk is about people who arrived in Russia saying it was to either work in Russia or to see relatives. They did not declare the (true) purpose of their visit, which was transiting on their way to Norway. This means they gave false data about the purpose of their visit to the Russian Federation."

Why is that Norway's problem if they broke your immigration law? What are your police and courts for?

As far as I know, you need a letter of invitation from a Russian citizen or organisation in order to obtain a visa in the first place. Take it up with them.

Edited January 28, 2016 by baboon