The refugee population in Brazil amounts to 2,991 people, excluding the 1,271 Angolans and Liberians who no longer occupy exile status. 2,008 foreigners were granted asylum between 2011 and 2012 (four times more than in 2010) and from the 853 requests made until March this year, 577 were assessed, with 253 granted, representing an increase of 175% over the 299 applications in 2012. The data was released on Friday, April 26, by the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

UNHCR representative in Brazil, Andrés Ramirez, also highlighted Brazil's efforts to increase quality and efficiency in the process of assessing asylum requests from "victims of the major humanitarian crises of our time."

Until last year, Angolans, Colombians, Congolese, and Liberians led the number of requests for asylum. This position has now been assumed, proportionately, by Syrians (138) choosing Brazil on account of economic stability and family ties, following the onset of civil war in Syria which Ramirez describes as "a tragedy of gigantic proportions". Today, there are over 1.4 million Syrians camped in neighboring countries and by the end of the year, this figure could be as much as 3 million.

According to the National Secretary of Justice and President of the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), Paulo Abrão, right to asylum is guaranteed by the UN Geneva Convention of 1951 and Brazilian Law No. 9474/97. Asylum is granted to those who leave their country of origin on the grounds of fear of political, racial, or religious persecution, or serious and widespread human rights violations.

"Although there is a substantial increase in requests, we realize that many foreigners have sought asylum in order to migrate for new life opportunities. However, asylum is applied only in cases of persecution," he explained.

To meet the demand of asylum requests, mostly from Latinos and Africans, the President of CONARE has streamlined procedures. From the 853 requests made until March this year, 577 were considered, with 253 granted and 304 denied, representing an increase of 175% over the 299 applications in 2012.

New Statute of Foreigners

According to Secretary Paul Abrão, the migratory phenomenon requires a new vision of states, adding that Brazil intends to submit a bill to Congress establishing a new Statute of Foreigners, possibly in the second half-year. This should meet both the needs of foreigners entering Brazil as well as the requirements of Brazilians who travel to or live in other countries.

From the perspective of understanding asylum to be a humanitarian issue, CONARE and the UNHCR have promoted training for federal agents and public defenders. This should further accelerate responses to asylum requests which, according to government forecasts, are expected to reach 2,580 this year.

In addition to granting asylum, the Brazilian government also maintains agreements with humanitarian organizations, such as Caritas (linked to the Catholic Church and occupying a strong presence in São Paulo) and the Federal Universities of Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul, which receive and train refugees for the labor market.

Haiti and Bangladesh

Approximately 9,000 Haitians have been assigned refugee status as a means to facilitate the process of formalizing their stay in the country on humanitarian grounds. At the same time, Bangladeshi immigrants are coming to Brazil in order to monitor and provide guidance on the process of slaughtering animals, according to the Koran, for meat intended for Muslim countries.

Angolans and Liberians

According to data from the UNHCR and the Ministry of Justice, 2,262 refugees were registered up to March, most of whom were Angolan (1,060), Colombian (738) and Congolese (570).

This total excludes the Angolans and Liberians who no longer maintain refugee status on account of receiving permanent residence in Brazil by entering the labor market, residing in the country for over 10 years, or having Brazilian children.

Immigrants who have had their requests for asylum denied maintain the status defined by the UNHCR and CONARE as "undocumented" and since their stay is no longer authorized, they may be deported or expelled from the country if found by the authorities.

Source:
Planalto Portal

03 May 2013