Today, on August 5, the office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter – the OCMA) launches an information and communication campaign "Humanity. Responsiveness. Responsibility”. The aim of the campaign is to raise public awareness about the asylum process in Latvia, as well as to educate asylum seekers about their obligations and rights during the asylum procedure in Latvia.
As a result of various military conflicts, hybrid warfare by neighbouring countries and human rights violations, the number of asylum seekers in Latvia is increasing rapidly: 582 asylum seekers arrived in Latvia in 2021, but by 2023 this number had almost tripled to 1,624. In response to the strain these events have put on the asylum system in Latvia, a new accommodation centre for asylum seekers was opened in Liepna, Alūksne Municipality, in 2023, with the support of European Union funds.
"Immigration is one of the most debated topics in society, especially in the context of events at the border. Less is heard about the asylum procedure in Latvia. Asylum granting is a carefully managed process in which the OCMA, within the framework of its functions, balances humanity and response to asylum seekers with responsibility for the interests of the State and the security of its citizens. It is about mutual cooperation – response and responsibility are also expected from asylum seekers, who have to comply with the requirements set out in the Asylum Law and, when staying in one of the accommodation centres of the OCMA, also with its internal rules of procedure," explains Maira Roze, Head of the OCMA.
In the campaign "Humanity. Responsiveness. Responsibility", explanatory infographics and animations on different aspects of the asylum application process have been created to give an insight into the daily life of asylum seekers. As part of the campaign, the asylum seekers' accommodation centres in Mucenieki and Liepna will also host unifying and educational events, where the residents of the asylum centres will have the opportunity to participate in joint sports activities and a bread baking workshop together with local residents.
"Asylum seekers' claims are examined thoroughly, impartially and fairly, looking into each individual case and using accurate and up-to-date information from various sources, such as the European Union Asylum Agency and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as from international human rights organisations. The general situation in the asylum seeker's country of origin and, where appropriate, in the countries through which he or she has travelled, shall be taken into account. The laws and regulations of the country of origin and the way they are applied are also taken into account, with the result that only some asylum seekers are granted legal protection status. Despite the large number of asylum seekers, for example, in 2023, out of 1,624 asylum seekers, 88 persons were granted refugee status, and 40 persons received an alternative status," adds Maira Roze, Head of the OCMA.
For all the campaign materials and more information on the campaign's aims and importance, see https://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/asylum-seeking
Additional information:
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
Public Relations Division
prese@pmlp.gov.lv, +371 67219185
The campaign "Humanity. Response. Responsibility” has been created and financed within the framework of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 Programme Project No. PMLP/PMIF/2023/2 "Support measures for reception and accommodation of persons in need of international protection in Latvia (1st phase)".