Published : 05-11-2024
Action Group | Egypt
The Defense and National Security Committee of the Egyptian House of Representatives approved a draft law submitted by the government to issue a law regulating the asylum of foreigners, in a step aimed at organizing the increasing number of refugees in Egypt.
The draft law stipulates the establishment of the "Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs" under the presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the aim of overseeing all refugee matters and providing them with the necessary support. The committee will work in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide the necessary support, care, and services to these refugees, in addition to preparing and managing databases related to their numbers and statistical information.
Prioritized categories
The draft law prioritizes certain groups when applying for asylum, giving the most attention to people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, unaccompanied children, as well as victims of human trafficking, torture, and sexual violence, in consideration of humanitarian concerns.
The draft law clarifies that if an asylum seeker enters Egypt through legal means, the committee will issue its decision within six months. However, in the case of illegal entry, the application will be decided within a year. The committee issues its decision either to grant refugee status or to reject the application, with the possibility of deporting the asylum seeker outside the country in case of rejection.
It is worth mentioning that Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian Prime Minister, had stated that Egypt incurs over 10 billion dollars annually to provide services and assistance to migrants and refugees present on its territory, which constitutes a significant economic burden that the government seeks to regulate through this new law.
Action Group | Egypt
The Defense and National Security Committee of the Egyptian House of Representatives approved a draft law submitted by the government to issue a law regulating the asylum of foreigners, in a step aimed at organizing the increasing number of refugees in Egypt.
The draft law stipulates the establishment of the "Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs" under the presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the aim of overseeing all refugee matters and providing them with the necessary support. The committee will work in coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide the necessary support, care, and services to these refugees, in addition to preparing and managing databases related to their numbers and statistical information.
Prioritized categories
The draft law prioritizes certain groups when applying for asylum, giving the most attention to people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, unaccompanied children, as well as victims of human trafficking, torture, and sexual violence, in consideration of humanitarian concerns.
The draft law clarifies that if an asylum seeker enters Egypt through legal means, the committee will issue its decision within six months. However, in the case of illegal entry, the application will be decided within a year. The committee issues its decision either to grant refugee status or to reject the application, with the possibility of deporting the asylum seeker outside the country in case of rejection.
It is worth mentioning that Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian Prime Minister, had stated that Egypt incurs over 10 billion dollars annually to provide services and assistance to migrants and refugees present on its territory, which constitutes a significant economic burden that the government seeks to regulate through this new law.
