Norway to clamp down on asylum ‘misuse’

The Norwegian government announced on the 25 November 2015 that Norway would clamp down on people who were 'abusing' the asylum system. People seeking asylum after crossing the land border between Norway and Russia would be immediately rejected, it said. There would also be additional controls on the border with Sweden and ferry companies bring passengers to Norway from Germany, Denmark and Sweden would also have to carry out more checks at embarkation ports. The initial restrictions would last between 26 November and 6 December 2015.

More than 5,000 migrants had crossed the border the Norwegian-Russian border at Storksog since the beginning of 2015, compared with only 10 in 2014. Many of them come to Norway after extended periods in Russia.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Register of documents: Temporary reintroduction of border controls at the Norwegian internal borders in accordance with Articles 23 and 25 of Regulation (EC) 562/2006 establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), 25.11.15 http://www.statewatch.org/news/2015/nov/eu-council-norway-schengen-closing-borders-11-15.pdf

The Local.no, 23.11.15: Two of three Norwegians don't want more refugees http://www.thelocal.no/20151123/two-of-three-norwegians-dont-want-more-refugees

ESO: Background information: Norway demands answers from Moscow over Arctic migrant route http://www.europeansources.info/record/norway-demands-answers-from-moscow-over-arctic-migrant-route/

ESO: Background information: Sweden tightens rules to curb refugee numbers http://www.europeansources.info/record/sweden-tightens-rules-to-curb-refugee-numbers-sweden-split-over-move-to-tighten-asylum-rules/

The Local.no, 20.11.15: Norway's asylum policies 'Europe's strictest' http://www.thelocal.no/20151120/norways-asylum-policies-europes-strictest

Norway: Government: Press Release, 26.11.15: Introduction of border controls https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/introduction-of-border-controls/id2464073/

The Local.no, 27.11.15: Norway border controls stop Syrians in Denmark http://www.thelocal.no/20151127/norways-border-controls-stops-syrians-in-denmark

The Local.no, 04.12.15: Norway extends border controls as numbers fall http://www.thelocal.no/20151204/norway-extends-border-control-measures

The Local.no, 04.12.15: Four days, zero migrants at Norway-Russia border http://www.thelocal.no/20151204/no-one-has-crossed-norways-russia-border-in-four-days

The Local.no, 08.11.15: Nordic welcome chillier as numbers snowball http://www.thelocal.no/20151108/nordic-welcome-chillier-as-migrant-numbers-snowball

The Local.no, 07.12.15: Asylum seekers want to leave – if Norway pays http://www.thelocal.no/20151207/more-asylum-seekers-want-to-leave-at-norways-expense

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