Reception centre for asylum seekers needed

The main idea behind the ongoing review of the Foreigners Act at the Icelandic Ministry of Home Affairs is to set up a reception centre for asylum seekers. This will enable ordinary people fleeing difficult circumstances to be distinguished from individuals who pose a threat, according to the Minister, Ólöf Nordal.

Two men who came to Iceland in January after having applied for asylum in Denmark are about to extradited back to Denmark. The police considered the pair dangerous and requested they be held in custody. One of the two had expressed his admiration for Islamic State. This request was rejected by the Supreme Court and the men are now free but under police surveillance.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has for some time been looking at how the authorities react to the arrival of asylum seekers to Iceland and is also working on a review of the current Foreigners Act.

Nordal considers it important to analyse who is coming to Iceland and why as soon as they arrive, in order to ensure the safety of the individuals in question and society as a whole. Specific measures are to be taken when a threat is identified.

“This analysis must be done immediately. We are currently looking at how this can be better organised. Asylum seekers are on the whole perfectly normal people fleeing difficult circumstances, but certain individuals can be dangerous. We must always strive to balance these issues with our national security,” says Nordal.

There is no dedicated reception centre for asylum seekers in Iceland where their circumstances can be assessed.

“The main idea that the Ministry has been working on is to have available some sort of infrastructure for when asylum seekers arrive, often known as a reception centre. Asylum seekers will be received and accommodated with the cooperation of the Directorate of Immigration, social workers and the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police,” explains Nordal.

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