Asylum seekers from Turkey are now ranked fifth among countries of origin. The state of Vorarlberg says: Even with the Turks – as well as with the Kurds – a certain number of applicants will receive asylum status. The procedures do not last long enough to see how many end up receiving asylum status.
Asylum seekers cited persecution by the Erdogan government as reasons for asylum. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch is actually critical of the situation in Turkey: government critics are being persecuted and the independent judiciary and democratic institutions are being undermined.
Refugee situation in the country remains challenging
Christian Gantner (ÖVP) says that the situation for refugees in Vorarlberg is slightly stabilised. By the end of the year, 2,645 vacancies were created to accommodate refugees. However, the situation is still challenging: a total of 120,000 asylum requests are expected by the end of the year.
In comparison, in 2015 there were 88,340 asylum applications across Austria throughout the year. This year it was also necessary to provide accommodation for over 85,000 war refugees from Ukraine.
Most rooms in apartments
With regard to places of accommodation in 81 communities in Vorarlberg, there would have been an increase of around 23 percent compared to the “year of refugees” 2015. Over the course of the year, 2,150 places would be made available. Vorarlberg is now in third place when it comes to meeting quotas.
Most housing is small-scale organized housing or housing provided by private households. In Nenzing, a hall district was also created with the arrival centre. In 2015, around 2,000 places were offered in eight pavilions.
Gantner wants to take people’s fears seriously
“Our refugee accommodation strategy is very clear. It’s a responsible and consistent strategy at the same time,” says Gantner. On the subject, it does not polarize in one direction or another and tries to solve the problem and take people’s fears seriously.
Fair distribution across EU countries required
However, Gantner also makes it clear that caring for refugees is not just a task for federal states and municipalities, but requires strict EU action against human trafficking and illegal migration. He also advocates a fair distribution of refugees between EU countries.