UNHCR recently published its new Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection needs of Asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and a new Position on Returns to Libya.
The newest Eligibility Guidelines on Afghan asylum seekers offer an updated overview of the current situation in Afghanistan, covering eligibility issues for particular social groups, as well as an extensive analysis of the security and humanitarian situation in the country. The organisation notes the emergence of “negative trends”, regarding the security situation for civilians in Kabul over the period of 2017-2018, adding that civilians may face dangers in most of their daily activities. It is also stated that the excessive urbanization of the capital, leads to the inability to cover basic needs for the population. The report concludes that Kabul cannot provide an alternative for an Internal Flight/Relocation Alternative.
The second update of UNHCR’s Position on Returns to Libya analyses the overall situation in Libya and emphasises the highly volatile and dangerous conditions prevailing all over the country. It particularly notes the continued perpetration of serious human rights violations by all parties to the conflict and the significant risk of inhuman treatment for asylum seekers, either in transit or during their stay. As such, UNHCR urges all states to suspend forcible returns to Libya until the security and human rights situation has improved considerably. According to the report, Libya cannot be considered as a safe third country or as a place of safety for disembarkation following rescue at sea.