According to new data from the Refugee Council, there weer 48,540 asylum applications in 2021, and a large portion of these were Albanians.
Data published this week shows that Albania had the fourth-highest number of asylum applications, after Iran, Iraq, and Eritrea. War-torn Syria sent fewer refugees to Britain during the year than Albania.
Out of the applicants, almost 15,000 were granted asylum, and only 64 people were refused admission to the UK asylum system. Eleven were returned home.
“It comes as no surprise that today’s Home Office statistics show that the UK, along with our European neighbours, has seen an increase in asylum applications in 2021. Where there is war, conflict and violence — there will be people desperately seeking safety. It is important to recognise that 7 out of 10 men, women and children arriving in the UK are found to be fleeing bloodshed and persecution and so are granted protection,” the report reads.
It was also noted that stats show that the majority of government decisions — 71% — made on asylum claims are grants of protection in the first instant. It is clear, they said, that people are coming to the UK in desperate need of safety, fleeing conflict, war and bloodshed and the government is recognising this by granting them protection.
While Albania is considered a safe country, many asylum claims get granted every year both in the UK and Europe. Reasons for asylum include domestic violence and sexual abuse, human trafficking, political persecution, and problems with criminals, amongst others.
