Not only law

Asylum policy is about the law, but first and foremost it is about politics, numbers, and the population limit for their hospitality.

Through ratification of several international conventions Norway has imposed itself significant restrictions on immigration, and there is broad consensus among political parties to comply.

 Immigration policy is, however, not only about the law, it is first and foremost about - just - and politics of numbers.

Without conventions are changed, the practice of asylum in Norway varied.In 1994 and 1995, only 0.5 and 1 per cent of asylum seekers refugee status to 58 percent today. The same variation is found within the EU, where member countries, as well as the conventions, the EU also has detailed asylum directives to deal with. Ultimately, it is the national policy that decides.

Municipalities can not provide housing

Norwegian asylum policy under the coalition government has gone on to lead a practice that is kinder than comparable countries, to avoid that Norway receives "a disproportionate share of asylum seekers coming to Europe." What is meant by "disproportionate" is not specifically defined, but all indications are that the current figure of around 10,000 asylum seekers are considered acceptable.

Sylo Taraku

PHOTO: Berit Roald / Scanpix NTB

If we compare it with the number that comes to poor countries in conflict areas, it is not a large number, but in terms of reception capacity in Norway is too high. Today already waiting around 4500 asylum seekers granted stay of asylum centers around the country because local authorities including having difficulty obtaining housing. Over 5000 have received final rejections and are obliged to leave Norway.

In Europe, Norway is among the countries that receive the most asylum seekers, also in real terms. In 2012 there were far more asylum seekers to Norway than for instance in Spain (2565) and Ireland (955), almost as many as in Greece (9575) and Poland (10 750) and slightly less than in Italy (15 715) .

What particularly distinguishes Norway from the rest of Europe are granting percentage. While only one in four asylum seekers can stay in the EU, the nearly two out of three asylum seekers in Norway (composition of asylum seekers affect this figure).

Dumsnill asylum policy

The government's asylum policy has been attacked from two sources. On the one hand from rights groups and asylum activists who criticize the government for a hjerterå and inhumane asylum policies. On the other side of the Progress Party (FrP) and other critical immigration groups that criticize the government for pursuing a dumsnill asylum policy out of control.

How are we to assess whether Norway operates a strict or liberal asylum policy? One way to do that is to consider the policy from the ideal one puts themselves. However, compared with other countries is the fact that Norway is among the most liberal asylum countries in the world.  

Norway also offers better welfare rights. Rejected asylum seekers residing illegally in Norway have better welfare than refugees with residence in Italy.The relatively high Norwegian standards on reception and due process hangs naturally to the fact that Norway is a rich country with a strong public sector. Only in UDI working there about a thousand bureaucrats. In addition, other agencies and stakeholders involved in the asylum process.

Divided into his views on asylum policy

The Norwegian population is roughly divided in half in his views on immigration policy. According to SSB 44 percent want to maintain the current line, while 43 percent want to tighten in. Only seven percent want a more liberal line.

In the political landscape represents FRP, and the Liberals and the Green Party (MDGs) extremes. These are parties for those who want dramatic changes to one or the other way. From programs to judge the rest of the parties in the whole maintain the current policy. SV will soften up the practice, while the Conservatives have signaled stricter asylum policies without it reflected so clearly in the party program. 

It should worry more than FRP that Norwegian authorities in most cases can not know with certainty who the applicant is and consequently the applicant's asylum story is true

FRP want to keep asylum seekers who do not document their identity on the closed reception. Moreover, the party goes in for a tougher line against criminal asylum seekers. Even those who are granted residence shall be returned when no longer need protection. And return to happen to other safe countries in the region when returning to their home country is impossible. This will be achieved by linking aid to return appointments.Progress Sustainability Selection has proposed several other measures that have attracted attention, but here I shall relate to that party's official policy.

Can destroy Norway's reputation

It should worry more than FRP that Norwegian authorities in most cases can not know with certainty who the applicant is and consequently the applicant's asylum story is true. But if it does not directly conflict with our international obligations, it would be contrary to people's sense of justice and Norway's humanitarian traditions to block thousands of people inside because we do not really know who they are. It will also destroy Norway's international reputation.

Easier to get protection

At the other end we find the Left and the MDGs. The trend in recent years shows that it is becoming easier to obtain protection in Norway. Immigration spend less time processing (only around 40 days on average), while giving more and more stay. In 2010, 41 percent of asylum seekers stay while half of the statistics for 2013 show that over 60 percent will be (this is the only decision made by the UDI, without assuming conversions in the appeal process).

Left and MDG want on their side that also the 30 to 40 percent that today are rejected shall be granted residence under certain conditions. Those who refuse to go home after branch and waiting in respectively three years for families and five years for the other, that they will automatically be granted a residence.

Sweden acts as a buffer

Today Sweden acts as a buffer. About the Swedes - who also struggle with blown asylum capacity and high integration challenges - tightening, the number of asylum seekers to Norway will be significantly higher. About 20 per cent of asylum seekers who would seek to Sweden to Norway instead, it will mean an almost doubling of the asylum figures.

In such a situation will probably Labor and SV advocate austerity measures, as they did in the autumn of 2008 when asylum pressure was too great.Asylum policy is about law, yes, but first and foremost it is about politics, numbers, and the population limit for their hospitality.