Staff Reporter :
In France, Bangladeshis have topped the list of asylum seekers, according to the latest figures.
The National Court of Asylum (CNDA) disclosed these statistics for the year 2023, highlighting the prominence of Bangladeshi nationals among foreign asylum applicants in the country.
The CNDA’s report indicates that a staggering 8,121 Bangladeshis lodged appeals with the court following the rejection of their initial asylum applications.
Under the European country’s regulations, individuals seeking asylum must first approach the department responsible for refugees and stateless persons. Those whose applications are declined have the option to appeal to the CNDA.
Out of approximately 64,685 appeals submitted to the CNDA last year, the largest demographic were Bangladeshis, followed by 7,004 Turkish and 5,496 Afghan nationals, placing them second and third respectively.
The surge in Bangladeshis seeking asylum in Europe has been attributed to the quest for improved living conditions.
The European Union’s refugee agency, the Agency for Asylum (EUAA), reported that 40,332 Bangladeshis applied for asylum across the 27 EU countries, including Norway and Switzerland, in 2023.
According to the “Latest Asylum Trends in 2023” report, this figure not only marks the highest in nine years but also represents a significant increase from the 17,217 applications filed in 2015.
Experts have identified several factors behind this trend. Professor CR Abrar, Executive Director of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, remarked, “Many are driven by the desire to secure a prosperous future for their families, a prospect currently unattainable within our borders. Compounded by the scarcity of formal migration channels to European nations, this drives individuals to seek asylum.”
The number of Bangladeshi asylum seekers saw a sharp rise from 33,731 in 2022, setting a new record in 2023. Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC’s Migration Programme and Youth Platform, noted that Bangladeshis, both documented and undocumented, resort to asylum claims upon reaching European shores on various visas, including tourist visas.
He attributed this trend to the lack of adequate employment opportunities, prompting many to pursue a life in Europe.
