August 29, Pozirk. The Swedish Migration Agency (SMA) will review cases of Belarusian asylum seekers this fall, the local Belarusian people’s embassy reported, citing Sveriges Radio.
Anna Lindblad, deputy head of law at the SMA, acknowledged criticism from Belarusians over prevalent denials.
Dźmitryj Vaserman of the people’s embassy said Belarusians and migration officials resumed dialogue after Kanstancin Siarohin, a cameraman persecuted together with former presidential hopeful Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, was denied asylum in July at an immigration court.
“The case underscored that, although the migration agency updated Belarus’ profile in February this year to more accurately reflect the reality of mass terror in the country, the agency continues to defend its previous decisions in court,” Vaserman said.
The people’s embassy said the SMA’s decision to review Belarusian cases was made at the beginning of the week, before media reported the latest deportation incident, and was unrelated to the reports.
The organization welcomed the review but stressed that Sweden should declare a moratorium on the deportation of Belarusians.
It will prevent the deportation of those already rejected, the people’s embassy said.
“We will continue our dialogue with the migration agency to secure a decision on the deportation moratorium,” Vaserman said.
On August 28, Sveriges Radio reported that a Belarusian national, whom the SMA denied asylum, was arrested for political reasons upon return to his country.
