Statelessness

The number of migrants seeking protection from Bulgaria is 1755 for October 2016, according to data from the State Agency for Refugees.

The agency's latest figure is much lower compared to data for October, when 2526 migrants applied for international protection.

The applicants were from 15 different countries, but included stateless persons.

Bulgarian lawmakers voted on Friday to introduce tougher requirements for long-term visa applicants who represent foreign entities.

Under the new amendments, foreign nationals will be allowed to extend their stay in the country if they cannot leave it for a reason not depending on them. The change means a restoration of the previous regime which included such an option.

Migrants who sought protection in Bulgaria have nearly doubled in numbers over the past month compared to July, statistics show.

In June and July, the number was 1424 and 1543, respectively.

As many as 2776 people from 18 states have applied for humanitarian or refugee status in that period, the State Agency for Refugees (DAB) has announced on its website.

The Bulgarian government has approved draft amendments introducing a status of statelessness in the legislation.

Procedures regulating the legal status and the issuance of travel documents to stateless people who have been granted such status either by Bulgaria or another state have been clarified, with the government submitting the draft to Parliament for consideration.

Turkish society is unfortunately unable to mourn together, the co-leader of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirta? has said, while also pledging loyalty to the legacy of prominent Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elçi, whom was shot dead on Nov. 28 in southeastern Diyarbak?r and described by Demirta? as a "peace envoy."

A stateless child is born every 10 minutes, the United Nations said Nov 3, warning that the problem has intensified as the conflict in Syria has sparked a global migrant and refugee crisis.

A new report by the UN refugee agency highlights the long-term consequences of statelessness for children such as being deprived of medical care, education and future access to employment.    

Myanmar's delegate to talks in Bangkok on Southeast Asia's migrant crisis on May 29 rebuked the UN's refugee agency for calling on the country to recognise the Muslim Rohingya minority as citizens to stem their exodus from its shores.

MUP, UNHCR seek improvements to asylum system

BELGRADE -- The Serbian Interior Ministry (MUUP) and UNHCR in Serbia "will boost cooperation on improving the national asylum system pursuant to international standards."

"Serbia treats asylum seekers well"

BELGRADE -- Serbia acts well toward asylum seekers in transit and cares for their well being while they are in its territory, said the UNHCR representative in Belgrade.

BELGRADE - Serbia acts well toward asylum seekers in transit and takes care of their wellbeing while they are in its territory, said High Commissioner for Refugees in Belgrade Hans Friedrich Schodder said on Wednesday.