Asylum application refused for Albanian family
No asylum for the Telati family of five from Albania. Photo: Mbl.is
The Icelandic Directorate of Immigration has refused asylum to an Albanian family in Iceland. The family had been a focus of some media attention in Iceland because their children hadn't been able to attend school for several weeks, a situation later rectified by the directorate of immigration.
The family were interviewed by Fréttablaðið this weekend and say that it was a great shock for them to get the refusal. In the refusal, the Directorate of Immigration states that the family are not considered refugees as there is no war raging in Albania and they are not considered to be in danger. "We will appeal but we're told we have little hope, "says mother of three, Aleka, to Fréttablaðið.
A petition has been launched in Iceland by members of the public for the family to be able to stay in Iceland.
Speaking to mbl.is, leader of the Left Green Party Katrín Jakobsdóttir says that this is exactly what she's been stressing for the government to discuss. "We have to discuss the Dublin Regulation, the time it takes for asylum seekers to apply for asylum and further matters."
