Asylum Policy

[Morgan]

Norway was recently named the best country to live in by the UN for the 3rd year in a row. So one might assume that Norway is doing a few things right for its citizens. Interestingly enough, Norway will be implementing a new asylum policy that seems quite unusual for a socialist, pro UN country. Should Canada take pointers from Norway? Comments?

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/ar...rticleID=648762

"Chartered flights to remove asylum seekers"

-Norwegian authorities plan to charter planes in order to fly asylum seekers with groundless applications out of the country quickly and efficiently. After a rejected application refugees should be out of Norway in 72 hours.

-"We believe this sends a strong message abroad that we mean business. But this is also a way of strengthening the institution of asylum by filtering out those who have a need for help and who are oppressed on the one hand, and those who come here to have a better life on the other," said Kristin Oermen Johnsen at the Department of Local Government.

-"We can't take in everyone who wants a better life. That's just the way it is," she said.

-The Department has already warned a 48-hour turnaround for rejecting groundless asylum applications. The new plan sets a 72-hour deadline for transport out after rejection, and authorities want effective traffic out in place by the beginning of 2004.

[Galahad]

Norway was recently named the best country to live in by the UN for the 3rd year in a row. So one might assume that Norway is doing a few things right for its citizens. Interestingly enough, Norway will be implementing a new asylum policy that seems quite unusual for a socialist, pro UN country. Should Canada take pointers from Norway? Comments?

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/ar...rticleID=648762

"Chartered flights to remove asylum seekers"

-Norwegian authorities plan to charter planes in order to fly asylum seekers with groundless applications out of the country quickly and efficiently. After a rejected application refugees should be out of Norway in 72 hours.

-"We believe this sends a strong message abroad that we mean business. But this is also a way of strengthening the institution of asylum by filtering out those who have a need for help and who are oppressed on the one hand, and those who come here to have a better life on the other," said Kristin Oermen Johnsen at the Department of Local Government.

-"We can't take in everyone who wants a better life. That's just the way it is," she said.

-The Department has already warned a 48-hour turnaround for rejecting groundless asylum applications. The new plan sets a 72-hour deadline for transport out after rejection, and authorities want effective traffic out in place by the beginning of 2004.

It's good looking legislation on paper, but the chances are that not much will change.

In Canada asylum seekers often flush their papers down the toilet before requestinf asylum.

So it doesn't matter if your policy is to remove them in 72 hours or 72 months...there's no country to remove them TO.

I'm sure asylum seekers to Norway will pull the same move.

PS: How boring an institution must the UN be? To name Norway the best country...a country where a pint of beer costs the equivalent of $10? Contrary to their beliefs...life isn't all welfare payments & herring.