Current_Trends_and_Related_Challenges_web

Current Trends and Challenges
Table 15. Smuggled Iraqi migrants detected by selected reporting countries
1 Jan.–
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
30 June 2013
Austria Total 295 303 344
United Kingdom Total 60 150 100 90 50
TOTAL 27 93 513 461 468 186
2013 on the smuggling of migrants in Asia.
2.2 Push and pull factors in South-West Asia
related to the smuggling of migrants and other
irregular migration
Insecurity and political factors are the main driving
force for irregular migration in South-West Asia. In
Afghanistan, the armed conflict and insurgencies
in the country over the past three decades are
the predominant factors prompting irregular
migration. 25 Political instability and a lack of
security have exposed many Afghans to violence,
threats and targeted attacks. Many others leave
the country in fear that they may be affected. 26
Instability, war and terrorist activity in Afghanistan
has also had a significant impact on the security
situation in neighbouring Pakistan, where it has
displaced large numbers of people. 27 Iraq also has
been affected by political turmoil and sectarian
violence over the past decade, which also has led
to large-scale displacement of people. 28 These
factors have adversely impacted the economies of
those countries. 29 Political factors have been cited
as the main drivers for irregular migration from
the Islamic Republic of Iran. 30
Table 16. Afghan nationals in refugee or asylum-seeker status, by main hosting countries
Refugees
Asylum seekers
Australia 7 192 1 074
Austria 10 158 6 203
Belgium 1 267 1 911
Canada 2 609 411
Denmark 2 515 361
Finland 1 137 155
France 2 590 595
Germany 31 746 14 357
Hungary 1 131
India 9 633 571
Indonesia 890 2 995
Islamic Republic of Iran 824 087 13
Italy 5 058 1 162
Netherlands 6 126 1 473
Norway 5 984 958
Pakistan 1 637 740 3 220
Russia 1 300 348
Sweden 8 454 1 859
Switzerland 2 099 2 228
Syria 1 737 193
Tajikistan 2 196 2 122
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