FN-omtale av norsk innvadringspolitikk
Ofte blir det påstått at Norge må ta inn de innvandrere vi gjør fordi vi er bunder av FN. Dessuten gjentas det stadig at nordmenn er spesielt restriktive i sine syn på innvandrere. Dette stemmer dårlig med det FN skrev om norske innvandringspolitikk i september 1999:
Norway
"Norway is a party to the 1951 Convention and its
1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. Norway
is one of UNHCR's largest contributors in both per capita
and in absolute terms. Norway is an important
resettlement country, with an allocation of 1,500 places
for 1999. The authorities co-operate closely with UNHCR
on resettlement issues, and remain willing to act on
emergency referrals for refugees with special protection
or medical needs. In 1998, 8,400 asylum applications were
lodged in Norway, a substantial increase from the 2,300
applications received in 1997. Main countries of origin
were Croatia (2,420), Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1,620),
and Iraq (1,300). Recognition under the 1951 Convention
is very low, whereas approximately 35% are granted
permission to remain. The Norwegian government has
granted refugees from Kosovo temporary protection
regardless of their ethnic group, Beneficiaries of
temporary protection will receive one-year (renewable)
residence permits, work permits, social benefits and the
right to medical care. They also have the right to family
reunification. Simultaneously, Norway has decided to
simplify and ease the visa regime towards persons from
the FRY with close family links to Norway. The main
protection issue of concern to UNHCR in Norway is the low
Convention recognition rate: in 1997 it was 0.7% and in
1998, 1.8%. This has been discussed on numerous occasions
with the Norwegian authorities, and led to an internal
study on refugee status determination. The outcome of
this study led to the issuance of various guidelines for
eligibility officers, the most noteworthy of which
entered into force on 15 January 1998, and provides for
the recognition of persecution by non-state agents,
gender based persecution, and a more liberal application
of the concept of benefit of the doubt."