A total of 1,900 Iranians in need of international protection were relocated from Iraq to Albania in the course of 2016, bringing to an end years of efforts by many stakeholders to find solutions for the so-called “ex-Ashraf” caseload. Since 2013, a total of 2,901 individuals have been relocated from Iraq, of which 1,942 in the course of 2016. These individuals are all members of an Iranian opposition group in exile, Mujahedin al Khalq or MEK.
At the end of 2016, 2,745 remain in Albania, of which 73% male and 27% female. The average age of the group is around 40, with many individuals in need of medical care. The group was located in a very unsafe location in Iraq in conditions that neared detention for almost four years. Many are traumatized and in need of psychological and social support.
The 2016 arrivals in effect tripled the asylum seekers population in Albania. The relocations took place mostly over the summer, both in commercial and charter flights. All new arrivals were accommodated initially in the National Centre for Asylum Seekers, in Babrru then in UNHCR-managed buildings in two locations on the outskirts of the capital Tirana.
Following the successful relocation of the group, Albania now faces the challenge of locally integrating all new arrivals. The legal status of individuals within the group must first be resolved as a matter of urgency. All new arrivals were granted access to the territory as asylum seekers, but only 41 to date have been granted refugee status. There are delays in the issuance of documentation, both short term residence permits and longer-term IDs, which effectively impedes access to rights and services.
Protection and psycho-social needs within the new arrivals are high. National capacity to support asylum seekers and refugees and provide expert psychological care is limited. There is no national framework for local integration and the country does not provide financial support to refugees or asylum seekers. Without adequate support from UNHCR and other actors, the high number of new arrivals (in percentage term) could overwhelm the response capacity of the asylum system.
The MEK group’s structure is tightly knit and very hierarchical. Some individuals choose to leave the group’s structure after arrival in Albania - they are known as “dissociates” and face a specific set of protection and integration challenges. They lack the material support provided by the group and often have little experience of previous independent living. Women in particular find the transition difficult. As of November 2016, some 220 persons had dissociated, of which 115 remained in Albania. Total numbers in 2017 are difficult to predict but late 2016 trends indicate a continuous increase is likely.
Relocation and resettlement to third countries has provided solutions for about 10% of dissociates, largely through the US parole program or independent submissions / applications on grounds of re-admissions, previous links or former refugee status in other countries or family reunification. A small number of individuals might opt to voluntarily repatriate to Iran. In most cases, local integration remains the most likely durable solution. While the “dissociates” need more urgent and targeted assistance to develop their capacity for self-reliance, the entire group will require support to integrate as a community into Albanian life.
2017