There have been widespread political calls to give amnesty to children, especially following January’s Norway-Ethiopiareturn agreement.
Many felt the number of years a child spent in Norway should be given more weight in determining whether he/she should be allowed to stay.
Ann-Magrit Austenå from the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) greeted the change positively.
“Until now, the number of years a child has lived in Norway has been cancelled out, with the reasoning that its parents have broken the law. We are pleased that a specification has now come [...] regarding emphasising the child's best interest, so that the number of years in Norway both before and after an application for asylum shall be considered equal,” she told NTB.
Around 450 Asylum children have been living in Norway for three or more years, with several being born in Norway. Minister of Justice Grete Faremo publicised a legislation change earlier this year concerning the rights of the child.
About the white paper, Minister of Children, Equality, and Social Inclusion Inga Marte Thorkildsen said, “I’m very pleased that we now take greater account of children of asylum seekers who have been in Norway and that the professional child expertise iregarding immigration matters is to be strengthened.
“The government's clarification means that more children than at present will stay. Some children, who would otherwise have been sent out, will be granted residency. Moreover, anyone can ask the UNE to reconsider their case.”
theforeigner.no
