Asylum seekers surveyed – those who look young often lie about their age

Underage asylum seekers enjoy special protection – and it is clear that older people who look younger are also trying to get it. After four teenagers – three 15-year-old Afghans and a 14-year-old Iraqi – were investigated in Linz in April this year as suspects of an alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old, the ÖVP and FPÖ passed a resolution in the state parliament: additional measures to prevent crimes committed by asylum seekers and asylum seekers.

Now Home Secretary Gerhard Karner’s response is here. For example, it can be read that 46.9 percent of the age determinations carried out in the first half of 2022 on 179 suspected young people were the result: The person is an adult. There were also 303 carpal radiographs, but these were not included in the analysis. The asylum seekers surveyed, whose results were also evaluated, are Somalis (68), Afghans (60), Syrians (35) and 16 nationals of other countries – mostly isolated cases.

“It’s frightening that 47 percent of age ratings refute the minority,” said Integration Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.

Deportation not easy
According to the biannual statistics of the Ministry of the Interior, procedures for withdrawal of status were launched this year against 845 asylum seekers for criminal offences, including 293 Afghans, 274 Syrians and also 41 stateless persons. Hattmannsdorfer wants those affected to be deported. But the Interior Ministry replied that it was not so simple from a legal point of view. A mandatory, strict and controlled daily schedule in asylum quarters is also not possible.