European asylum applications by citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 2nd quarter 1999

The number of asylum applications lodged by citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (mostly Kosovo Albanians) in 22 European countries rose sharply in the second quarter of 1999. During the period April-June there were 42,290 asylum applications filed by Yugoslavs, or 60% more than in the first quarter. In June alone, 18,420 applications were filed, compared with 13,438 in May. Nearly half of the June applications were lodged in Switzerland (8,336), while 25% (4,811) were lodged in Germany.

During the first 6 months of 1999, one in three asylum applicants in Europe was a Yugoslav citizen. There were altogether 203,160 asylum applications during this period.

Governments record asylum applicants by nationality, not by ethnicity, so there is no way of knowing exactly what proportion of the Yugoslav applicants are Kosovo Albanians, and what proportion are Serbs, Roma and other groups. Previously we have estimated that at least 85% of the Yugoslav applicants were Kosovo Albanians. However, in the light of events in the region, the number of non-Albanian applicants may rise.