Red Cross urges Icelandic government for permanent solutions for undocumented individuals

The contract between the government and the Icelandic Red Cross for services to foreigners stripped of their rights is set to expire at the end of the month. Kristín S. Hjálmtýsdóttir, the director of the Red Cross, argues that it is time for the government to find a permanent solution to the situation of individuals without legal status, who have been denied international protection but cannot be deported.

Since the enactment of changes to immigration laws last autumn, this group has been left without rights, and the Red Cross has been providing temporary shelter for a small number of individuals, totaling approximately ten to fifteen people. Hjálmtýsdóttir emphasizes that this arrangement is not a long-term solution and insists that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure these individuals are appropriately cared for.

The government had a full year to address this issue, and the next meeting scheduled to discuss the situation will occur at the end of next week. Hjálmtýsdóttir stresses the importance of preventing any disruption to the services provided to this group to avoid them ending up homeless by the end of August. She believes that the government shares this concern and is working towards a solution.

In a related development, the Minister of Justice has presented a draft bill proposing the establishment of closed residential facilities for this vulnerable group, which could offer a more structured living arrangement going forward.