Icelandic Red Cross extends support for stateless foreigners amid urgent government task force actions

The Icelandic Red Cross continues its support for stateless foreigners as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has extended its agreement with the organization to provide services to individuals stripped of their rights. Originally signed last autumn and renewed in late May, this agreement has now been further extended to ensure uninterrupted support for this vulnerable group, which consists of 10 to 15 individuals.

The Red Cross has requested that the ministry explore alternative solutions for providing this essential service, but the organization’s director emphasized that no one will be turned away until a permanent solution is found.

The government has recognized the urgency of addressing the situation faced by stateless immigrants. A task force, established under the direction of both the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Justice, has been assigned the responsibility of exploring settlement options for individuals who have received a final rejection of their application for international protection.

One of the group’s objectives is to assess the current framework regarding residence assistance for foreigners who have been denied international protection in Iceland and to propose necessary changes to improve the situation.

The ongoing efforts reflect a growing awareness among Icelandic authorities of the need for sustainable resolutions to challenges posed by statelessness and the rights of immigrants. The Red Cross remains committed to supporting the affected individuals during this transitional period, while the government focuses on finding long-term solutions.