Chechens and Ukrainians top refugee status request list

The number marks an 11 percent increase compared with the first 3 months of 2014.

However, the majority of applicants were either rejected, or withdrew their requests.

Since the beginning of the year, 273 people have been granted refugee status, principally people from Syria (27), Egypt (15) and Iraq (14).

Some 2900 applicants ultimately withdrew their applications, and many returned to their homelands.

Meanwhile, about 1600 had their applications rejected, apparently because their status did not meet the criteria of the Geneva Convention. For example, there must be a well-founded threat of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, without recourse to aid within one's own country.

The number of refugees to Poland has increased in recent weeks owing to the granting of asylum to 200 Syrian Christians, in a collective case approved by Polish authorities. Meanwhile, the government is expected to confirm asylum to 2000 more refugees from Syria and Eritrea next week, as part of an EU-led drive. (nh)

Source: PAP