Netherlands

The number of asylum applications in the Netherlands has been increasing since 2004. Most asylum seekers come from Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan, with a sharp rise in the number of applications from Colombia. In 2005, the Dutch authorities made 2,500 requests to transfer asylum seekers to other Member States under the Dublin system and itself received 2,729 requests.

Mahdi

Mahdi was tortured by Iran's secret police and fled to the Netherlands in 2000. His asylum application was rejected and in fear of being sent back to Iran, he fled to Denmark. He has since been returned to the Netherlands and is now living without status.

Fema

Fema arrived in the Netherlands in 1998 with her husband and three children, fleeing persecution in Sudan. The family endured a long asylum procedure and were finally granted refugee status in 2003.

Marco

Marco, from Cuba, arrived in the Netherlands having used a false passport. He was denied entry to the Netherlands and placed in detention. Throughout the procedure he did not receive legal assistance despite requesting to see a lawyer.

Rahim

Rahim, arrived at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands. He was arrested for travelling with false travel documents. He wanted to apply for asylum, but was told he would first be prosecuted for travelling with false documents.