Iceland Immigration Detention Profile | Global Detention Project | Mapping immigration detention around the world
No detention centre mapping data
Iceland Immigration Detention
Quick Facts
Persons expelled (2018): Not Available
International migrants (2015): 37,500
New asylum applications (2016): 1,075
Centres List
No detention centres data available
Statistics Expand all
A. Detention, expulsion, and incarceration statistics
- Number of apprehensions of non-citizens
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| Not Available | 2018 |
| Eurostat. Asylum and Managed Migration. Enforcement of Immigration Legislation. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-migration/data/database. | |
| 30 | 2009 |
| Eurostat.Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data (rounded). | |
- Number of persons removed/returned (voluntary returns and deportations)
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| Not Available | 2018 |
| Eurostat. Asylum and Managed Migration. Enforcement of Immigration Legislation. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/asylum-and-managed-migration/data/database. | |
| 15 | 2009 |
| Eurostat. Third country nationals returned following an order to leave - annual data (rounded). | |
- Criminal prison population
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 124 | 2016 |
| International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief | |
| 152 | 2013 |
| International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief | |
- Percentage of foreign prisoners
| Percentage | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 16.9 | 2016 |
| International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief | |
- Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 37 | 2016 |
| International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief | |
| 47 | 2013 |
| International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS). Undated website. "World Prison Brief." http://www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief | |
B. Demographics and immigration-related statistics
- Population
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 329,000 | 2015 |
| United Nations Population Fund. State of World Population 2015, http://www.unfpa.org/fr/world-population-dashboard | |
- International migrants
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 37,500 | 2015 |
| International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml | |
- International migrants as a percentage of the population
| Percentage | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 11.4 | 2015 |
| International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml | |
- Refugees
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 125 | 2016 |
| UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern | |
| 179 | 2015 |
| UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern | |
| 99 | 2014 |
| UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern | |
- Ratio of refugees per 1000 inhabitants
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2014 |
| Statistical Annexes to the Statistical Yearbook 2014, Table 26, "Indicators of host country capacity and contributions", 8 December 2015, https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/country/566584fc9/unhcr-statistical-yearbook-2014-14th-edition.html | |
- Total number of new asylum applications
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 1,075 | 2016 |
| UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern | |
| 170 | 2014 |
| Statistical Annexes to the Statistical Yearbook 2014, Table 26, "Indicators of host country capacity and contributions", 8 December 2015, https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/country/566584fc9/unhcr-statistical-yearbook-2014-14th-edition.html | |
- Refugee recognition rate
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 20 | 2014 |
| Statistical Annexes to the Statistical Yearbook 2014, Table 26, "Indicators of host country capacity and contributions", 8 December 2015, https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/country/566584fc9/unhcr-statistical-yearbook-2014-14th-edition.html | |
- Stateless persons
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 131 | 2016 |
| UNHCR Population Statistics http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern | |
| 119 | 2015 |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Country information: Statistical snapshot. http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home | |
Domestic Law Expand all
A. LEGAL TRADITION
Legal tradition Show sources
| Name | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| Civil law | 2017 |
| World Legal Systems. University of Ottawa. http://www.juriglobe.ca/ | |
B. LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Core pieces of national legislation Show sources
| Name | Year Adopted | Last Year Amended |
|---|---|---|
| Act on Foreigners | ||
| European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). 2013. "Report to the Icelandic Government on the visit to Iceland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 18 to 24 September 2012." CPT. Strasbourg. 5 December 2013. | ||
E. LENGTH OF DETENTION
Maximum length for administrative immigration detention in law. Show sources
| Number of Days | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 42 | 2018 |
| European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). 2013. "Report to the Icelandic Government on the visit to Iceland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 18 to 24 September 2012." CPT. Strasbourg. 5 December 2013. | |
Maximum length of time in custody prior to issuance of a detention order Show sources
| Number of Days | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2012 |
| European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). 2013. "Report to the Icelandic Government on the visit to Iceland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 18 to 24 September 2012." CPT. Strasbourg. 5 December 2013. | |
F. PROCEDURAL STANDARDS
Provision of basic procedural standards Show sources
| Name | In Law | In Practice | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to legal counsel | Yes | 2012 | |
| European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). 2013. "Report to the Icelandic Government on the visit to Iceland carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 18 to 24 September 2012." CPT. Strasbourg. 5 December 2013. | |||
G. NON-CUSTODIAL MEASURES (ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION)
Types of non-custodial measures Show sources
| Name | In Law | In Practice | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated non-secure housing | Yes | infrequently | 2014 |
| European Commission. 2014. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on EU Return Policy. COM(2014) 199. March 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/immigration/return-readmission/docs/communication_on_return_policy_en.pdf. | |||
| Supervised release and/or reporting | Yes | Yes | 2014 |
| European Commission. 2014. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on EU Return Policy. COM(2014) 199. March 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/immigration/return-readmission/docs/communication_on_return_policy_en.pdf. | |||
| Registration (deposit of documents) | Yes | infrequently | 2014 |
| European Commission. 2014. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on EU Return Policy. COM(2014) 199. March 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/immigration/return-readmission/docs/communication_on_return_policy_en.pdf. | |||
| Release on bail | No | No | 2014 |
| European Commission. 2014. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on EU Return Policy. COM(2014) 199. March 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/immigration/return-readmission/docs/communication_on_return_policy_en.pdf. | |||
| Electronic monitoring | No | No | 2014 |
| European Commission. 2014. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on EU Return Policy. COM(2014) 199. March 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/documents/policies/immigration/return-readmission/docs/communication_on_return_policy_en.pdf. | |||
International Law Expand all
1. Relevant international treaties and date of ratification
International treaties Show sources
| Name | Ratification Year |
|---|---|
| CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children | 2010 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment | 1996 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child | 1992 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women | 1985 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights | 1979 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| ICESCR, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | 1979 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations | 1978 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees | 1968 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination | 1967 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees | 1955 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
| 10/19 |
|---|
International treaty reservations Show sources
| Name | Reservation Year | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|
| CRC Article 37 | 2015 | 2015 |
| UN Treaty Collection | ||
| ICCPR Article 10 | 1979 | 1979 |
| UN Treaty Collection | ||
Individual complaints procedure Show sources
| Name | Acceptance Year |
|---|---|
| CEDAW, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 1999 | 2001 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| CAT, declaration under article 22 of the Convention | 1987 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| ICCPR, First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 | 1979 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| ICERD, declaration under article 14 of the Convention | 1967 |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
Ratio of complaints procedures accepted Show sources
| Number | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 4/5 | |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
| 4/5 | |
| UN Treaty Collection | |
2. Regional treaties, regulations, and directives
Regional legal instruments Show sources
| Name | Year of Ratification (Treaty) / Transposed (Directive) / Adoption (Regulation) |
|---|---|
| CPCSE, Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse | 2012 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
| ECPT, European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment | 1990 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
| CATHB, Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings | 2012 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
| ECHRP1, Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights (amended by protocol 11) | 1953 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
| ECHRP7, Protocol 7 to the European Convention on Human Rights (amended by protocol 11) | 1987 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
| ECHR, Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (commonly known as the European Convention on Human Rights | 1953 |
| COE Treaty Office | |
3. Bilateral/Multilateral agreements linked to readmissions
Bilateral/multilateral agreements linked to readmission Show sources
| Name | Year in Force | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 1957 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Estonia | 1997 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Finland | 1957 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Latvia | 1997 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Lithuania | 1997 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Sweden | 1957 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Norway | 1957 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Albania | 2010 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
| Ukraine | 2013 | 2017 |
| Jean-Pierre Cassarino, "Inventory of the bilateral agreements linked to readmission," http://www.jeanpierrecassarino.com/datasets/ra/ | ||
4. Non treaty-based international human rights mechanisms
Relevant recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review Show sources
| Recomendation Issued | Year Issued | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|
| No | 2011 | 2017 |
| Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Iceland, A/HRC/19/13, 16 December 2011, https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/iceland/session_12_-_october_2011/a_hrc_19_13_iceland_e.pdf | ||
| No | 2016 | 2017 |
| Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Iceland, A/HRC/34/7, 19 December 2016, https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/iceland/session_26_-_november_2016/a_hrc_34_7_en.pdf | ||
Institutions Expand all
Socio Economic Data Expand all
A. Economics and Development Indicators
Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD) Show sources
| Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD) | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 52,004 | 2014 |
| The World Bank. GDP Per Capita (current US$). | |
Remittances to the country Show sources
| Remittances to the country (in millions USD) | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 216 | 2014 |
| International Migration, 2015, Wall Chart, UN Population, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/migration/migration-wallchart-2015.shtml | |
Unemployment Rate Show sources
| Unemployment Rate | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| 2014 | |
| The World Bank. Unemployment, total (% of total labor force), 2014 | |
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP) Show sources
| Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP) | UNDP four-tiered ranking | Observation Date |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Very high | 2015 |
| Human Development Reports | ||
Country Links
Additional Resources
Global Detention Project
1-3 rue de Varembé,
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
+41 (0) 22 548 14 01 / +41 (0) 22 733 08 97
admin@globaldetentionproject.org
Copyright 2007-2020 Global Detention Project
V.1.17
