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6 rescued in waters off Indonesiaupdated: Wed Aug 29 2012 21:25:00

Six people were rescued in the waters off Indonesia early Thursday as authorities search for survivors of a boat that reportedly had engine trouble a day earlier, Australian officials said.

Assange and diplomatic asylum: A primerupdated: Fri Aug 17 2012 16:10:00

When we think about asylum, the picture that most people draw in their heads is of some persecuted person crossing a border to a safe country and pleading his or her case.

Assange granted asylum in Ecuadorupdated: Thu Aug 16 2012 13:27:00

Ecuador announced it's granting diplomatic asylum to Julian Assange. CNN's Atika Shubert has the details.

Media circus descends on Assange's embassy hide outupdated: Thu Aug 16 2012 13:27:00

Outside a modest redbrick block behind the Harrods department store in west London, a media circus is taking place.

Australia aids boat in distress south of Indonesiaupdated: Tue Jul 03 2012 22:30:00

A Royal Australian Navy vessel Wednesday located a boat in distress south of Indonesia and was poised to help with a rescue if it became necessary, authorities said.

Scores rescued from water after ship capsizes off Australiaupdated: Wed Jun 27 2012 22:57:00

Rescuers pulled 130 people from the waters between Australia and Indonesia on Wednesday after a ship capsized, the Australian authorities said.

Police seek Assange after asylum claimupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 09:21:00

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is subject to arrest for breaking the terms of his bail, as Nima Elbagir reports.

Ecuador says WikiLeaks founder Assange is seeking asylumupdated: Tue Jun 19 2012 20:27:00

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and has requested political asylum, officials and WikiLeaks said Tuesday.

Assange seeks asylum at Ecuador's London embassyupdated: Tue Jun 19 2012 15:18:00

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has asked for asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, Ecuadorian officials said Tuesday.

Hundreds protest in Israel illegal immigration battleupdated: Sun Jun 10 2012 13:58:00

Several hundred Sudanese immigrants rallied Sunday on the streets of Tel Aviv, demanding refugee status.

Indonesia arrests 4 over people-smugglingupdated: Fri Dec 23 2011 09:54:00

Four people have been detained for smuggling people on an Australia-bound vessel that sank last weekend off East Java, Indonesian police said on Friday.

Claiming persecution, deaf immigrants seek U.S. asylumupdated: Tue Oct 04 2011 14:54:00

At an immigration reform event in Riverside, California, about a year-and-a-half ago, a man approached attorney Hadley Bajramovic pleading for help.

No asylum seekers to Malaysiaupdated: Thu Sep 01 2011 22:29:00

A high court in Australia ruled the country can't send asylum seekers to Malaysia. Australia's Network 7 reports.

Australia grapples with policy on asylum seekersupdated: Thu Sep 01 2011 22:29:00

Abdul Farid Sufizada knew he was in trouble when a Russian-built jeep pulled up to his grocery shop one afternoon in northern Afghanistan. An unknown man jumped out and blindfolded him. He was shoved into the backseat and taken to an underground location where the Taliban had gathered a group of local young men.

High Court rules Australia cannot send asylum seekers to Malaysiaupdated: Wed Aug 31 2011 03:02:00

The High Court in Australia ruled Wednesday that the country cannot send asylum seekers to Malaysia.

High-ranking Myanmar diplomat seeks asylum in U.S.updated: Wed Jul 06 2011 06:48:00

The second-highest-ranking diplomat at the embassy of Myanmar in Washington has defected and wants to seek asylum in the United States.

Mexican sheriff wants asylum in U.S.updated: Mon Jun 06 2011 15:04:00

Former Sheriff Marisol Valles Garcia is seeking asylum in the United States after she was forced out of Mexico.

Australia, Malaysia reach deal on asylum-seekersupdated: Sat May 07 2011 13:00:00

The prime ministers of Australia and Malaysia on Saturday announced an agreement aimed at reducing human smuggling and illegal migration to Australia.

Asylum seekers sew lips shutupdated: Sat Apr 30 2011 06:40:00

In Britain, two Iranian asylum seekers fighting extradition with a hunger strike go one step further.

U.N. refugee agency warns of refugee exodus from Libyaupdated: Wed Feb 23 2011 04:54:00

Among the unwitting victims caught up in the violent unrest in Libya are asylum-seekers and refugees, the U.N. refugee agency said as it urged neighboring countries not to turn them away should they flee the upheaval.

Asylum seekers shipwreckedupdated: Tue Feb 22 2011 03:27:00

Rescuers are still searching for bodies after a ship smashed into a cliff off the coast of Christmas Island.

Gay man seeking asylum: I can't return to Indonesiaupdated: Wed Feb 16 2011 02:48:00

Anton Tanumihardja had his bags packed, anxious about his flight back to his home country, Indonesia. It was a trip he did not want to make after spending the past eight years in the United States.

Man seeking asylum: I can't go homeupdated: Wed Feb 16 2011 02:48:00

Anton Tanumihardja pleaded for a last minute stay of deportation and got one. CNN's Sarah Hoye reports.

Sweden defends deporting 26 Iraqi asylum-seekersupdated: Fri Jan 21 2011 11:00:00

Sweden is defending its decision to deport 26 Iraqi asylum-seekers.

Sweden plans to deport Iraqi refugeesupdated: Fri Jan 21 2011 11:00:00

Sweden decides to deport Iraqi refugees back to Baghdad. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh reports.

U.N.: Sweden deports 26 Iraqi asylum-seekersupdated: Thu Jan 20 2011 11:33:00

Despite appeals by the United Nations' refugee agency to European countries asking them not to deport Iraqi asylum-seekers, Sweden on Wednesday deported 26 Iraqi men, the agency said.

Iraq's Christians remember victimsupdated: Sat Jan 01 2011 12:16:00

Christians still shaken by a terror attack in a Baghdad church swear they will not leave Iraq. CNN's Arwa Damon reports.

U.N. cites 'a slow but steady exodus' of Iraqi Christiansupdated: Sat Jan 01 2011 12:16:00

Violence in recent weeks has prompted a "slow but steady exodus" of Christians from the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Mosul, the U.N. refugee agency said on Friday.

Australian policies led to refugee deathsupdated: Tue Dec 21 2010 07:08:00

The graphic footage of the wooden boat carrying up to 100 Iranian, Iraqi and Kurdish asylum seekers as it wrecked last week on the cliffs of Christmas Island has been seen around the world.

Life of an asylum seekerupdated: Tue Dec 21 2010 07:08:00

In January, CNN's Atika Shubert spoke to an asylum seeker stranded off Indonesia's coast, trying to reach Australia.

Britain's asylum seekers left in limboupdated: Mon Dec 20 2010 09:54:00

An examination of the plight of those in asylum limbo in Britain.

Birmingham's makeover fails to reach migrant neighborhoodsupdated: Mon Dec 20 2010 09:54:00

Since the second half of the last century Birmingham has always had a rich ethnic mix: in the 1950s Caribbean immigrants came over to drive buses and trains as well as work in the factories, followed by Asians, largely from India and Pakistan, and in the 1970s, Ugandan refugees.

Asylum seekers hold sit-in outside Australian detention centerupdated: Fri Dec 17 2010 12:49:00

Dozens of people seeking asylum in Australia after their boat crashed into cliffs along Christmas Island took part in two separate protests on the soil of their prospective home country, a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said Friday.

Hanson says 'pathetic' Australian PM to blame for boat deathsupdated: Thu Dec 16 2010 15:15:00

Controversial former Australian politician Pauline Hanson says the government's weak policies on asylum seekers are to blame for the deaths of dozens of people off the coast of Christmas Island.

Little sympathy for asylum seekers in city of immigrantsupdated: Sun Nov 21 2010 09:29:00

Since World War II waves of immigration have radically changed the ethnic makeup of Birmingham with thousands of West Indians and Asians arriving to work in Britain's industrial heartland.

Quaids: 'We are requesting asylum from Hollywood star whackers'updated: Mon Oct 25 2010 09:34:00

It sounds like a plot out of an upcoming Halloween horror movie, but for troubled actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, their fear of "Hollywood star whackers" is real.

Mexican journalists seek U.S. asylumupdated: Thu Sep 23 2010 07:42:00

Journalists who say their lives are in danger in Mexico seek asylum in the U.S. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Mexican photographer seeks asylumupdated: Wed Sep 15 2010 07:54:00

A Mexican photographer kidnapped by drug traffickers seeks asylum in the U.S. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Iranian diplomat in Europe defectsupdated: Tue Sep 14 2010 07:40:00

An Iranian diplomat based in Belgium has defected and is requesting political asylum in Norway, his lawyer told CNN on Tuesday.

Iranian attorney under diplomatic protection after release in Turkeyupdated: Fri Aug 06 2010 19:59:00

A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer was under European diplomatic protection Friday after Turkish authorities released him from a detention center for illegal immigrants.

Attorney in stoning case seeks asylum as client awaits court decisionupdated: Thu Aug 05 2010 13:50:00

A prominent human rights lawyer is sitting in a detention cell in Turkey as an Iranian court prepares to render a final decision in the case of his client, Sakineh Mohammedie Ashtiani, who was sentenced to death by stoning after being convicted of adultery.

Dozens killed in Somali violence; many more forced to fleeupdated: Fri Jul 30 2010 06:57:00

Fighting in the Somali capital this week led to the deaths of dozens of civilians and injuries to scores of others, the U.N. refugee agency said Friday.

Uganda tricked Rwandans into trucks and deported them, UN saysupdated: Mon Jul 19 2010 05:19:00

A top Ugandan official on Monday defended a decision to load hundreds of Rwandans in trucks and forcibly return them home in an operation condemned as illegal by the United Nations.

Australia discusses plans for regional refugee centerupdated: Fri Jul 16 2010 21:08:00

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Thursday he had "productive talks" with Indonesia and East Timor about a regional detention center for refugees.

Court ruling affects Guatemalan women seeking asylum in U.S.updated: Tue Jul 13 2010 19:13:00

An appeals court ruling has raised the possibility that Guatemalan women will be able to seek asylum in the United States because of the high rates of femicide in that country.

Australia ends Sri Lankan asylum seekers freezeupdated: Tue Jul 06 2010 08:11:00

Australia's new prime minister is ending a three-month freeze on processing Sri Lankan asylum seekers.

Libya orders UN refugee agency to close officeupdated: Wed Jun 09 2010 01:59:00

The UN refugee agency was in negotiations with Libya on Wednesday to find a solution to continue operating in the country, a day after the government ordered it to close its office.

32 asylum seekers rescued off Australian coastupdated: Fri Mar 12 2010 04:36:00

Australia rescued 32 people seeking asylum this week after spotting them floating on boats off the country's northwest coast.

Exclusive: On board the Tamil asylum boatupdated: Wed Jan 06 2010 08:17:00

They are home movies of a different sort. Children scamper across the wooden deck. Parents lie on woven mats trying to fend off boredom. A handful of men share a single hose as a shower at the back of the boat.

China deflects criticism over Uyghursupdated: Tue Dec 22 2009 09:36:00

China dismissed international criticism over the forced repatriation of 20 Uyghur asylum seekers from Cambodia to China over the weekend, calling it "unreasonable."

Uyghurs sent back to Chinaupdated: Mon Dec 21 2009 10:58:00

Cambodia deports a group of 20 Uyghur Muslim asylum seekers back to China. CNN's John Vause reports.

U.S. slams deportation of Uyghur refugees from Cambodia to Chinaupdated: Mon Dec 21 2009 10:58:00

The U.S. State Department said Sunday it was "deeply disturbed" at the deportation of 20 Uyghur asylum seekers from Cambodia back to China.

Iraqis top list of refugees seeking asylumupdated: Thu Oct 22 2009 02:44:00

For the fourth year in a row, Iraqis top a growing roster of people seeking asylum in an industrialized nation. They are just ahead of people fleeing wars in Afghanistan and Somalia, said a report published by the U.N. refugee agency Wednesday.

White refugee granted asylumupdated: Fri Sep 04 2009 11:33:00

South Africa is condemning Canada's decision to grant asylum to white a South African. CBC's Krista Erickson reports.

Canada appeals to overturn South African refugee rulingupdated: Fri Sep 04 2009 11:33:00

The Canadian government hopes to overturn a decision granting refugee status to a white South African who says he would face persecution at home, a spokesman for Canada's immigration minister said Friday.

Canadian asylum ruling will foster racism, South Africa saysupdated: Thu Sep 03 2009 12:12:00

An attorney for a white South African man says his client was rightfully granted refugee status in Canada because he was the victim of racial violence and discrimination in his homeland.

Report highlights plight of war zone refugeesupdated: Thu Jun 18 2009 11:14:00

The number of uprooted people across the world dropped slightly last year, but new displacement this year in conflict zones like Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka so far "has already more than offset the decline," the U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday.

Venezuelan official granted asylum in Peruupdated: Tue Apr 28 2009 03:36:00

Manuel Rosales, the mayor of Maracaibo, Venezuela, has been granted political asylum in Peru, Peru's foreign minister said Monday.

Desperation, smuggling the backdrop to migrant tragedyupdated: Tue Mar 31 2009 22:28:00

Desperation, sophisticated smuggling operations and the emergence of a small Italian island as a migrant destination provide the sad backdrop to Monday's tragedy on the Mediterranean Sea -- the capsizing of a boat carrying African migrants from Libya to Italy.

Mexicans seeking asylum: 'The fear never ends'updated: Wed Mar 25 2009 14:56:00

The cell phone rang as Jorge Aguirre walked to a friend's funeral in Juarez, Mexico, last November -- a funeral for a fellow journalist who, Aguirre says, was assassinated for the critical stories he wrote.

Mexicans seek U.S. asylumupdated: Wed Mar 25 2009 14:56:00

CNN's Ed Lavandera reports requests for asylum from Mexican citizens are on the rise due to fears of violence

'Killing will go on' despite Darfur chargesupdated: Sat Mar 07 2009 22:57:00

The killing will go on in Darfur despite the International Criminal Court's moves against Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, refugees from the violence said Wednesday, lamenting the country they say is now beyond salvation.

Waiting on a verdictupdated: Sat Mar 07 2009 22:57:00

CNN's Phil Black is at a Darfur memorial in London, waiting word on whether Sudan's president will be arrested.

Brazil president defends decision to grant asylum to fugitiveupdated: Fri Jan 16 2009 01:38:00

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva defended his country's decision to free an Italian fugitive condemned to life in prison for murders he denies committing in the 1970s while a member of an extremist left-wing group.

Soccer and hope in Italyupdated: Mon Nov 10 2008 09:43:00

CNN's Alessio Vinci reports on Italy's first professional soccer team of refugee asylum seekers

Spain: Son of Osama bin Laden deportedupdated: Sat Nov 08 2008 10:54:00

One of Osama bin Laden's sons has left Spain after he was denied asylum in the country, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman told CNN Saturday.

Bin Laden son appeals asylum denialupdated: Thu Nov 06 2008 12:13:00

A son of Osama bin Laden has appealed a Spanish decision denying him asylum in the country, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said Thursday.

Bin Laden son loses asylum pleaupdated: Wed Nov 05 2008 16:14:00

One of Osama bin Laden's sons has been denied asylum in Spain, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman told CNN on Wednesday.

Time.com: Bin Laden's Son Loses Political Asylum Bid in Spainupdated: Wed Nov 05 2008 09:00:00

Omar bin Laden is held at Madrid's airport while his case rumbles on and experts puzzle over why he made the request in the first place

Time.com: More Mexicans Seek U.S. Asylumupdated: Fri Jul 11 2008 17:00:00

Dozens of Mexicans -- including police officers, businessmen, at least one prosecutor and a journalist -- are asking for political asylum in the U.S. in a desperate bid to escape an unprecedented wave of drug-related killings and kidnappings

U.S. deserter faces deportation from Canadaupdated: Thu May 22 2008 07:45:00

A U.S. soldier who deserted to Canada will not face persecution if he returns to the United States, Canada's refugee agency ruled Wednesday.

Gay Iranian wins UK asylum fightupdated: Tue May 20 2008 17:30:00

Britain has granted asylum to Mehdi Kazemi, a gay Iranian student who faced deportation from the United Kingdom and feared execution in Iran for being homosexual, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Somalia food riotsupdated: Wed May 07 2008 00:03:00

Soaring costs lead to riots in the Somali capital for a second straight day.

Discord drives Somalis to Yemen in record numbersupdated: Wed May 07 2008 00:03:00

Intensifying violence, food shortages and widespread drought are driving an increasing number of Somalis to seek asylum in Yemen, the United Nations' refugee agency said Tuesday.

Gay Iranian given hope by the UK's U-turnupdated: Fri Mar 14 2008 12:20:00

Britain says it will reconsider the asylum application of a gay Iranian teenager who claims he will be persecuted if he is returned home.

Seeking asylumupdated: Fri Mar 14 2008 12:20:00

A gay Iranian's story has generated international media interest. CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh reports

Spain upholds refugee status for African opposition leaderupdated: Wed Mar 12 2008 12:17:00

Spain's Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a request to grant political refugee status to Equatorial Guinea opposition leader Severo Moto.

Gay Iranian faces deportationupdated: Tue Mar 11 2008 15:37:00

Gay Iranian teenager faces deportation to Tehran and likely execution. CNN's Alphonso Van Marsh reports.

Gay Iranian teen loses asylum appealupdated: Tue Mar 11 2008 15:37:00

The Netherlands has rejected an asylum plea by a gay Iranian teenager trying to escape possible persecution in his homeland.

EU expands bordersupdated: Fri Dec 21 2007 15:21:00

Hungary has joined the EU's passport-free travel zone.

Europe extends passport-free zoneupdated: Fri Dec 21 2007 15:21:00

The nine newest members of the European Union were celebrating on Friday after border controls officially were lifted, allowing them to move freely within the EU's passport-free zone.

'Global apathy' to Iraqi refugeesupdated: Wed Sep 26 2007 15:50:00

Countries across the world are inadequately responding to the Iraqi refugee crisis, a human rights group said in a report Monday.

U.N.: Thousands of Iraqis seek refuge in Swedenupdated: Fri Sep 21 2007 20:55:00

The number of Iraqi refugees trying to flee to industrialized nations has increased substantially in 2007 -- and nearly half are trying to go to Sweden, the U.N. refugee agency reported Friday.

Cuba slams Hungary for granting asylum to migrantsupdated: Wed Aug 22 2007 04:21:00

Cuba branded Hungary an "imperial accomplice" of Washington on Wednesday for granting political asylum to 29 Cubans who were held at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. naval base.

FSB: Chasing the American dreamupdated: Tue Feb 06 2007 13:26:00

Political refugees flee the worst places on earth to launch businesses in America.

U.N. refugee agency: Exodus in Iraq forces priority shiftupdated: Fri Oct 13 2006 08:51:00

The United Nations estimates that up to 1.6 million Iraqis have left their homes for other countries in "a steady, silent exodus" as a result of the war and sectarian violence, forcing the U.N. refugee agency to announce a shift in priorities.

Afghan convert arrives in Italy for asylumupdated: Wed Mar 29 2006 00:04:00

The Afghan man who converted to Christianity and could have been executed for renouncing Islam has arrived in Italy for asylum, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced at a news conference.

UNHCR 'shocked' by Kyrgyz handoverupdated: Fri Jun 10 2005 07:38:00

The forcible return of four Uzbek men who sought asylum in Kyrgyzstan after last month's violence in eastern Uzbekistan prompted the U.N. refugee agency to make an urgent appeal for a halt to any more deportations.

Howard rejects asylum, trade linkupdated: Thu Jun 09 2005 21:12:00

Australia's fast-growing trade ties with China will not influence the way it handles a request for asylum by a fugivitive Chinese diplomat, Australian Prime Minister John Howard says.

Second defector backs spy claimsupdated: Tue Jun 07 2005 20:39:00

A second Chinese defector has reinforced claims by fugitive diplomat Chen Yonglin that China is running a network of spies and paid informers in Australia.

Fugitive envoy 'still fears death'updated: Mon Jun 06 2005 20:09:00

A Chinese democracy organizer in Sydney says fugitive diplomat Chen Yonglin is still in fear of his life, despite reassurances by China's ambassador in Australia.

China envoy alleges spy networkupdated: Sun Jun 05 2005 18:29:00

A senior Chinese diplomat on the run in Australia claims China has a network of about 1,000 agents in the country who have been involved in kidnappings of dissidents.

Bid for asylum in Chinaupdated: Sun Jan 23 2005 20:32:00

Eight people, believed to be North Koreans, are in Japan's embassy compound in Beijing, seeking asylum.

N. Koreans leave Canadian embassyupdated: Wed Dec 22 2004 21:34:00

Nearly four dozen North Korean defectors, who had taken refuge in the Canadian Embassy in Beijing for nearly three months, have left for a third nation.

N. Koreans seek asylum in schoolupdated: Thu Dec 16 2004 22:43:00

Seven would-be defectors from North Korea are being questioned at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing after a security guard found them on the grounds of a Japanese school there.

Daring asylum bid in Beijingupdated: Wed Sep 29 2004 03:56:00

Nearly four dozen North Korean refugees have scaled the wall around the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, successfully making it into the compound in a bid for asylum.

Putin agrees to siege probeupdated: Fri Sep 10 2004 03:45:00

President Vladimir Putin has agreed to a parliamentary investigation in an apparent response to public criticism over last week's deadly school hostage siege.

Russia: Extradite Chechen rebelsupdated: Thu Sep 09 2004 07:28:00

Russia's foreign minister has accused Western countries of displaying double standards by granting asylum to Chechen separatist figures.

Fate of NK asylum seekers unclearupdated: Tue Feb 24 2004 01:14:00

The fate of eight North Korean asylum seekers inside the German embassy in Beijing remains unclear with Chinese and German officials debating the issue, an embassy spokeswoman says.

Deportation decision divides Dutchupdated: Fri Feb 20 2004 10:51:00

A decision by the Dutch government to deport 26,000 failed asylum-seekers is continuing to make waves across the country.

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