In a press release from 21 May 2024, the CGRS explained that, in Palestinian cases, several elements prevent a decision from being taken within the initial six-month period referred to in Article 57/6, §1, paragraph 2 of the Law of 15 December 1980. These longer processing times are due inter alia to a significant increase in the number of applications for international protection from Palestinian applicants in recent years as well as an increase in the number of Palestinian applicants already enjoying protection in another Member State of the European Union. They are also due to the volatile situation in Palestine and the need for the CGRS to reassess the processing of Palestinian cases on several occasions.

The CGRS underlined that it has taken several measures in recent weeks to ensure that Palestinian cases are processed more quickly and that a decision can be taken within 21 months of the submission of the application for protection. The CGRS will give priority to the processing of the oldest cases.

For further details, please read the press release from the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons.