VI. Iraqi Refugees and Migrants In 2007, Iraqis were the largest nationality group of asylum seekers lodging new claims in the European Union (EU),43 and, indeed, in the world.44 The number of Iraqi asylum seekers applying in the EU doubled from 2006 to 2007, increasing from 19,375 to 38,286.45 But only two countries, Sweden (18,600) and Greece (5,500), hosted fully 62 percent of all Iraqi asylum applicants in 2007.46 The inequitable burden on these two countries has had negative consequences.47 Despite horrendous sectarian violence and widespread generalized violence in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, Greece neither granted refugee status nor subsidiary protection48 based on generalized violence to a single one of the 5,474 Iraqis who lodged asylum claims in 2007.49 Greece rejected 3,948 Iraqis after first interviews, with the remainder pending at year’s end.50 At the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003, Greece suspended hearing any appeals of Iraqi asylum denials. For pending cases, this ensured that Iraqis who were able to renew their red cards51 at least would not be deported to Iraq, but it also left them in limbo with no possibility to reunite with family members or to integrate into Greek society. Under criticism for its extremely low asylum approval rates, the Greek authorities decided in 43 UNHCR, “Asylum Levels and Trends, 2007,” Table 13, p. 25. 44 Iraqis as top-ranked nationality seeking asylum in the world, see UNHCR, “2007 Global Trends: Refugees, Asylum-seekers, Returnees, Internally Displaced and Stateless Persons,” June 2008, p. 15. 45 UNHCR , “Asylum Levels and Trends, 2007,” p 9. 46 UNHCR, “2007 Global Trends,” p. 15. See also, UNHCR “Asylum Levels and Trends, 2007,” p. 7. 47 See below, The Failure of International Burden Sharing. 48 Subsidiary protection, also known as complementary protection, is a form international protection for people fleeing indiscriminate violence in situations of armed conflict who may not qualify for refugee status on the Refugee Convention standard of a “well-founded fear of being persecuted,” but who nevertheless would face a real risk of serious harm if returned. (See Article 15 of the European Union’s Council Directive 2004/83/EC of April 29, 2004 on Minimum Standards for the Qualification and Status of Third Country Nationals or Stateless Persons as Refugees or as Persons Who Otherwise Need International Protection and the Content of the Protection Granted.” 49 UNHCR, “Position on the Return of Asylum-seekers to Greece,” p. 5. 50 Ibid. 51 The “red card” is the document the Greek authorities issue to asylum seekers, although its actual color is pink, indicating that they are in the asylum process, are lawfully resident, and can begin the process to obtain a work permit. It is normally valid for six-month, renewable periods. Stuck in a Revolving Door 28