Each year thousands of people flee their country and seek asylum in Europe. The EU would like to improve their reception, which often leaves a lot to be desired.

A-Z: A for Asylum

Hi! Asylum is the protection a state grants  to a person in danger in their country.

Today, if someone wants  to ask for asylum,

Countries on the external borders  have to deal with the most requests.

Each year thousands of people  flee their country.

One problem is that many people come  to look for work.

In 2011, the EU had 301,000 asylum  applications. Up 42,000 in one year.

Those who seek asylum  to escape from war or dictatorship

They ask one Member State  to protect them.

I want to be like any normal person  in the world.

I want to live my life normally,  like anyone.

I want to learn.  I want to make the best of my life.

But for most asylum applicants,  the journey ends at a detention centre

as they've landed in the EU  without authorisation.

Like Sima. She's 21 and has fled  from the Islamist regime in Iran.

Yeah, exactly. There's some stuff  I cannot talk about,

because I have my family back home.  I'm afraid for their safety.

It's heartbreaking because  you cannot do anything. I'm stuck.

They call it a centre, they don't call it  a prison, but you get that feeling.

Closed centres are multiplying in the EU.

The reception conditions  aren't suited to young people,

and yet more and more minors  are being held.

Because of lack of space, it's hard for them  to find refuge in open reception centres.

This is the story of Uzmanzai,  a 17-year-old Afghan.

First I went to Iran, from Iran to Turkey,

from Turkey to Greece,  from Greece to Italy,

When I came in I thought  they would give me something to eat.

And when I came in,  they just took my fingerprints

and then they sent me to Steenokkerzeel.

In the end Uzmanzai found a place  in a reception centre.

It's not guaranteed.  On average, 75% are refused.

For now, reception often  leaves a lot to be desired

and the EU would like  to improve conditions.

I think that from today we can imagine  a Europe that we all want,

with better management  of asylum and liberties.

New EU rules should improve  conditions for asylum seekers.

More flexibility for minors,  more humane detention conditions,

We'll see about that.  See you soon for another A-Z.