FRANCE 611 1. Statistical Data UNCHR data show steadily increasing numbers of Palestinian refugees in France. Palestinian Refugees and Asylum seekers in France612 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Refugees 152 194 218 252 314 Asylum seekers -- -- -- -- 43 In 2013, 66,251 persons submitted applications to the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA, “Office Francais de Protection des Refugies et Apatrides”).613 Out of this figure, 11,371 were granted asylum, out of which 2,282 were granted subsidiary protection, and 40,706 were rejected.614 Of this number, 138 of the applicants were Palestinians, including 42 children. Six of these Palestinians were requesting re-examination. Sixty three were granted refugee status or subsidiary protection. No statistics are available regarding whether any of the applicants granted refugee status were accompanied by minors.615 2. Refugee Status Determination: The Process As is the case for other asylum seekers, Palestinians in France must seek a temporary residence permit,616 and submit an application for asylum to OFPRA within 21 days of securing a residence permit.617 During the asylum process, applicants are provided with a six-month residence permit, which is renewable every three months until the final decision is made.618 Centers for Asylum Seekers are set up in various regions, and are responsible for guiding asylum seekers through the application process.619 611 126 Antoine Decourcelle, Coordinator of Refugee Service, Paris and suburbs, at La Cimade (Comité Inter-Mouvements Auprès des Évacués), reviewed and contributed to this section. 612 UNHCR, “UNHCR Population Statistics - Persons of Concern Time Series” (last visited Sept. 22, 2014). 613 OFPRA, Rapport d’Activité 2013, February 2014, 92, http://www.ofpra.gouv.fr/documents/OFPRA_ BD_28-04-2014.pdf, Annex 1. 614 Ibid. 615 Ibid., 94, Annex 3. 616 Ministère de l’Intérieur, Guide Du Demandeur d’Asile, Juin 2013, 7, http://www.immigration. interieur.gouv.fr/content/download/41456/319571/file/Guide_demandeur_asile_12juillet2013. pdf, Item 2. 617 Ibid., 11, Item 2.3(1). 618 Ibid., Item 2.3. 619 Ministère de l’Intérieur, “Les Droits Sociaux Des Demandeurs D’asile,” April 24, 2014, http://www. immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/Asile/L-accueil-des-demandeurs-d-asile/Les-droits-sociaux-desdemandeurs-d-asile. Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees