AUSTRIA 387 1. Statistical Data UNHCR’s website does not provide statistics on the number of Palestinian asylum seekers or refugees in Austria. Statistics regarding asylum seekers in Austria are available in German on the Ministry of Interior’s website; however, the data are not disaggregated by Palestinian origin – data on Palestinians is included in the ‘stateless’ category. Between 2009 and 2013 the following numbers of stateless persons were granted refugee protection in Austria: 2013: 32; 2012: 48; 2011: 83; 2010: 49; 2009: 34.388 2. Refugee Status Determination: The Process As is the case for other asylum seekers, Palestinians in Austria may submit an application for asylum to the Federal Aliens and Asylum Office (“Bundesamt für Fremden und Asylwesen”).389 Asylum seekers may file applications at a reception center (“Erstaufnahmestelle”); public security service agents interview the applicants within 48 and 72 hours of arrival.390 Subsequent asylum interviews will be conducted by an official from the Federal Aliens and Asylum Office.391 The Federal Asylum Office has six months from the date of initial filing to decide whether to grant refugee status to an asylum seeker.392 The asylum seeker will be given a residence entitlement card until an enforceable decision is rendered.393 Moreover, while a case is pending, asylum seekers are entitled to a refugee advisor who will assist him or her in filing paperwork and translating documents.394 A person in whom the asylum seeker has confided may join him or her throughout the proceedings.395 The asylum seeker will be able to seek medical attention or examination at the initial reception center.396 During the asylum process, the Federal Government will grant welfare support.397 387 82 Professors Ulrike Brandl and Phillip Czech of the University of Salzburg reviewed and contributed to this section. 388 Austria’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, “Asylum Statistics,” accessed November 13, 2014, http:// www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_Asylwesen/statistik/start.aspx. 389 Information provided by Ulrike Brandl. 390 State of Austria, “Federal Act Concerning the Granting of Asylum (2005 Asylum Act - Asylgesetz 2005) [Unofficial Translation. Published in Federal Law Gazette (FLG) I No. 100/2005],” January 1, 2006, http://www.refworld.org/docid/46adc62c2.html, Chapter 4, Section 2, Article 29(2). 391 Ibid., Chapter 4, Section 1, Article 19(2). 392 State of Austria, “General Administrative Procedures Act (AVG) No. 195 of 1991,” January 1, 1991, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b5a7e.html, Article 73(1). 393 State of Austria, “2005 Asylum Act,” Chapter 6, Article 51(1). 394 Ibid., Chapter 8, Section 3, Article 66. 395 Ibid. Chapter 4, Section 1, Article 19(5). 396 Ibid. Chapter 4, Section 2, Article 28(4). 397 State of Austria, “Federal Law Regulating Basic Welfare Support of Asylum-Seekers in Admission Procedures and of Certain Other Aliens (Federal Government Basic Welfare Support Act 2005 GVG-B 2005),” August 2, 1991, http://www.refworld.org/docid/46adc8c22.html, Article 2. Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees