EUROPEAN ASYLUM SUPPORT OFFICE - EASO QUALITY ASSURANCE TOOL

Module 1: Personal interview

File information

Reference

Case file reference

Interviewer

Team/Unit

Applicant

Country of origin

Sex of the applicant

Age of the applicant

Special needs

Case data

Date of lodging the application

Date of interview

Duration of the interview

Interview conducted through interpreter

Language of the interview

Legal representative present during the interview

Grounds for the application

Decision outcome

Assessment

Quality assessor

Assessment date

Assessment based on

Other

Additional information specific to national system

Assessment form

Each indicator can and must be assessed with a single mark (of '1').
Write '1' in the appropriate column, including in the columns 'Correct' or 'Not applicable' or when more than one significant or minor error has been observed'.

Opening the interview

1. Previously identified special needs are addressed accordingly.

1.1. Special needs, which have been previously identified, are taken into account when arranging the interview.
For example:
- appropriate gender of the interviewer and/or interpreter;
- unaccompanied children have a representative present;
- practical arrangements are made for persons with disabilities;
- other relevant procedural guarantees were put in place.

2. The necessary information is provided to the applicant.

2.1. Information on the aim of the interview is provided.

2.2. Information regarding confidentiality is provided.

2.3. Information on the roles of all persons present is provided.

2.4. Information on the obligation to cooperate is provided.

2.5. Information on breaks and possibility to ask for breaks is provided.

2.6. Other mandatory information according to national practice is provided.

3. It is ensured that the applicant and the interpreter understand each other.

3.1. The applicant is asked whether they understand the interpreter and vice versa.

4. It is ensured that the applicant is fit to be interviewed.

4.1. The applicant is asked and they confirm that they are mentally and physically fit to be interviewed.

4.2. The interviewer has effectively picked up on indicators that the interview cannot go ahead.

Conducting the interview

5. The interviewer displays a professional attitude throughout the interview.

5.1. The interviewer appropriately establishes rapport with the applicant.

5.2. The interviewer uses appropriate, sensitive and factual language.

5.3. The interviewer addresses the applicant directly (in second person).

5.4. The interviewer uses appropriate tone and appropriate body language throughout the interview.

6. The interviewer applies appropriate questioning techniques.

6.1. The applicant is encouraged to provide a free narrative regarding their reasons for applying for international protection.

6.2. Each new focused theme is introduced to the applicant.

6.3. The interviewer uses open and/or closed questions appropriately.

6.4. Questions are adapted to the capabilities of the applicant.

6.5. The interviewer avoids unproductive questions, such as:
- leading questions;
- multiple choice questions;
- plural questions;
- unnecessarily repetitive questions;
- irrelevant questions.

7. The interviewer ensures all persons present act in accordance with their roles and manages the interview effectively.

7.1. The interviewer maintains control of the interview situation throughout the interview.

7.2. If a challenging situation occurs during the interview, it is effectively handled by the interviewer to the extent possible.

7.3. The interviewer ensures that the interpreter acts in accordance with their role and responsibilities.

7.4. The legal representative and/or other persons present are allowed to exercise their rights in accordance with national rules and are authorised to intervene at least at the end of the personal interview.

7.5. Breaks are taken if necessary or requested and appropriate.

Substance of the interview

8. All material facts are identified and explored sufficiently.

8.1. Where relevant, the identity (including country of origin) of the applicant is established.

8.2. Past problems and/or threats are explored sufficiently (what, who, when, where, why).

8.3. Future fear is explored.

8.4. The availability of protection in the home area in the country of origin is explored sufficiently.

8.5. The availability of an internal protection alternative is explored sufficiently.

9. Documents and other written evidence submitted to support the applicant’s claim are handled appropriately.

9.1. The interviewer explores the relevance and source of any documents or written information submitted to support the applicant’s claim.

9.2. All relevant documents presented by the applicant are added to the file.

10. The applicant is provided with an effective opportunity to address inconsistencies and discrepancies.

10.1. All significant inconsistencies and discrepancies are put to the applicant and they are provided with an opportunity to address them.

11. Where relevant, exclusion considerations are appropriately explored.

11.1. Potential exclusion considerations are correctly identified.

11.2. Potential exclusion considerations are sufficiently explored.

12. Specific policies and guidelines are followed correctly

12.1. Where applicable, national policy regarding the specific profile of the applicant is followed correctly.
For example: specific profiles could include children, victims of trafficking, potential victims of female genital mutilation,
applicants with claims related to sexual orientation and gender identity, etc.

12.2. Where applicable, country-specific guidelines for interviewing are followed correctly.

12.3. Where applicable, policies regarding the application of additional protection grounds (e.g. humanitarian grounds) are followed correctly.

Closing the interview

13. The interviewer follows the necessary steps when closing the interview.

13.1. The interviewer confirms whether or not the applicant has understood all questions asked.

13.2. The interviewer asks the applicant whether they want to add anything.

13.3. The interviewer explains the next steps of the asylum procedure clearly.

Interview record

14. Interview transcript/report rules are followed accordingly.

14.1. A thorough and factual report containing all substantive elements or a transcript, is made of the personal interview. It contains additional elements if applicable according to national practice.

14.2. If applicable, an audio or audiovisual recording is made according to national practice.

14.3. The applicant is provided with an effective opportunity to make comments and/or provide clarification orally and/or in writing with regard to any mistranslations or misconceptions appearing in the interview report/transcript.

Conclusion

To be filled by the quality assessor based on overall observations.

The interview allows an effective and correct decision to be made:

Assessment

This assessment is calculated automatically on the basis of the completed assessment form. Please make sure that you have marked each indicator accordingly.

Total applicable:
Total correct:
Percentage correct from applicable:
Total minor errors:
Percentage minor errors from applicable:
Total significant errors:
Percentage significant errors from applicable:

The overall quality is:

The scale below is applied.

High Quality

Under 20% minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.

Moderate Quality

20% or more minor errors and no signicant errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.

Low Quality

Once more significant error.

Assessment of the personal interview

Module 2: First-instance decision

File information

Reference

Case file reference

Decision-maker

Team/Unit

Applicant

Country of origin

Sex of the applicant

Age of the applicant

Special needs

Case data

Date of lodging the application

Date of interview

Interview conducted by the decision-maker

Date of decision

Number of pages of the decision

Grounds for the application

Decision outcome

Assessment

Quality assessor

Assessment date

Other

Additional information specific to national system

Assessment form

Introduction

1. The decision states the applicant’s details correctly.

1.1. The decision states correct name, country of origin and home area, date of birth and file number, along with other details required by national policy.

2. If applicable, the decision includes a concise and accurate summary of the immigration history of the applicant.

2.1. The decision includes a concise and accurate summary of possible previous applications and other immigration history of the applicant, in accordance with national policy.

Basis of claim

3. The basis of claim correctly sets out all material facts.

3.1. The basis of claim correctly identifies and presents all material facts.

4. The basis of claim correctly identifies the future fear.

4.1. The basis of claim correctly specifies who and what the applicant fears, and why.

5. If applicable, evidence presented by the applicant is correctly outlined in the basis of claim.

5.1. Evidence presented by the applicant is correctly outlined according to national practice.

Credibility assessment

6. The credibility of each material fact is assessed correctly, including the identity and country of origin of the applicant.

6.1. The evidence is linked correctly to each material fact.

6.2. Credibility indicators are applied correctly.

6.3. The concept of plausibility is applied objectively.

6.4. Only inconsistencies/ discrepancies which have been put to the applicant for comment have been used in the decision.

6.5. Country of origin information is relevant, up-to-date and referenced correctly.

7. A clear finding is made on each material fact.

7.1. For each material fact, the decision clearly states whether it has been accepted or rejected.

7.2. Where a material fact is deemed ‘uncertain’, Article 4(5) of the qualification directive/‘benefit of the doubt’ has been applied correctly to effectively conclude whether to accept or reject the material fact.

8. The correct standard and burden of proof is applied.

8.1. When assessing the material facts the correct standard of proof is applied, according to national guidance.

8.2. The burden of proof has been applied correctly when assessing the material facts.

8.3. Individual factors such as age, education, trauma are correctly identified and taken into account.

Risk assessment

9. The risk on return is accurately and fully assessed.

9.1. The decision correctly identifies and assesses the risk on return (who, what and why).

9.2. Country of origin information is relevant, up to date and correctly referenced.

9.3. The correct standard of proof has been applied (reasonable degree of likelihood) in assessing risk on return.

Legal analysis

10. Well-founded fear of persecution is assessed correctly.

10.1. Whether or not the stated treatment amounts to persecution is assessed correctly.

10.2. The subjective and objective elements of the stated fear are assessed correctly.

11. Reasons for persecution are identified and assessed correctly.

11.1. The decision correctly identifies and assesses all applicable reasons for persecution.

11.2. The connection (nexus) between the persecution and the reason(s) is assessed correctly.

12. The real risk of serious harm under Article 15 of the qualification directive is identified and assessed correctly.

12.1. The decision correctly assesses the applicability of Article 15(a): ‘death penalty or execution’.

12.2. The decision correctly assesses the applicability of Article 15(b): ‘torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’.

12.3. The decision correctly assesses the applicability of Article 15(c): ‘serious and individual threat to a civilian’s life or person by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict’.

13. The availability and accessibility of protection in the country of origin is assessed correctly.

13.1. The availability and accessibility of protection in the home area of the applicant is assessed correctly.

13.2. The applicability of an internal protection alternative is assessed correctly, including its reasonability.

14. If relevant, exclusion grounds have been identified and assessed correctly.

14.1. Exclusion grounds are identified and assessed correctly.

14.2. Individual responsibility is assessed correctly.

14.3. The correct standard and burden of proof are applied.

15. If applicable, additional protection grounds are applied correctly.

15.1. Where applicable, additional protection grounds (e.g. humanitarian grounds) are applied correctly.

Form

16. The decision follows a correct structure and includes all required elements.

16.1. The decision follows a correct structure and format according to national policies.

16.2. The applicant is provided with information on how to challenge a negative decision in writing or by electronic means.

17. The decision is professionally drafted.

17.1. The reasoning is non-speculative.

17.2. The language of the decision is appropriate, sensitive and factual.

17.3. The rules of grammar and spelling are applied.

Efficiency

18. The decision is issued according to the prescribed timelines.

18.1. The decision is issued according to the prescribed timelines according to national practice.

Conclusion

To be filled by the quality assessor based on overall observations.

The decision is

Assessment

This assessment is calculated automatically on the basis of the completed assessment form. Please make sure that you have marked each indicator accordingly.

Total applicable:
Total correct:
Percentage correct from applicable:
Total minor errors:
Percentage minor errors from applicable:
Total significant errors:
Percentage significant errors from applicable:

The overall quality of the decision is:

The scale below is applied.

High Quality

Under 20% minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.

Moderate Quality

20% or more minor errors and no signicant errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.

Low Quality

Once more significant error.

Assessment of the decison

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Personal interview

First-instance decision

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Assesment Report

Quality Report

Indicators	Correct%	Minor Errors%	Signifcant Errors%	Total Applicable/Number of cases

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Module 1: Personal interview

File information

Reference

Applicant

Case data

Assessment

Other

Assessment form

Opening the interview

1. Previously identified special needs are addressed accordingly.

2. The necessary information is provided to the applicant.

3. It is ensured that the applicant and the interpreter understand each other.

4. It is ensured that the applicant is fit to be interviewed.

Conducting the interview

5. The interviewer displays a professional attitude throughout the interview.

6. The interviewer applies appropriate questioning techniques.

7. The interviewer ensures all persons present act in accordance with their roles and manages the interview effectively.

Substance of the interview

8. All material facts are identified and explored sufficiently.

9. Documents and other written evidence submitted to support the applicant’s claim are handled appropriately.

10. The applicant is provided with an effective opportunity to address inconsistencies and discrepancies.

11. Where relevant, exclusion considerations are appropriately explored.

12. Specific policies and guidelines are followed correctly

Closing the interview

13. The interviewer follows the necessary steps when closing the interview.

Interview record

14. Interview transcript/report rules are followed accordingly.

Conclusion

Assessment

Module 2: First-instance decision

File information

Reference

Applicant

Case data

Assessment

Other

Assessment form

Introduction

1. The decision states the applicant’s details correctly.

2. If applicable, the decision includes a concise and accurate summary of the immigration history of the applicant.

Basis of claim

3. The basis of claim correctly sets out all material facts.

4. The basis of claim correctly identifies the future fear.

5. If applicable, evidence presented by the applicant is correctly outlined in the basis of claim.

Credibility assessment

6. The credibility of each material fact is assessed correctly, including the identity and country of origin of the applicant.

7. A clear finding is made on each material fact.

8. The correct standard and burden of proof is applied.

Risk assessment

9. The risk on return is accurately and fully assessed.

Legal analysis

10. Well-founded fear of persecution is assessed correctly.

11. Reasons for persecution are identified and assessed correctly.

12. The real risk of serious harm under Article 15 of the qualification directive is identified and assessed correctly.

13. The availability and accessibility of protection in the country of origin is assessed correctly.

14. If relevant, exclusion grounds have been identified and assessed correctly.

15. If applicable, additional protection grounds are applied correctly.

Form

16. The decision follows a correct structure and includes all required elements.

17. The decision is professionally drafted.

Efficiency

18. The decision is issued according to the prescribed timelines.

Conclusion

Assessment

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