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Guidance note

Guidance Note
Last update: May 2024

The current version of the document supersedes the one issued in January 2023 and introduces updates across most chapters of the analysis. This update is primarily based on country of origin information concerning the period from 1 July 2022 to 31 January 2024, unless differently specified.

The guidance note on Afghanistan is produced by the EUAA together with EU+ countries3in accordance with Article 11 of the EUAA Regulation4. It is based on and summarises the conclusions of a comprehensive common analysis. The aim of the guidance note and the common analysis is to assist EU+ countries in the examination of applications for international protection. The guidance note and the common analysis are a pivotal tool in the roadmap to greater convergence in the Common European Asylum System.

The guidance note is part of the ‘Country Guidance: Afghanistan’ and should be read in conjunction with the common analysis.

The Taliban de facto government, which is currently the sole entity exercising effective control of all parts of Afghanistan, remains a main actor of persecution and serious harm in the country. In addition, several non-State actors continue to be active. Notably, these include the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and other armed groups, such as the National Resistance Front (NRF). Clans, tribes, (locally) powerful individuals, family members, and criminal groups may also be relevant non-State actors of persecution or serious harm in the context of Afghanistan (see Actors of persecution or serious harm).

Among the commonly encountered profiles of applicants for international protection, the following would be highly likely to qualify for refugee status:

Further guidance is provided on potential risk-impacting circumstances which may affect the probability of granting refugee status to profiles such as:

Where refugee status is not granted, subsidiary protection needs under Article 15 QD should be examined.  

Article 15(a) QD may, for example, be relevant in case of real risk of capital punishment and execution by the Taliban de facto justice administration or execution by other non-State actors.

Article 15(b) QD may also apply, such as in the cases of deliberate denial of or unequal access to healthcare, certain socio-economic conditions, forced evictions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, life-threatening prison conditions, corporal punishments, and violent crimes.

With regard to subsidiary protection under Article 15(c) QD, indiscriminate violence is taking place in the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kabul, Panjshir and Takhar. However, this violence does not reach a high level. Moreover, a significant proportion of the civilian fatalities in these provinces is considered to be the result of security incidents of a targeted nature. Therefore, a high level of individual elements is required in order to substantiate subsidiary protection needs under Article 15(c) QD. In the remaining provinces, there is currently no real risk for a civilian to be personally affected by indiscriminate violence within the meaning of Article 15(c) QD. This may be because the criteria for an armed conflict within the meaning of this provision are not met, because no indiscriminate violence is taking place, or because the level of indiscriminate violence is so low, that in general there would be no real risk for a civilian to be affected by it.

The protection needs of Afghan applicants are further compounded by the general lack of protection in the country, with the Taliban not being considered an actor of protection fulfilling the requirements of Article 7 QD and no other relevant actors identified in the country. See Actors of protection.

It is assessed that, in accordance with Article 8 QD, internal protection alternative would in general not be applicable to any part of Afghanistan.

Additionally, Exclusion considerations may be relevant in a number of cases concerning applicants from Afghanistan. Examples include members of the Taliban de facto authorities and affiliated groups, members and supporters of ISKP, members of armed groups opposing the Taliban, members of the security institutions of the former government, persons affiliated with foreign forces, individuals involved in blood feuds.

 

 

 

  • 3The assessment and guidance reflect the conclusions of the EUAA Country Guidance Network, which consists of EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland. The guidance note has been endorsed by the EUAA Management Board.
  • 4Regulation (EU) 2021/2303 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2021 on the European Union Agency for Asylum and repealing Regulation (EU) No 439/2010, available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R2303