|
Malta |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Guidance was reviewed and updated, new internal standard operating procedures for radicalisation and extremism were launched, and an internal guide on the application of internal protection alternatives was developed. Following EASO guidance, the decision template was updated. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The COA developed a comic strip for minor applicants about everyday life in a reception centre, appointed a contact person and organised swimming lessons for children. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The number of reception places was substantially increased. The Minister for Migration announced the creation of 5 000 additional places. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Applicants become entitled to non-emergency health care treatments after two months from registration. The differentiation on access to health care is not based on the reception location of stay anymore but only on the length of the applicant’s stay in the Netherlands. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Slovakia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior issued the guideline, “Procedure of the Provision of Interpretation and Translation Services in the Domain of the Migration Office”. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Slovakia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior continued to implement the AMIF-funded project Capacity Building in the Field of Asylum, which trains its staff members on reception of asylum seekers, including timely and thorough identification of vulnerable groups. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Slovakia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Migration Office of the Ministry of the Interior prepared an internal methodology for social workers (“Social Workers’ Competences to Avoid and Solve Critical Situations”) identifying the most frequent types of extraordinary and critical situations that social workers may encounter in asylum facilities, their possible causes and solutions to avoid or manage such situations. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Spain |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Case-handling guidelines were issued, for example based on gender, credibility and assessment of medical reports. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Swedish Migration Agency published a new handbook on human trafficking, with a part focusing on improving the identification of victims and perpetrators within the asylum procedure. The template for interviewing unaccompanied minors was updated to better detect signs of human trafficking. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
In preparation for the entry into force of the UN CRC Act (2018:1197) on 1 January 2020, the Swedish Migration Agency developed guidelines on assessing the best interests of the child in accordance with Article 3 of the UN CRC, trained around 500 case officers and 40 head of units in children's rights, and developed a technical tool supporting the determination of the best interests of the child. It also developed new guidelines on the placement of unaccompanied minor applicants assigned to a municipality. Information on the asylum procedure was developed specially for children aged 7 to 12 years, available through a mobile application. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
Since 1 January 2019, Sweden does not recognise the validity of child marriages from abroad, so the agency updated its standards for handling cases related to married child applicants and developed relevant information material in collaboration with the National Board of Health and Welfare. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
A new electronic personal interview form with child-friendly language and structure was developed. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Swedish Migration Agency published new instructions on handling LGBTI cases and changed its system on assessing these cases. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Swedish Migration Agency created an online training for its staff on gender-based violence within the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Swedish Migration Agency updated its legal position on Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Somalia, published a legal comment on Nicaragua and on the increased violence in Afghanistan during summer 2019, and temporarily stopped decisions in cases involving applicants from the Hasskah province of Syria based on its new situational analysis. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The government provided funding to increase the length of civic orientation from 60 to 100 hours. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The government increased funding for fast tracks, which were established to support entry into the job market for beneficiaries of international protection who have education, work or training experience. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Sweden |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Swedish Migration Agency published a legal comment on Sudan leading to the temporary suspension of returns to the country. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The guidance on age assessment was updated. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to information |
Two new information guides were published on rights, expectations and support offered to applicants staying in temporary accommodation. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Home Office amended its guidance on assessing the ages of asylum claimants who have no valid documentary evidence of age and where their claims to be children are doubted. This included the specification that a person being assessed on their physical appearance and demeanour must appear to be at least 25 years or older to be treated as an adult. Prior to this amendment, a person needed to appear to be significantly older than 18 years to allow an assessment of age. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Guidance was updated on assessing applicants who are destitute and eligible for support. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
New guidance provided instructions to caseworkers when an asylum seeker reports an incident of domestic abuse while the application is being assessed. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The government published its Integrated Communities Action Plan, which confirms the actions the government will take to deliver stronger, integrated communities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
United Kingdom |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The third edition of the Indicators of Integration framework was published. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |