|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The list of safe countries of origin was updated, adding Armenia, Benin, Kenya, Kosovo, Moldova, Mongolia and Togo. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The Law on the Establishment and Operation of the Administrative Court was amended introducing an automatic suspensive effect for an appeal against a return decision, deportation order and removal order. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
New orders were issued by the Ministry of Labour, allowing applicants to start working before a formal decision is made on the work permit application. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The law on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was amended, formalising the practice that the Ombudsperson can visit freely, unhindered and unannounced any detention facility. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
Amendments entered into force allowing the Head of the Asylum Office to issue a deportation or removal order jointly with a negative decision when deciding on an application for international protection. Both decisions, which are no longer separate administrative acts, can be challenged before the International Protection Administrative Court and the suspensive effect may be automatic. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, the Minister for Justice and the police signed a memorandum in Cyprus to strengthen cooperation for the referral and support to survivors of human trafficking. The national reception strategy also established assessments and referral mechanisms as core objectives. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Cyprus |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The government took action toward increasing its reception capacity dedicated to unaccompanied children. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Czech Republic |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
Amendments to the Asylum Act and the Act on Stay of Foreigners stipulated that some provisions of the asylum procedure do not apply to the procedure for recognising statelessness, for example the appointment of a legal representative, having an oral hearing, and an appeal of the decision is not possible. However, the ministry provides an interpreter free of charge and issues a decision within 6 months of submitting the application (which can be extended by another 6 months for complex cases). |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Denmark |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Amendments to the Aliens Act and the Return Act foresee the possibility to transfer suddenly-arrived asylum seekers to a partner country outside of the EU to process their asylum applications and subsequently provide protection to those in need. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Denmark |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
A special legislative piece provides temporary residence permits to persons who have assisted the Danish authorities and have been evacuated from Afghanistan. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Denmark |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Return Act (Hjemrejseloven), the first consolidated law in the field of return, came into force on 1 June 2021. The mandate and responsibilities of the Danish Return Agency are formalised in the act. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Denmark |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
New legislation obliges applicants to undergo a medical examination for diseases and illnesses covered by the Danish Epidemic Act, e.g. COVID-19. If a returnee refuses to be tested, the Danish Return Agency can request the assistance of the police and the testing may, if necessary, be carried out with the use of force. The testing is always carried out by a health care professional. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The Smart Border package was submitted to the parliament, bringing new technological means of processing at the border, concerning specifically the Aliens Act and other relevant legislative provisions. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
An amendment to the Aliens Act extended the time limit to 30 days to submit an appeal against a decision of the Finnish Immigration Service and before the Administrative Court and the Supreme Administrative Court. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Legislative work continued to prepare for an eventual mass influx of migrants, and some amendments were introduced to the Reception Act. The Finnish Immigration Service must draw up a contingency plan for large-scale arrivals and has a central role in organising reception and giving instructions to other actors in this scenario. The amendments entered into force at the beginning of January 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Free legal aid was made available to all applicants for international protection during an interview, not only to vulnerable groups. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
People with a legal training but who are not qualified as public legal counsellors can no longer be assigned as legal assistants to third-country nationals in international protection procedures. Pay differences for legal assistants working on international protection cases were eliminated. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Finland opened consultations on proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act (359/2003) and the Government Decree on Citizenship (293/2013). |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
A draft government proposal was sent out for comments to amend the Aliens Act provisions on the family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
France |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Legislative amendments introduced the possibility of refusing or withdrawing refugee status from third-country nationals convicted of public support of an act of terrorism. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
France |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
Penal sanctions apply to people who refuse to comply with health requirements which are required for an automatic enforcement of an expulsion measure. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
France |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A draft law on child protection was adopted by the National Assembly and by the Senate. The draft includes several provisions relevant to unaccompanied children. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Greece |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The implementation of Article 90(3) and (5) of Law No 4636/2019 on the exceptional border procedure that applies to third-country nationals in Reception and Identification Centres in Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Leros and Kos was extended until 31 December 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Greece |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
Bangladesh and Pakistan were designated as safe countries of origin. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Greece |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
Turkey was designated a safe third country for applicants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |