|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Law on Foreigners was amended to provide clarification on the return procedure. For example, the country to which a return is to be executed must be indicated in the return decision. Automatic suspensive effect was introduced for an appeal which is filed against an expulsion order issued on the grounds of serious threat to public order. In addition, if it is established by a judicial act that a foreigner subject to a removal order cannot be returned to a country due to a risk to the person's life and liberty or persecution, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, an order must be issued which explicitly states the prohibition of return and the state to which the foreigner should not be returned. This order is not subject to appeal. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The State Agency for Refugees updated its standard operating procedures for preventing and responding to sexual- or gender-based violence within the asylum procedure and the new procedures were implemented in cooperation with UNHCR and the State Agency for Child Protection |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A coordination mechanism was approved to facilitate communication among the authorities and organisations working with unaccompanied and separated children. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Following amendments, the Law on Asylum and Refugees clearly states that state authorities have an obligation to ensure asylym applicants' access to legal aid. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
Remote interpretation was used during registration and eligibility interviews in reception centres located outside of the capital, where interpreters are harder to find and employ. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2022 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The State Agency for Refugees reviewed internal guidelines and rules and prepared an analysis of national jurisprudence for internal use. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Law on Asylum and Refugees was amended in a comprehensive manner to bring national legislation more in line with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. For example, the law allows for gathering expert opinions on a larger range of issues. It provides guidance on gathering and using information for the assessment of a case. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The State Agency for Refugees started to apply EASO standards to identify vulnerable applicants, and it established two safe zones for unaccompanied children in the reception centre in Sofia, which are operated by the IOM. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
The government adopted amendments to the ordinance regulating coordination between the asylum and police (border and immigration) administrations when implementing the Dublin III Regulation. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
The Dublin procedure |
Some processes related to decisions on Dublin cases were clarified, with the aim to have a more efficient and timely procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2019 |
Policy |
|
The Dublin procedure |
A new software was piloted to store files of applicants who are subject to incoming Dublin requests from other states. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Bulgaria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
For the purposes of family reunification of beneficiaries of international protection, it is clearly stated now that family ties must precede the foreigner's entry into the country. |
BG LEG 01 2019 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
Amendments to the Law on Foreigners introduced new grounds for refusing to grant stateless status. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A separate Social Adaptation Department was established in the Registration and Reception Centre in Harmanli. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
The Dublin procedure |
An amendment was pending approval by the Council of Ministers to modify the “Regulation on responsibilities and coordination of public authorities implementing action on the application of the Dublin III and Eurodac Regulations”. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The Law on Asylum and Refugees was amended to address shortcomings in the identification, legal representation and age assessment procedure for unaccompanied children. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The State Agency for Refugees established a pilot programme of self-care and well-being classes for women in the reception and registration centre Vrazhdebna in Sofia. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Bulgaria |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
An amendment to the Law on Foreigners was adopted which introduced new grounds for refusing to grant stateless status. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Bulgaria |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The National Strategy on Migration was adopted for the period 2021-2025. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The AMIF-funded project Psychosocial services and support for international protection applicants was signed with the Croatian Red Cross. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Croatia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A new health care project was set up with AMIF funding, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Medecins du Monde. The purpose of the project is the protection of health and prevention of disease among asylum applicants through improved access to initial check-ups and medical consultations in reception centres. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
Beneficiaries of international protection were granted 280 hours of state-provided language courses. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The new Foster Care Act entered into force, whereby unaccompanied minors can stay with a foster family. |
HR LEG 01 2019 |
|
Croatia |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Amendments were drafted to the Act on International and Temporary Protection, with the aim of aligning national legislation with the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Croatia |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The AMIF-funded project, Establishment of a resettlement mechanism began its implementation in 2017. Until now, two study visits on resettlement programmes have been carried out. During 2020, a short video story was filmed about the integration process of a Syrian family who arrived to Croatia as a group of resettled persons from Turkey. The project also includes the development of a mobile application which provides information on the resettlement programme, arrival and daily life in Croatia. This activity is in its completion phase. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |