|
Finland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
A survey commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior in 2018 was finalised, examining the asylum procedure as a whole (including the practices of the administrative courts) and cooperation between the different authorities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Country of origin information |
BAMF launched a two-year training campaign offering workshops on the Top 10 countries of origin. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Fedasil and the Red Cross established an agreement with the Flemish Integration and Civic Integration Agency to notify the public of the opening of any new reception centre and the agency would appoint a liaison officer to support the local administration in addressing residents. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The possibility to lodge appeals electronically to the CNDA was introduced. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The IND launched a special project and hired additional staff to reduce the backlog in applications from unaccompanied minors and shorten the overall length of the asylum procedure. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
The Aliens Circular was amended to clarify that an age assessment takes place in two separate sessions, one with the AVIM and one with the IND. Employees of the same public authority assess the age independently, but they can attend the same assessment session. |
NL LEG 05 2019 |
|
Croatia |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
A Governmental Inter-Agency Committee for the Protection of Unaccompanied Children was established. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Since 1 March 2019, the asylum procedure has been organised into six asylum regions. Each of these regions has a federal asylum centre which conducts the asylum procedure. Supporting divisions remain at the headquarters. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Germany |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to information |
The Asylum Act was complemented with Article 12a, which regulates the modalities of BAMF counselling on asylum procedures for applicants. |
DE LEG 03 2019 |
|
Greece |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
Greece adopted a list of 12 safe countries of origin: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Georgia, Ghana, India, Morocco, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, The Gambia and Ukraine. |
EL LEG 04 2019 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
The Migration Department took over some tasks from the police and, for example, applicants can now lodge an application directly with the institution rather than the police. The initial interview with the applicant is obligatorily recorded (video or audio) and attached to the personal file. The department can now also issue a Certificate of Acceptance of an Application for Asylum, confirming an applicant’s status and serving as a Foreigners’ Registration Certificate, pending the issuance of the latter. |
LT LEG 01 2019 |
|
Bulgaria |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Statelessness in the context of asylum |
An amendment to the Law on Foreigners stated that stateless persons who do not meet the requirements for permanent or long-term residence may obtain permission for a one-year prolonged stay. |
BG LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
An amendment to the Aliens Act defined the criteria for subsequent applications. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
France |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The budget of CNDA continued to be increased to reduce the length of procedures at second instance. |
FR LEG 13 2019 |
|
Latvia |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Two video tutorials were developed with information for applicants on everyday issues at the Asylum Accommodation Centre. |
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 |
|
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 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
All new protection officers at the CGRS were trained on gender in the asylum procedure and a specialised training course was provided for more experienced protection officers and supervisors on cases involving gender-related grounds. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups |
A guide was published for case workers on domestic violence in the context of asylum. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
Three new centres for DRAPs (dispositifs de préparation de l’aide au retour) were opened. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Belgium |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
Fedasil made improvements to the arrival path in the temporary arrival centre in Brussels, rendering registration and lodging procedures quicker and more efficient. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
France |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Interviewing practices were adjusted so the presence of only one lawyer or representative of an accredited association is authorised, and trainee lawyers and interns are prohibited from accompanying their supervisor. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Lithuania |
2019 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The “Description of the Procedure for Accommodation of Asylum Applicants” clarified that costs exceeding the rates defined in the document might be covered by funds from international organisations, the European Union, non-governmental organisations or private entities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
An amendment to the Aliens Decree (Vb) established the possibility to omit the personal interview in subsequent applications. |
NL LEG 06 2019 |
|
Austria |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The new Section V (Immigration) was established within the Federal Ministry of the Interior after an organisational restructuring. The new section brings together resources and knowledge on affairs related to asylum and immigration, including border control, Aliens Police, reception, residency, citizenship and return. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |