TIME FOR NEEDS. Vulnerability assessment in the French asylum system. Radoslaw Ficek, France terre d asile

Transcription

1 TIME FOR NEEDS Time for needs: Listening, Healing, Protecting. A joint action for an Appropriate Assessment of Special Needs of Victims of Torture and Violence Vulnerability assessment in the French asylum system Radoslaw Ficek, France terre d asile

2 Co-funded by the European Union ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITIES Access to the territory Reception platforms (PADA) First level reception SINGLE DESK Vulnerability assessment CADA Reception centre for asylum seekers Reception platforms Address administrative & legal support

3 Co-funded by the European Union ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITIES PADA First level reception SINGLE DESK VULNERABILITY ASSESMENT OFII questionnaire to identify special reception and procedural needs By OFII officers and not by medical staff Only objective vulnerabilities No assessment of needs for a psychological care

4 Co-funded by the European Union ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITIES Access to the territory First level reception SINGLE DESK OFPRA officers must consider the vulnerability and can request detention to end In waiting zone, a vulnerability situation is reported to the waiting zone director

5 OFII QUESTIONNAIRE Accommodations needs : Hosted by family Hosted by a third person Emergency lodging Adaptation for vulnerabilities: Pregnant woman Visual disability Hearing disability Physical handicap Health problem spontaneously declared

6 Co-funded by the European Union SINGLE DESK VULNERABILITY ASSESMENT If a vulnerability is detected : - Determination of procedural specific needs at OFPRA - Adaptation of the material reception conditions : housing in CADA instead of emergency housing. But no specific reception centre for vulnerable asylum seekers No identification of vulnerability linked with psychotrauma

7 Co-funded by the European Union PADA First level reception Single desk Vulnerability assessment 56% Reception centres for asylum seekers (CADA) Priority given to vulnerable applicants Emergency housing facilities HUDA, AT-SA, PADA no assessment of specific needs provided by law Collective or individual housing Assistance in medical, legal, social, administrative procedure cultural and recreational activities

8 Reception platforms (PADA)

9 Cada de Creil Reception centres for asylum seekers (CADA) Cada de Melun Cada de Créteil

10 Assessment in Reception centres for asylum seekers (CADA) Only reception centers are in charge by the law to assess specific needs and refer asylum seekers : this assessment is not systematic Compulsory medical screening within 15days But not tailored to identify victims of torture CADA shall assess the need to psychological support and refer people to specialized services Referral is limited bylow local opportunities No training for reception centres staff In practice : detection depends on the implication of the staffs (social workers work to activate procedural guarantees at OFPRA ; doctors implication, etc.)

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12 Nb total places Cada Nb places Cada FTDA % Part FTDA /places total 29,6% Normandie ,6% Hauts de France Total CADA France : 40352l Total CADA FTDA: % Pays de la Loire % Ile de France 15,6 % Nouvelle Aquitaine ,7% Occitanie Auvergne Rhône Alpes 2,4% ,3% PACA

13 OFPRA assessment of vulnerabilities and procedural guarantees : OFPRA assesses the vulnerability based on elements of the instruction and declarations during the interview A report of vulnerability can be addressed to OFPRA OFPRA allows the presence of a mental health professional during the interview OFPRA may adapt material conditions of the interview (length, pause, postponing etc.) Training of interpreters on vulnerabilities and PTSD Specific training of OFPRA staff Thematic working groups on vulnerability (one on victims of torture) OFPRA provides an interpreter and Protection Officer according to gender considerations

14 Co-funded by the European Union Conclusions Legal provision of assessment of vulnerability in : - the French Law n , 29th July 2015 transposing the UE directive 2013/33/UE, 2013/32/UE and 2011/95/UE - in the Reception Centers regulation (decree of 29th October 2015) Yet : - Many asylum seekers, including torture victims, do not have any accommodation - Reception platforms are unable to identify vulnerable situations, considering the considerable flow - Accommodation in a reception centres is not entirely adapted for people with serious mental disorders - Few specialized services in treatment and rehabilitation of victims of torture and violence on French territory and uneven access.

15 Co-funded by the European Union Recommandations for Identification and Assessment of specific needs : 1. Early identification of vulnerable people 2. Formal procedure to assess the specific procedural needs 3. Assessment of the vulnerability related to acts of torture, rapes or others forms of violence jointly with medical professionals 4. Clarification of the role of the reception platforms regarding the assessment of the specific needs 5. A formal procedure to assess specific needs in detention centres and waiting zones 6. Specific training on psychotrauma for OFII officers, for medical professionals, for staff members of reception facilities and detention centers

16 Thank you