European Asylum Support Office

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1 European Asylum Support Office Bureau Européen d Appui pour l Asile ISSN: European Asylum Support Office Newsletter September 2012 EDITORIAL Welcome to the September edition of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) newsletter. September is a very exciting month for EASO as on 3 September, EASO moved into its new premise located in Valletta's Grand Harbour, Malta. The new premises were inaugurated by Hon Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, on 7 September In this edition we look into the main findings related to EASO s work vis-à-vis the evaluation of the Pilot Project for intra-eu Relocation from Malta (EUREMA). As to EASO training, this month we are introducing the Asylum Procedures Directive module. This module provides basic knowledge on the main minimum standards, principles and guarantees that all Member States shall implement in their national asylum procedures Jean-Pierre Schembri Newsletter Editor EASO Spokesperson IN THE NEWS: EASO expert meetings on unaccompanied minors and age assessment On July, in Malta, EASO held their second expert meeting on unaccompanied minors. This meeting focused on the EAC Interviewing Children Module and interviewing children procedures, including age assessment. Participants experienced first-hand the current EAC module on Interviewing Children. They also had the opportunity to provide feedback on the EAC module as well as to discuss potential areas for future development and training activities relating to children, including age assessment. Participants reflected upon and exchanged information and expertise on interviewing children procedures and approaches, as well as information and expertise on interviewing children for the purpose of age assessment. Discussions focused on safeguarding concerns, the concept of the best interests of the child and identification of good practice. Moreover, on 6-7 September in Brussels, EASO held an expert meeting on the use of X-ray and other medical examinations for the purposes of age assessment. Current practices were reviewed using the concept of SWOT analysis, as part of an open and balanced debate on medical methods. Medical experts provided the opportunity of a future look, through presentation and discussions on their research. Discussions also considered the best Interests of the Child and safeguarding aspects. Both sessions were attended by a variety of participants, including: Member States representatives, UNHCR, NGOs, the Commission, members of the judiciary,fra and UNICEF. This ensured a welcomed look at children s issues from a number of perspectives. More EASO meetings on unaccompanied minors will take place in October and November. Please contact us for more information. CONTENTS Editorial page 1 In the News page 1 EUREMA Evaluation page 2 EASO Training page 3 EASO in Pictures page 4 EASO Notices page 5 IN THE NEWS: EASO moves to new premises On 3 September 2012, EASO has moved into its new premises located in Valletta's Grand Harbour, Malta. The new premises were inaugurated by Hon Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta, on 7 September. The Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon Lawrence Gonzi said that EASO s presence is a remarkable achievement in Malta s short history as a European Union Member State and it is a testimony to Malta's commitment, performance and reputation in the European Union. He added that EASO has an important role to play in the establishment of a Common European Asylum System, based on shared responsibilities. Dr Gonzi said that EASO s work is of direct relevance to Malta and renewed Malta s support as host country. Commenting on the new premises Dr Visser, EASO Executive Director, thanked the Maltese Government, the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States (which are represented in EASO's Management Board) for making this move possible. This move will provide the agency with: good working conditions for its staff; modern and future oriented equipment and facilities; and will ensure that EASO activities (such as conferences, training, meetings, etc) are hosted under the same roof. The move to the new EASO premises follows the signing in June 2011 of a lease agreement between EASO, the Authority for Transport in Malta and the Government of Malta. This stateof-the-art building, which is part of a modern office complex in Valletta s Grand Harbour, was made available to EASO by the Maltese Government as part of its bid to host EASO in Malta. The visually striking complex is close to the Islands administrative and commercial centre in Valletta. Malta s International Airport is also a short drive away from the new EASO premises. The total office area is of approximately 3,700 square metres, distributed on four floors, which can house EASO s permanent staff and visiting officials. The building also features a number of conference and training rooms that are required to enable EASO to carry out its functions (some of which are still under construction and will be ready by end 2012). From now on EASO can be contacted at the following address: European Asylum Support Office MTC Block A, Winemakers Wharf, Grand Harbour Valletta, MRS 1917, Malta Tel: SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

2 EASO Partner in the evaluation of relocation activities from Malta Since 2009, a number of relocation measures have been implemented, both through the Pilot Project for intra-eu Relocation from Malta (EUREMA - phase I and II) and bilateral arrangements between EU Member States, Associated Countries and Malta. Since 2009, twelve EU Member States decided to participate in EUREMA pilot project (phase I and II) and eight EU Member States and Associated Countries decided to make bilateral arrangements with Malta. Ten EU Member States did not participate in any relocation arrangements. EUREMA provided an organised framework for preparing and implementing relocation. The projects also provided funding for participating countries. EUREMA phase I was the first of such project involving several Member States for the relocation of protected persons from Malta. In that respect it required a substantial learning curve for all partners involved to manage and participate in the project. EUREMA phase II is mostly made up of Member States relocating substantially lower numbers, with the only major commitment within the EUREMA phase II project being Poland; which committed to relocating 50 persons. The March 2012 Justice and Home Affairs Council invited the European Commission to undertake a full evaluation of the Pilot Project for intra-eu Relocation from Malta (EUREMA), together with the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and participating Member States. EASO was tasked by the European Commission to carry out a fact finding exercise and collect all relevant information on the intra- EU relocation activities with Malta. EASO addressed questionnaires to participating states, non - participating states and project leaders and held a number of interviews between April and July. All EU Members States, Associate Countries and project leaders were invited to participate in the exercise. In general, respondents expressed different views about the use of relocation for EU Member States. While a number of participating states maintained that voluntary ad hoc relocation measures with Malta were a concrete tool for demonstrating intra-eu solidarity, and generally assessed them positively, other states feared that regular and protracted use of stand-alone relocation in situations of disproportionate pressure could act as a pull factor for irregular migration and thus exacerbating t he pressure rather than reducing it. It emerged that some 'new' Member States encountered difficulties in attracting potential beneficiaries. Harmonisation of the different aspects of intra- EU relocation among the participating States (such as harmonising asylum procedures, entitlements and rights, and integration) could help attract beneficiaries to new Member States participating in relocation activities. Several Member States have mentioned that relocation implies complex financial, legal and political implications that deserve further study. Some respondents argued that intra-eu relocation should be part of a range of intra-eu solidarity measures, including capacity building, other forms of practical cooperation and flexible financial support, with EASO playing a key role in line with its founding Regulation. Finally, most respondents maintained that participation in relocation should remain voluntary, based on a political decision.

3 EASO Training Recent Developments in EASO Training During this Autumn, EASO will be organising another six training sessions in different EAC modules. This means that by the end of this year, EASO would have successfully fulfilled its ambitious commitment to organise trainthe-trainer sessions in all EAC modules this year. Currently, two Modules are being taught concurrently: Interviewing Vulnerable Persons and Drafting and Decision Making, the latter module being recently updated. By 8th October, the e-learning sessions on two other modules, the Asylum Procedures Directive module and the Dublin Regulation module will start. It is still possible to register for these two important modules. In October, EASO will also organise its annual Didactic Seminar and Training National Contact Point (NCP) Meeting. National experts on didactics, training and e- learning who are also part of EASO training pool will be invited to participate in the Didactic Seminar. This Seminar will aim at enhancing the knowledge and skills of EASO trainers in didactics and e-learning. On the other hand, the NCP meeting will mainly focus on the development of the training cockpit. Other topics, including, training plan for 2013, amended version of the terms of references for experts deployed under EASO Training and Expert Pool and other developments within EASO Training Centre will be discussed. Get to know EAC Learning path and EAC Modules Asylum Procedures Directive This module provides basic knowledge on the main minimum standards, principles and guarantees that all Member States shall implement in their national asylum procedures in accordance with the Council Directive on minimum standards on procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status. A thorough overview of this Directive ensures that trainees have a fundamental understanding of one of the most important legal instruments within the asylum acquis, which contributes to the adoption of a Common European Asylum System. In this regard, participants will gain knowledge on aspects which are covered by the Directive, such as access to the procedure and the right to remain in the country during the procedure; the requirements for procedures; the guarantees for applicants and obligations of the State as expressed in the Qualification Directive, the Procedures Directive, as well as the link with other international Human Rights instruments. This module will also focus on the applicant s right to legal assistance and the applicant s obligations, withdrawal of application; the role of UNHCR; guarantees for unaccompanied minors and detention of applicant are also covered in this module On a practical level, an intensive understanding of this Directive will help both case officers and managers to be fully aware of the obligations pertaining from this Directive. Part of this training session is also devoted to different types of asylum procedures. This will help trainees reflect critically on the existing broad diversity that still remain in asylum procedures throughout the Member States.

4 EASO in Pictures EASO's new premises, Valletta Grand Harbour, Malta. EASO's new premises, Valletta Grand Harbour, Malta. Picture DOI Malta The 8 th Meeting of the EASO Management Board was held in Malta on 17/18 September Dr Visser, EASO Executive Director flanked by Dr Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta during the inauguration of the EASO premises on 7 September The COI Portal Working Party meeting, 6-7 September, was the first ever meeting to be held in the new EASO premises. The COI Portal Working Party has been set up to support EASO in developing the COI Portal further and advise on how to optimise the use of the upload area. This Working Party met several times this year. A number of proposals for new features to be implemented to the Portal's upload area have been made and presented to the EASO Management Board. Participants to the EASO expert meeting on unaccompanied minors.

5 EASO Vacancies EASO has recently published the following vacancies: Operational Support Officer (Temporary Agent, AD7 ) (Closing Date : 5th October) Information and Documentation Officer (Temporary Agent, AD5 ) (Closing Date : 5th October) BZ-AA EN-N More information can be obtained by clicking on: EASO Consultative Forum Membership EASO maintains a close dialogue with relevant civil society organisations and competent bodies operating in the field of asylum. IGOs, NGOs, academics and members of tribunals and courts are invited to become part of the EASO Consultative Forum Register (ECFR). For more information please visit: EASO is now online: please visit EASO newsletter Subscribe by sending an to: jean-pierre.schembri@ext.ec.europa.eu European Asylum Support Office, Neither EASO nor any person acting on its behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.