On 1/2 June the 18th meeting of the EASO

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1 ISSN: European Asylum Support Office European Asylum Support Office Newsletter - June 2015 EASO Management Board Meeting - new deputy chair elected EASO publishes a COI report on Eritrea On 1/2 June the 18th meeting of the EASO Management Board was held in Malta. The Management Board is made up of representatives of EU Member States, the European Commission and UNHCR. Representatives of Associate Countries attended as observers. During the meeting, represenatatives discussed, among other things, the situation of asylum in the EU (latest trends and risks analysis), and EASO actions vis-a-vis the European migration agenda. The Board also elected a new deputy chair, namely Mr. David Costello (Irish representative). EASO published a new Country of Origin Information (COI) report entitled Eritrea Country Focus. The report provides information on a selection of topics relevant for international protection status determination in regard to Eritreans. Read more on page 10 CONTENTS Latest asylum trends and main countries of origin...2 The EASO info day, 19 June th Meeting of GPS...6 Workshop and training in Evidence Assessment...6 Update on EASO activities in joint processing...7 EASO Annual General Report...7 EASO Training Curriculum...8 Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation...8 Regional training session...9 Certification and Accreditation Working Group...9 EASO Cooperation with courts and tribunals... 9 Working group on Judicial Analysis on exclusion...9 COI training of German judges in Lower Saxony...9 EASO COI report on Eritrea...10 Mapping exercise of the Hungarian asylum and reception system...11 EASO notices (including vacancies)...12 EASO to launch its Annual Report on the situation of asylum in the EU 2014: EASO will launch its Annual Report on the situation of asylum in the EU on 8 July in Brussels If you want to participate to the launch conference please send us an on info@easo.europa.eu Article 15(c)Qualification Directive: Judicial Trainer s Guidance Note. EASO published a Judicial Trainer s Guidance Note to support the consistent and coherent use of the Judicial Analysis on the same topic. The Guidance Note should be read and understood in conjunction with the Judicial Analysis. It introduces the objectives and aims of the professional development sessions to potential national Judicial Trainers as well as illustrating some tools at their disposal when conducting an efficient professional development meeting. It also suggests different practical case examples or scenarios that may be used. See the publication on: easo.europa.eu/ asylum-documentation/easo-publication-and-documentation SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

2 2 - EASO Newsletter June 2015 Latest asylum trends and main countries of origin 1. Number of applicants 1 for international protection in EU+ 1 Following two months of decline, in May the total number of applicants recorded by EU+ countries rose 16 % compared to April and reached a new highest level (74 371) since European data collection started in Compared to May 2014, the total number of applicants was 67 % higher. The main countries of origin, apart from the Western Balkans, were also those with the strongest rise in the number of first-time applicants: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Eritrea. Latest asylum trends The share of repeated applicants reported by EU+ countries decreased to about 7 % of the total, the lowest share recorded in the last three years. In contrast, the number of claimed unaccompanied minors (UAMs) doubled in May compared to April and totalled The share of applicants who claim to be UAMs at the moment of lodging an application reached 7 % of the total number of applicants in the EU+, the highest monthly share since March Citizens of Afghanistan continued to represent the main group of claimed UAMs (41 %), followed by Eritreans (19 %) and Somalis (9 %) Main countries of origin of applicants in EU+ countries in May 2015 The map below displays the main countries of origin of asylum applicants recorded by EU+ countries in May Syria was the most frequent citizenship of applicants in the EU+. Following six months of high numbers of applicants from the Western Balkan countries, in May applicants from Syria outnumbered nationals of the six Western Balkan (WB) countries considered together. While applications from Syrians have increased since February 2015, the number of WB applicants has declined steadily since the peak recorded in February, falling to applicants in May The number of Albanians applying in May increased by 3 %, with the total registered in the first five months of 2015 exceeding the total registrations in the EU+ throughout all of The number of applicants from Afghanistan, the second ranked citizenship, rose by 62 % in May compared to April and totalled over applicants. 1 The EU+ is composed of EU-28 plus Norway and Switzerland. The share of repeated applicants is the proportion of repeated applicants in the total number of applicants for international protection. The share of UAM (unaccompanied minors) represents the proportion of asylum applicants claiming to be below the age of 18 years in the total number of applicants. It is important to emphasise that this term unaccompanied minor here refers to applicants claiming to be minors and for whom an age assessment has not necessarily been carried out before provision of the data. SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

3 EASO Newsletter June Syria In May 2015, EU+ countries received Syrian applicants, a rise of 18 % compared to April and the third consecutive month of double-digit growth. Germany remained the main destination country for Syrian applicants, followed by Hungary and Austria. With regard to the distribution of applicants, a total of 16 EU+ countries reported Syria in their national top three main countries of origin in May 2015, three countries less than in April. Western Balkan nationals (WB) Applicants from the six WB countries considered together submitted applications for international protection in EU+ countries, a decrease of 19 % compared to April. Following two months of strong contraction, the number of Kosovar applicants 2 dropped further in May with less than in April, while the number of Albanian applicants remained at the high levels recorded in April. For the first time since 2008, Albania ranked first among the six WB countries, accounting for 44 % of the WB influx. For the sixth consecutive month, the number of Serbian applicants decreased in May and totalled close to applicants. Afghanistan The number of Afghan applicants grew for the third consecutive month and rose to in May 2015, an increase of 62 % compared to April and represented the highest monthly level since Hungary remains the main destination country for Afghan applicants, followed by Austria and Germany. 98 % of Afghans applying in May were first time applicants, showing an increase compared to May last year, when the same group accounted for 88 % of the total. Eritrea With an increase of more than 150 % compared to April, the number of Eritrean applicants rose to on a par with the number registered in May of the previous year. The increase reflects a rise similar to that experienced last year at the same period. In the EU+, the main countries of destination for Eritreans in May were Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Together, these three EU+ countries comprised 60 % of the total number of Eritrean applicants recorded in the EU+ in May Number and type of decisions issued in first instance in EU+ countries In May 2015, EU+ countries issued decisions at first instance, a decrease of 10 % compared to the previous month, but 36 % higher than the level recorded in May In the EU+ as a whole, the share of positive decisions was 44 % of total decisions in first instance, three percentage points higher than in April Syrians continued as the citizenship receiving the highest number of decisions at first instance. 95 % of decisions resulted in a positive outcome, with 74 % granting refugee status and 21 % granting subsidiary protection. In May 2015, the number of decisions issued on Kosovar cases decreased by 40 % compared to April, however there were more decisions issued to Kosovars than the number of Kosovar applicants recorded in May. About 98 % of all first instance decisions issued to Kosovar applicants were negative. Following the recent increase in the number of Albanian applicants, EU+ countries issued 37 % more first instance decisions on Albanian cases than in April. The recognition rate for Albanian applicants in the EU+ as a whole was 3 % in May, significantly lower than the 11 % recorded in March 2015 and the 7 % in April. Despite the rise in the number of applicants from Afghanistan and Eritrea, the number of decisions issued in May to applicants from these two countries of origin remained relatively unchanged compared to April. Additonal data and reports Quarterly reports are available here: easo.europa.eu/asylum-trends-analysis/quarterly-report Other EASO documentation is available here: easo.europa.eu/asylum-documentation/easo-publication-and-documentation 2 This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

4 4 - EASO Newsletter January June info day Cyprus info day Bulgaria info day Estonia On 19 June, EASO organised an info day in EU Member States. The info day was held on EASO s fourth anniversary. The objective of the info day was to reach out to EASO s stakeholders, especially asylum and reception officials. The initiative aimed to inform our stakeholders of EASO s work, products and services and how to make best use of them. A wide range of activities were held in the Member States. A large majority of Member States set up info desks, providing asylum officials with EASO publications. Some Member States published an article on EASO on their website and in their newsletters. Numerous Member States, held presentations, talks and brown bag lunches. Others held quizzes. There were also several interventions by EASO staff members. A large number of stakeholders and officials participated. Moreover, at EASO s premises in Malta, about 30 officials working with the Maltese national asylum authorities participated in a seminar which provided information on the latest EASO tools and activities a reception was also held for EASO staff. (info day Malta) info day Cyprus info day Slovakia info day UK info day Lithuania info day Ireland SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

5 EASO EASO Newsletter January June info day Belgium info day Romania info day Slovenia info day Luxembourg info day France info day Lithuania info day Slovakia

6 6 - EASO Newsletter June th meeting of the Group for the Provision of Statistics The 6th meeting of the Group for the Provision of Statistics (GPS) was held on 23 June 2015 in Malta. The meeting focused on the practical implementation of the Early warning and Preperdness System (EPS) stage III of the EASO data collection the final proposal for which was endorsed at the 8-9 June 2015 EASO Management Board meeting. The Management Board had provided a clear message on the importance of expanding the collection in the areas of access to procedure, reception, Dublin and return in order to gain a more complete understanding of the functioning of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The first reporting month of the new data collection will be August 2015 with data to be provided by 15 September 2015, however full compliance is likely to be achieved only progressively as countries adjust their national information systems to new EU-level legislative reporting requirements and implement new provisions of the asylum acquis that come into force in July At the meeting, GPS members were provided a detailed outline of the EPS stage III indicator definitions and discussed the practical implementation in breakout sessions, whose objective was to ensure a common and clear understanding on precisely what information the indicators seek to capture and to address any remaining questions with definitions via the use of examples. The work in these sessions resulted in a better understanding of the specifics of the new data collection and will serve to improve the data collection template and provide the basis for additions to the EASO EPS Guide regarding the stage III indicators, which will be finalised over the summer months. EASO External Dimension Latest asylum trends Workshop and Regional training in Evidence Assessment In line with the 2015 EASO Work Programme, EASO shall support capacity building in EU neighbouring third countries asylum and reception systems. In that spirit, EASO organised a one day Regional Workshop on 1 June 2015 in Vienna, Austria for Western Balkans (WB) nationals. The Regional Workshop included an introduction to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as well as information about EASO operational tools. The participants came from Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, FYROM, Montenegro and Serbia. The Regional Workshop was followed by a Regional training in the core module of Evidence Assessment on 2 5 June 2015 in Vienna, Austria. EASO organised these activities with the aim of providing capacity building and support to the Western Balkans countries. (see article on page 8) The Regional Workshop was very successful and saw active and engaged participation from the participants. The participants shared experiences and information about their countries asylum systems and welcomed the possibility to learn more about the CEAS and EASO, both as an agency and with respect to the operational tools EASO disposes of for support to EU Member States and Third Countries. It should also be noted that the Regional Workshop and the Evidence Assessment training were held in the premises of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), which shows the close cooperation between the two EU agencies. SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

7 Update on EASO activities on joint processing Following the successful implementation of the Asylum Application Pilot in Poland, and the Asylum Determination Pilot in the Netherlands, EASO continued its joint processing activities. The Vulnerability Assessment Pilot took place in the United Kingdom (13 April 12 June 2015) with the deployment of two Processing Support Teams (PST). Three experts from three countries were deployed by EASO at the UK Home Office premises in Croydon. EASO Newsletter June EASO Annual General Report EASO published its Annual General Report, which reflects the achievements of the Agency in 2014 and the resources used to that end. The structure of the report mirrors the EASO Annual Work Programme 2014 and provides a detailed account of the progress against the objectives and performance indicators identified in the annual work programme. Key information concerning EASO s organization, publication Closing event and participants the management in London, 12 June of human and financial resources are also provided in After this the report positive findings of the pilot exercises, EASO will continue to explore the possibilities of this new tool and a final report on the findings of the second generation of joint processing pilot projects will be published in the second half of EASO Annual General Report PST 1. in a study visit to Dover The first team of experts was performing screening interviews with special focus on identification of persons with special needs. Their processed caseload contained vulnerability assessment of THB, prostitution, forced labor, pregnant women cases. The experts, within few days, were able to integrate themselves into the UK screening team and successfully perform key elements of the asylum procedure. One of the findings of the pilot is that access to ICT systems and having own credentials has key importance. The use of vulnerability indicators at the UK casework system has been identified as good practice by the visiting experts. The third expert was processing asylum cases of applicants who already have been identified as vulnerable. The deployed expert after orientation and special training was able to individually perform asylum interviews and take decisions in cases involving domestic violence, forced marriage, LGBTI, FGM or torture. EASO published its Annual General Report, which reflects the achievements of the Agency in 2014 and the resources used to that end. The structure of the report mirrors the EASO Annual Work Programme 2014 and provides a detailed account of the progress against the objectives and performance indicators identified in the annual work programme. Key information concerning EASO s organization, publication and the management of human and financial resources are also provided in this report. Quick Links EASO Annual General Report 2014: easo.europa. eu/asylum-documentation/easo-publication-anddocumentation

8 8 - EASO Newsletter June 2015 EASO Training Curriculum Pilot train-the-trainer session in the module on Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation On 9-12 June EASO organised the first faceto-face sessions in the newly developed module on Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The participants to this training had completed the e-learning part of the training module which involved between hours of learning. 14 participants from Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus and France attended the face-to-face sessions. This session consisted of two days training on content, one day training on didactics and half day training on the EASO training platform. 3. Apply an appropriate approach to gender, gender identity and sexual orientation when processing the asylum claim (skills both in interviewing and decision making). If you wish to know more about the future train-the-trainer sessions in this module or any other issue regarding it, please contact Vulnerablegroups@easo.europa.eu. Regional training session As foreseen in the Work Programme 2015, the first regional training session of this year was organised on 2 5 June in the premises of the Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna. EASO held the train-the-trainer sessions in the modules on Inclusion and Evidence Assessment. The content part of the module on Inclusion was delivered in German language, while the module on Evidence Assessment was delivered in English language. The trainees also received training in the use of the EASO training platform and didactic methods. In total, the regional training session hosted 25 participants from 4 Member States (DE, SK, NL, EE), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and Tunisia. After this pilot training some members of the content expert group met in order to amend the content of the training according to the feedback received from the trainees. The content expert group also reviewed the trainer s manual and started working on the development of the Handbook on Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation which will accompany the module. At the end of the training the trainees are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes: 1. Explain how the case worker s experiences and attitudes regarding gender, gender identity and sexual orientation influence the way the case worker processes the asylum claim (awareness). 2. Identify gender, gender identity and sexual orientation issues when the case officer processes an asylum claim (knowledge). 2nd EASO Certification and Accreditation Working Group meeting The EASO Certification and Accreditation Working Group (CAWG) convened for the second time in Malta on May to continue the work undertaken during the first meeting in March. The purpose of the meeting was to consolidate learning outcomes at module level for the EASO Training Curriculum (EASOTC) modules through peer-review and to reach consensus on approximately three to four overarching Learning Outcomes for each module. A virtual work place More information on EASO s training is available on easo.europa.eu/about-us/tasks-of-easo/training-quality SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

9 EASO EASO Newsletter January June was created on the e-learning platform for the group to carry out work between the first and the second meeting as well as during the second CAWG meeting for all work relating to Learning Outcomes. In total 13 countries were present during the second CAWG meeting. Between the second and the third CAWG meeting it is foreseen that the members will undertake a total of two days of work primarily aimed at suggesting appropriate assessments of the Learning Outcomes. The work carried out so far by the CAWG group will constitute the basis for the External Accreditation Partner to certify and accredit the EASO training curriculum modules. During the third and fourth meetings, further discussions will take place to reach consensus between CAWG members and the External Partner on the appropriate assessment methods of the Learning Outcomes. There are a number of questions regarding which approach to certification and accreditation should be taken by EASO on the basis of discussion with the CAWG. These questions relate primarily to the combination of modules that will determine successful completion of the qualification, the assessment approach and the quality assurance of the EASOTC. The third CAWG meeting is planned for September 2015 in Malta. EASO Cooperation with courts and tribunals EASO working group of members of courts and tribunals continues work on Judicial Analysis on exclusion From May 2015, the working group on professional development materials for members of courts and tribunals on the subject of exclusion met at EASO in Malta to continue their work. This was the second meeting of this group which consists of 8 judges drawn from France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom and Norway as well as representatives of the Association of European Administrative Judges and UNHCR respectively. Building on the outcome of the first successful meeting held in March, the focus of the deliberations was on making further progress on a Judicial Analysis on the topical subject of exclusion. This Judicial Analysis will serve a twofold purpose. It will be an informative, useful and practical guide to the judicial interpretation of exclusion clauses for members of courts and tribunals as well as others working in this area. In addition, it will also form the cornerstone of the Judicial Trainer s Guidance Note which is to be developed subsequently and which will serve as the basis for future professional development sessions to be organised by EASO. EASO provides COI training to German judges in Lower Saxony Following a specific request from the President of the Administrative Court of Braunschweig, Germany, EASO provided Country of Origin Information (COI) training to 12 judges from Lower Saxony on 18 June This training, which was organised by EASO, was intended to assist the participants to further develop their skills in conducting COI research. Taking into consideration EASO s experience from previous trainings of this kind, it was possible to adapt the training to the stated needs of the judges. Selected countries of origin & topics of particular relevance were identified and emphasis was put on practical tools with regard to conducting online research as well as selecting and assessing pertinent information. The participants were able to develop their capabilities in respect of conducting COI research through a range of hands-on exercises while at the same time strengthening their awareness of key COI quality criteria and their understanding of relevant professional terminology in English.

10 10 - EASO Newsletter January EASO Newsletter June 2015 Country of Origin Information report on Eritrea:Country Focus Continued from page 1. Between 2013 and 2014, the number of Eritrean applicants in the EU+ countries (EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland) more than doubled, rising from applicants registered in 2013 to about in 2014, a 132 % increase was characterised by a strong rise in applicants throughout the second quarter, reaching a high of registered in the month of July. Although the inflow of Eritrean applicants in the EU+ fell sharply from August 2014, recently figures show that the numbers of Eritrean applicants are again on the increase. Moreover, the stock of pending cases remained at over at the end of April 2015 at EU+ level possibly indicating difficulties in making decisions on Eritrean applications including a lack of COI. The most recurrent asylum motives brought forward by Eritrean applicants in EU+ countries relate to openended national service (and those fleeing it such as deserters, draft evaders, or their family members); fear of persecution on the basis of religion (e.g. of Jehovah s witnesses, Pentecostals, etc.); consequences of illegal departure in case of return; and harsh treatment during detention. The Eritrea Country Focus aims to provide information on these subjects. The report first provides a chapter on general country information and state structure, including the political system. This is then followed by a description of national service (structure, exemptions, civil and military service, recruitment, duration, desertion and draft evasion); prisons and detention; religion; identity documents and; exit (Illegal and legal). The report covers the period up until April 2015 The Country Focus is based on publicly available reports of COI units, UN agencies, human rights organisations, scholars, official and NGO papers, government and diaspora media. The Eritrea Country Focus report was written using the EASO network approach whereby networks of national COI experts work jointly to provide common COI at EU level in accordance with the EASO COI Report Methodology. The report was drafted by a researcher from the Analysis and Services Division of the State Secretariat for Migration, Switzerland and reviewed by COI experts on Eritrea from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, an external expert, and EASO in order to check and ensure quality. EASO will continue to produce such reports on important countries of origin and to update them on a regular basis in order to raise and harmonise COI standards in the EU and use of common COI to further support the practical implementation of the Common European Asylum System. Quick Links EASO COI Report on Eritrea: easo.europa.eu/asylumdocumentation/easo-publication-and-documentation German MP visits EASO On 23 June, Hon Mr Stephan Mayer (MP), Deutscher Bundestag, visited EASO and met with EASO s Executive Director. During the meeting the two discussed the situation of asylum in the EU, with particular attention to the situation in Germany and EASO s actions in the context of the migration agenda which was recently adopted by the European Commission. SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

11 EASO Newsletter June EASO publishes description of the Hungarian asylum system In view of the high influx of asylum seekers to Hungary (which began in the last quarter of 2014), EASO conducted a mapping exercise of the Hungarian asylum system. Different expert teams, comprised of Member State experts and EASO staff, examined the institutional and legal framework as well as the operational procedures in place in Hungary in order to provide a descriptive overview of the practical functioning of asylum and reception. EASO will now work with the Hungarian authorities on a needs assessment of the Hungarian asylum system and stands ready to further support Hungary in the near future. Upon request of the Hungarian Office of Immigration and Nationality (OIN), EASO conducted (from March 2015) a mission to Hungary with the aim of mapping the Hungarian asylum system. The mission took place in the context of a very high influx of applicants for international protection in Hungary in the last months of Data provided by Hungary to EASO, in the framework of data collection under the Early warning and Preparedness System (EPS), indicated a surge in asylum applicants mainly from Kosovo (though higher numbers of Syrian and Afghan applicants were also noted). The vast majority of these persons irregularly crossed the land border with Serbia, applied for asylum and then implicitly withdrew their applications and travelled on to other EU Member States where they once again applied for international protection. Numbers registered in 2014 (more than 42,000 applicants) amounted to more than twice the previous highest number of asylum applicants ever registered in Hungary (since EU-level data collection on international migration statistics started in 2008). While numbers of Kosovar applicants have dropped off to normal levels since late February 2015, numbers of Syrian and Afghan applicants continue to rise. The aim of the mapping mission, which was conducted by EASO and Member States experts (from Austria, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden), was to draft a description of the institutional and practical functioning of the Hungarian asylum and reception system, covering: access to procedure, procedures at first instance, reception, and detention on the basis of which a needs assessment could be conducted. Certain selected aspects of return of former applicants for international protection were also included. EASO and Member State experts were divided into teams focusing on: asylum determination, registration and reception. The teams visited all regional directorates of OIN and offices of other national bodies with a major role in the system. Experts also met with representatives of UNHCR in Hungary, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and other NGOs). The teams did not look into individual cases of applicants for international protection. This mapping report thus does not constitute an assessment of the Hungarian national asylum and reception system by EASO but should be considered as a detailed /description of its functioning. Quick Links Description of the Hungarian Asylum and Reception System: Description-of-the-Hungarian-asylum-system-18-Mayfinal.pd

12 EASO Vacancies EASO has recently published the following vacancies: Open Calls Reference Number Title Closing Date EASO/2015/TA/003 Quality and Vulnerable Groups Officer (AD 5) 8 July 2015 EASO/2015/TA/004 Asylum Capacity Support Officer (AD 5) 10 july 2015 EASO/2015/TA/005 Legal Officer 3 July 2015 EASO/2015/TA/006 Human Resources Officer (AD 5) 13 July 2015 EASO/2015/TA/007 Senior ICT Officer (AD 7) 13 July 2015 BZ-AA EN-N Seconded National Experts (*) Reference Number Title Closing Date EASO/2015/SNE/003 Asylum Expert 6 July 2015 (*) only for government officials from EU Member States or Associate Countries that have concluded an arrangement on their participation in EASO. For more information please visit our website on easo.europa.eu/working-for-easo Your opinion is important to us! Visit the EASO consultation calendar, to keep updated on when EASO will open consultation procedures: easo.europa.eu/easo-consultative-forum/open-consultations EASO is on Facebook. Follow us and receive updates on EASO activities by liking our page facebook.com/easo.eu Subscribe to the EASO Newsletter via: easo.europa.eu/news/newsletter EASO Website Visit EASO s website on easo.europa.eu for the latest updates 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. EASO notices (including vacancies) Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.