EASO published a Country of Origin Informatin report on recruitment by armed groups in Aghanistan

The report is an update of a previous report published in 2012 and provides an overview of recruitment practices of armed groups in Afghanistan, providing information relevant for protection status determination of Afghan asylum applicants. In the first seven months of 2016, Afghanistan ranked 2nd in the top countries of origin in EU+ countries, with a total of almost 110 239 applicants.

The report discusses the economic incentives, the role of schools or madrassas, the mechanisms to prevent underage recruitment in the Afghan National security forces, including age-verifications procedures, and how these mechanisms can fail.

For downloading the report please follow the link: https://coi.easo.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/Afghanistan_recruitment.pdf

Read more on page 13>

TOWARDS A EUROPEAN UNION AGENCY FOR ASYLUM

On 26 September 2016, the first discussion on the European Parliamentary Draft Report regarding the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Asylum and repealing Regulation (EU) No 439/2010, was held at the European Parliament.

The discussion was held during the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). More details on page 7>

Adoption of EASO Guidance on reception conditions: operational standards and indicatorsEASO Guidance on reception conditions: operational standards and indicators has been adopted by the Management Board during its 22nd Meeting that took place in Malta on 22 and 23 September 2016. This Guidance represents one of the key measures identified by the European Agenda on Migration for reception field within the EU. The Guidance will shortly become publicly available on the EASO website. Read more on page 11>

European Asylum Support Office

ISSN: 1977-4818

SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

European Asylum Support OfficeNewsletter - September 2016

CONTENTS

Latest asylum trends and main countries of origin ….................................2EASO cooperates with Civil Society.............................................................422nd Meeting of EASO’s Management Board............................................5EASO participated at the EPP Refugee Conference................................6Towards a European Union Agency for Asylum .........................................7EASO Photographic exhibition....................................................................8Important meetings within EASO premises in September ...........................9Stories from Hotspots................................................................................10Adoption of EASO Guidance on reception conditions ..............................11Cooperation with Court and Tribunals......................................................12Country Report on Afghanistan................................................................13UPCOMING EVENTS..................................................................................14EASO vacancies........................................................................................ 15

© EASO

VACANCIES on page 15For more information please visit out website on: https://www.easo.europa.eu/about-us/vacancies

QUICK LINK: In August 2016, EU+ countries recorded 137.688 applications for international protection, the figure is 8% lower than in August 2015: https://www.easo.europa.eu/latest-asylum-trends

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2 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

LATEST ASYLUM TRENDS AND MAIN COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

1. Number of applications for international protection in the EU+1

In August 2016, EU+ countries recorded 137 688 applications for international protection.2 This represents the highest numberof asylum applications lodged in a single month across EU+ countries in 2016 and a 17 % increase from July. This figure was

however 8 % lower than in August 2015, when 149 006 persons applied for international protection in the EU+. In line with the previous months, 96 % of all applicants were first-time applicants, i.e. they had not previously lodged anapplication for international protection inthe same EU+ country. 2 % of allapplicants claimed to be unaccompaniedminors (UAMs)3 when lodging anapplication. 32 % of all UAM applicantswere Afghan citizens, followed by Eritrean(13 %), Syrian, Somalian, Pakistaninationals (each 6 %) and Iraqi andGambian nationals (each 4 %).

2. Main countries of origin of applicantsSyria has been the main citizenship of applicants since April 2015. In August 2016, EU+ countries recorded 31 522 Syrian applications. Afghanistan and Iraq were still the second and third most represented citizenships with 23 871 and 13 812 applications, respectively. These top-three citizenships together accounted for half of all applications lodged in the EU+. Nigerian (6 405) and Pakistani (5 448) nationals ranked in fourth and fifth position while the top 10 of citizenships was completed by Iran (4 800), Eritrea (4 454), Albania (3 104), Russia (2 983) and Somalia (2 232). Compared to July 2016, more applications were lodged for most of the aforementioned countries with Nigeria (31 %),

Pakistan (23 %) and Iraq (22 %) recording the sharpest increases. In contrast, for Eritrean and Russian nationals, applications remained on a par with the level of July. Syria – In August 2016, Syria remained the main citizenship of origin of applicants for international protection in the EU+. With 31 522 applications, close to one in four applications recorded throughout the EU+ during this month were lodged by

1The 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 claimed UAMs represents the proportion of asylum applicants claiming to be below the age of 18 years in the total number of applicants rather than those assessed to be such after an age assessment has been carried out 2Data were available for 28 EU+ countries. Weekly estimates were used for two countries. 3Several EU+ countries have difficulties reporting on claimed UAMs in the framework of the EPS, these figures should therefore be considered as underestimations of the actual proportion of claimed UAMs.

0

20 000

40 000

60 000

80 000

100 000

120 000

140 000

160 000

180 000

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0%8%

16% Share of repeated applications

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Oct

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2013 2014 2015 2016

Share of claimed UAMs

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EASO Newsletter September 2016 - 3

Syrian nationals. There were 10 % more Syrian applications than in July 2016 when 28 686 applications were lodged. Compared to the same month last year, there were however 36 % fewer applications. 19 EU+ countries counted Syrian nationals among their top three citizenships of applicants.

Afghanistan – Afghanistan was in second place of the citizenships with most applications for the fifth consecutive month. After a slight decrease in July, the number of Afghan applications rose by 16 % in August with 23 871 applications, or the highest monthly total in 2016. Afghanistan remained the main citizenship of claimed UAMs (32 %). 13 EU+ countries reported Afghan applicants in their national top-three citizenships.

Iraq – In August 2016, 13 812 Iraqi applications were recorded in EU+ countries, 22 % more than in July 2016 and 16 % more than in August 2015. Although being the third main country of origin at EU+ level, only 5 EU+ countries reported Iraqi applicants in their top-three citizenships in August.

3. Number and type of decisions issued in first instance in EU+ countries

In August 2016, EU+ countries issued 90 111 first-instance decisions, the second highest level since the start of EPS monthly data collection in 2014. This was a 2 % increase compared to July 2016. Compared to August 2015, the number of first instance decisions issued more than doubled with a 119 % increase. Although the share of positive decisions was 60 % of all first-instance decisions issued in the EU+, for the first time since the beginning of the EPS collection, the number of first instance decisions granting subsidiary protection status exceeded that of decisions granting refugee status. Syrian applicants received most decisions (36 047, 4 % more than the previous month). Their recognition rate was 98 %, one percentage point more than in July. In August, the share of Syrian applicants granted subsidiary protection rather than refugee status continued increasing (67 % and 31 %, respectively). The number of decisions on Iraqi applications increased to 9 496 and remained above the number of decisions issued on applications by Afghan nationals. 59 % of all Iraqi applications received a positive decision, mostly refugee status (42 % of all decisions). The recognition rate for Iraqi applicants therefore stayed well below the threshold for relocation eligibility, as confirmed by Eurostat statistics for Q2 2016.1 ⁴ The number of decisions issued to Afghan applicants increased to a total of 8 661, again the highest level since the start of monthly data collection. 35 % of decisions issued on Afghan applications resulted in a positive decision, with 18 % granting refugee status and 17 % subsidiary protection status. Out of the remaining 10 citizenships with the most first instance decisions issued, Eritrea showed the highest recognition rate (90 %) while Iran and Somalia had recognition rates of around 50 %. For applicants from Pakistan, Nigeria, Kosovo and Albania, mostly negative decisions were issued (recognition rates ranging between 11% and 2%).

Cases awaiting a first-instance decision At the end of August 2016, the number of cases awaiting a first-instance decision exceeded the one-million threshold (1 036 762 cases) for the second month in a row. This was a 2.9 % rise compared to July 2016, and represented the highest stock recorded in EPS data. More than half of these cases (53 %) have been pending for longer than six months.

1⁴ Eurostat, Asylum and Managed Migration publications, International protection recognition rates during Q2 2016 in the EU, accessed on 22 September 2016.

July August % change

Syria 34 772 36 047 4%Iraq 8 073 9 496 18%Afghanistan 7 818 8 661 11%Eritrea 2 924 3 380 16%Pakistan 2 533 2 831 12%Albania 3 084 2 457 -20%Nigeria 1 801 1 779 -1%Iran 1 504 1 581 5%Somalia 1 525 1 522 0%Kosovo 1 726 1 351 -22%

0 10 000 20 000 30 000 40 000

All Decisions

0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

Refugee status Subsidiary protectionNegative

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4 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

EASO COOPERATES WITH CIVIL SOCIETYEASO Consultative Forum meeting in Lisbon

Relocation Programme - Discussing synergies with civil society

On 20 September 2016 EASO organized in Lisbon the meeting “Synergies with civil society in the relocation process: the experience of Portugal”, within the framework of the EASO Consultative Forum activities.

Fifty-nine participants from different institutions and civil society from Europe attended the meeting which was hosted in the historical premises of the Ministry of Internal Administration in Lisbon.

The meeting offered the opportunity to discuss best practices and lessons learnt concerning synergies among institutional and civil society actors in the context of relocation, particularly looking at the experience of applicants relocated from Greece to Portugal. On the 19 of September 2016, a group of Syrians relocated applicants arrived to Lisbon, after having been referred by EASO to the Relocation program in Greece.

The two large families were welcomed by the volunteers of PAR, the Refugee Support Platform, a Portuguese network of civil society organizations whose aim is to support hosting refugees, particularly families.

EASO also welcomed the relocated applicants in Lisbon upon arrival.

“You could see the emotion felt by the refugees and the volunteers when they met. PAR is also working in Greece, supporting Caritas Greece, and the volunteers had already established a relationship with the refugees when they were hosted in the reception centres in Greece. Building social ties with the hosting country is an added value for a successful integration and helps building trust in the relocation program.”

Ermina Martini, EASO Senior Officer-Civil Society

By the date of the meeting, over 1500 pledges for relocation have been made by Portugal to Greece and Italy, and 534 persons have already been relocated to Portugal, explained Paulo Conceição during his presentation, from the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service.

EASO, Greek and Italian asylum authorities, the High Commission for Migration, UNHCR and IOM discussed the progress in the relocation process and their respective roles, looking at challenges and best practices. Relocated applicants shared their experience as well as different Portuguese civil society organizations involved in reception and integration of refugees. Participants, including NGOs from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium, expressed their high interest for the discussed topics.

EASO is committed to foster synergies with civil society and to create venue like this meeting to promote dialogue.

The next appointment is the EASO Consultative Forum plenary meeting in Athens, on 28-29 November 2016.

© EASO© EASOMeeting in Lisbon Migrants successfully relocated in Portugal

www.easo.europa.eu

EASO Newsletter September 2016 - 5

22nd Meeting of EASO’s Management BoardAs revealed by the situation in the Hotspots, both in Italy and Greece, EASO’s support is still much needed. During the Management Board there were several calls on Member States to comply with political agreement on relocation of refugees from Italy and Greece.

Background information: Management Board comprises representatives of the EU Member States, the European Commission and UNHCR, Representatives of Associate Countries (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) were invited to attend the meeting as observers.

As EASO’s Executive Director concluded:

“It was a fruitful Management Board that went through many difficult issues and offered myself and my team the possibility of explaining our work”.

On 22 and 23 September 2016, EASO’s Management Board convened in Valletta to discuss EASO’s work in the last months and EASO’s Single Programming Document 2017-2019 and Work Programme for 2017.

The 22nd meeting started with an overview of all the activities the European Asylum Support Office is implementing at its headquarters, as well as on the ground, focusing on the importance and amplitude of the operational dimension that grew exponentially since 2015.

During the meeting, amongst other topics, members discussed EASO Work Programme 2016, budgetary issues and an update on the new organigram and EASO’s Rules of Procedure within EASO.

Also, Management Board Members were provided with information regarding the outcomes of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Project, implemented for the past 28 months (2014-2016) with Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco. The purpose of the ENPI project was to familiarise Third Country (TCs) officials from Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan with the mandate, tools and instruments of EASO and Frontex, and cooperation models developed with EU Member States .

Moreover, the situation of asylum in the EU and the state of play of the implementation of the reception-related measures of the EU Agenda on Migration, have been important topics on the Agenda, which generated a useful and enriching exchange of views by the Management Board.

The situation on the EU Relocation Programme, hotspots, and calls of experts has been presented by EASO staff to Management Board Members in order to recreate vividly the context in which EASO operates and fulfils its mission.

© EASO

EASO ED Highlights of the 22nd Management Board

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6 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

EASO participated at the EPP Refugee Conference

On 16 October, a conference focusing on the role of the EU's regional and local authorities in addressing the refugee crisis: common challenge, collective response, took place in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The event, organised by the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, brought together important stakeholders involved in addressing the refugee crisis and aimed at finding practical common solutions for common challenges that the European Union, as a whole, has to cope with.

EASO’s Executive Director spoke about the important role of EASO in the context of the future challenges within the panel entitled: "A thriving EU Migration Policy through solidarity and partnership" and stressed that solidarity and partnership are the two key principles on which we can build a truly managed Migration policy for the years and decades to come.

“The closer you are tothe ground the higherthe operational inputone can give”

Jose Carreira, Executive Director

As regards the future developments, it was explained that according with the Draft Regulation for a European Union Asylum Agency, the new fully fledged Agency will be more flexible and strengthened in operational capacity.

In particular, in situations where the Agency needs to have the means to deploy quickly, the new Agency would, according to the proposal, be able to draw on such a pool of 500 experts for deployment within a short timeframe.

This new strengthened role, coupled with the Agencies ability to have a more central task in setting of operational standards and guidelines, will pave the way for more convergence in the asylum systems and on asylum-related matters.

EASO’s Executive Director stated that he looks forward to a bold outcome of negotiations also with the input of the European Parliament

which will be key in ensuring that the Agency will be equipped with the necessary tools to enable it to support the actions of solidarity through partnership.

Also, in this context, it was explained that EASO would like to be closely involved in the design and implementation of the distribution mechanism given its experience gained in the relocation in terms of distribution across the Member States.

“We can certainly learnfrom our experiencesand ensure a bettercommunication withlocal and regionalauthorities and actorswhich will be to allour benefit and to thebenefit of the tasks athand”

Jose Carreira, Executive Director

Indeed the more solid our communication and interaction at the local level the more solid our partnership will be and our expression of solidarity will be more robust”, concluded Jose Carreira.

© EASOMr. Jose Carreira during his intervention in

Thessaloniki

www.easo.europa.eu

EASO Newsletter January 2015 - 7EASO Newsletter September 2016 - 7

Towards a European Union Agency for Asylum

On 26 September 2016, the first discussion on the European Parliamentary Draft Report regarding the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Union Agency for Asylum and repealing Regulation (EU) No 439/2010, was held at the European Parliament.

The discussion was held during the meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).

“EASO is a key element for a truly European Asylum Policy and we need EASO today more than ever”

Cecilia Wilkstrom, ALDE

The Rapporteur, the Hungarian MEP Péter Niedermüller (S&D), highlighted that: “the European Union shall ensure a written convergence of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) on which EASO can play a significant role in monitoring and assessing the implementation of the CEAS by the Member States in a timely and efficient manner”.

Jose Carreira and MEP Peter Niedermüller

The draft European Parliament report incorporates a number of amendments on the European Commission’s proposal and, in particular, amendments related to the Agency’s operational role and context with the Civil

Society and International Organisations, while emphasizing the Fundamental Rights aspects of the CEAS, by proposing the establishment of a complaint’s mechanism for the asylum seekers which will be administered by a Fundamental Rights Officer.

“In this global approach , which asks for a more holistic system on the Asylum, we need to have a more proper Asylum Policy and we have to make EASO a real force for Asylum Seeker”

Kashetu Kyenge, S&DD

According to the Commission Proposal, the European Union Agency for Asylum would be allowed to initiate a monitoring exercise on its own initiative or upon request by the European Commission.

EASO’s ED and EASO’s Spokesperson© EASO © EASO

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8 - EASO Newsletter January 20158 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

For the development of an efficient Asylum System, concluded the MEPs, other legislative proposals and instruments, such as the Dublin Regulation, the Qualifications Directive and the Reception Conditions Directive, along the new Regulation of the EU Asylum Agency play a key role in establishing a more developed CEAS.

“The CEAS monitoring mechanism must be feasible and foster mutual trust. It must ensure precise evaluation and immediate remedial actions shall be taken”

Carlos Coelho, PPE

We clearly share the same view that a strong and operational Asylum Agency is crucial in managing the current crisis and the migration challenges to come, noted the Executive Director of EASO, Jose Carreira.

“The core mission of EASO is to help MS implement a fundamental right, the right to seek asylum, hence fundamental rights are naturally embedded in all of our activities“

José Carreira, EASO

EASO’s Executive Director also stressed that he is glad that the intention expressed in front of the LIBE some months ago, to maintain a close dialogue with civil society with a view to pooling knowledge in the field of asylum, has been taken on board as well.

Also, EASO’s welcomed the calendar proposed by the Rapporteur for the approval of the new Regulation, declaring that:

“It is crucial to benefit of the momentum and highly important to have the Regulation adopted as soon as possible. We will not have a second opportunity to shape together an EU Asylum Agency, thus we have to make sure that it will be fully equipped to tackle migration challenges for the years and decades to come.”

“EASO AND THE HOTSPOTS” Photographic Exhibition at the European Parliament

On 26 September 2016, a photographic exhibition entitled “EASO and the Hotspots” was hosted by the Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) at the European Parliament.

The exhibition was held during the LIBE Committee meeting on the occasion of the first hearing on the Parliamentary draft report on the Regulation for setting up the European Union Agency for Asylum.

Photo exhibition held in Brussels on 26 September

More than one hundred Members of the European Parliament and invited guests attended the photographic exhibition, which is the third organised this year upon initiative of EASO.

The exhibition was conceived to commemorate the fifth anniversary since the establishment of the European Asylum Support Office in Malta by bringing particular emphasis on the evolution of the latest activities of EASO.

“A picture is worth a thousand words” and indeed these portraits are the most powerful examples of EASO’ commitment on the field… Some of the migrants portrayed have successfully undertaken the relocation programme. Since the starting of the relocation activities, we have relocated more than 5000 people . We need more solidarity from MS, we need more pledges for relocation . I’m glad to be able to count on the LIBE support on this matter”

José Carreira, Executive Director

© EASO

www.easo.europa.eu

EASO Newsletter September2016 - 9

Important meetings held at EASO’s premises in September 2016

The beginning of September was marked by important visits within EASO premises that offered the opportunity to explain, in concrete terms, the general overview of the situation of asylum in the EU, EASO’s work in the operational Hotspots in Italy and Greece, as well as to discuss the latest asylum trends.

These meetings also represented an excellent occasion to exchanges views and find viable solutions for the challenges faced by the EU today in what regards the migration situation, a vivid topic on European public agenda.

At the same time, these discussions further fuelled EASO’s collaborative approach and belief that cooperation represents the real key to moving forward toward a sustainable Common European Asylum System (CEAS).

Within this framework, EASO’s Executive Director, Jose Carreira, had the pleasure to welcome at Agency’s premises in Grand Harbour of Valletta, on 9 September, MEP Roberta Metsola and, on 13 September, Christine Roger, Director General in the Council General Secretariat, responsible for

On 20 September, Mr. Tomáš Prouza, Secretary of State for European Affairs within the Czech Government was also on an official visit to EASO.

During this meeting he engaged in explaining Czech Republic’ position and opinion regarding migration with EASO’ high ranked officials, Mr. Jean-Pierre Schembri, Head of Unit a.i., Communication and Stakeholders Unit, and Ward Lutin, Head of Unit, Information and Analysis Unit.

Relocation related issues have been also discussed.

EASO’s ED with MEP Roberta Metsola

EASO’s ED with DG Christine Roger

EASO’s officials with Tomáš Prouza

© EASO

© EASO

© EASO

SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

10 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

To support is also to listen...

“Remember to read the notice board every day, your time will come up”, EASO’s expert providing information is telling a single Syrian father, who lost his wife in the war. “Well, I am sleeping under it”, the man replies with a smile.

EASO’s expert is a walking advertisement for fair treatment of each applicant. It seems, that the way we treat people on the islands, during their first encounter with Europe, that first impression, is going to follow their journey from then on. The first encounter will either benefit or disturb future relations, and even slow or fasten then application process.

To support also means to advice and to listen. It means we ought to help and support the applicants to understand their position and the chances of getting a permission to continue application for international protection. It means speaking to people in the camps and listening to their concerns. When EASO’s expert goes to Souda, she listens to each concern and gives advice. She holds a teenager by the shoulder and tells him never to miss an appointment again.

There has been a lot of tension and even violence lately on the islands. That’s reality, but sometimes there are also good news.

We have been invited to have a cup of very strong and very sweet tea to celebrate with an older Syrian couple, who has got a permission to go to Athens to start application process there.

The couple has been living in Souda since March 19th, they say.

In their beautifully furnished and neatly clean tent they tell us about their three children living in Europe, with whom they now hope to be united.

“This is the best part of this job. I like to meet the people”,

EASO’s deployed expert

Syrian Family ready to go to Athens to start their application for interna-

Stories from hotspots - EASO staff shares insights

Support is our mission – What does it mean?The day starts early for EASO staff in the Souda Camp in Chios. EASO’s info provision expert and interpreter are arriving at the camp, which has already woken up. New blue tents have arisen on the pebbles by the sea.

Children are swimming and playing in the sea, mothers are washing clothes and drying them on the sun burnt big rocks on the shore. It looks like a summer camp, but it is far from it. It’s early autumn and nights are getting cold.

EASO staff providing information in Chios, Greece

Some asylum applicants have been waiting for registration, or, final decision for some time.

It’s a known fact that starting 20 March this year, as part of the EU-Turkey Statement, potential applicants for international protection were to be processed for admissibility or eligibility on the islands.

To process thousands of asylum applications in a few months’ time was a huge task to take. EASO’s role is to help the Greek Asylum Service to make decisions as fast as possible, but with great care.

In Chios, the team consists of ten case workers, a floor manager, gate person and an expert providing information. All experts are sent from the member states for short deployment of a few weeks at the time.

Support is our mission, and to support means to give staff, to help in getting the work done.

© EASO

© EASO

www.easo.europa.eu

EASO Newsletter September 2016- 11

Adoption of EASO Guidance on reception conditions: operational standards and indicators

EASO Guidance on reception conditions: operational standards and indicators has been adopted by the Management Board during its 22nd Meeting that took place in Malta on 22 and 23 September 2016.

This Guidance represents one of the key measures identified by the European Agenda on Migration for reception field within the EU. EASO was tasked, alongside a dedicated network of Reception Authorities, to implement it.

The Guidance focuses on the provision of material reception conditions, notably on the provision of housing, food, clothing, health care, non-food items as well as a daily expenses allowance.

Moreover, it addresses aspects such as information provision and counselling as well as training of staff working in national reception systems.

The standards included in the document reflect existing and commonly agreed practice across EU Member States as well as good practices identified across the EU.

As such, the Guidance represents a first step and effort to facilitate the application of certain provisions of the Reception Conditions Directive (hereafter: RCD).

Most importantly, the Guidance has been developed for the regular functioning of the reception system. Situations falling under an emergency framework, such as for example the use of the provisions of Article 18(9) RCD on emergency housing, fall outside the scope of this Guidance. These aspects could be the focus of additional guidance and/or tools to be developed in the future.

The development process of the Guidance followed a consultative approach, aiming at gathering the

broadest possible spectrum of expertise from Member States as well as other relevant actors in the field of reception.

The draft document was developed by a working group of experts from EU Member States while counting with the support of a reference group consisting of the European Commission, the Fundamental Rights Agency and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Subsequently, in light of the fundamental role played by civil society in the field of reception, members of the EASO Consultative Forum were invited to provide their views on the document.

Lastly, all 28 members of the Reception Network were invited to provide their input to the document prior to its adoption by the Management Board.

Members of the EASO Management Board welcomed the development of the Guidance as an important step in light of the negotiations around the proposal for a recast Reception Conditions Directive, as well as the proposal for a revised regulation for a European Agency on Asylum, which would be equipped with a stronger mandate in the field of development of Guidance as well as monitoring activities in general.

Moreover, the Management Board encouraged the development of additional Guidance on aspects falling within the RCD which had not yet been addressed in the current document, including emergency situations, detention, or specific categories of vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors.

The Reception Network was invited to discuss about and agree upon future fields of work and priorities in the field of reception at its National Contact Point meeting that took place on 3 and 4 October 2016.

The Guidance will shortly become publicly available on the EASO website.

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12 - EASO Newsletter September 2016

COOPERATION WITH COURTS AND TRIBUNALS

EASO Professional Development Workshop in cooperation with AEAJ and the Upper Tribunal (UK)

On 23 September 2016, over 30 judges from 16 countries met at the premises of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in London.

These judges were participating in a professional development workshop organised by EASO in cooperation with the Association of European Administrative Judges.

The broad agenda reflected practical and current issues relevant to the work of the participants and ranged from considerations related to ending international protection, including exclusion, accounting for vulnerability, assessing credibility and the use of COI in judicial decision-making.

The highlight of the workshop was a workshop in the form of a moot court, which dealt with difficult

issues surrounding the application of exclusion clauses.

The participants represented the different actors in a simulated court hearing and were able to gain a more practical understanding of the issues involved.

European Judges at the premises of Upper Tribunal UK

Publication of a Judicial Analysis on Introduction to the Common European Asylum System for Courts and Tribunals

EASO, in cooperation with the European Chapter of the International Association of Refugee Law Judges, has published a new Judicial Analysis on Introduction to the Common European Asylum System for Courts and Tribunals.

This publication primarily provides an introduction to the Common European Asylum System that assists courts and tribunals in carrying out their role and responsibilities in its implementation, although it will certainly be of use to other interested readers.

It provides an overview of the legal basis and background of the CEAS, an overview of legislative instruments, an introduction to the approach regarding interpreting EU law and making referrals to the CJEU for preliminary rulings, and a detailed list of relevant case-law.

Using the Judicial Analysis, EASO will organise a pilot professional development workshop on Introduction to Common European Asylum System (CEAS) that will take place on 26-27 October 2016 in

Malta. The workshop is open to members of courts and tribunals. Interested persons should contact their national contact point for courts and tribunals or EASO directly: judicialtraining@easo.europa.eu

Meeting with National Judicial Training Bodies (NJTB) on 27-28 October 2016EASO is organising a meeting of National Judicial Training Bodies (NJTB) on 27-28 October 2016 in Malta.

The aim of the meeting is to outline in greater detail the work currently being done and to gain further insight into the expectation and needs of the NJTB. The meeting will also serve to strengthen links with NJTB.

Interested representatives of NJTB should contact EASO for further details: judicialtraining@easo.europa.eu

www.easo.europa.eu

EASO Newsletter September 2016- 13

EASO publishes a Country of Origin Information (COI) report on recruitment by armed groups in Afghanistan

The report is an update of a previous report published in 2012 and provides an overview of recruitment practices of armed groups in Afghanistan, providing information relevant for protection status determination of Afghan asylum applicants. In the first seven months of 2016, Afghanistan ranked 2nd in the top countries of origin in EU+ countries[1], with a total of almost 110 239 applicants.

The EASO COI report on recruitment by armed groups in Afghanistan provides a description of the recruitment practices in Afghanistan, by the insurgent factions of the Afghan Taliban, the Islamic State in Khorasan (IS) and the Hezb-e Islami group led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

The report also looks into recruitment by the Afghan Local Police (ALP) and pro-government militias (PGM). In a last chapter, information is presented on the specific issue of under-age or child recruitment. This is a topic of particular concern since a high percentage

© EASO

© EASO

of the Afghan asylum applicants in Europe concerns Unaccompanied Minors. Depending on the EU+ country, this percentage varies from 0 to 54 % and on average it is over 14 %.

The report was co-drafted by EASO and Cedoca, the COI unit of the Belgian Office of the Commissioner-General for Refugees and Stateless persons. The report was written in accordance with the EASO COI Report Methodology and presents information until 19 August 2016, stemming from publicly available sources and a series of interviews conducted with experts on the matter, named in the report. The report was reviewed by peers from EU Member States, by UNHCR, and by an expert from the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The report describes the transition of the Taliban into a more conventional armed force since the withdrawal of foreign troops, as well as the establishment of a new Taliban mobile elite force, called qet’a. Furthermore, opinions of experts are presented on the traditional role of the tribe or family in the recruitment process.

The Taliban are still an overwhelmingly Pashtun movement, but some episodes of Hazaras joining the Taliban’s ranks have been noted. The report covers the important topic of ‘forced recruitment’ by Taliban and IS, both insurgent groups but with a different ideology.

Regarding recruitment by ALP and PGM, the report highlights the formal role of the local community council (shura) or local strongmen, but also problems related to this. Of particular concern is the recruitment of minors or children by all parties in the conflict.

The report discusses the economic incentives, the role of schools or madrassas, the mechanisms to prevent underage recruitment in the Afghan National security forces, including age-verifications procedures, and how these mechanisms can fail.

The report can be downloaded following the link:

https://coi.easo.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/Afghanistan_recruitment.pdf

Background information regarding COI:

Country of Origin Information (COI) refers to information on countries from which asylum seekers originate relevant for decision-makers in the field of asylum.

The quality and accuracy of COI can thus play a determining role in achieving the aim of the Common European Asylum System that similar cases should receive similar outcomes across the EU.

Additonal data and reports

All reports are available via EASO’s website:

https://www.easo.europa.eu/information-analysis/country-origin-information/country-reports

© EASO

EASO WebsiteVisit EASO’s website on https://www.easo.europa.eu/ for the latest updates

13-14 October 2016, Athens, Greece - Venue: Royal Olympic HotelJudicial understanding and implementation of key aspects of the Common European Asylum System – Conference for Greek members of courts and tribunals

28-29 November 2016, Athens Greece, EASO Consultative ForumPlenary meetingPlease mark your calendar: the annual EASO CONSULTATIVE FORUM plenary meeting will take place in ATHENS on 28-29 NOVEMBER 2016, Hotel Stratos Vassilikos, Athens.

The meeting will be hosted in a fully participatory format in order to foster interactive exchange, cross-fertilization and pooling of knowledge among stakeholders in priority areas of EASO's work and give EASO the opportunity to listen to different views.

The forum will be open to civil-society organisations and individuals operating in the field of asylum, Member States' asylum authorities, and academics, representatives of EU institutions, international organisations and local municipalities.

Participants will play an active role whereby they can propose topics for discussion, share their expertise and provide inputs through a one-and-a-half day meeting hosted by a professional team.

Financial support for a number of selected civil-society representatives will be available to facilitate participation from different EU countries.

More details on the modalities of registration, agenda and practicalities starting 10 October 2016.

For more information contact Consultative-Forum@easo.europa.eu

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

Subscribe to the EASO Newsletter via:https://www.easo.europa.eu/newsletter

EASO is on Facebook. Follow us and receive updates on EASO activities by liking our page: facebook.com/easo.eu / twitter.com/easo EASO Facebook page on Relocation: facebook.com/EU-Relocation-Programme

EASO Website Visit EASO’s website on https://www.easo.europa.eu/ for the latest updates

© European Asylum Support Office, 2016.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.

EASO Vacancies

EASO has recently published the following vacancies:

Open CallsReference Number Title Closing Date

EASO/2016/CA/006 Information Officer - Data Analysis (FG IV) 17 October 2016 - 13:00 Brussels time

EASO/2016/CA/007

EASO/2016/SNE/005

Security Assistant (FG III)

Resettlement Expert (SNE)

18 October 2016 - 13:00 Brussels time

2 November 2016 - 13:00 Brussels time

For more information please visit out website on: https://www.easo.europa.eu/about-us/vacancies

EASO notices (including vacancies)

BZ-AA-14-022-EN-N