Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees Reception Conditions for Asylum Seekers in Europe materials for a better practice The Information and Cooperation Forum (ICF) Presents: Cross-border asylum network

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees ICF: NGOs from Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia Targets:  improvement of reception conditions in the Member States of the European Union  cooperation, qualification, lobbying Issues:  accommodation  social benefits (including withdrawal and Dublin II cases)  medical care  access to labour and education / training  social work and social counselling  freedom of movement  participation of refugees

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees The EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 on Minimum Standards of Reception Conditons for Asylum Seekers  the implementation: harmonisation or downgrading?  why improvement of reception conditions?

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 1. Avoiding Detention*  basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers  the EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC on detention *Under the ICF lead agency of Hungarian Helsinki Committee

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 2.Deprivation of Liberty – Main International Rules  impunity for illegal entry or stay  the concept of deprivation of liberty  protection against arbitrariness  judicial review  the humane treatment of persons in detention  vulnerable groups –children –women –traumatised persons

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 3.Applicable EU Norms  reasons for deprivation of liberty  time limits and legal remedies  protection of vulnerable groups

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 4.UNHCR and NGOs on Detention  UNHCR  the International Coalition on Detention of Refugees, Asylum- seekers and Migrants

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 5.Detention Practices Compared Hungary – Slovenia – Germany  reasons for detention  length of detention  judicial review  access to legal aid/assistance  vulnerable groups  access to medical care  general conditions

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 6. Detention - Good Practice  no detention is „best practice“  examples for good practice in single issues

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 7. The Way Out - Alternatives to Detention  bail  reporting  registration  case worker  community release /supervision  electronic monitoring

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 8. Recommendations  detention should be avoided, alternatives should be considered  the duration should be limited by law  illegal entry or Dublin II procedures should not be a reason for detention  detainees should have access to information and legal advice  detention should be ordered by court and underlied by judicial review  vulnerable groups should not be detained, their needs have to be considered

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees THANK YOU! For further information please contact