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Efiubò: How does it work the Commission for asylum request?

In this first event of Efiubò, lawyer Salvatore Fachile answers the questions of those who wants to know what happens during the interview with the Commission to request asylum.

Who are the member of the Commission?

The Commission is a governmental body composed by four members: a representative of the prefecture, a representative of the police, a person appointed by the territorial entity and, finally, a representative of UNHCR (United Nation Agency for Refugees). While the first two people came from the police, the other two have not an investigative approach.

Who will be in charge of interviewing me?

In theory all the four members of the Commission should be in charge, but it is common practice that the interview is carried by a single person, helped by the interpreter. This type of practice is highly risky, because it may happen that this person it is not well informed about the situation in your country. You can always ask to be questioned by the entire Commission and they must necessarily accept your request, the only thing that can happen is that they will postpone your interview for another day.

Who will take the final decision?

The decision is collegial, it can be taken unanimously or by a majority. If you have a majority decision, you have the right to know who voted for and who against your request for asylum. Although is a collective decision, the opinion of the Commissioner who has listened to your interview has a strong weight.

If the interpreter is translating wrong, I can stop him?

You have to stop him. You must stop the interview and to put on record that you are convinced that the interpreter in not good . You can consequently ask for a change of interpreter and the interruption of the interview. If you are denied, you must ask to put this thing on the record. If you receive a denial it will be useful to bring an action.

What kind of documents can I bring?

You can bring the documents of all kinds, such as tests that deals with your story (arrest warrants, articles, acts of religious conversion), or documents that deals with your health (medical certificates or folders clinics). You can take them both in original and in copy. Remember that even if you don’t have documents or paper nothing will happens; they are useful but not necessary.

In the days before the interview I can communicate with the UNHCR?

Yes, certainly. You can’t talk to a person that could interview you, however, UNHCR is a United Nation body and is always open to listening.

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