Ulrike Schwarz

Slide 1:BSPC Working Group Meeting Jan 13th 2020, BerlinUlrike Schwarz, Bundesfachverband Unbegleitete Minderjährige FlüchtlingeUnderstanding and meetingthe legal needs ofUnaccompanied Asylum SeekingandRefugee Children and Young PeopleSlide 2:„Gut Ankommen“ („Good Arrival“)2018 – 2019EU Project of the Bundesfachverband umF e.V. in cooperation with the „Deutschen Institut für Jugendhilfe und Familienrecht (DIJuF)“ and terre des hommesAim: To improve reception conditions for unaccompanied minor refugees („uM“) through training of professionals in the field of social work, family law (judges and court personnel) and asylumUlrike SchwarzTelefon: 030 / 820 97 43 – 0Fax: 030 / 820 97 43 – 9Mail: info@b-umf.dewww.b-umf.deDieses Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Asyl-, Migrations- und Integrationsfonds gefördertSlide 3:„Vom Ankommen zum Willkommen“ „from arrival to a welcome“(summer 2019 – summer 2022)EU Project of the Bundesfachverband umF e.V. in cooperation with terre des hommesAim:. To improve reception conditions for umF through training of professionalsBy: training of professionals working with unaccompanied minor refugees („uM“). Developing an training modul for administrative personnel, legal personnel and social workers on unaccompanied minor refugees. The module shall be included into the standard school/college/ university curriculumUlrike SchwarzTelefon: 030 / 820 97 43 – 0Fax: 030 / 820 97 43 – 9Mail: info@b-umf.dewww.b-umf.deDieses Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Asyl-, Migrations- und Integrationsfonds gefördertSlide 4:Guinea (general statistic: Syria)Afghanistan (general statistic: Iraq)3. Syria (general statistic: Turkey)4. Somalia (general statistic: Afghanistan)5. Iraq (general statistic: Nigeria)6. Eritrea (general statistic: Iran)Good to Know:Countries of Origin uM Asylum Applications01.01. – 30.09.2019Slide 5:UM 2017: 78 %UM 2019: 48 %(FAMILIES in 11/2019: 38 %)Positive outcome does include:Asylum under the German constitution nach Art. 16a GGInternational protection under Geneva Refugee ConventionInternational protection „subsidiary protection“National prohibition of deportation („Abschiebeverbote“)In case of appeal against the decision: appr. 40 % of the decision are confirmed(statistical data read and evaluated as provided on the BAMF website )Good to Know: Positive Outcome of Asylum Claims uM 01.01 – 30.09.2019Slide 6:border crossingObligation to be received and taken into care by the Youth Welfare Authorities (= protection measure) in case of possible minority (§ 42a SGB VIII)What is the difference to refugee families ?The Youth Welfare Office has exclusive jurisdictionThe only distribution system applying is within the YWO including a child best interest determinationSlide 7:uMYWOAlien/Asylum L.↔↔The child‘s best interest determinationSlide 8:Child‘s best interest in Asylum and Alien LawArrival/ illegal entry ( YWO protection measures: „Inobhutnahme“)Departure/ Deportation (no return of U minors § 58 para. 1a AufenthG )No measures and applications in Alien Law and Asylum Proceedings without legal representativeLegal claim to family reunification with both parents for recognized Geneva Convention UM (§ 3 AsylG) (untill mayority) ( § 36 Abs. 1 AufenthG)Slide 9:Child‘s best interest in Asylum and Alien LawArrival/ illegal entry ( YWO protection measures: „Inobhutnahme“)Departure/ Deportation (no return of U minors § 58 para. 1a AufenthG )No measures and applications in Alien Law and Asylum Proceedings without legal representativeLegal claim to family reunification with both parents for recognized Geneva Convention UM (§ 3 AsylG) (untill mayority) ( § 36 Abs. 1 AufenthG)No return under the Dublin Regulation in case of an asylum application in GermanySlide 10:the Job of the Youth Welfare Systemprotection measures: „Inobhutnahme“ and „Hilfe zur Erziehung“Age assessment - YWOLegal guardian obligatoryPlacement in a youth welfare facility or foster care„unaccompanied“ ?Slide 11:„There is currently no methode available to assess the exact age of a person“European Asylum Support Office (EASO):Practical guide on age assessment, December 2013Age AssessmentEuropean Asylum Support Office (EASO):Practical guide on age assessment 2nd ed., spring 2018Slide 12:„unaccompanied (...): means a minor who arrives on the territory of the Member States unaccompanied by an adult responsible for him or her whether by law or by the practice of the Member State concerned, and for as long as he or she is not effectively taken into the care of such a person; it includes a minor who is left unaccompanied after he or she has entered the territory of the Member States; “„unaccompanied“Art. 2 e) directive 2013/33/EU of 26 June 2013laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (reception directive)Slide 13:Prior to guardianship: Emergency representation by the YWOIncluding the possibility to apply for asylum in agreeement and with participation of the UMThe Family Court has to appoint a legal guardian as soon as possibleThe court itself will once more check whether the legal requirements for guardianship are fulfilled: under – age as well as unaccompanied.unaccompanied (+) → legal representation ISlide 14:YWO “Clearing“ IHealthEducationPersonal development – physically as well as psychologicallyWhat kind of care taking facility is fiiting?Family ties ? Search for familyTrafficking issues or other financila as well as psychological dependencies?Asylum application yes/no?Legal guardianship? Who?Slide 15:The Family Court‘s duties :To confirm that the legal requirements for guardianship do applyunder age and unaccompaniedTo chose a capable personTo monitor the guardianshipthe guardian has to provide a written report every 6 – 12 monthIn case of problems with the guardian the family court should be informed.In case it is a guardian provided by the YWO, the superiors of the guardian shall be informed.To end or to initiate change of guardianshipunaccompanied (+) → legal representationSlide 16:AmtsvormundschaftAn independent part of the Youth Welfare Office. The Amtsvormundschaft is part of a state authorities and is there obliged to provide qualified personel in all areas of legal representation, including asylum an alien law issues. The Amtvormundschaft is paid by the state authority, the Vormund is an employee of the state. Legally a Vormund may have not more than 50 minors to legally represent. The Amtsvormund works wthin the state working hours (not on the weekend).Ehrenamtliche EinzelvormundschaftEvery person can become a Vormund on a voluntary basis. The family court has to examine whether the person is capable and not a danger for the minor (i .e because of a criminal record or history of child abuse). Ehrenamtliche Vormünder receive a so called Aufwandsentschädigung (re-imbursed of expenses) paid by the family court. This kind of Vormundschaft is mostly used by relatives. The minor shall be participating in the choosing proceeding.unaccompanied (+) → legal representation: guardianship ISlide 17:BerufsvormundschaftThere a person doing Vormundschaft professional as an free-lance occupation. The Berufsvormundschaft are done by professionals specializing in specific Youth Welfare areas, such as children with special needs or: refugee children. The family court appoints a Berufsvormund only in exceptional cases. The family court covers the costs and wages.Mitvormundschaft/ErgänzungspflegschaftVery rarely there was and is the possibility to appoint an additional representativ next to the Vormund for special problems. This can only be done next to an Ehremantsvormund.unaccompanied (+) → legal representation: guardianship IISlide 18:The relationship triangle– who is doing whatSlide 19:YWO “Clearing“ II (with guardian)HealthEducationPersonal development – physically as well as psychologicallyWhat kind of care taking facility is fiiting?Family ties ? Search for familyTrafficking issues or other financila as well as psychological dependencies?Asylum application yes/no? Or alternative ways to secure residency?Slide 20:Child‘s best interest in Asylum and Alien Law Asylum Application ?“The subsequent clearing procedure entails the initiation of further steps under the law on youth assistance or on residence. This includes clarifying the residence status. It is decided on this basis whether an asylum application is lodged. If such an application would not be promising, the competent immigration authority may also issue a temporary suspension of deportation (Duldung). If this cannot be considered either, the immigration authority will discuss other possibilities under the law on residence.”German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge):“The stages of the German asylum procedure An overview of the individual procedural steps and the legal basis Asyl und Flüchtlingsschutz“ p.45.Slide 21:Bundesfachverband unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge e.V.Paulsenstr. 55 – 5612163 BerlinTelefon: 030 / 8209743-0 Fax: 030 / 8209743-9info@b-umf.dewww.b-umf.deThank you and open for discussion and questions