|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency adopted guidelines on the applications of the recast Qualification Directive Article 15(c) focusing on the regions of the Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kardofan. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency drafted guidelines on the involvement and conduct of legal representatives (NGOs or private lawyers) during an asylum interview, allowing lawyers to intervene at certain parts of the interview and limiting their presence in cases of disruptive behaviour. A lawyer can submit supplementary statements within 5 days after the interview. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency’s interpreters are bound by a code of conduct to increase professionalism and performance since 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency (IPA) issued instructions that children between 2 and 10 years could not accompany their parents to the personal interview at the IPA’s premises. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The International Protection Agency issued internal guidelines, which were formally adopted in 2020 and implemented in 2021, on interviewing and assessing applications based on sexual orientation and gender identity. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
The National Asylum Seekers Management System (NASMS) was improved to better communicate information on individual cases between the International Protection Agency and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The authorities focused on enforcing contracts signed with applicants for their accommodation to ensure that reception spaces are swiftly available. When appointments are not respected or when there are clear indications that the applicant abandoned the asylum procedure, the International Protection Agency considers the application implicitly withdrawn and informs AWAS, which terminates the reception contract. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The employment policy was amended so applicants from a safe country of origin or in the Dublin procedure can access the labour market after 9 months from the lodging of their application for international protection, while other applicants are able to work legally as soon as their asylum application is confirmed. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Malta |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The International Protection Agency and AWAS signed a memorandum of understanding on the medical referral of applicants claiming to be survivors of FGM/C. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
The Dublin procedure |
A modification to the Asylum Law came into force in July 2021. An appeal against a Dublin transfer decision means an automatic suspension of the transfer until the administrative court takes a final decision within 1 month. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
An amended law entered into force in June 2021 allowing beneficiaries of international protection to apply for family reunification with facilitated conditions for 6 months from being granted the status. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
Amendments were introduced to the amended Immigration Law of 2008 to ensure a more effective management of the removal of third-country nationals who are illegally residing in Luxembourg. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Cases lodged by Afghan nationals were processed where the need for protection was evident, so only positive decisions were issued, as well as inadmissible and Dublin decisions, while negative decisions were suspended. From the end of January 2022, the examination of these cases resumed, and the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum scheduled applicants for a complementary interview to discuss changes in their situation if the initial interview was done before 15 August 2021. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The new first-reception centre started its operations at the beginning 2021, and staff optimised processes and information flows. Particular focus was given to promote voluntary returns for applicants with little chances of being recognised to avoid forced returns. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Reception structures by type of procedure were established in the initial reception system. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A complete IT overhaul was implemented in the reception system. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The budget was increased for the Directorate of Immigration for translation and interpretation by 2.8%, while in practice it spent 32% more for these purposes in 2021 compared to 2020. The costs allocated to the National Reception Office (ONA) for experts, studies and translations decreased by 38%. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Luxembourg |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The government pledged to receive 90 Afghan nationals at risk, including girls, women, former judges and human rights activists during 2021 and 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
Authorities declared a state of emergency applicable to the entire border section with Belarus and 5 kilometres from it. Measures included the substantial closure of the border, limited access to emergency areas to permit holders, and limited access by foreigners. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
The Law on the Legal Status of Aliens was amended, establishing at the end of a 6-month border procedure, the Migration Department and the State Border Guard Service will decide on the accommodation and restriction of freedom of movement based on the individual situation of each person and the possibility to refuse the lodging of an asylum application in exceptional situations. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at second or higher instance |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens changed second instance procedures for decisions pronounced in an accelerated procedure. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens stipulate that the right to work would be acquired 12 months after the date of registration in the Lithuanian Migration Information System (MIGRIS). |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens prolong detention for an additional 6 months (up to 1 year in total) and limits the freedom of movement to specific geographical areas. An asylum seeker may be detained or movement restricted to the place of accommodation if entering the territory illegally in the event of a war, an emergency or an emergency due to a mass influx of foreigners. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens allow restrictions to be placed on contact between legal services providers and asylum applicants during a state of emergency. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Lithuania |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Amendments to the Law on the Legal Status of Aliens clarified the scope of free legal assistance as covering solely asylum procedures at the national level and thus excluding cases submitted before European courts. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |