Processing asylum applications
Processing asylum applications is the core activity of the CGRS.
All applications are studied individually and in great depth. Each asylum seeker is heard in person. Applications are processed by six sections which are specialised per geographic region.
The protection officers who interview the asylum seekers are university graduates. In addition, they are specialised in asylum matters and have a thorough knowledge of the asylum seekers’ countries of origin.
The protection officer’s task is to study whether the asylum seeker has a well-founded fear of persecution or runs a real risk of serious harm if he/she returns to his/her country. The asylum seeker is called for an interview. During this interview, he/she has the opportunity to explain the reasons for his/her application in detail.
First, the protection officer examines the credibility of the asylum seeker’s statements. Then, he/she verifies whether the reasons for the application fall under the criteria for granting refugee status or subsidiary protection status.
Finally, he/she drafts a proposal for a decision, including reasons, which has to be analysed by a supervisor. The supervised decision is then presented to the Commissioner General or one of the Deputy Commissioners for signature.
