As from 3 November 2016, the CGRS is increasing the number of interviews of Afghan unaccompanied minors in order to increase the number of its decisions. At the same time, the CGRS also continues the assessment of applications from unaccompanied minors from other countries.
For the invitation to an interview, the CGRS, as a rule, gives priority to minors who have answered every question in the questionnaire which is used since mid-April 2016.
Many thanks to guardians for their collaboration
We are aware that many guardians see to it that the questionnaire is filled out correctly and completely. This gives the CGRS a better view on the background, identity and nationality of the minor, resulting in a more efficient assessment and decision process. The CGRA therefore explicitly thanks the guardians for their collaboration and their flexibility regarding interview schedules.
Reminder: make all information available in the questionnaire. In the interest of minors, the CGRS insists once again that it is important to receive all the information which the minor possesses. Like other asylum seekers, minors are under the legal obligation to fully cooperate with the assessment of their asylum claim. The CGRS is therefore entitled to expect from every asylum seeker, including minors, correct statements and, if possible, documents on the following subjects:
- age
- background
- identity
- nationality
- former place(s) of residence of the minor and his or her family
- route followed
If it appears later on that the minor has made false statements or presented false or forged documents, the CGRS can reject the asylum claim. If such fraud is detected after an international protection status has been granted, the CGRS can withdraw the status, which can also have negative consequences for any relatives who benefited from family reunification under this status.
If the minor doesn’t give any information on his or her real situation or cannot explain the lack of information, the CGRS cannot ascertain whether the fear of persecution is well-founded, which may also lead to a rejection of the asylum claim.
It is therefore in the interest of every minor to answer correctly and truthfully to all the questions in the questionnaire.