Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri joined the rest of the agency’s staff today to commemorate World Refugee Day. He presented the main points of a practical guide developed for European border guards who first come into contact with people in need of international protection.
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Frontex presents guide on access to the asylum procedure on World Refugee Day
2016-06-20
“Border guards are often the people who come in first contact with potential refugees as they enter a new country. They carry a great responsibility to rapidly identify those who may be in need of international protection”, said Leggeri.
“First contact officials may also provide information to asylum seekers about adequate procedures and refer them to the competent national authorities,” he added.
In 2015, more than 1 million migrants were detected at the European Union’s external borders, the vast majority of whom subsequently applied for asylum.
The guide on access to the asylum procedure, which is accompanied by a poster, a pocket book and a set of Frequently Asked Questions, was prepared jointly by Frontex and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). It was drafted by experts from Member States, in close cooperation with the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The electronic versions of the guide and related documents can be downloaded here.