Description
The project aims to assist compliance with EU law regarding the reception procedure of vulnerable asylum seekers in Bulgaria and the application of the PROTECT Questionairre for early identification of asylum seekers with traumatic experiences. The goal is to monitor the application of the questionnaire and the overall identification of vulnerable people. Successful application will better protect the rights of asylum seekers and make the system more democratic. First, methodology will be developed for interviews with vulnerable asylum seekers to find if and how PROTECT was used followed by 800 interviews. Next, the findings will be presented in 3 expert reports during the sessions of 2 working groups with representatives of the stakeholders. Finally, recommendations will be issued to the competent authorities and legal aid will be provided to vulnerable people. The partner ACET will contribute with its extensive expertise being the only Bulgarian provider of rehabilitation services.
Summary of project results
A major challenge for the project team was the unforeseen large number of asylum seekers in the summer and autumn of 2013. However the team dealt with the challenge by focusing on public debates about the identification of vulnerable asylum seekers and contributing to a better system for protection of the rights of asylum seekers and more democratic practices of the competent authorities. The field study for identification of vulnerable persons carried out for the first time among 500 asylum seekers established violations of the legal requirements, attracted the attention of the competent authorities and stakeholders to the identification as well as the nature and scope of the specific needs of vulnerable people and how they are met. A report was prepared on identification of vulnerable asylum seekers. More information can be found at
http://www.centerforlegalaid.com/index.html
Summary of bilateral results