Comparative Analysis of Gender-Related Asylum Claims in Europe Released

The “Gender-related asylum claims in Europe” study was released on 30 May 2012 following a launch at the European Parliament. The study provides a comparative analysis of law, policies and practices focusing on women in nine EU Member States – Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In addition to case studies and analysis of data gathered across the target states, the study highlights both best and bad practices and provides recommendations for relevant stakeholders.

Across the European Union, women constitute on average one in three of those applying for asylum in their own right. The study finds that there are vast and worrying disparities in the way different EU States handle gender-related asylum claims. As a result, women are not guaranteed anything close to consistent, gender-sensitive treatment when they seek protection in Europe. Women seeking asylum are too often confronted with legislation and policy that fail to meet acceptable standards, while even gender-sensitive policies are not implemented in practice. The study looks at a range of issues, including the refugee status determination process, asylum procedures, interviews, reception and detention conditions.

The research was completed by the GENSEN Project between October 2010 and May 2012 with the support of the European Commission through the European Refugee Fund. The partners involved in the project were the Spanish Commission for Refugee Assistance, France terre d’asile, Asylum Aid, the Italian Council for Refugees, and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. The project focuses on the introduction of gender perspectives and additional safeguards into asylum procedures in Europe and strives to enhance gender equality and harmonisation of such practices and asylum legislation across Europe. Furthermore, the GENSEN project seeks to raise awareness among national stakeholders and address both women’s and LGBT asylum claims.

This item was reproduced with the permission of ECRE from the weekly ELENA legal update supported by the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Funding Programme and distributed by email. The purpose of these updates is to inform asylum lawyers and legal organizations supporting asylum seekers and refugees of recent developments in the field of asylum law. Please note that the information provided is taken from publicly available information on the internet. Every reasonable effort is made to make the content accurate and up to date at the time each item is published but no responsibility for its accuracy and correctness, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed by ECRE, the IRC or its partners.