UNHCR has published the report “Beyond Proof” with the aim of improving credibility assessments in EU asylum systems and contributing to the further harmonization of Member State practices in this area. As part of the examination of asylum claims, the credibility assessment involves a determination of which of the statements and other evidence provided by the applicant can be taken into account in the analysis of the well-founded fear of persecution and real risk of serious harm.
The research provides an insight into state practices based on research in EU Member States, guidance from states beyond the EU, training material including the European Asylum Curriculum (EAC), over 200 rulings by international, regional and national courts, and over 70 references to academic publications on recent developments in international refugee law and disciplinary fields beyond (neurobiology, psychology, anthropology, cultural and gender studies) relevant to the credibility assessment in the asylum procedure.
The publication also includes checklists and flowcharts that translate legal and theoretical concepts into practical tools to assist decision-makers and support a fair assessment of credibility.
The research is part of the European Refugee Fund supported CREDO project led by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) in partnership with UNHCR, the International Association of Refugee Law Judges (IARLJ), and Asylum Aid. IARLJ has prepared judicial guidance on credibility assessment and HHC will publish a training manual for adjudicators with a multi-disciplinary approach.
This article originally appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin of 14 June 2013
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