Anfragebeantwortung zu Äthiopien: Informationen zum Asylverfahren für EritreerInnen (Sonderregelungen für Minderjährige; gesetzliche Regelungen; Ausstellung von Dokumenten, insbesondere Reiseausweise); Praxisänderung bei Registrierung von EritreerInnen seit Anfang 2020 [a-11261-3 (11263)]

28. Mai 2020

Das vorliegende Dokument beruht auf einer zeitlich begrenzten Recherche in öffentlich zugänglichen Dokumenten, die ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehen sowie gegebenenfalls auf Expertenauskünften, und wurde in Übereinstimmung mit den Standards von ACCORD und den Common EU Guidelines for processing Country of Origin Information (COI) erstellt.

Diese Antwort stellt keine Meinung zum Inhalt eines Ansuchens um Asyl oder anderen internationalen Schutz dar. Alle Übersetzungen stellen Arbeitsübersetzungen dar, für die keine Gewähr übernommen werden kann.

Wir empfehlen, die verwendeten Materialien im Original durchzusehen. Originaldokumente, die nicht kostenfrei oder online abrufbar sind, können bei ACCORD eingesehen oder angefordert werden.

Informationen zum äthiopischen Asylverfahren

Die Schweizerische Stiftung Swisspeace, die bewaffnete Konflikte analysiert und Strategien für deren nachhaltige Beilegung entwickelt, veröffentlicht im April 2020 einen Überblick zur Flüchtlingspolitik in Äthiopien. In den Regionen Tigray und Afar betrage die Zahl der insgesamt registrierten Flüchtlinge 139.281 (Stand 31. Dezember 2019). In den vergangenen Jahren sei es im Land zu einer Verschiebung der Flüchtlingspolitik von der Bereitstellung grundlegender Dienste hin zu einem progressiveren und auf Rechten basierenden Modell gekommen. 2017 sei schließlich das umfassende Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework beschlossen worden. Im Jänner 2019 sei das äthiopische Flüchtlingsgesetz abgeändert worden. Im Zuge der Annäherung zwischen Eritrea und Äthiopien komme es auch zu Änderungen hinsichtlich des Schutzes von eritreischen Flüchtlingen. Eritreische Flüchtlinge würden in der Praxis nicht mehr als „prima facie“-Flüchtlinge anerkannt. Bei EritreerInnen müsse nun eine individuelle Bestimmung der Flüchtlingseigenschaft erfolgen. Zudem komme es bei EritreerInnen zur schnelleren Anwendung einer Out-of-Camp-Politik, die es EritreerInnen ermögliche außerhalb von Flüchtlingslagern zu leben, wenn sie über die finanziellen Mittel verfügen würden. In diesem Fall seien sie jedoch nicht mehr zu Hilfsleistungen berechtigt. Im Detail erwähnt der Bericht von Swisspeace weiters:

„Refugee Policy in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a long history of hosting refugees. According to UNHCR, Ethiopia is currently sheltering 748,448 registered refugees and asylum seekers (as of 29 February 2020). The regions Tigray and Afar host 139,281 registered Eritrean refugees (as of 31 December 2019). The country acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and has ratified the Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. Moreover, Ethiopia has maintained an open door policy for people seeking asylum in the country, allowing humanitarian access and protection to refugees. In recent years, the country has seen its refugee policy move from basic service provision to a more progressive and rights-based model. The development towards more progressive refugee policies ended in the adoption of a landmark framework on refugees in 2017: the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework […] In January 2019, the national refugee proclamation was revised which is expected to enable refugees to become more independent, better protected and have greater access to local solutions, making it one of the most progressive in Africa. Counter to this trend, policies that were in place to protect Eritrean refugees are currently undergoing changes, most likely because of the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. There have been shifts in practice to no longer recognize Eritreans as prima facie refugees. Consequently, Eritreans have to undergo individual refugee status determination. Further, there seems to be a faster process in place for Eritrean refugees to make use of the ‘Out of Camp Policy’, which allows Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia to live outside of camps, if they have the financial means. Once they are living outside of a camp, they are no longer eligible for refugee assistance. While some refugees might welcome this as an opportunity to move on to other areas of Ethiopia soon after arrival, it must be understood within the broader context of the peace deal with Eritrea. Given Eritrea’s interest in reducing the number of Eritrean refugees to Ethiopia, the timing of the change in policy raises questions about the motivations behind it and whether it is part of a political move to please the Eritrean regime by reducing the numbers of Eritrean refugees in the border area. Finally, this month several Ethiopian newspapers announced the shutdown of the Hitsats camp, one of the four Eritrean refugee camps in northern Ethiopia, leaving about 18’000 Eritrean refugees with an uncertain future. These recent developments have created insecurity and challenges for refugee protection. Yet, given the peace declaration between Eritrea and Ethiopia it does not come as a surprise that some measures, such as the refugee status determination, are being introduced. However, a cause for concern is that measures might be put in place to actively reduce the attractiveness of the Tigray/Afar region for Eritrean refugees, impacting on their ability to get protection. […]

Second, the opening of the border actually led to a subsequent complete closure of the border from the Eritrean side. Legal border crossing is no longer possible. In addition, today there are fewer entry points for Eritrean refugees to register themselves in Ethiopia than before. This, together with the change in prima facie refugee status recognition, has made it more difficult for Eritreans to seek refuge in Ethiopia.” (Swisspeace, April 2020)

Das UNO-Flüchtlingshochkommissariat (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR) schreibt in einem Überblick zu Äthiopien, dass das Land eine lange Geschichte der Aufnahme von Flüchtlingen habe. 2004 sei ein Flüchtlingsgesetz auf Grundlage internationaler Konventionen verabschiedet worden. Äthiopien biete Flüchtlingen aus 19 Staaten Schutz:

„Ethiopia has a long standing history of hosting refugees. The country maintains an open door policy for refugee inflows into the country and allows humanitarian access and protection to those seeking asylum on its territory. In 2004, a national Refugee Proclamation was enacted based on the international and regional refugee conventions to which Ethiopia is a party (1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and its 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention). Continued insecurity within neighbouring states has resulted in sustained refugee movements, either directly as a result of internal conflict and human rights abuses or as a result of conflict related to competition for scare natural resources and drought related food insecurity. Ethiopia provides protection to refugees from some 19 countries.“ (UNHCR, ohne Datum)

Das US-Außenministerium (US Department of State, USDOS) erwähnt in seinem Länderbericht vom März 2020 (Berichtszeitraum 2019), dass rechtlich die Gewährung von Asyl oder Flüchtlingsstatus vorgesehen sei. Die Regierung wende zur Bereitstellung von Diensten und Schutz für Flüchtlinge ein System zur Bestimmung der Flüchtlingseigenschaft an. Das USDOS erwähnt ebenfalls die Verabschiedung des neuen Flüchtlingsgesetzes im Jänner 2019 und die Möglichkeit für eritreische Flüchtlinge, unter bestimmten Auflagen außerhalb von Flüchtlingslagern zu leben:

„Protection of Refugees

As of July the country hosted 655,105 refugees. Major countries of origin were South Sudan (303,733), Somalia (175,961), Eritrea (100,566), and Sudan (50,777).

Access to Asylum: The law provides for the granting of asylum or refugee status, and the government used a refugee-status-determination system for providing services and protection to refugees.

Employment: On January 17, parliament passed a law greatly expanding the rights of refugees hosted in the country. The Refugee Proclamation grants refugees the right to work, access primary education and financial institutions, obtain drivers’ licenses, and register births, marriages, and deaths. The law provides neither guidance on how the right to work will be implemented in practice, nor who will be eligible.

Durable Solutions: The government welcomed refugees to settle in the country but did not offer a path to citizenship or provide integration. Eritrean refugees were the exception, as they are eligible for out-of-camp status if they are sponsored by an Ethiopian citizen to leave the refugee camp. Refugee students who passed the required tests could attend university with fees paid by the government and UNHCR. In June UNHCR, UNICEF, the Ethiopian Vital Events Registration Agency, and the Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) opened the first one-stop-shop in the Bambasi Refugee Camp in Benishangul-Gumuz for refugees to register births, marriages, divorces, and deaths and receive protection referrals and civil documentation in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.

In July UNHCR and ARRA completed a comprehensive Level 3 registration exercise for refugees in the country. The number of recorded refugees decreased as a result from 905,831 to 655,105. Registration was available in Addis Ababa and in all 26 refugee camps. The reasons for the decrease in registered refugees included nomadic lifestyles so they were not present in the camps, removal of double-counted refugees or citizens who registered as refugees during an influx, and some spontaneous returns to South Sudan.” (USDOS, 11. März 2020, Section 2f)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) schreibt im April 2020, dass sich EritreerInnen nach dem Grenzübertritt bei Sammelstellen („collection centers“) der äthiopischen Flüchtlingsbehörde registrieren müssten. Nach der Registrierung würden viele in eines der sechs Flüchtlingslager in der Region Tigray gehen. Ein kleinerer Teil der Flüchtlinge lebe in städtischen Gebieten. Mit dem offiziellen Flüchtlingsstatus seien Eritreer berechtigt Leistungen und Schutz zu bekommen:

„To apply for asylum and gain official refugee status, Eritreans need to register with Ethiopia’s refugee agency at ‘collection centers’ when they cross the border. After registration, many then move into 1 of 6 refugee camps, 4 in the Tigray region. A smaller number live as urban refugees. With official refugee status, Eritreans are eligible for services and protection. […] In January 2019, Ethiopia’s parliament adopted progressive revisions to its refugee law that allow refugees and asylum seekers to obtain work permits and access primary education, receiving significant international acclaim.” (HRW, 21. April 2020)

Die Website der oben genannten äthiopischen Behörde für die Angelegenheiten von Flüchtlingen und RückkehrerInnen findet sich unter folgendem Link:

·      ARRA - Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs: Website, ohne Datum
https://arra.et/

 

Weitere allgemeine Informationen zur Lage von eritreischen Flüchtlingen in Äthiopien entnehmen Sie bitte folgenden Dokumenten:

·      The Africa Report: Eritrean refugees: Still caught in a game of “political football”, 15. Mai 2020
https://www.theafricareport.com/28085/eritrean-refugees-still-caught-in-a-game-of-political-football/

·      ODI - Overseas Development Institute: The Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, Progress in Ethiopia, September 2019
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/resource-documents/12941.pdf

·      The New Humanitarian: Eritrean refugees defy border closures only to find hardship in Ethiopia, 21. Oktober 2019
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2019/10/21/Eritrean-refugees-Ethiopia-border-closures

Gesetzliche Regelungen

Im Jänner 2019 berichtet UNHCR unter anderem, dass das äthiopische Parlament das Flüchtlingsgesetz aus dem Jahr 2004 abgeändert habe. Das neue Gesetz erlaube Flüchtlingen nun eine Arbeitserlaubnis zu erhalten, den Zugang zu Grundschulbildung, den Erhalt von Führerscheinen, die Registrierung von Ereignissen wie Geburten und Eheschließungen und Zugang zu Finanzdiensten:

„UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes Ethiopia’s historic new refugee law which will now allow refugees to obtain work permits, access primary education, obtain drivers’ licenses, legally register life events such as births and marriages and open up access to national financial services, such as banking. Ethiopia’s parliament adopted revisions in its existing refugee law on Thursday (17 January 2019), making it one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa. […] UNHCR was involved in the drafting process of the refugee law revision, which was led by Ethiopia’s Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs, ARRA. It replaces the 2004 Refugee Proclamation which also upheld the key principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention as well as the 1969 OAU Convention, which restricted some refugee rights, like freedom of movement and access to education, and made no mention of integration.” (UNHCR, 18. Jänner 2019)

Die im Februar 2019 veröffentlichte Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019 findet sich unter folgendem Link:

·      Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019
https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/68964

 

Ein von der School of Law der Universität Addis Ababa im Jahr 2017 veröffentlichter Bericht beschreibt die rechtlichen Instrumente, die sich in Äthiopien auf Flüchtlinge beziehen. Der noch vor der Verabschiedung des neuen Flüchtlingsgesetzes veröffentlichte Bericht erwähnt etwa die Proclamation No. 409/2004, die Immigration Proclamation No. 354/2002 und die Immigration and Refugee Affair Authority Establishment Proclamation No. 6/1995:

„Various legal instruments deal with refugee issues in Ethiopia. The FDRE [Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia] Constitution is one. Other international instruments Ethiopia ratified also deal with refugee issues. Other specific refugee laws are also issued by Ethiopia. The main national instrument concerning refugee is Proclamation no 409/2004, which adopted many of the provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU [Organization of African Unity] Refugee Convention. Moreover, Immigration Proclamation No 354/2002 and Security, Immigration and Refugee Affair Authority Establishment Proclamation No 6/1995 may also constitute as additional national instruments to understand how the refugee situation in Ethiopia is handled. Except few differences and reservations, the Ethiopian refugee laws adopt the provisions of the international instruments.“ (School of Law - Addis Ababa University, 2017, S. 15)

Folgende Dokumente enthalten weitere Informationen zum 2019 abgeänderten äthiopischen Flüchtlingsgesetz:

·      Abyssinia Law: Refugee proclamation No. 1110/2019: The right to work of refugees, is it possible to implement?, 7. April 2020
https://www.abyssinialaw.com/blog-posts/item/1923-refugee-proclamation-no-1110-2019-the-right-to-work-of-refugees-is-it-possible-to-implement

·      Africa Portal: IN DEPTH: Unpacking Ethiopia's revised refugee law, 13. Februar 2019
https://www.africaportal.org/features/depth-unpacking-ethiopias-revised-refugee-law/

·      UNHCR – UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Additional provisions within the revised national refugee law in Ethiopia, Februar 2019
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/68014.pdf

Sonderregelungen für Minderjährige im äthiopischen Asylverfahren

Die Artikel 15, 16, 17, 19 und 38 der Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019 vom Februar 2019 enthalten Bestimmungen zu Kindern bzw. Minderjährigen. Ein unbegleitetes oder getrenntes Kind könne individuell oder Mittels seines Vormunds einen Antrag auf Flüchtlingsstatus stellen. Bei der Entscheidung über Asylanträge eines Minderjährigen soll vorrangig das Kindeswohl bedacht werden. Auch bei der Entscheidung über einen Berufungsantrag eines Minderjährigen solle vorrangig das Kindeswohl bedacht werden. Kindern von anerkannten Flüchtlingen sowie Asylwerbern sollen die in bestimmten Gesetzen enthaltenen Rechte und der Schutz zuteil werden. Es sollen besondere Maßnahmen ergriffen werden, um sie vor Missbrauch, Vernachlässigung, Ausbeutung und Menschenhandel zu schützen:

„5/ An application for refugee status made in accordance with Sub-Article (1) of this Article is deemed to have been made on behalf of all members of the family of the applicant except where individual members of the family choose to submit behalf separate application. An unaccompanied or separated child may, individually, or through his guardian, lodge an application for refugee status.“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 15, Abschnitt 5)

„2/ In deciding asylum applications, the Agency shall: […]

e) take into primary consideration the best interests of the child when examining and making decision on the application of a minor for refugee status.“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 16, Abschnitt 2e)

„38. Special Protection to Persons who are vulnerable The Agency shall ensure that: […]

2/ recognized refugee and asylum-seeker children shall enjoy the rights and protections enshrined under relevant laws in particular; specific measures are taken to protect them from abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking.“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 38, Abschnitt 2)

„17. Establishment of the Appeal Hearing Council An Appeal Hearing Council (herein after referred to as the ‘Council’) that reviews the decision of the Agency in relation to recognition of refugee is hereby established under this Proclamation.“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 17)

„1/ The Council shall within ninety days decide on appeals submitted to it in accordance with this Proclamation. 2/ In the exercise of its function, the Council shall: […]

c) take into primary consideration the best interests of the child when reviewing the appeal petition of minors.“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 19)

Ausstellung von Dokumenten, insbesondere von Reiseausweisen

 

Artikel 32 der Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019 vom Februar 2019 enthält Bestimmungen zur Ausstellung von Identitätsdokumenten und Reisedokumenten. Jedem anerkannten Flüchtling oder Asylbewerber soll ein Identitätsnachweis ausgestellt werden. Jeder anerkannte Flüchtling oder Asylbewerber soll auf schriftlichen Antrag zu einem Reisedokument berechtigt sein, um aus Äthiopien auszureisen. Die Vorbereitung, Gültigkeit und Ausstellung von Reisedokumenten für Flüchtlinge, sowie weitere relevante Details sollen in Abstimmung mit den Einwanderungsgesetzen und anwendbaren internationalen Instrumenten erfolgen:

„32. Identity Paper and Travel Document

1/ Every recognized refugee or asylum-seeker shall be issued with identity paper attesting to his identity.

2/ Every recognized refugee or asylum-seeker shall be entitled to a travel document for the purpose of travel outside Ethiopia up on written application to the Service.

3/ The preparation, validity and issuance of refugee travel documents as well as other relevant details thereto of recognized refugees and asylum- seekers shall be determined in accordance with immigration laws as well as applicable international instruments.” (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 32)

Artikel 46 der Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019 vom Februar 2019 zufolge kann der Ministerrat Verordnungen zur Implementation des Flüchtlingsgesetzes erlassen. Die Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affair kann zudem detaillierte Direktiven zur Umsetzung der Proklamation veröffentlichen:

„46. Power to Issue Regulations and Directives

1/ The Council of Ministers may issue Regulations for the proper implementation of this Proclamation.

2/ The Agency [Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affair] may issue detailed Directives necessary for the implementation of this Proclamation and Regulations issued under this Proclamation“ (Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019, Artikel 46)

Die kanadische Einwanderungsbehörde (Immigration and Refugee Board, IRB) erwähnt in einer Anfragebeantwortung vom Jänner 2017 die „Directive Issued to Determine the Residence Status of Eritrean Nationals Residing in Ethiopia“ vom Jänner 2004, die die Ausstellung von Reisedokumenten für eritreische Personen in Äthiopien vorsehe. Zudem erwähnt die Anfragebeantwortung die Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004:

„5. Residency and Travel Documents Issued to Eritrean Nationals

The 2004 Directive Issued to Determine the Residence Status of Eritrean Nationals Residing in Ethiopia states the following: 6. Residence Permit and Travel Document 6.1. An Eritrean person residing in Ethiopia will be granted permanent residence permit in accordance with the Immigration Proclamation. 6.2. Having the permanent residence permit, if he or she is unable to obtain a travel document from his or her country, he or she may be issued a foreigner passport for the purpose of travel. 7. Cancellation of Residence Permit 7.1. Residence permit may be cancelled for the following reasons: Where the residence permit was acquired by submitting fraudulent information; Where the bearer of the residence permit is found to be an undesirable foreigner. 7.2. In addition to the reasons mentioned under Article 7.1., if he or she resided continuously for more than a year outside Ethiopia. 7.3. Returning Residence Permit An Eritrean who has been issued a residence permit and who leaves Ethiopia permanently shall return the residence permit to the Authority. (Ethiopia 2004a) Further details concerning the registration of foreigners and the issuance of residence permits can be found in Part Five of the Council of Ministers Regulations on Immigration, Regulations No. 114/2004 (Ethiopia 2004b). The Regulations are attached to this Response (Attachment 2). Article 7 of the Regulations also states that ‘[a]n alien passport shall be issued to a resident foreigner who is unable to obtain his national travel document or who is stateless’ (ibid.). The same source adds that applications for the issuance of an Alien Passport shall be done through the Security, Immigration and Refugee Affairs Authority (ibid., art. 22 (3)). Information on the requirements and procedures for Eritrean nationals residing in Ethiopia to obtain and renew resident and travel documents could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.” (IRB, 27. Jänner 2017)

Die Direktive vom Jänner 2004 ist unter folgendem Link abrufbar:

·      Directive Issued to Determine the Residence Status of Eritrean Nationals Residing in Ethiopia, Jänner 2004
https://www.refworld.org/docid/48abd56c0.html

 

Die Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004 vom Oktober 2004 findet sich unter folgendem Link:

·      Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004, 20. Oktober 2004
https://www.refworld.org/docid/5cb735504.html

 

Artikel 7, 9 und 10 der Regulation No. 114/2004 sehen die Ausstellung von Reisepässen für Fremde („Alien Passport“), eines Notfallreisedokument („Emergency Travel Document“) und von Reisedokumenten für Flüchtlinge („Refugee Travel Document“) vor (Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004, 20. Oktober 2004, Artikel 7 und 10).

 

Das Zentrum für Länderinformationen der schwedischen Einwanderungsbehörde Migrationsverket (Lifos) veröffentlicht auf seiner Website ein von der Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs und dem Migrationsministerium vorbereitetes Dokument vom Juni 2017, das Voraussetzungen für die Beantragung eines Notfallreisedokuments („Ethiopian Emergency Travel Document“, ETD) enthält:

·      Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs / Ministry of Migration: Requirements and procedures for applying for an Ethiopian Emergency Travel Document (ETD), 22. Juni 2017
https://lifos.migrationsverket.se/dokument?documentAttachmentId=45002

 

Es konnten keine aktuellen Informationen zur Gültigkeit der oben genannten Gesetze sowie zu aktuelleren Verordnungen und Direktiven betreffend Flüchtlinge gefunden werden.

Ausstellung weiterer Dokumente für Flüchtlinge

UNHCR berichtet im November 2017, dass Flüchtlinge in Äthiopien nun erstmals Geburts-, Todes- und Heiratsurkunden erhalten könnten:

„Refugees can now receive birth, death and marriage certificates, a historic first that will give them better access to services.“ (UNHCR, 3. November 2017)

Auch das niederländische Außenministerium berichtet in seinem Länderbericht zu Äthiopien vom Juli 2018, dass alle Flüchtlinge im Land seit 27. Oktober 2017 wichtige Lebensereignisse wie Geburt, Tod, Heirat und Scheidung direkt bei den nationalen Behörden registrieren lassen könnten. In den 26 Flüchtlingslagern und neun urbanen Gebieten mit einer hohen Flüchtlingskonzentration seien Standesämter eingerichtet worden. Das neue System ermögliche es siebzigtausend Flüchtlingskindern, die in den letzten zehn Jahren in Äthiopien geboren und deren Geburt noch nicht registriert worden sei, eine Geburtsurkunde zu erhalten. Es sei das Ziel bis Ende 2018 alle Flüchtlinge im Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) zu registrieren (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2. Juli 2018, S. 88-89).

 

Zur Registrierung im Biometric Identity Management System erwähnt UNHCR im Jänner 2020, dass der Abgleich der individuellen biometrischen Eigenschaften, Iris-Scan und Fingerabdrücke von Personen im Alter von fünf Jahren oder älter, die Ausgabe von Identifikationsnachweisen für alle Flüchtlinge über 14 Jahre und eines Registrierungsnachweises an jeden Flüchtlingshaushalt ermöglicht habe. UNHCR nennt zudem weitere Details:

„Through comprehensive Level 3 Registration, refugees have been able to record essential information on their educational and professional skills, and details of family members located in other countries against their individual and family profile. The improved data collection system will facilitate access to a greater range of complimentary services and opportunities for all refugees, including the right to live outside of the camp or to advance their education. In some instances, the data will be important in the reunification of family members abroad, while allowing humanitarian actors to increasingly tailor assistance to the specific needs of refugees. The inclusion of the Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) as part of Level 3 registration has also entailed the integration of new registration equipment country-wide. The collation of individual biometrics; iris scan and fingerprints of individuals aged 5 years old and above, enabled the issuance of individual identification documentation to all refugees over the age of 14, and a proof of registration document to every refugee household. The new documentation has facilitated the pilot issuance of SIM cards and access to bank accounts to refugees, a new entitlement which will be afforded country-wide. The integration of BIMS is also supporting the rollout of the One-Stop-Shop Registration Model in Addis Ababa and all camps country-wide and will conclude in 2020. The Model includes the integration of vital events registration; births, deaths, marriages and divorce; and the establishment of a protection referral pathway to complimentary services provided by a range of partners, in the areas of SGBV, child protection, and in support of persons with specific needs.” (UNHCR, 23. Jänner 2020, S. 15)

Praxisänderung bei Registrierung von EritreerInnen seit Anfang 2020

Im April 2020 erwähnen mehrere Quellen, dass es zu einer Veränderung hinsichtlich der (automatischen) Anerkennung von EritreerInnen als Flüchtlinge gekommen sei. Die Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) habe etwa gegenüber humanitären Partnerorganisationen verlautbart, dass Personen aus dem benachbarten Eritrea nicht mehr „prima facie“-Flüchtlingsstatus angeboten werde. Die äthiopische Regierung habe zudem im Jänner 2020 damit begonnen, bestimmte Kategorien von neuankommenden Personen aus Eritrea von einer Registrierung auszuschließen, darunter unbegleitete Minderjährige:

„Ethiopia has stopped granting automatic asylum to Eritreans entering the country. The United Nations and aid groups say the previously unannounced policy change, which went into place about three months ago, put Eritreans trying to flee the country at the mercy of unscrupulous human smugglers. For years, Ethiopia had an ‘open-door’ policy towards refugees from countries such as South Sudan and Eritrea, earning it widespread acclaim among international donors. But according to the United Nations and humanitarian aid groups, Ethiopia changed its policy in late January without making an official announcement. The government no longer offers automatic asylum for Eritreans trying to flee their home country. The Ethiopian Agency for Refugees and Returnee Affairs told donors and aid groups earlier this month that the previous approach resulted in a ‘high influx of unaccompanied minors, illegal migrants and others who do not fulfill the criteria laid [out] for refugee status determination under the international instruments,’ according to a letter seen by VOA dated April 9.“ (VOA, 22. April 2020)

“In a letter dated April 9, 2020 that was seen by Al Jazeera, ARRA communicated to all humanitarian partners that new arrivals from neighbouring Eritrea would no longer be offered ‘prima facie’ refugee status, revisiting a longstanding policy of automatically granting all Eritrean asylum seekers the right to stay. ‘We will have to narrow down the criteria for accepting Eritrean asylum claims, they have to demonstrate a personal fear of persecution based on political or religious action or association or military position’, Eyob said. ‘Today, the situation is not like before, many people are coming to Ethiopia and going back to Eritrea.’” (Al Jazeera, 19. April 2020)

“(Nairobi) – The Ethiopian government’s changes to asylum procedures for Eritreans undermines their access to asylum and denies unaccompanied children necessary protection. The Ethiopian authorities should ensure that all Eritreans have the right to apply for asylum and publicly announce changes to its asylum and camp management policies. In late January 2020, the Ethiopian government unofficially changed its asylum policy, which for years granted all Eritrean asylum seekers refugee status as a group. Staff from Ethiopia’s Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) have only registered some categories of new arrivals at the Eritrea border, excluding others, notably unaccompanied children, the United Nations and aid groups say. Ethiopia’s refusal to register these asylum seekers could force them to return to abusive situations in violation of international refugee law. ‘Ethiopia has long welcomed tens of thousands of Eritreans fleeing persecution each year,’ said Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa director at Human Rights Watch. ‘With no letup in repression in Eritrea, the Ethiopian government shouldn’t be denying protection to Eritrean nationals, particularly unaccompanied children.’ […]

However, in January 2020, for reasons not made public, the government began to exclude certain categories of new arrivals from Eritrea from registering, including unaccompanied children. […]

However, the authorities have not been registering unaccompanied children since late January, and these children are not entitled to protection services or refugee camp accommodations, leaving them to fend for themselves. An aid worker in the Tigray region said ‘If children are undocumented [i.e. unregistered], they don’t have access to food, shelter, protection, or any psychosocial support. That exposes them to many external risks, including exploitation.’ Under Ethiopia’s 2019 Refugees Proclamation, the government recognizes refugees as people who meet both the 1951 Refugee Convention definition and the definition of the 1969 African Union Refugee Convention, which includes people fleeing ‘events seriously disturbing public order.’ The proclamation states that the government can revoke group refugee determination, in consultation with UNHCR, by giving due consideration to the country of origin situation and publishing a directive. The Ethiopian government does not appear to have followed these guidelines. It has not published a directive to inform new arrivals, refugees, and humanitarian partners, including the UNHCR, of the new criteria for registration, appeal procedures if their claims are denied, alternative legal routes for new arrivals, and reasons for the changes. This uncertainty risks creating significant confusion and fear for Eritrean asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch said.” (HRW, 21. April 2020)

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 28. Mai 2020)

·      Abyssinia Law: Refugee proclamation No. 1110/2019: The right to work of refugees, is it possible to implement?, 7. April 2020
https://www.abyssinialaw.com/blog-posts/item/1923-refugee-proclamation-no-1110-2019-the-right-to-work-of-refugees-is-it-possible-to-implement

·      Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs / Ministry of Migration: Requirements and procedures for applying for an Ethiopian Emergency Travel Document (ETD), 22. Juni 2017
https://lifos.migrationsverket.se/dokument?documentAttachmentId=45002

·      Africa Portal: IN DEPTH: Unpacking Ethiopia's revised refugee law, 13. Februar 2019
https://www.africaportal.org/features/depth-unpacking-ethiopias-revised-refugee-law/

·      Al Jazeera: Ethiopia plans to close Eritrean refugee camp despite concerns, 19. April 2020
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/ethiopia-plans-close-eritrean-refugee-camp-concerns-200417165129036.html

·      ARRA - Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs: Website, ohne Datum
https://arra.et/

·      Directive Issued to Determine the Residence Status of Eritrean Nationals Residing in Ethiopia, Jänner 2004
https://www.refworld.org/docid/48abd56c0.html

·      HRW - Human Rights Watch: Ethiopia: Unaccompanied Eritrean Children at Risk, 21. April 2020
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/21/ethiopia-unaccompanied-eritrean-children-risk

·      Immigration Council of Ministers Regulation No. 114/2004, 20. Oktober 2004
https://www.refworld.org/docid/5cb735504.html

·      IRB - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada: Ethiopia: Information on Eritrean nationals residing in Ethiopia, including residency rights, freedom of movement and access to education, employment and social services; residency documents issued to Eritrean nationals residing in Ethiopia, including appearance, security features, and requirements and procedures for renewal (2015-January 2017), 27. Jänner 2017
https://www.refworld.org/docid/5aa243cc7.html

·      Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Algemeen ambtsbericht Ethiopië, 2. Juli 2018
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1458039/1788_1550675351_0207.pdf

·      ODI - Overseas Development Institute: The Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, Progress in Ethiopia, September 2019
https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/resource-documents/12941.pdf

·      Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019, 27. Februar 2019
https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/68964

·      School of Law - Addis Ababa University: Refugee Protection in Ethiopia (Herausgeber: Yonas Birmeta), 2017
https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/65464

·      Swisspeace: Peace for Whom? The Situation of Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia, April 2020
https://www.swisspeace.ch/apropos/peace-for-whom-the-situation-of-eritrean-refugees-in-ethiopia/

·      The Africa Report: Eritrean refugees: Still caught in a game of “political football”, 15. Mai 2020
https://www.theafricareport.com/28085/eritrean-refugees-still-caught-in-a-game-of-political-football/

·      The New Humanitarian: Eritrean refugees defy border closures only to find hardship in Ethiopia, 21. Oktober 2019
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2019/10/21/Eritrean-refugees-Ethiopia-border-closures

·      UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Ethiopia, Overview, ohne Datum
https://data2.unhcr.org/en/country/eth

·      UNHCR – UN High Commissioner for Refugees: New Ethiopia policy helps refugees legally document life events, 3. November 2017
https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2017/11/59f9f5a84/new-ethiopia-policy-helps-refugees-legally-document-life-events.html

·      UNHCR – UN High Commissioner for Refugees: UNHCR welcomes Ethiopia law granting more rights to refugees, 18. Jänner 2019
https://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2019/1/5c41b1784/unhcr-welcomes-ethiopia-law-granting-rights-refugees.html

·      UNHCR – UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Additional provisions within the revised national refugee law in Ethiopia, Februar 2019
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/68014.pdf

·      UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees: Ethiopia Country Refugee Response Plan 2020-2021, 23. Jänner 2020
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/73571.pdf

·      USDOS – US Department of State: Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2019 - Ethiopia, 11. März 2020
https://www.ecoi.net/de/dokument/2026381.html

·      VOA - Voice of America: Ethiopia Ends Blanket Protection for Eritrean Refugees, 22. April 2020
https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-ends-blanket-protection-eritrean-refugees