Hearing and decision
Asylum applicants give an account of their persecution during a hearing. The hearing forms the basis for the decision as to whether asylum can be granted. A crucial factor is always the individual's personal story.
People applying for asylum are invited to a legally prescribed hearing at which they must appear in person. The hearing is not held in public. A decision-maker from the Federal Office is present and also an interpreter. The applicant for asylum must give an account of why he is being persecuted and specify the facts of his persecution. If possible, he should provide means of evidence. A record of the hearing will be produced. The applicant will receive a written copy of the record, having previously been given a verbal translation.
An individual's personal story is the determining factor
The decision to grant asylum always depends on the individual's personal story. The decision made is based on the overall picture, taking all the relevant findings into consideration. The crucial elements in this are the hearing and the additional enquiries that have been carried out, if necessary. In addition, the decision-maker makes use of the Federal Office's Asylum and Migration Information Centre and its database.
Country information as an aid to decision making
In addition to information about previous legal decisions, the database contains extensive information about all countries of origin. These details include information and status reports from the Federal Foreign Office, information from the refugee agency UNHCR and from Amnesty International. Reports from academic institutions, press articles and specialist literature are also included in the database.
Ruling on the asylum application
The decision on the asylum application is delivered to the applicant in writing. The letter contains a ruling and an instruction concerning legal help. In the event that asylum is not granted, the letter will contain a demand to leave the country and a deportation order. If the applicant is not represented by an authorised representative, a translation is included with the letter. It includes the decision as to whether the application has been accepted and the instruction about legal help. The translation is provided in a language that the asylum applicant can be expected to understand.
