UNHCR Protection Training Manual for European Border and Entry Officials

A Spanish coast guard vessel intercepts a fishing boat laden with migrants.

© UNHCR/A.Rodríguez

This training manual is designed to facilitate the training of European Union border and entry officials on the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers in the context of mixed migration movements. It will be used by personnel of European border authorities and Frontex, as well as UNHCR staff and national partners, including non-governmental organizations.

The manual has been developed in connection with UNHCR's 10-Point Plan of Action, which was launched in 2006 to help governments identify and protect refugees within increasingly complex population flows.

The Plan devotes a chapter to the development of protection-sensitive entry systems that are considerate of people's needs and of states' obligations to respect their rights under international human rights and refugee legislation. The main purpose of the manual is to build the capacity of European border and entry officials to establish such systems in border areas.

UNHCR Protection Training Manual for European Border and Entry Officials

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• Introduction
  • Introduction
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - UNHCR's 10-Point Plan of Action
    • Annex 2 - Participation: Group Facilitation Methods that Work
    • Annex 3 - OSCE – Training Guide for Anti-Trafficking Trainers
      • OSCE-Participant Handouts on Practical Cases and Role Play
      • OSCE-Participant Notes on Practical Cases and Role Play
      • OSCE-Police Communication Skills-Participant Handouts
      • OSCE-Police Communication Skills-Participant Notes
      • OSCE-Police Communication Skills-Trainer Notes
      • OSCE-Trainer Notes on Feedback
      • OSCE-Trainer Notes on Practical Cases and Role Play
• 1. Europe: a Region of Migration and Protection
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Europe as a Region of Migration and Protection
    • Annex 2 - UNHCR's 10-Point Plan of Action
    • Annex 3 - Schengen Borders Code
    • Annex 4 - EC Policy Plan on Asylum
    • Annex 5 - EC Common Immigration Policy for Europe: Principles, Actions and Tools
    • Annex 6 - Beyond the Nexus: UNHCR's Evolving Perspective on Refugee Protection and International Migration
    • Annex 7 - UNHCR's Response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the Future Common European Asylum System
    • Annex 8 - Council Regulation Establishing a Mechanism for the Creation of Rapid Border Intervention Teams
    • Annex 9 - UNHCR's Activities in relation to the Asylum-Migration Nexus
    • Annex 10 - Reinforcing the Management of the European Union's Southern Maritime Borders
    • Annex 11 - EC Policy Priorities in the Fight against Illegal Immigration of Third-Country Nationals
    • Annex 12 - Human rights of irregular migrants
    • Annex 13 - Schengen Borders Code
    • Annex 14 - The Hague Programme: Strengthening Freedom, Security and Justice in the European Union
    • Annex 15 - Council Regulation Establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union
    • Annex 16 - Council Directive on the Residence Permit Issued to Third-Country Nationals Who Are Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings or who Have Been the Subject of an Action to Facilitate Illegal Immigration, who Cooperate with the Competent Authorities
    • Annex 17 - Council Regulation on the Creation of an Immigration Liaison Officers Network
    • Annex 18 - Council Directive concerning the Status of Third-Country Nationals who Are Long-Term Residents
    • Annex 19 - Council Directive on the Right to Family Reunification
    • Annex 20 - Council Regulation on the Issue of Visas at the Border
    • Annex 21 - Council Directive Defining the Facilitation of Unauthorised Entry, Transit and Residence
    • Annex 22 - Council Directive Supplementing the Provisions of Article 26 of the Convention Implementing the Shengen Agreement
    • Annex 23 - Council Regulation Listing the Third Countries whose Nationals Must Be in Possession of Visas when Crossing the External Borders and Those whose Nationals Are Exempt from that Requirement
    • Annex 24 - Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement
    • Annex 25 - The Stockholm Programme - an Open and Secure Europe Serving and Protecting Citizens
• 2. The Legal Framework
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol
    • Annex 2 - Palermo Trafficking Protocol
    • Annex 3 - Palermo Smuggling Protocol
    • Annex 4 - Convention for the Protection of Human Rights
    • Annex 5 - Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    • Annex 6 - Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
    • Annex 7 - Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
    • Annex 8 - Instructions for the Quiz
    • Annex 9 - Questions for the Quiz & Notes for Facilitator
    • Annex 10 - Quakification Directive
    • Annex 11 - UNHCR's Revised Guidelines on Applicable Criteria and Standards Relating to the Detention of Asylum-Seekers
    • Annex 12 - UNHCR's ExCom Conclusion n° 58
    • Annex 13 - UNHCR's Excom Conclusion n° 15
    • Annex 14 - UNHCR's Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status
    • Annex 15 - Cartagena Declaration on Refugees
    • Annex 16 - OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa
• 3. Who is a Refugee?
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Understanding the Refugee Definition
    • Annex 2 - Key Messages: Who is a Refugee
    • Annex 3 - Interpreting in a Refugee Context
    • Annex 4 - Council Directive on Minimum Standards on Procedures in Member States for Granting and Withdrawing Refugee Status
    • Annex 5 - Refugee Status Determination
    • Annex 6 - Providing International Protection Including through Complementary Forms of Protection
    • Annex 7 - Qualification Directive
    • Annex 8 - Procedural Standards for Refugee Status Determination under UNHCR's Mandate
    • Annex 9 - Council Directive on Minimum Standards for Giving Temporary Protection
    • Annex 10 - UNHCR 1993 Note on International Protection
    • Annex 11 - UNHCR's Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status
    • Annex 12 - Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
    • Annex 13 - 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol
    • Annex 14 - Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• 4. Identifying Protection Needs in Group Arrivals
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Simulation Instructions for Participants
    • Annex 2 - Individual Case Cards
    • Annex 3 - Daily Incident Sheet
    • Annex 4 - The Impact of Working in a Border Control Environment
    • Annex 5 - Simulation Exercise: Key Protection Messages
    • Annex 6 - Best Interests of the Child
    • Annex 7 - UNHCR's 10-Point Plan of Action
    • Annex 8 - Implementing the Ten-Point Plan of Action in Southern Europe
    • Annex 9 - The State of the World's Refugees 2006
    • Annex 10 - UNICEF Reference Guide on Protecting the Rights of Children Victims of Trafficking in Europe
    • Annex 11 - Shengen Borders Code
    • Annex 12 - Asylum Procedures Directive
    • Annex 13 - Separated Children in Europe Programme: Statement of Good Practice
    • Annex 14 - Reception Conditions Directive
    • Annex 15 - Policy Dysfunction in Humanitarian Organizations
    • Annex 16 - Can Humanitarian Work with Refugees be Humane?
    • Annex 17 - Convention on the Rights of the Child
• 5. Ethics and Communication at Border Points
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Fishbowl Case Study Khadija
    • Annex 2 - Fishbowl Case Study Rashid
    • Annex 3 - Ethics and Communication at the Border
    • Annex 4 - Communicating with Asylum-Seekers - Checklist for Border Officials
    • Annex 5 - Interpreting in a Refugee Context
    • Annex 6 - Remote Controls: How UK Border Controls Are Endangering the Lives of Refugees
    • Annex 7 - Access to Protection at Airports in Europe
    • Annex 8 - Services at Borders: A Practical Co-operation
    • Annex 9 - Border Management and Gender
    • Annex 10 - UNICEF Guidelines on the Protection of Child Victims of Trafficking
    • Annex 11 - DCAF Borders and security governance
    • Annex 12 - Resource Book for Law Enforcement Officers on Good Practices in Combating Child Trafficking
    • Annex 13 - Separated Children in Europe Programme, Statement of Good Practice
    • Annex 14 - National Referral Mechanisms: Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons - A Practical Handbook
    • Annex 15 - WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women
    • Annex 16 - Interviewing Applicants for Refugee Status
• 6. The Treatment of Persons Rescued at Sea
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Communication from ship captain to the Regional Coordination Centre
    • Annex 2 - Rescue at Sea:
    • Annex 3 - The Treatment of Persons Rescued at Sea: Conclusions and Recommendations from Recent Meetings and Expert Roundtables Convened by UNHCR
    • Annex 4 - Advisory Opinion on the Extraterritorial Application of Non-Refoulement Obligations under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol
    • Annex 5 - Selected Reference Materials: Rescue at Sea, Maritime Interception and Stowaways
    • Annex 6 - Rescue at Sea: Specific Aspects Relating to the Protection of Asylum-Seekers and Refugees
• 7. The Return of Persons Not in Need of International Protection
  • Manual
  • Annexes
    • Annex 1 - Aspects of a Return Process that May Be Relevant in the Context of Border Guards Responsibilities
    • Annex 2 - The Return of Persons who Have Been Found not to Be in Need of International Protection
    • Annex 3 - Migration-Related Detention
    • Annex 4 - Detention of Asylum-Seekers and Refugees by Reason of their Unauthorised Entry or Presence
    • Annex 5 - Being a Refugee: Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming Report 2007
    • Annex 6 - Alternatives to Detention of Asylum-Seekers and Refugees
    • Annex 7 - Reception Conditions Directive
    • Annex 8 - Remote Controls: How UK Border Controls Are Endangering the Lives of Refugees
    • Annex 9 - Returns Directive
    • Annex 10 - UNHCR Position on the Proposal for a Directive on Common Standards and Procedures in Member States for Returning Illegally Staying Third-Country Nationals
    • Annex 11 - The Removal of Failed Asylum-Seekers: International Norms and Procedures
    • Annex 12 - The Return of Asylum Seekers whose Applications Have Been Rejected in Europe
    • Annex 13 - Council of Europe: Twenty Guidelines on forced return
    • Annex 14 - Convention on the Rights of the Child: General Comment n° 6 (2005): Treatment of Unaccompanied and Separated Children outside their Country of Origin
    • Annex 15 - UNHCR ExCom Conclusion on the Return of Persons Found not to Be in Need of International Protection
    • Annex 16 - ECRE Position on Return
    • Annex 17 - Legal and Practical Aspects of the Return of Persons not in Need of International Protection
    • Annex 18 - The Return and Reintegration of Rejected Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants
• Conclusions
• List of background documents