Reminder: the importance of EU law

1. Working on the improvement of the “Common European Asylum System”An ILGA-Europe perspectiveJoël Le Déroff – Policy & Programmes Officer – 28 October 2011

2. Reminder: the importance of EU law

3. 1. A successful lobbying strategy The qualification directive – first EU directive to explicitly mention « gender identity » Recital 29: Article 10 (d):

4. 1. A successful lobbying strategy • A strategy for the European Parliament to introduce amendments • Using the Parliament’s political influence in negotiating with the Council of the EU (Member States) • A strategy to engage with Member States in Brussels (permanent representations) • Finding champions among Member States to take the lead and avoid misunderstandings…

5. 2. More efforts needed The procedure directive and the reception conditions directive • Better address training issues within asylum authorities, and consultation of competent experts (procedure directive) • Address the situation of LGBTI asylum seekers, including prevention of violence (reception conditions directive) • Provide the two directives with a consistent identification mechanism/process as regards “special needs” of asylum seekers • Get the Parliament and the Council to work together on these issues

6. 3. Advocacy for best practices dissemination • Some of the missions of the EASO, according to its creating regulation: - “pooling of good practice […] between Member States” - “activities relating to information on countries of origin” - “establish and develop training for members of all national administrations and courts, and national services responsible for asylum matters in the Member States” • A coalition strategy to engage: ILGA-Europe, EWL and END FGM Amnesty International’s “En-gendering” recommendations to the EASO - Dialogue established with the Agency’s director - National stakeholders engaging with management board members

7. Thank you for your attention!