Examination of asylum interview records provides more detailed information on country of origin
By examining the interview records, the Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service is able to gather useful additional information on the situation in the country of origin, for example on the security and human rights situation, to complement the regular sources. Moreover, any information repeated in the records that does not match the country of origin information acquired from other sources can be highlighted.
The European Refugee Fund is providing funding to the Suuntaus development project.
Easier decisions as the goal
The project researchers review the interview records in a systematic manner. This helps the decision-makers to better identify any specific issues in a country, making the interviews and the decision-making process easier.
The purpose is to leverage the information gathered from the records in the development of a system that anticipates the flows of asylum seekers, while also taking into consideration the asylum seeker's special needs during the asylum interview. This also benefits the asylum seeker, as more precise information means faster decisions.
Examined countries among the main countries of origin
Country of origin information will be gathered on at least Russia, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria. They are among the main countries of origin of asylum seekers entering Finland. Country of origin information is also gathered from the records of asylum seekers without a citizenship or an unknown citizenship.
The gathered information is used, for example, in the assessment of the political situation and regions of origin in the countries, and the reasons for seeking asylum.
The examined records are from 2014, and random sampling is used to gather information on all countries. At the end of 2014, the gathered information will be refined into reports divided into different topics. The reports are of a general nature, and will therefore not reveal the identities of the asylum seekers or endanger their legal protection.
Further information
Project Manager Arno Tanner, tel. +358 50 511 2225, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
Country Information Manager Sirpa Ranta, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
What is country of origin information (COI)? |
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The Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service produces country of origin information (COI), especially on countries from which asylum seekers, quota refugees and immigrants come to Finland. Country of origin information refers to information acquired from different sources that is up-to-date and precise concerning the conditions in the country, such as the political or social environment, human rights and security situation, legislation, geography, everyday issues such as the availability of health care or document issuing practices. |
