1. RSD Appeal Process

2. Agenda: (2 hrs.) Introductions/Icebreaker (10 min.) Purpose of an Appeal Reasons for Rejection Writing your Appeal Statement Activity: Participant handout (75 min.)

3. Purpose of an Appeal: You have been denied refugee status by the UNHCR because they believe that you do not fit the definition of “refugee” BUT you believe that you do fit the definition of “refugee” so you file an appeal of the UNHCR decision

4. DEADLNE: You MUST complete the “Appeal Application Form” attached to the “Notice of Reasons for Decision” and return it to the UNHCR within 30 days of the date of notification

5. Reasons for Rejection: 1.You are not outside your home country 2.You have more than one nationality and have not shown that none of these countries can protect you 3.You do not need refugee protection because you have the same rights in this country as a national

6. Reasons for Rejection (cont.): 4.The reasons you gave for being afraid to return to your home country are not related to the Convention criteria 5.You did not give sufficiently detailed information to support your claim –Or you did not give a reason why you could not give more detailed information

7. Reasons for Rejection (cont.): 6.UNHCR did not consider your information reliable or credible because: –You gave inconsistent information –You gave information that was inconsistent with other sources of information –You gave information that was not believable

8. Reasons for Rejection (cont.): 7.The harm you fear is not a threat to your life, freedom or fundamental human right 8.The authorities in your home country can protect you 9.You can live in another part of your home country 10.You have committed or contributed to a serious crime that excludes you from refugee protection

9. Appeal Statement: Respond directly to specific reasons that the UNHCR gave for denying your application Provide any new information or clarify anything that the UNHCR did not understand or did not consider Explain how all of your information shows that you meet the Convention definition of a refugee