1. The revised EU Reception Conditions Directive WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION CONDITIONS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS?

2. What’s new?  Asylum seekers should be ensured humane material reception conditions and full respect of their fundamental rights.  Detention to be applied as a measure of last resort.

3. Provisions relating to FGM Introduction of gender-specific reception conditions.  The special needs of all vulnerable female applicants should be identified in a timely manner.  Victims of serious acts of violence should have access to rehabilitation services to obtain psychological and medical support.  Accommodation facilities should be gender-sensitive.

4. Victims of FGM as vulnerable persons  FGM victims expressly recognised as a vulnerable group.  Should be identified promptly after their application is made to ensure proper housing, psychological and medical care and support for their procedural needs throughout the asylum procedure.

5. Adapted material reception conditions  Gender and age-specific concerns as well as the situation of vulnerable persons must be considered when providing accommodation in border and transit zones and in reception centres.  Reception conditions should avoid re-traumatisation through the placement of applicants of opposite genders together or unaccompanied children with adults.

6. Best interests of the child  The best interest of the child is a primary consideration.  This includes ensuring a standard of living adequate for a child’s wellbeing.  Girls’ best interests, including the right to family unity, must therefore be prioritised.

7. Proper training of staff  Staff working in reception facilities must be properly trained to accompany vulnerable applicants such as victims of sexual violence.  Reception authorities should be gender-sensitive, and have received training on the needs of both male and female applicants.

8. Detention of vulnerable persons  All applicants in detention to be treated with full respect for human dignity.  The detention of vulnerable persons requires regular monitoring and adequate support taking into account their situation, including health.  Female applicants should be accommodated separately from male ones, unless they are family members and the female applicant gives her consent.  Children to only be detained as a measure of last resort, with their best interests as a primary consideration. Unaccompanied minors to only be detained in exceptional circumstances, separately from adults, and never in prison accommodation.

9. Healthcare provision  All applicants should receive the necessary health care, including at least emergency care and essential treatment of illnesses and serious mental disorders.  Applicants with special reception needs to receive necessary medical assistance, including appropriate mental health care where needed.  Persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious acts of violence must be ensured the necessary treatment for the damage caused, such as access to appropriate medical and psychological treatment or care.

10. Exercise Design an advocacy strategy for lobbying your government to improve reception conditions for asylum seekers in your country.