Personal interview

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File information
Opening the interview
Conducting the interview
Substance of the interview
Closing the interview
Interview record
Indicates required field

File information

Reference

Applicant

Nationality/Ethnicity
Religion
Special needs

Case data

Language of the interview

Assessment

Other

Each indicator can and must be assessed by choosing one of the options: Correct, Minor error, Significant error, Not applicable. Guidance on situations encountered is provided for each indicator. Those situations are not exhaustive nor conclusive.

Opening the interview

1. Previously identified special needs are addressed accordingly.

1.1. Special needs, which have been previously identified, are taken into account when arranging the interview.


For example:

  • appropriate gender of the interviewer and/or interpreter;
  • unaccompanied children have a representative present;
  • practical arrangements are made for persons with disabilities;
  • other relevant procedural guarantees are put in place.

2. The necessary information is provided to the applicant.

2.1. Information on the aim of the interview is provided.
2.2. Information regarding confidentiality is provided.
2.3. Information on the roles of all persons present is provided
2.4. Information on the applicant’s obligation to cooperate is provided.
2.5. Information on breaks and the possibility to ask for breaks is provided.
2.6. Other mandatory information according to national legislation and policy is provided.

3. The understanding between the applicant and the interpreter is ensured.

3.1. The applicant is asked whether they understand the interpreter and vice versa and encouraged to flag if they do not understand a question during the interview or if there are any communication problems.

4. It is ensured that the applicant is fit to be interviewed.

4.1. The applicant is asked to confirm that they are mentally and physically fit to be interviewed.
4.2. The interviewer has effectively picked up on indicators that the interview cannot go ahead.

Conducting the interview

5. The interviewer displays a professional attitude throughout the interview.

5.1. The interviewer appropriately establishes rapport with the applicant.
5.2. The interviewer uses appropriate, sensitive and factual language.
5.3. The interviewer addresses the applicant directly (in second person).

6. The interviewer ensures all persons present act according to their roles and manages the interview effectively.

6.1. The interviewer maintains control of the interview situation throughout the interview.
6.2. If a challenging situation occurs during the interview, it is effectively handled by the interviewer to the extent possible.
6.3. The interviewer ensures that the interpreter acts according to their role and responsibilities.
6.4. The legal representative and/or other persons present are allowed to exercise their rights according to national rules and are authorised to intervene at least at the end of the personal interview.
6.5. Breaks are taken if necessary or requested and appropriate.

7. The interviewer applies the appropriate questioning techniques.

7.1. The applicant is encouraged to provide a free narrative regarding their reasons for applying for international protection.
7.2. Each new focused theme is introduced to the applicant.
7.3. The interviewer uses open and/or closed questions appropriately.
7.4. Questions are adapted to the capabilities, individual circumstances and the profile of the applicant.
7.5. The interviewer avoids unproductive questions.
such as:
  • leading questions
  • multiple choice questions
  • plural questions
  • unnecessarily repetitive questions
  • irrelevant questions

Substance of the interview

8. All material facts are identified and explored sufficiently.

8.1. The identity (including the country of origin) of the applicant is established sufficiently and the personal circumstances are explored sufficiently.
8.2. Past problems and/or threats are explored sufficiently (what, who, when, where, why).
8.3. Future fear is explored.
8.4. The availability of protection in the home area in the country of origin is explored sufficiently.
8.5. The availability of an internal protection alternative is explored sufficiently.

9. Documents and other evidence submitted to support the applicant’s claim are handled appropriately.

9.1. The interviewer explores the relevance and source of any documents or written information submitted to support the applicant’s claim.
9.2. All relevant documentary or other evidence presented by the applicant is added to the file.

10. The applicant is provided with an effective opportunity to address inconsistencies and discrepancies.

10.1. All significant inconsistencies and discrepancies are put to the applicant and they are provided with an opportunity to address them.

11. Where relevant, exclusion considerations are appropriately explored.

11.1. Potential exclusion considerations are correctly identified.
11.2. Potential exclusion considerations are sufficiently explored.

12. Specific policies and guidelines are followed correctly.

12.1. Where applicable, national policy regarding the specific profile of the applicant is followed correctly.
For example: specific profiles could include children, victims of trafficking, potential victims of female genital mutilation, applicants with claims related to sexual orientation and gender identity, etc.
12.2. Where applicable, country-specific guidelines for interviewing are followed correctly.
12.3. Where applicable, policies regarding the application of additional protection grounds are followed correctly.
 (e.g. humanitarian grounds, protection for victims of trafficking according to national legislation and policy) 

Closing the interview

13. The interviewer follows the necessary steps when closing the interview.

13.1. The interviewer confirms whether or not the applicant has understood all questions asked.
13.2. The interviewer asks the applicant whether they want to add anything.
13.3. The interviewer explains the next steps of the asylum procedure clearly.

Interview record

14. Interview transcript/report rules are followed accordingly.

14.1. A thorough and factual report containing all substantive elements or a transcript is made of the personal interview. It contains additional elements if applicable according to national legislation and policy.
14.2. If applicable, an audio or audio-visual recording is made according to national legislation and policy.
14.3. The applicant is provided with an effective opportunity to make comments and/or provide clarification orally and/or in writing with regard to any mistranslations or misconceptions appearing in the interview report/transcript.

Conclusion

To be filled by the quality assessor based on overall observations.

A conclusion on the overall quality, pointing out the identified good practices, weaknesses, and recommendations, how the personal interview could be further improved.

Assessment

This assessment is calculated automatically on the basis of the completed assessment form. Please make sure that you have marked each indicator accordingly.
The overall quality is:

The scale below is applied.

  • High: Under 20% minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.
  • Moderate: 20% or more minor errors and no significant errors from all applicable indicators.
  • Low: One or more significant error.
  • 0
    Total correct
  • 0
    Total minor errors
  • 0
    Total significant errors