Handbook on European Law Relating to Asylum, Borders and Immigration
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HANDBOOK Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration © European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2014 Council of Europe, 2014 The manuscript for this Handbook was completed in December 2013. The handbook was first published in four languages in June 2013. This second edition incorporates the changes to the EU asylum acquis published in the summer of 2013. Future updates of this handbook will become available on the FRA webpage at: http://fra.europa.eu/en/theme/asylum-migration-borders and on the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) webpage at: www.echr.coe.int under “Publications”. Reproduction is authorised, except for commercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). Photo credit (cover & inside): © iStockphoto More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2014 ISBN 978-92-871-9958-4 (CoE) ISBN 978-92-9239-361-8 (FRA) doi:10.2811/58828 Printed in Belgium Printed on process chlorine-free recycled paper (PCF) This handbook was drafted in English. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) takes no responsibility for the quality of the translations into other languages. The views expressed in this handbook do not bind the ECtHR. The handbook refers to a selection of commentaries and manuals. The ECtHR takes no responsibility for their content, nor does their inclusion on this list amount to any form of endorsement of these publications. Further publications are listed on the Internet pages of the ECtHR library at: www.echr.coe.int. Handbook on European law relating to asylum, borders and immigration Edition 2014 Foreword In March 2011, as a result of their first joint project, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights and the European Court of Human Rights launched a handbook on European law in the field of non-discrimination. Following the positive feedback received, it was decided to pursue this collaboration in another very topical area where equally there was felt to be a need for a comprehensive guide to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, the Court of Justice of the European Union as well as to relevant EU regulations and directives. The present handbook seeks to provide an overview of the various European standards relevant to asylum, borders and immigration. The handbook is intended for lawyers, judges, prosecutors, border guards, immi- gration officials and others working with national authorities, as well as non- governmental organisations and other bodies that may be confronted with legal questions in any of the areas the handbook sets out to cover. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union became legally binding. The Lisbon Treaty also provides for EU accession to the European Convention on Human Rights, which is legally binding on all member states of the EU and the Council of Europe. Improving the understanding of common principles developed in the case law of the two European courts, and in EU regulations and directives is essential for the proper implementation of relevant standards, thereby ensuring the full respect of funda- mental rights at national level. It is our hope that this handbook will serve to further this important objective. Erik Fribergh Morten Kjaerum Registrar of the European Court of Director of the European Union Agency Human Rights for Fundamental Rights 3 Contents FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 ACRONYMS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK ................................................................................................................................................................ 11 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 The Council of Europe ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15 The European Union ................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU ............................................................................................................ 20 European Union accession to the European Convention on Human Rights .......................... 22 Key points ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 1. ACCESS TO THE TERRITORY AND TO PROCEDURES ............................................................................................ 25 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 1.1. The Schengen visa regime ......................................................................................................................................... 27 1.2. Preventing unauthorised entry ............................................................................................................................. 30 1.3. Entry bans and Schengen alerts ........................................................................................................................... 30 1.4. Border checks ............................................................................................................................................................................. 34 1.5. Transit zones ................................................................................................................................................................................. 34 1.6. Asylum seekers ........................................................................................................................................................................ 35 1.7. Push backs at sea ................................................................................................................................................................... 37 1.8. Remedies ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 Key points ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 2. STATUS AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ........................................................................................................... 41 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 42 2.1. Asylum seekers ........................................................................................................................................................................ 43 2.2. Recognised refugees and those recognised as being in need of subsidiary protection .......................................................................................................................................................... 45 2.3. Victims of trafficking and of particularly exploitative labour conditions ............. 46 2.4. Persons affected by Rule 39 interim measures ................................................................................ 47 2.5. Migrants in an irregular situation ......................................................................................................................... 48 2.6. Long-term residents ........................................................................................................................................................... 51 2.7. Turkish citizens ........................................................................................................................................................................... 52 2.8. Third-country nationals who are family members of EEA or Swiss nationals .......................................................................................................................................................................... 55 2.9. Stateless persons and the loss of citizenship or documentation ................................. 55 Key points ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................