Last Updated: Wednesday, 04 October 2017, 13:19 GMT

Refugee Status Determination

Refworld documents related to the refugee status determination process, including legal, policy and background information. This "Special Feature" on refugee status determination is regularly maintained and contains legal, policy and operational material.

Legal Documents Related to RSD

UNHCR RSD Handbook and Accompanying Guidelines

UNHCR Policy Documents Related to RSD

UNHCR ExCom and Standing Committee

Refugee status determination procedures have long been a topic under discussion both within UNHCR's Executive Committee and in the Standing Committee. Below are some references to key documents.

Documents Related to RSD

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Quality Assurance

International protection for refugees hinges on high quality refugee status determination procedures. UNHCR assists asylum authorities to develop mechanisms to regularly monitor and review asylum decisions and related processes. Such cooperation takes the form of dedicated ‘quality assurance projects’.

RSD Procedural Standards

In 2003, UNHCR published the Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR’s Mandate (RSD Procedural Standards) which set out core standards and best practices to ensure harmonised, efficient and quality UNHCR RSD procedures, including for reception and registration.

Tools and other Useful Documents

Related UNHCR Links

Related Internet Links

COI Forum

    The COI Forum is a free online tool for all COI researchers and users of COI working in refugee status determination to share publications and ideas on COI research and sources, as well as to develop shared resources. It is part of the ecoi.net community platform, and moderated by Asylum Research (ARC) and the Dutch Council for Refugees with support from Still Human Still Here. The COI Forum is open to all organisations and individuals, subject to approval by the COI Forum moderators, but is a confidential private discussion group only for the use of its members. To find out more about the governance of the COI Forum and to register please follow the simple steps explained here. Registration is free.