Introduction and Overview. What is this Document?

How This Document Can be Used to Advance A Gender-Sensitive Asylum Policy in Europe

Conclusions

General Recommendations

Participants in the conference Toward a Gender-Sensitive Asylum Policy in Europe, held in Brussels from 11-12 June 1998, unanimously concurred that there is a need for positive changes in the asylum process to ensure that the rights, contained in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and other international human rights law instruments, are fully respected in relation to women asylum seekers and refugees.

The participants acknowledged that the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol remain the firm and universally accepted basis for the protection of those who have been forced to leave their country owing to serious threats to their fundamental rights and freedoms. The participants agreed that there is a need for the uniform, liberal and flexible application of existing refugee instruments, which takes due account of gender-related persecution, including by non-State agents. Complementary forms of protection should supplement existing refugee instruments and should be reserved for persons, fleeing their countries to escape indiscriminate violence arising in the context of wars and conflicts, who require protection.

The participants welcomed the harmonisation process of the European Union in the area of asylum. In this connection, they expressed their hope that the process would be open and transparent, would take due account of the needs and rights of women asylum seekers and refugees, and will not result in the harmonisation of asylum procedures and standards which constitute the lowest common denominator among State parties.