Case summaries

CJEU - C-245/11 K v Bundesasylamt
Country of applicant: Unknown

This case concerns the interpretation and application of Article 15 of the Dublin Regulation, commonly known as the humanitarian clause, in a specific set of circumstances where the asylum seeker concerned has a daughter in law who is seriously ill, and on account of cultural factors, at risk or has grandchildren below the age of majority, who, as a result of the daughter-in-law’s illness are in need of care and the asylum seeker concerned is both willing and able to support them. The CJEU held in circumstances such as those Article 15(2) must be interpreted so as to make that Member State responsible for the asylum seekers claim. This is applicable even if the Member State which was responsible pursuant to the criteria laid down in Chapter III of the Regulation did not make that request.

Date of decision: 06-11-2012
Sweden - Migration Court of Appeal, 25 October 2012, UM287-10, MIG 2012:14
Country of applicant: Iraq

An Iraqi man, previously a member of the Ba'ath Party, was granted refugee status. There were not found to be any grounds for exclusion. The man's son was also granted refugee status, with reference to the principle of family unity.

Date of decision: 25-10-2012
ECtHR- Mahmundi and others v. Greece, 14902/10, 24 October 2012
Country of applicant: Afghanistan

The case examined the allegations of five Afghan nationals that their detention conditions in Pagani detention centre were in violation of Article 3 of the Convention, that they did not have access to an effective remedy (Article 13) and that they were deprived of their liberty and security as well as of their right to have the lawfulness of their detention decided speedily by a Court (Article 5 para 4). 

Date of decision: 24-10-2012
ECtHR - Hendrin Ali Said and Aras Ali Said v. Hungary, Application No. 13457/11
Country of applicant: Iraq

The case concerned complaints under Article 5 § 1 by asylum

seekers staying at the Debrecen Reception Centre for Refugees (Hungary) about the unlawfulness of their detention – without effective judicial review – pending the outcome of their asylum claims.

Date of decision: 23-10-2012
ECtHR - Al-Tayyar Abdelhakim v. Hungary, Application No. 13058/11
Country of applicant: Lebanon, Palestinian Territory

The case concerns an asylum seeker’s complaint under Article 5(1) about the unlawfulness of his detention without effective judicial review, pending the outcome of his asylum claim.

Date of decision: 23-10-2012
France - Council of State, 22 October 2012, n° 328265
Country of applicant: Unknown

Where information used by the National Asylum Court (CNDA) to reach its decision is information concerning the asylum seeker’s specific situation, it must be kept on file so that the parties can take note of it and discuss it.

Date of decision: 22-10-2012
Italy - Council of State, 19 October 2012, No. RG 6992/2012
Country of applicant: Unknown

Malta’s failure to respect the minimum conditions set for asylum seekers creates a situation in which the requirements stipulated by Italian law for suspending transfers under the Dublin II Regulation can be considered to have been met when waiting for a final decision on an appeal against such a transfer.

Date of decision: 19-10-2012
Slovenia - Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia, 18 October 2012, I Up 471/2012
Country of applicant: Afghanistan

When assessing the application for international protection the Ministry of Interior (MI) did not take into account the Applicant’s youth, lack of education and background. The MI did not conduct the procedure and pose questions in a manner that was suitable to the Applicant’s age and personality.

The country of origin information that the Applicant submitted only in his appeal against the decision should be accepted as this is generally available information that MI could have obtained on its own.

Date of decision: 18-10-2012
France - National Asylum Court, 18 Octobre 2012, Mlle K., No. 12015618
Country of applicant: Congo (DRC)

Persecution at the hands of political authorities acting for political reasons and with a political objective although not arising from the actual or imputed opinions of the individual concerned.

Date of decision: 18-10-2012
Spain - Supreme Court, 10 October 2012, 6761/2012
Country of applicant: Syria

The case refers to an appeal to the Supreme Court brought by the appellant against the High National Court’s decision to deny asylum.

The appellant is a Syrian national of Kurdish ethnicity and claims to be affiliated to the Kurdish political party “Azadi Akrad Siria” and to carry out political propaganda activities on their behalf.The Court affirms the denial of asylum and furthermore excludes the appellant from having the status of refugee sur place, even though the situation in Syria has changed since the application for asylum was lodged.However, taking into account the severe deterioration of the socio-political situation in Syria, the Supreme Court recognises the appellant’s right to remain in Spain on humanitarian grounds.

Date of decision: 18-10-2012