Asylum in Ethiopia: registration and refugee status

UNHCR’s Ethiopia help pages state that a person may seek asylum after leaving their country because of a well-founded fear of persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, and being unable or unwilling to rely on that country’s protection. The legal framework is the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Convention and Ethiopia’s Refugees Proclamation No. 1110/2019.

UNHCR also reports that access to asylum and registration for new asylum seekers has remained suspended since the nationwide state of emergency declared in November 2021. An exception is made for people fleeing emergency conflict situations through border entry points; registration was taking place at the Metema and Assosa entry points for people escaping the conflict in Sudan.

Refugee status determination (RSD) is carried out by the government through RRS; UNHCR observes. According to UNHCR, people from Sudan, Somalia (Lascanood) and Yemen who arrived after 1 January 2015 can be recognised on a group, prima facie basis when they apply. All other nationalities go through an individual RSD interview in which their claims are assessed in full.

At the RSD interview, bring the asylum-seeker registration card, documents supporting the claim, original identity and civil documents and any proof of earlier UNHCR registration. Some interviews are held by video call, which requires a smartphone with a front camera, a stable connection and a private room.

Under the Proclamation, a person seeking asylum must apply in person within 30 days to the nearest RRS office, immigration office or police station. Applications filed after 30 days are assessed case by case. If circumstances beyond the person’s control prevent this, the agency may allow the application to be made through another person. A claim is made inside Ethiopia; UNHCR’s pages do not describe applying from abroad.

Registration needs an appointment with RRS or UNHCR, booked through the online Digital Request and Complaint System or by calling the UNHCR call centre in Addis Ababa on +251 905 012 823 (Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00, Fridays until 14:00). At the registration interview an RRS officer completes the Questionnaire for Asylum-Seeker and records biodata, reasons for flight and biometrics (photo, iris, fingerprints). Applicants may ask for an interpreter.

UNHCR states that registration provides legal recognition and protection against deportation to a country where the person may face persecution, and access to services including food, shelter, healthcare and legal assistance. After registration RRS issues an asylum-seeker card or refugee ID to each family member aged 14 or over and a proof of registration for the family. With informed consent, refugees can also be enrolled in the national Fayda digital ID.

During RSD applicants have the right to confidentiality, to be interviewed in a language they can communicate in and to be represented by a qualified lawyer or legal representative. RRS also issues support letters, pass permits and Out-of-Camp Policy documents. Applicants must keep their contact details up to date with RRS and UNHCR and remain in the country during the procedure.

UNHCR’s Ethiopia help site lists services, contact channels and a page for reporting fraud and corruption. Registration and RSD are free of charge. UNHCR warns that giving false information about identity or the facts of a case is fraud and harms the claim, and that it never shares an applicant’s information with the authorities of the country of origin.