Table of Contents
1. Introduction
13
Contents
UNHCR’s Mandate for Refugee Status Determination (RSD)...............................................................................14
Core principles and standards..........................................................................................................................................15
Overview of the RSD Procedural Standards...............................................................................................................16
A Complement to Other UNHCR Documents and Resources...............................................................................17
Implementation of the RSD Procedural Standards...................................................................................................17
2. General Issues
19
2.1 Confidentiality and Data Protection in UNHCR RSD Procedures................................................................20
2.1.1 Protection of Personal Data and Duty of Confidentiality in UNHCR RSD Procedures................ 20
2.1.2 General Criteria for Disclosure of Personal Data and Other Information
on Individual RSD Files.......................................................................................................................................................21
2.1.3 Disclosure to Individual Asylum-Seekers and Refugees and Other Rights relating
to Personal Data in the Context of RSD Procedures..............................................................................................24
2.1.4 Disclosure to Host Country / Country of Asylum Authorities................................................................26
2.1.5 Disclosure to Country of Origin Authorities and Non-State Entities..................................................27
2.1.6 Disclosure to National and International Law Enforcement, Courts or Tribunals and Other
International Bodies............................................................................................................................................................28
2.1.7 Disclosure to Family Members............................................................................................................................28
2.1.8 Disclosure of Information on Individual Files within UNHCR................................................................29
2.1.9 Procedures for Responding to Individual Requests for Personal Data or Other
Information on the RSD File.............................................................................................................................................29
Annex: List of Additional Resources........................................................................................................................... 32
2.2 Refugee Status Determination (RSD) File Management and Recordkeeping Procedures ..................33
2.2.1 General..........................................................................................................................................................................33
2.2.2 Procedures for Opening RSD Files.....................................................................................................................33
2.2.3 RSD File Management and Organization........................................................................................................35
2.2.4 Access to RSD Files...................................................................................................................................................36
2.2.5 Movement of Physical RSD Files.........................................................................................................................36
2.2.6 Storing and Archiving Closed RSD Files...........................................................................................................37
2.2.7 Supervision and Oversight of RSD File Management................................................................................. 37
Annex: List of Additional Resources........................................................................................................................... 38
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