Where interpretation is carried out by a non-UNHCR Interpreter, the Eligibility Officer must be
particularly vigilant about the quality and accuracy of the interpretation. Any concerns regarding the
quality of the interpretation or the conduct of the Interpreter should be addressed immediately (for
further guidance see § 2.5.4 – Concerns relating to the Participation of an Interpreter) and be taken into
account in assessing the credibility of the Applicant’s account.
2.5.4 Concerns relating to the Participation of an Interpreter
Applicants who have concerns about the participation of an Interpreter (whether a UNHCR Interpreter
or not) in the Interview must be given the opportunity to raise and explain their concerns, in confidence,
to the UNHCR staff member who conducts the Interview.
The Eligibility Officer should ensure, at the beginning of the Interview, that the Applicant fully understands
the language or dialect in which the interpretation is provided, and inform the Applicant of his/her right to
raise concerns relating to the quality of interpretation or the assigned Interpreter at any point during the
Interview. All concerns raised by the Applicant and the measures taken to address them have to be noted
on the Applicant’s file.
If the Applicant raises concerns after the start of an Interview, the Interview should be stopped and the
Eligibility Officer should address such concerns immediately. Concerns unrelated to the language or
dialect of interpretation should not be discussed in the presence of the Interpreter.
If an Applicant raises serious concerns regarding the participation of an Interpreter (such as a conflict
of interest, the existence of an exploitative relationship, cultural, religious or ethnic biases or the sex of
the Interpreter) which cannot be addressed by the Eligibility Officer and are likely to result in problems
with disclosure during the Interview, the Interview should be stopped and an assessment should be made
in consultation with the RSD Supervisor regarding the concerns raised, their impact on the process, and
whether a different Interpreter should be used. Where a replacement of Interpreter is assessed to be
appropriate in a particular case, the Interview may be resumed with a different qualified Interpreter, if
available, or rescheduled as soon as possible. In UNHCR RSD procedures, every effort should be made
to ensure that reasonable, or otherwise genuinely held concerns of Applicants are anticipated and
accommodated through the assignment of appropriate interpreters.
If the Applicant does not understand the language or dialect of the interpretation, or if the Eligibility
Officer has concerns regarding the quality of interpretation, the conduct/behaviour of the Interpreter,
or any other factors that are likely to affect disclosure during the Interview, the Eligibility Officer should
stop the Interview and address such concerns with the Interpreter and the Applicant immediately. If the
concerns are serious including when they relate to the conduct/behaviour of the Interpreter, it may be
appropriate to address such concerns outside the presence of the Applicant. The Eligibility Officer may,
after consultation with the RSD Supervisor, request that a different Interpreter is assigned and reschedule
the Interview if necessary. Any communications the Eligibility Officer may have with the Interpreter in
the Applicant’s presence need to be interpreted for the benefit of the Applicant and recorded on the file.
Where concerns are not discussed in the presence of the Applicant, such concerns should be summarized
for him/her and recorded on the file. The break and reasons for interrupting the Interview, as well as the
change of Interpreter, if applicable, will be noted on the Applicant’s file and the reasons for change of
Interpreter explained to the Applicant.
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Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR’s Mandate