Notizie

Immigrazione

20.10.2004

THE CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR THE GRANTING OF REFUGEE STATUS

The Central Commission for the granting of refugee status was established by presidential decree No. 136 of 15th May 1990, as envisaged by article 1 of Law No. 39/1900.
It is an interministerial body, whose members are appointed by means of a decree of the President of the Council of Ministers, upon joint proposal of the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Central Commission is presided over by a Prefect and it is made up by a senior official of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, by a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by two senior officials of the Ministry of the Interior.
The meetings are attended by a representative of the Italian delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in an advisory capacity.
The Central Commission interviews asylum seekers and ascertains whether refugee status can be granted at the conditions envisaged by the Geneva Convention of 28th July 1951, that is to say whether the alien cannot return to his/her country because of persecution on account of his/her race, religion, social status and/or political convictions.
Article 32 of Law No. 189 dated 30th July 2002 (the so-called "Bossi-Fini" law) provides for the establishment of local Commissions, by means of the adoption of subsequent regulations, to speed up the recognition procedures- they examine the asylum applications which are addressed to the heads of the various provincial police authorities (Questori).
The Central Commission for the granting of refugee status has been turned into the National Commission for asylum right, which is responsible for the guidance and co-ordination of local commissions and has decision-making power with regard to withdrawal and termination of refugee status.