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Prima Facie Refugee Class Declaration

Sierra LeoneHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Sierra Leone Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

A group (prima facie) declaration: the National Refugee Authority may declare a class of persons to be refugees, in particular for large-scale influxes; members of a declared class are recognised refugees.

See recorded sources

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

A class of persons the Authority considers to be refugees under the Act's definitions (persecution grounds, or flight from external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order), notably in a large-scale influx.

See recorded sources
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    (2)Subject to subsection (3), if the Authority considers that any class of persons are refugees as defined in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (1), he may declare such class of persons to be refugees, and may at any time amend or revoke such declaration:
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    (c)owing to external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing public order in either part or the whole of his country of origin or nationality, he is compelled to leave his place of habitual residence in order to seek refuge in another place outside his country of origin or nationality; or
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    Where there is a large-scale influx of persons claiming to fall within the meaning of refugees under section 2, the Authority shall, after consultation with the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, take action in accordance with paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 4,

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

Not an individual application: the Authority acts after consulting the UNHCR Representative, and the declaration is published in the Gazette and brought to the attention of authorised officers and the persons concerned. The official source does not state where members of a declared class present themselves or register.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Where a member of the class presents or registers is not stated.
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    22. Large-scale influxes of refugees into Sierra Leone Where there is a large-scale influx of persons claiming to fall within the meaning of refugees under section 2, the Authority shall, after consultation with the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, take action in accordance with paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 4, and advise relevant State authorities on emergency measures to be taken, including—(a)designation of areas for reception, transit and residence of refugees, having due regard to the security requirement for refugees to be settled at a reasonable distance from the frontier of their country of origin; (b)provision of adequate and appropriate facilities and services necessary for the group of persons affected by the influx with particular reference to women and children; and (d)ensuring the civilian and humanitarian character of areas designated for refugees and the sensitisation of the local population for their reception.
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    (3)The Authority shall cause any declaration under subsection (2), and any amendment or revocation thereof, to be published in the Gazette and in such other manner as it considers will best ensure that it is brought to the attention of authorised officers and persons to whom it relates.

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Emergency measures include designated areas for reception, transit and residence at a reasonable distance from the frontier, facilities and services with attention to women and children, and keeping areas civilian and humanitarian; recognised refugees receive the rights of the listed UN and OAU Convention articles.

See recorded sources
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    22. Large-scale influxes of refugees into Sierra Leone Where there is a large-scale influx of persons claiming to fall within the meaning of refugees under section 2, the Authority shall, after consultation with the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, take action in accordance with paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 4, and advise relevant State authorities on emergency measures to be taken, including—(a)designation of areas for reception, transit and residence of refugees, having due regard to the security requirement for refugees to be settled at a reasonable distance from the frontier of their country of origin; (b)provision of adequate and appropriate facilities and services necessary for the group of persons affected by the influx with particular reference to women and children; and (d)ensuring the civilian and humanitarian character of areas designated for refugees and the sensitisation of the local population for their reception.
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    Subject to this Act, every recognised refugee and every protected person within Sierra Leone—(a)shall be entitled to the rights and be subject to the duties contained in—(i)the Articles of the United Nations Convention which are set out in Part I of the Schedule; and (ii)the Articles of the OAU Convention which are set out in Part II of the Schedule;

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

The National Refugee Authority (chaired by the Minister responsible for foreign affairs) makes the declaration after consulting the UNHCR Representative; refugees are entitled to assistance from UNHCR and other organisations.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No official fraud or scam warning found.
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    (1)The Authority shall consist of—(a)the Minister responsible for foreign affairs, who shall be the chairman;
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    22. Large-scale influxes of refugees into Sierra Leone Where there is a large-scale influx of persons claiming to fall within the meaning of refugees under section 2, the Authority shall, after consultation with the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, take action in accordance with paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 4, and advise relevant State authorities on emergency measures to be taken, including—(a)designation of areas for reception, transit and residence of refugees, having due regard to the security requirement for refugees to be settled at a reasonable distance from the frontier of their country of origin; (b)provision of adequate and appropriate facilities and services necessary for the group of persons affected by the influx with particular reference to women and children; and (d)ensuring the civilian and humanitarian character of areas designated for refugees and the sensitisation of the local population for their reception.
  • https://sierralii.gov.sl/akn/sl/act/2007/6/eng@2007-08-30
    (1)Refugees shall be entitled to assistance provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other organisations.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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