Background information
The applicant generally has the obligation to submit all elements needed to substantiate their application as soon as possible. Such elements include information relevant to their claim along with all the supporting evidence at their disposal (168).
The provision of incomplete or false information or evidence may lead to a rejection of the application. If the applicant misrepresents or omits facts, including the use of false documents, which were decisive for granting the protection, the refugee status and the subsidiary protection status can also be revoked (169).
(168) Article 4(1) QD (recast) ‘Assessment of facts and circumstances’.
(169) Article 14(3), point (b) ‘Revocation of, ending of or refusal to renew refugee status’ and Article 19(3), point (b) QD (recast) ‘Revocation of, ending of or refusal to renew subsidiary protection status’.
Explain these messages during the registration/lodging and personal interview:
- The applicant should bring forward all relevant elements.
- If the applicant provides misleading information, statements or documents related to their identity or reasons for applying for international protection, this may negatively impact the assessment. Incomplete or false information will affect the credibility assessment of the application, and lack of credibility may be a reason to reject the application for international protection.
- The provision of misleading information, statements or documents related to their identity or reasons for applying for international protection could be considered as a refusal to cooperate with authorities.
- If an applicant previously applied in another Member State, the applicant should be informed about the possibility to be asked to accept the transmission of information concerning previous applications for international protection in other member states (170).
(170) Article 34(3) Dublin III regulation ‘Information sharing’