News item | 09-09-2025 | 19:06
The country policy for Ethiopia and Gambia is being adjusted. Recent research shows that adequate reception is present in both countries for unaccompanied minor aliens (AMV). This met the condition for making a possible return decision. Minister David van Weel (asylum & migration) writes this in a letter to the House of Representatives.
With this change in policy, the IND can now assume that unaccompanied minor foreigners from Ethiopia and Gambia can return after their asylum application has been rejected. In each individual case, the return service and departure ensures that access to reception has actually been arranged after arrival.
For unaccompanied minor foreigners, reunification with parents, family members to the fourth degree (parents of grandparents), or an adult in the country of origin can first be looked at. If that does not work, it will be assessed whether shelter in a reception facility in the country of origin is possible. This shelter must offer shelter up to the age of 18 (or until family care is possible), and must provide food, clothing, hygiene, education and medical care.
Investigation commissioned by the IND shows that a reception facility in Ethiopia and two facilities in The Gambia meet these requirements. Based on this, it is taken into account in the implementation of the Aliens Act that adequate care is present in these countries.