The Heart of the Matter: Assessing Credibility when Children Apply for Asylum in the European Union

A positive credibility finding is a prerequisite for being recognized as a refugee, whether the applicant is an adult or a child. This report contributes to research on credibility assessment of children, when previous research has focused on credibility assessment of adults. With growing numbers of unaccompanied children applying for asylum in EU Member States, assessing the credibility of their claims correctly and consistently is vital.

This report aims to help decision-makers assess the credibility of children’s claims for asylum in a fair, objective, and consistent manner. A number of observations are offered that could serve as a foundation for guidance on the subject.