Family life

The definition of "family" under Ethiopian law includes spouses and unmarried children under 18, and it provides discretion to consider other dependents based on the laws of the asylum seeker's country of origin. This broad definition recognizes various family structures, allowing flexibility in determining family membership.

Ethiopia's domestic laws and policies emphasize the importance of family unity during the asylum process. Family members of asylum seekers are allowed to enter and remain in Ethiopia until the asylum application is resolved. They are entitled to the same rights and duties as the asylum seeker, and an application made by one family member is considered as made on behalf of the entire family unless individual members opt to apply separately.

Family members of refugees are entitled to travel documentation and entry/exit visas to facilitate family reunification. Recognized refugees and asylum seekers can obtain travel documents to travel outside Ethiopia upon application. These documents are recognized under immigration laws for both exit and re-entry purposes.

The national child policy in Ethiopia advocates for family reunification for children in difficult situations, including unaccompanied and separated children. This policy underscores the importance of family tracing to reunite these children with their families.

Ethiopian laws entitle recognized refugees and asylum seekers to request family reunification. The Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) is responsible for facilitating this process. However, detailed procedures and grounds for refusal of family reunification applications are not clearly outlined, creating potential obstacles.

Despite the legal framework, practical challenges exist, such as limited capacity for family tracing and a lack of detailed procedures for family reunification. Additionally, there are challenges related to the awareness and implementation of refugees' rights among service providers.