Article 15 - Application for Recognition of Refugee Status

1/ Without prejudice to Article 21 of this Proclamation, any person who is at the frontier or any other entry point or within Ethiopia, whether he has entered the country lawfully or otherwise, and who wishes to remain within the country as a refugee in terms of this Proclamation, shall within thirty days, apply to the nearest Agency office or branch office; or police station. 2/ The Agency may, up on the request of the applicant, accept applications made after the expiry of the period stated under sub-Article (1) of this Article if the late application is due to justifiable reasons. 3/ The police station receiving the application in accordance with this Article shall, as soon as possible forward the application to the Agency. 4/ The Agency may permit a person to submit his application for refugee status through another person if he is unable to submit his own application due to circumstances beyond his control. 5/ An application for refugee status made in accordance with Sub-Article (1) of this Article is deemed to have been made on behalf of all members of the family of the applicant except where individual members of the family choose to submit behalf separate application. An unaccompanied or separated child may, individually, or through his guardian, lodge an application for refugee status. 6/ The applicant shall complete the relevant forms issued by the Agency and vouch for the truth of the statement therein. 7/ The Agency may discontinue the processing of application for refugee status if the asylum-seeker withdraws or abandons his application. 8/ No criminal charge shall be commenced or continued or penalties be imposed against a person who has applied or is about to apply pursuant to this Proclamation on account of his illegal entry and presence in the country.

Article 16 - Decision by the Agency

1/ The Agency shall examine and decide on the application presented to it in accordance with Article 15 of this Proclamation within six months period of time of registering the application after verifying that the criteria provided under Article 5 or 6 of this Proclamation are fulfilled.

Article 17 - Establishment of the Appeal Hearing Council

An Appeal Hearing Council (herein after referred to as the “Council”) that reviews the decision of the Agency in relation to recognition of refugee is hereby established under this Proclamation.

Article 19 - Powers and Functions of the Council

1/ The Council shall within ninety days decide on appeals submitted to it in accordance with this Proclamation. 2/ In the exercise of its function, the Council shall: a) ensure that every appellant is given reasonable time to present his case; b) ensure the presence of a qualified interpreter during all stages of the hearing having due regard to the applicant’s preference to have an interpreter of a particular sex; c) take into primary consideration the best interests of the child when reviewing the appeal petition of minors. 3/ The Council may after examining an appeal confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Agency. 4/ The Council shall notify the appellant of its decision, and the reason thereof, in writing. 5/ The decision of the Council shall be final; provided, however, that any party claiming error of law may appeal to the Federal Supreme Court within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written decision of the Council. 6/ The Council shall issue its own rules of procedure.