On 14-15 October 2014 the seminar «Interpreting in Refugee Context» was held in the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Belarus. The event was organized within the framework of the project «Asylum Systems Quality Initiative in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus». The representatives of the Department on Citizenship and Migration of the MIA of Belarus (DCM), UNHCR, non-governmental organizations as well as the interpreters who provide interpretation during the refugee status determination procedure participated in the seminar. Gladys MacPherson, the International RSD Consultant, as well as lecturers of Belarusian State University were invited to participate in the event as experts in the considered topic. The seminar was held on the basis of the International Center of training, retraining and advanced training in the sphere of migration and combating human trafficking of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
In their introductory speech the organizers of the event represented by Jean Yves Bouchardy, UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Belarus, and Aliaksandr Tatura, Deputy Head of the Department on Citizenship and Migration of the MIA of Belarus, focused on the significant role of the interpreter during the interview with a person applying for asylum. He is one of the main participants of the refugee status determination (RSD) procedure and his function is, firstly, to overcome the language barrier. The applicant and migration service officer maintain conversation through the interpreter and rely on the accuracy of interpretation. And this demands the high level of competency and professionalism from the interpreter’s side. Oleg Zhdanov, the Project Regional Coordinator, noted that this event is held in Belarus for the first time, but similar trainings have already been conducted in Georgia and Armenia.
In the first day of the seminar Gladys MacPherson, the International RSD Consultant, presented the detailed information on the role of interpreter in the RSD procedure as well as on the professional behavior of the interpreter. She noted that according to Article 12 of the EU Directive on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection adopted on 26 June 2013, access to the qualitative interpretation is one of the most significant rights which asylum seekers possess. Oral interpreters involved in the RSD procedure must pass through training and make a commitment to observe the Code of Conduct. It includes:
— fluency in the language in which the RSD procedure is being conducted, as well as in the language, from which and to which the translation is being made;
— professional use of the technique of bilateral consecutive translation;
— readiness to do written translation of the documents from time to time;
— preparedness for the interview (for example, the interpreter should be aware of the ambiguous or emotional moments which might appear during the interview and be prepared to deal with them);
— knowledge of the term “refugee” and other specific terminology;
— respectful attitude to the applicant;
— understanding of the meaning confidentiality and observance of this principle;
— neutrality and impartiality — the interpreter should avoid using assessments with gestures, mimics, as well as making inappropriate remarks to the applicant or the officer (in respect to the applicant).
The migration service officers dealing with the cases are required:
— to control the way the interview is conducted in;
— to address directly to the applicant (not an interpreter);
— to behave respectfully towards interpreters;
— to understand what the interpreter may and what he may not do and to act in a corresponding way. The officers dealing with the case must not use the interpreter as an expert on the country of origin, culture, etc.
— to provide the interpreter with necessary breaks in order for interpreter not to be overtired;
— etc.
Gladys MacPherson also presented guidelines for the work of the officers with interpreters before the interview. She told about the case assignment, the necessary meeting between the officer with the interpreter before the interview, on the location of all the participants during the interview (sometimes in a form of triangle), as well as about the interview procedure itself. The expert paid attention to the moments which can be attributed to the inappropriate behavior of the interpreter. They include: use of the mobile phone during the interview, leaving the interview room without permission regardless of the reason, defending the applicant, announcing disparaging remarks about the applicant, incomplete translation of the information, and some other moments.
Interpreters implement heavy work during the interview. The officer must remember about this and plan appropriate breaks. He also must not forget to express gratitude for the interpreter’s work.
Tatiana Makarevich, Senior Lecturer of the Department of English for Social Sciences and Humanities of the Faculty of International Relations of BSU, presented her report on the topic «The Main Rules of Consecutive Translation». She told that consecutive translation is the most accurate one. It requires the language competency, particular preparedness, knowledge of terminology from the interpreter. During the consecutive translation the interpreter must be ready to write down facts, particular data, probably, unknown terms. Supposedly, he must review the written information at home which he may use in future while working with similar situation. In the course of consecutive translation the interpreter shall keep in line with language accuracy and neutrality, to be impartial and observe confidentiality of information, which was noted by the previous orator.
After this presentation, the discussion arose. Oleg Zhdanov, Regional Coordinator of the Project «Asylum Systems Quality Initiative in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus», made a remark that the interview with asylum seekers has its own specificity in terms of interpretation. Sometimes while interviewing it is critically important to do literal (word by word) translation including translation of profanity which may later significantly affect the case.
During the first day of the seminar Iryna Makarevich, Senior Lecturer of the Department of English for Social Sciences and Humanities of the Faculty of International Relations of BSU, also presented her speech. She focused on more practical aspects in the work of interpreter and told about the role of remembering and making notes in consecutive translation.
In the second day of the seminar the invited experts presented more detailed information on the interpreter’s glossary and the specificity of interpretation for vulnerable categories of persons applying for protection.
During the whole seminar the speakers proposed different communication exercises to the participants for the group work in order to consolidate received theoretical information.
The training became a solid theoretical and practical basis for interpreters and officers of migration bodies dealing with cases in the framework of the refugee status determination procedure. Presented information provoked considerable interest among the guests and participants of the seminar.