(Ecofin Agency) - Hosting more than 20,000 refugees to date, Togo has revised its law on refugees’ status which became obsolete as protection standards changed.

The new act, voted last month by the National assembly, plans, among other things, for the establishment of an Appeal commission. Refugees can request for a re-assessment of their documents in case rejected.

The law also plans for measures in the event of massive submission of applications for refuge, as well as for a procedure regarding awarding and loss of the refugee status that takes into account the familial unity principle.

Let us recall that a memorandum of understanding was signed in December 2013 between UN high commissioner for refugees (HCR), Mbeli Michel Mbaoubouan, and Minister of security Yark Damehame, regarding the issuing of digital refugee cards, and biometric travel documents by the state of Togo, similarly to nationals’ passports. To get these, one needs a refugee certificate, a progress certificate issued by HCR and a birth certificate, which can be issued anew by the authorities of Togo in case lost. This process, according to HCR, aims to support, and improve protection of refugees and allow them to go freely just like nationals.