what we do

our mission

At Asylos, we believe that every asylum seeker deserves a fair opportunity to claim his or her right to protection. Evidence to prove persecution or to support the credibility of individual testimony is a vital element in the decisions taken to grant or withhold asylum. But many refugees and their legal representatives cannot access this necessary information.

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To redress this imbalance and protect the right to asylum, Asylos aims to:

ensure that asylum seekers and their legal counsel have access to crucial information to substantiate their claim

We believe that refugees and their counsel should have equal access to information and sufficient resources to conduct the needed research. Those helping to defend asylum seekers’ rights face great difficulties when researching information: it often requires knowledge of local languages, experience in researching complex human rights issues and access to expert evidence in the countries of origin. We leverage our research skills, contextual knowledge, and contacts on the ground to ensure access to proper documentation.

ensure that the asylum procedure is evidence-based and unbiased

We believe that decisions on individual claims should be fair and based on proper evidence instead of preconceptions. Country-of-origin information (COI) reports produced by public administrations should meet the highest standards of our legal system and be driven by respect for human rights. Information relied upon by public authorities should be accessible to the public. Asylum courts should rule based on the best available evidence and data. Officials with decision-making power should receive sufficient training to make evidence-based decisions. They need to be aware of the latest developments in the countries of origin of the asylum seekers.

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our work

Asylos is a global network of volunteers working to research country-of-origin information. By leveraging the skills of over 100 volunteer researchers in over 25 countries around the world, we harness diversity to help asylum seekers like S from Rwanda or A from Thailand prove the persecution they have endured and claim their right to safety under international law.

Our work reinforces the rule of law in refugee host countries, from the USA and Canada to Germany or Malaysia. We support asylum lawyers and caseworkers to make sure refugee law is applied and justice is served for the most vulnerable displaced people in the world. Hear from lawyers who have used our services around the world.

"I can’t say enough how much I appreciate your project... it seems like you’re working with the best researchers and experts in the field. This information is invaluable." Nimrod Avigal, HIAS Israel

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our services

Asylos provides services free of charge to lawyers and caseworkers around the world assisting asylum seekers through their legal procedures. We produce case-based and broader country-of-origin information (COI) research reports which lawyers and caseworkers can use to support a variety of protection-based claims in court. Our reports can be used to inform your argument, or submit in whole or in part to a tribunal or appeals committee.

	bespoke case-based COI research for your client Quality COI research can make or break an asylum application. We help lawyers and caseworkers in any country of arrival support their clients' case by producing individualised reports on specific human rights situations in refugee countries of origin. From political or religious persecution to access to medical care, if the information is out there, we will find it. You can access our services here.
	a database of prior reports covering a wide range of subjects and countries All our anonymised reports are contained within our database, accessible to lawyers and caseworkers assisting asylum-seekers through their legal procedure. With almost 500 reports published in the last 4 years, it is the only database of its kind intended to explicitly help asylum-seekers provide evidence of their claim. You can access our database here.
	strategic reports, covering significant gaps in the existing literature Our public Strategic Reports aim to address the needs of groups of asylum-seekers whose cases are under-documented in media and international reports. We identify strategic gaps in the COI and seek out new authoritative sources to fill them. You can browse our Strategic Reports here.

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our impact

During the past four years, we have published 500 research reports and helped thousands of refugees claim their right to protection. Our research reports have been used in at least 20 countries and regularly quoted in court decisions. They have been used by UNHCR to inform UN eligibility guidelines, have been submitted as evidence in the 2018 UK Country Guidance on Afghanistan and have been referenced by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), as well as several European government agencies and NGOs. Read more about our impact here.

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our partners

Cooperating with partners is an integral part of Asylos' work. We are partnering with a variety of different foundations, organisations, institutions and law firms to ensure the highest standards of quality and functionality in our work. Take a look at who these partners are.

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Join us in helping an asylum seeker claim refuge and reinforcing the rule of law in your country's immigration system