1951 Refugee Convention states that protection should be given to those with a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, social group, ethnicity, political opinion, or religion. The fact that a person has been tortured does necessarily mean that they are entitled to Refugee Status, for example, if there has been a change in government since. Similarly, many people who are not victims of torture will still have a legitimate claim to asylum. However, in many cases, being able to demonstrate that a person is a victim of torture could significantly strengthen their case. There are additional safeguards in, for example, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights: "No State Party shall return a person where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be subjected to torture"

The Guardianship of the 1951 Convention

This is the responsibility of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Type 'The guardianship of the 1951 Convention' in the UNHCR search box on the home page to access.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:12]

The Torture-Reporting Handbook

This is produced by the University of Essex to advise NGOs working in other countries about the documentation of torture and related international processes, including many of those relating to refugees. It is available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish and English.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:13]

Examining Asylum Seekers: A Physician's Guide to Medical and Psychological Evaluations of Torture

The manual includes an overview of political asylum law and procedure in the US, explains the physician's role in verifying signs and symptoms consistent with torture, and reviews components of appropriate written and oral medical testimony. It also includes a number of sample medical and psychological affidavits from real asylum cases. The manual is designed to be a resource for newcomers to asylum evaluations as well as experienced evaluators with questions on specific issues. Much of the manual is relevant to UK practitioners.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:14]

The Medical Foundation Caring for the Victims of Torture

A valuable resource - this link offers information on refugees issues and torture.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:17]

Resources Finder for Torture Victims, Asylum-Seekers, & Refugees

This US site provides over 100 links to resources including: major centers, online courses (e.g., Caring for Refugees and Survivors of Torture: An Internet Course), legal services, information about asylum and refuge, networks of torture survivors human rights organizations providing information and services, guides to assessment.
Also links to valuable on line resources.

Link [Last update: 2006-01-16; 13:20]