Asylum Network

Request an Evaluation

For Attorneys and Asylum Seekers

If you are an asylum seeker who has been tortured, or an attorney representing one, you can apply to Physicians for Human Rights for a free physical or psychologcial evaluation conducted by one of the volunteer health professionals in the Asylum Network. To be connected with an Asylum Network volunteer, please follow these steps:

Please complete the intake form (can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro and printed) and fax it to the attention of the Asylum Network. Because the placement and evaluation process takes some time, please fax this form at least six weeks before the affidavit is required. The probability that your case will be matched with a Network volunteer increases with advance notice.

Upon receipt, an Asylum Network staff person will contact you to confirm your request and discuss your case.

Once your case is accepted by PHR, Asylum Network staff will try to locate a health professional in your area to do the evaluation. Once the volunteer has been identified, PHR will provide you with the name and contact information of the health professional. You will be responsible for contacting the volunteer and making an appointment. Please thoroughly coordinate the meeting of the asylum seeker and the volunteer, including the translation and the date, time, and length of the meeting. Please also provide the volunteer with a copy of the asylum applicant's declaration and any other relevant information prior to the evaluation.

The Asylum Network volunteer will examine the asylum seeker and write an affidavit stating whether the physical or psychological sequelae that the applicant manifests are consistent with his or her account of events.

Once the case is completed, please use our outcome form to inform both the health professional who conducted the evaluation and Physicians for Human Rights of the outcome of the case. It is very important that we achieve closure on all cases.