International Journal of Legal Medicine
Volume 131, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 1719-1730
Methodology for the identification of vulnerable asylum seekers (Article)
Visentin S. ,
Pelletti G. ,
Bajanowski T. ,
Ferrara S.D.*
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a
Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University-Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, Padova, 35128, Italy
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b
Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University-Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, Padova, 35128, Italy
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c
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, University-Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45147, Germany
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d
Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University-Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, Padova, 35128, Italy
Abstract
Asylum seekers often experience situations of vulnerability, being frequently exposed to a heightened risk of harm, and thus require special care, support and protection. The categories of “vulnerable persons”, identified by International Legislation, and an individual’s classification as a “vulnerable asylum seeker”, have important implications in the reception procedures, in the decision-making phase and in the definition of therapeutic needs and rehabilitation. The Istanbul Protocol, the first international guideline approved by the United Nations and applied in different contexts, is not applicable for the assessment of the totality of the conditions (medical and otherwise), and therefore, the identification and assessment of conditions of vulnerability is largely delegated to questionnaires administered by non-medical personnel. The proposed methodology, based on the modificatory reworking of the Guidelines of the International Academy of Legal Medicine concerning the “medicolegal ascertainment of personal injury and damage on the living person”, takes into consideration all the medical issues relevant for the decision concerning the applicant, both in the reception procedures and in the outcome of the asylum application. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.
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https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026901111&doi=10.1007%2fs00414-017-1645-z&partnerID=40&md5=1af07b3b64c51a7c66c56f813bdfb659
DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1645-z
ISSN: 09379827
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English