AsyLex Global was born from the vision to ensure that asylum seekers have access to justice that extends to the international level.
We recognize the significant potential of international human rights mechanisms in protecting the rights of asylum seekers who have experienced severe human rights violations. This potential is particularly significant in cases where host states fail to protect such groups. Thus, our mission is twofold:
Firstly, we strive to provide comprehensive information about these mechanisms, making their availability and use easily understandable.
Secondly, we establish meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations worldwide, empowering them to effectively use international human rights mechanisms to ensure access to international justice for asylum seekers.
In sum, with a focus on information provision, collaboration and empowerment, AsyLex Global strives to work towards access to international justice for asylum seekers by facilitating their and involved organizations’ understanding of international human rights mechanisms and supporting organizations around the world to effectively use them.
Access to global justice for all asylum seekers, especially those who have suffered severe human rights violations and have been denied redress by their host states.
Empowering access to justice by sharing information, fostering collaboration, and promoting the usage of International human rights mechanisms to protect asylum seekers who have endured human rights violations.
AsyLex was founded in Switzerland with a strong commitment to assisting
asylum seekers and refugees by offering invaluable legal advice. Our dedicated team, primarily composed of passionate volunteers, tirelessly
works to ensure that those in need have access to legal advice at all
times.
While the South African Constitution is very progressive on human rights, asylum seekers often do not benefit from these protections in practice, exposing them to (further) human rights violations. Developments such as South Africa's planned withdrawal from the Refugee Convention exacerbate these challenges. In close consultation with local experts, South Africa has therefore been selected as the first pilot country for the joint establishment of a human rights litigation project. Together, AsyLex and local organisations will raise awareness of the existence and requirements of individual complaints at the international level, and will jointly bring a pioneering case at the international level to ensure access to justice for asylum seekers.
AsyLex Global is supported by a Steering Committee made up of experienced professionals who provide valuable guidance to the project team, including our dedicated volunteers. Their strategic and substantive expertise ensures that AsyLex Global’s mission can be delivered.
Jörg Gasser brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background in national and international politics, diplomacy, and financial market policy, with a career spanning various prominent roles, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss Confederation. His most recent position was CEO of the Swiss Bankers Association. With his extensive know-how and network, Jörg Gasser brings valuable experience to AsyLex Global.
Vincent Chetail is a distinguished professor of international law, director of the Global Migration Centre at the Graduate Institute of Geneva and president of the board of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the University of London and a member of the Odysseus Network for Legal Studies on Immigration and Asylum in Europe. Vincent Chetail supports AsyLex Global with his specialised expertise.
Lea Hungerbühler is the founder and president of AsyLex. Lea has a strong educational background, including a LLM degree from Harvard University and a sound experience in finance law. Lea’s passion for justice led her to become a respected judge and lawyer and a devoted lecturer, where she shares her knowledge and inspires future legal professionals.
Head AsyLex Global
Intern AsyLex Global
Aijan Muktar, AsyLex Global Research Volunteer
Andrea Bregoli, AsyLex Global Research Volunteer
Chantal Elson, AsyLex Global Research Volunteer
Jonas Zürrer, AsyLex Global Research Volunteer
Yasmine Starein, AsyLex Global Research Volunteer
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