AsyLex Global
AsyLex Global was born from a vision: that asylum seekers deserve access to justice that extends to the international level. When national systems fail, international human rights mechanisms offer a powerful, and vastly underused, avenue for protection.
With a focus on information provision, collaboration, and empowerment, we build the knowledge and partnerships to make these mechanisms accessible to asylum seekers and organisations worldwide.A twofold mission for international justice
AsyLex Global was born from a vision: that asylum seekers deserve access to justice that extends to the international level. When national systems fail, international human rights mechanisms offer a powerful, and vastly underused, avenue for protection.
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:
Comprehensive information
We strive to provide comprehensive information about these mechanisms, making their availability and use easily understandable.
Partnership & empowerment
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.
What we do at the international level
Since late 2020, AsyLex has been engaging with international human rights mechanisms, recognising that states sometimes fails to adequately address human rights violations suffered by asylum seekers at the national level.
UN treaty bodies we work with
Human Rights Committee
Monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Handles individual complaints and can issue interim measures to halt deportations while a case is under review — a critical tool for protecting clients from imminent harm.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
Monitors states‘ compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Particularly relevant in asylum cases involving gender-based violence and the failure to carry out trauma-informed risk assessments before deportation.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Monitors states‘ compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Particularly relevant in asylum cases involving gender-based violence and the failure to carry out trauma-informed risk assessments before deportation.
Committee on the Rights of Children
Committee against Torture
Working on a similar case?
If you are litigating on similar issues and would like to exchange on these topics, get in touch.
Taking justice to the international level
South Africa was selected as the first pilot country for AsyLex Global’s international litigation project: a country with a progressive constitution where asylum seekers nevertheless frequently fail to benefit from those protections in practice.
THE PROJECT
In partnership with local experts, AsyLex Global has launched a strategic international litigation project in South Africa. Together, we are raising awareness of the existence and requirements of individual complaints at the international level, and working to ensure access to justice for asylum seekers whose rights have not been protected domestically.
The project represents the first collaboration of its kind between AsyLex and a local African human rights organisation, and marks AsyLex’s first submission to an international treaty body outside the Swiss context.
OUR LOCAL PARTNER
BROADER GOAL
Quality information and support to legal aid providers and refugees
Legal aid for refugees is sparse and often difficult to access. But it is paramount to the realisation of refugees’ rights, in particular legal status and protection. Access to information, resources and connections – for both legal practitioners and refugees – is limited. Our Rights in Exile Platform addresses this crucial gap.
Are you looking for legal information?
Strategic and substantive guidance
Navigate the intricate web of human rights protection with our comprehensive map. Discover the array of international human rights mechanisms available to individuals worldwide, empowering them to challenge any State’s failure in upholding and safeguarding their fundamental rights.
Meet the people heading the project
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.
Lea Hungerbühler
Attorney and Vice President of the Cantonal Court Basel-Landschaft. LL.M. Harvard Law School. Founder of AsyLex, Prix Caritas 2022. Leads AsyLex Global’s strategic vision.
Nyasa Steger
U.S.-trained attorney and ZHAW lecturer. Director of the International NGO Law and Policy Project (INLPP). 15+ years in migrant justice, public defense, and systemic reform.
Prof. Vincent Chetail
Professor of international law and Director of the Global Migration Centre at the Graduate Institute of Geneva. President of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Jörg Gasser
Extensive background in diplomacy and financial market policy. Former CEO of the Swiss Bankers Association. Career spanning the ICRC and the Swiss Confederation.
Christian Jaag
Consultant, board member, and founder of Swiss Economics. Chairman of the Somaha Foundation, whose partnership enables AsyLex Global to effectively pursue its international mission.