ICAR

Vulnerable Groups

This briefing provides an overview of the legal and social concerns of vulnerable groups in the asylum determination process in the UK: minors, unaccompanied minors, disabled people, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.

The decision of which groups can be considered to be ‘vulnerable’ was informed by the European Union Council Directive as well as those groups experiencing structural discrimination within and outside the asylum process. The groups are not mutually exclusive; asylum seekers may be vulnerable for several reasons and these should not necessarily be seen in isolation.

ICAR wrote this briefing to assist the work of the Independent Asylum Commission (IAC).

Last Updated: 26/01/10

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