Why this matters now?

We are living through a period of unprecedented global uncertainty. The contraction of reliable public information sources, most notably cuts to the U.S. Department of State country reports, combined with the rapid spread of misinformation and the growing political trend toward designating “safe countries” without sufficient evidence, has placed immense strain on refugee protection systems worldwide.

For individuals seeking asylum, access to justice depends on access to good representation. Lawyers and NGOs representing asylum seekers need objective, verifiable, and jurisdiction-relevant information about the realities that their clients have fled. However, such information, known as Country of Origin Information (COI), varies widely in quality and accessibility across jurisdictions. Many lawyers and NGOs simply do not have the time, resources, or research networks required to produce it.

Asylos bridges this gap.

As one of the world’s leading organisations producing COI and legal research for refugee status determination, we coordinate a global volunteer network which produces quality Country of Origin Information (COI) free of charge, in an effort to make reliable COI accessible to all, not only to those in well-resourced systems.

 

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR (COI Legal Expertise Alliance for Research) is Asylos’ cooperation with pro bono sections of international law firms.

Through CLEAR, a select group of six firms: Charles Russell Speechlys LLP; Eversheds Sutherland LLP; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP join a coordinated global research network dedicated to strengthening country of origin information. Participating firms engage their lawyers and trainees in rigorous, practical research that directly supports asylum representation across jurisdictions.

Through CLEAR, we are building an interconnected professional community that shares a commitment to factual research, methodological rigour, engaged towards fair access to asylum for all.

 

What participating firms contribute

CLEAR firms:

  • Conduct supervised COI and legal research
  • Support case-specific, thematic research projects and other COI products
  • Strengthen cross-jurisdictional analysis
  • Contribute to a professional community committed to rigour and independence

A big thank you to all the participating firms for their work and commitment to this project.

All research is coordinated by Asylos to ensure methodological consistency, neutrality, and impact.