IRCT REGIONAL REPORT 2016 In the Netherlands there are no systematised procedures or mechanisms instituted for the identification of vulnerable applicants. Authorities rarely ask asylum seekers if they have experienced torture or ill treatment. In the majority of cases, specialist mental health or other services, such as RvA NL, identify the torture victim later in the asylum procedure. Healthcare is provided by an independent agency called FMMU hired by the IND to offer medical services to asylum seekers. They are required to interview all asylum seekers to assess whether they are physically and mentally ready to take part in the asylum interview. However, this assessment only looks at whether the asylum seeker needs special assistance during the interview. It is not a mechanism to identify vulnerable asylum seekers. In the experience of RvA NL, even when the asylum seeker exhibits clear evidence of trauma, the IND does not refer them to specialist mental health services for treatment or MLRs or make further inquiries as to the origin of the trauma. The state does not ensure that torture victims receive the necessary medical and psychological treatment. In the experience of RvA NL, this is partly because they are not identified in a systematised procedure and because insurance companies tend to discourage referrals for treatment in order to reduce their costs. Specialised services providers, such as RvA NL, are not funded by the state but receive their funding through the insurance companies who focus on what they deem, “necessary treatment”. “This ‘cost-reduction’ mantra poses a serious challenge to the provision of appropriate rehabilitation to victims.” — Boris Drozdek Asylum application in Netherlands, 2010 - 2015 Asylum applications in Netherlands, 2010 – 2015 50,000 45,000 43,035 40,000 35,000 30,000 24,535 25,000 20,000 15,100 15,000 14,600 13,100 13,095 10,000 5,000 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 page 33 2014 2015