To legal professionals: Clarify procedural guidelines on the use and application of MLRs in asylum proceedings Key recommendations Member centre, Country • The applicant should be able to lodge a judicial review challenge Foundation House, when there has been the unwarranted dismissal of a probative and Australia relevant expert report. • Introduce MLRs as legal documents and ensure they follow Istanbul RCT Zagreb, Croatia Protocol guidelines, i.e. are standardised. • There is a need for official evaluation and recommendations on best Cordelia Foundation, practices with regards to the use of MLRs in asylum procedures at Hungary the international and regional (e.g. EU) level. • Guidelines have been introduced that place an obligation on the Mi- Swedish Red Cross, gration Board to request an MLR if torture is raised. However, these Malmö, Sweden do not go far enough, as the applicant first needs to raise torture in the asylum interview.153 • More consistent use and application of MLRs in the asylum proce- Survivors of Torture, dure is needed. International, USA Provide training to raise awareness of the importance of medical evidence (and MLRs) in asylum procedures Key recommendations Member centre, Country • The Ombudsman needs to be made aware of the needs of VoTs RCT Zagreb, Croatia among asylum-seekers and of the important role that MLRs play in the asylum procedure. With Croatia’s accession to the EU, it is expected that the numbers of asylum-seekers will rise significantly so the need is urgent. This urgency is even more necessary given the very low numbers of asylum requests that have been received to date, the low acceptance rate and the lack of integration of asylumseekers and other immigrants.154 • Medical evidence should be more widely requested by tribunals and SPIRASI, Ireland courts. Improve collaboration between legal professionals and other stakeholders Key recommendations • Member centre, Country The verification and certification of medical evidence through MLRs bzfo, Germany needs to be more widely used. Roundtable discussions with lawyers, judges and immigration authorities to raise awareness of victims’ needs must continue. Recognising victims of torture in national asylum procedures / 79