Europe EU countries: There is some disparity within the EU relating to how the cost of producing an MLR is borne. In Croatia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Sweden both public and private funds can be used towards the cost of MLRs. In Germany, if the court or BAMF requests an MLR during asylum proceedings, it will be paid for from public funds. In addition, the applicant’s lawyer may also request funds to pay for an MLR (e.g. through legal aid), but the court will decide whether to grant this support to the applicant. Most MLRs are produced by the rehabilitation centres pro bono, unless it is covered by project funding. In other words, rehabilitation centres often bear the costs of producing an MLR themselves. In France, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy, it is highly concerning that the national authorities do not offer any direct support to VoTs in relation to bearing the cost of producing an MLR. In France, the cost is borne by either private funds (i.e. the rehabilitation centre producing the report) or the individual VoT. In Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy, only private funds are available. The member centres in Bulgaria (ACET) and Hungary (Cordelia Foundation) both confirmed that the member centre covers the cost of producing an MLR from its core funds.72 Rest of Europe: The centres outside of the EU that responded to this question said that the costs of producing an MLR are borne by more than one funding source. The costs of producing an MLR can be funded by both public and private sources in Kosovo and Moldova. In Kosovo, as medical reports are issued by public health institutions, they are paid for through public funds. However, IRCT member centre KRCT issues psychological reports, which are paid for by private funds, supported by the UNHCR. In Turkey, the national authorities do not offer any support, and the costs are borne either by private funds or the individual VoT. North America and the Pacific There are differences in the sources of funding for MLRs in the USA and Canada. The cost of producing an MLR in the USA can be borne by public or private funds or the individual VoT. In Canada, there are no private funds available, and costs are borne by either public funds or the individual VoT. In Australia, the cost of producing an MLR is borne entirely by public funds. In New Zealand, both public and private funds are used. QUESTION 10 What is the estimated cost of producing an MLR? General observations The responses to this question indicate that the cost of an MLR will vary, depending on the length of the report or the type of MLR requested. For example, the cost of producing an MLR may differ if it is for private use (i.e. the MLR is requested by the asylum-seeker or his/her lawyer) or if it has been requested by the immigration authorities or the court. The difference in estimated costs also reflects the number of hours of work it takes to produce the MLR, the amount of information and complexity of the report and whether or not interpreters fees have to be factored in. It should also be noted that the cost of an MLR will not necessarily be charged to the VoT. The highest costs were quoted by centres in New Zealand and Sweden. The lowest costs were quoted by centres in France and the USA. The average estimated cost of producing an MLR across all three regions is around 800 Euros. 38 / Recognising victims of torture in national asylum procedures