Short film provides information and advice to help asylum seekers prepare for the Tribunal
Asylum Aid has produced a useful new illustrated video guide for asylum seekers going to their asylum appeal hearing.
It's a 13-minute video and you can watch it here on YouTube.
The video was written and produced by Debora Singer of Asylum Aid and Professor Nick Gill of the University of Exeter. It is the result of research interviews conducted by Asylum Aid and academic research on appeal hearings by the University of Exeter, which both recommended the production of information for asylum appellants.
Asylum Aid says the film aims to help inform asylum seekers who are going to their asylum appeal hearings at the First-tier Tribunal.
It provides background on the legal process, as well as a comprehensive overview of what to expect during the appeal hearing at the Tribunal and what sort of questions will be asked.
The video also provides practical information on preparing for the hearing, such as what happens when you arrive at the Tribunal and what you should bring with you. It recommends, for example, that it's a good idea to visit the Tribunal before your hearing so as to be better prepared on the day of your appeal hearing.
Having been produced with input from those who have gone through the appeals process, the video provides information that asylum seekers say they wished they had known before their appeals.
"One way to reduce people's anxiety is to give them information so that they know what to expect. Having this knowledge and being less anxious should enable them to engage more with the process. This is particularly important in order to be able to disclose traumatic experiences," Asylum Aid said.
Asylum Aid asks that the film be shared with people going to their asylum appeal hearings. See here for more information.