Legal Assistance

UNHCR provides assistance and advice related to legal matters in some limited situations:

• Counselling on criminal complaint processes for survivors of domestic violence and other types of gender-based violence.
• Accompaniment to police stations to make criminal complaints for survivors of domestic violence and other types of gender-based violence.
• Support for birth registration issuance. Please see more information on I am already registered with UNHCR — How do I update my family and contact information?
• Intervention and advocacy with authorities in the case of arrest. See more information on what you should do if you are stopped by authorities or arrested.

UNHCR works closely with several legal aid organizations physically present in the country of asylum, which provide legal representation to applicants undergoing UNHCR’s refugee status determination (RSD) procedures. In addition, these organizations can provide applicants with relevant advice, attend refugee status determination interviews with applicants, and assist in presenting information relevant to a case.

If you would like legal advice, UNHCR suggests you contact one of the local legal aid organizations working with UNHCR Thailand, such as Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) or the Center for Asylum Protection (CAP), which provide free legal advice and services to asylum-seekers and refugees on the RSD process, including appeals.

ATTENTION! The  NGOs below are organizations separate from UNHCR. Please note they will not be able to help everyone and it will be up to them to decide if they can help you.  Please get in touch with them for more information.

Private lawyers may be able to help you, depending on the issue.  However, UNHCR is not able to support legal costs.