Country Expert Database: New Findings from 120+ Countries

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Photo: Wallinger's Globe - Geoff Henson

Our country expert database covers more than 50 nations, providing asylum seekers, solicitors, and attorneys with access to qualified expert witnesses who understand conditions on the ground. Expert evidence plays a decisive role in asylum proceedings across the UK and US. As country conditions shift rapidly, our network of specialists tracks changes in real time. This guide explains how the database works, what regions we cover, and what our experts have found in the latest reporting period.[1]

Finding the right expert for your asylum case can be challenging. Many applicants struggle to locate professionals with genuine knowledge of their country of origin. Consequently, our expert witness directory was built to solve this problem. It connects applicants and their legal representatives with vetted professionals who have academic credentials, field experience, and a track record of providing evidence in immigration tribunals and courts.

How the Country Expert Database Works

The country expert database is a curated directory of qualified professionals. Each expert in our network holds recognized qualifications in their area of specialization. These include academic researchers with published work on specific countries, professionals who have worked in the field for international organizations, journalists with extensive reporting experience, and individuals with lived expertise combined with professional credentials.[2]

Every expert undergoes a vetting process before joining the database. We verify their qualifications, review their published work, and assess their experience in providing evidence for legal proceedings. Additionally, we ensure that each expert understands the legal requirements for expert evidence in both the UK and US systems. In the UK, experts must comply with CPR Part 35 and the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction 10. In the US, expert evidence must meet the standards set by Federal Rules of Evidence 702 and the Daubert standard.

The database is searchable by country, region, and area of expertise. For example, you can search for an expert on political persecution in Iran, gender-based violence in Afghanistan, or LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria. Furthermore, each expert profile includes their qualifications, areas of specialization, languages spoken, and court experience. This transparency helps legal representatives make informed decisions when instructing an expert.

Country Expert Database: Regional Coverage

Our country expert database spans seven major regions. The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the countries covered within each region. This coverage reflects the most common countries of origin for asylum seekers in the UK and US, as well as emerging patterns in international protection claims.[3]

Expert Reports by Region: Distribution This Quarter

The demand for expert evidence varies by region and reflects current geopolitical developments. The Middle East and Post-Soviet regions generate the highest volume of expert reports, driven by ongoing conflicts and political crises. South Asia remains consistently high due to the situation in Afghanistan. The chart below shows the distribution of expert reports produced during the current quarter.[4]

Key Findings from the Country Expert Database This Period

Our experts have identified several significant developments across multiple regions during the current reporting period. These findings directly affect asylum claims and should be considered by legal representatives preparing cases.

Post-Soviet Region: Russia and Belarus

Russian mobilization continues to drive asylum claims. Our experts report that criminal penalties for draft evasion have been enforced more aggressively since late 2025. Additionally, Belarus has intensified its crackdown on opposition supporters, with documented cases of detention and torture of individuals returned after participating in the 2020 protests. Experts covering this region have noted that surveillance technology shared between Russian and Belarusian security services has expanded significantly.[5]

Middle East: Iran and Syria

Iranian authorities continue to pursue individuals connected to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Our experts have documented new waves of arrests in early 2026 targeting people previously released on bail. Meanwhile, conditions in Syria remain unstable despite changes in territorial control. Experts report that returnees face risks from multiple armed actors depending on their region of origin and perceived political affiliation. For detailed country reports, visit our regularly updated analysis.

South Asia: Afghanistan

The Taliban's restrictions on women have continued to escalate. Our experts have documented new restrictions imposed in late 2025 that further limit women's access to healthcare. Additionally, reports indicate that former government employees and military personnel face systematic targeting. The UNHCR maintains that Afghan nationals should generally not be returned.

Africa: Eritrea and Sudan

Eritrean indefinite national service continues to generate asylum claims. Our experts confirm that there is no meaningful change in the duration or conditions of service. In Sudan, the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced millions and created new categories of at-risk individuals. Experts report that ethnic targeting has intensified in Darfur and Khartoum.[6]

East Asia: China and Hong Kong

Our experts report continued persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang. Furthermore, the implementation of Hong Kong's national security law has expanded to target individuals abroad, creating new risks for diaspora activists. Experts have documented cases where family members in Hong Kong were pressured by authorities because of their relatives' asylum claims overseas.

The value of a country expert database lies in its ability to connect legal representatives with specialists who understand not just general conditions, but the specific dynamics that affect individual asylum claims.
Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA), Best Practice Guidance on Expert Evidence, 2024

How to Search for an Expert in the Country Expert Database

Searching the country expert database is simple and free. Follow these steps to find the right expert for your asylum case. First, visit our expert witness directory page. Second, select the country of origin relevant to your case. Third, review the available expert profiles, which include qualifications, areas of expertise, and court experience. Finally, submit an enquiry to request an initial consultation.

When selecting an expert, consider whether they have specific knowledge of the issues in your case. For example, if your claim involves political persecution, look for an expert with published research on the political system and security apparatus in your country. If your case involves gender-based persecution, seek an expert with documented experience on that topic. Additionally, confirm that the expert has experience providing evidence in the relevant jurisdiction, whether that is the UK tribunal system or US immigration courts.

• Search by country: Select from 120+ countries across all regions
• Filter by expertise: Political persecution, gender issues, LGBTQ+ rights, military service, and more
• Review credentials: Each profile shows qualifications, publications, and court experience
• Request consultation: Submit an enquiry directly through the platform

Quality Standards for Country Expert Database Experts

Every expert in our database meets strict quality standards. These standards ensure that reports produced through our network are credible, independent, and admissible in court. The following criteria apply to all experts in the country expert database.[7]

Qualifications: Experts must hold recognized academic qualifications or equivalent professional credentials in their area of expertise. This typically includes a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline, published research, or extensive professional experience with international organizations.

Furthermore, independence is non-negotiable. Experts must provide objective, evidence-based opinions. They are not advocates for the applicant. Their duty is to the court, and their reports must be balanced and honest. This requirement aligns with CPR Part 35 in the UK and the Daubert standard in the US.

Additionally, court experience matters. While not strictly required, experts with a track record of providing oral and written evidence in immigration tribunals and courts carry greater credibility. Our database indicates each expert's level of court experience. For a complete guide to the asylum process, including how expert evidence fits in, explore our resources.

Conclusion

The country expert database exists to bridge the gap between asylum seekers and the specialist knowledge that can determine their case outcome. With coverage spanning more than 50 countries across seven regions, our network provides access to professionals who understand the conditions applicants face upon return. The findings highlighted in this article reflect the most current intelligence from our experts, covering developments in Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, and beyond.

Expert evidence is not optional in complex asylum cases. It is often the factor that separates a successful claim from a refusal. Whether you are preparing an initial application or an appeal, the right expert can provide the evidence your case needs. Search our expert witness directory today, and take the first step towards strengthening your asylum claim with credible, independent, country-specific evidence.

Country conditions shift quickly across the more than 50 nations covered, and our expert witness finder lets solicitors and attorneys reach a specialist who follows the relevant one.