Country Expert Witness on El Salvador and Latin America & the Caribbean Countries for Asylum Cases Providing Expert Witness Reports, Evidence and Country Expert Testimonies for Asylum and Human Rights Cases

Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is primarily written for law firms representing asylum applicants from El Salvador and other countries in Latin America & the Caribbean, although it may also be useful for applicants themselves.
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am the founder of The Human Rights, an international agency of expert witnesses specializing in expert reports for asylum seekers worldwide (website: thehuman-rights.com).

We provide expert witness reports on human rights violations, political persecution, and asylum-related risks across key regions, including:

• Post-Soviet Region (CIS): Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.
• East Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda.
• South & Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
• Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
• Western Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.
• East Asia: China, North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar.

In this article, I will explain how our team approaches the analysis of the situation in El Salvador and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and discuss why an expert witness report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution and cannot return to El Salvador or another Latin America & Caribbean country due to the risks involved. The report serves as witness testimony in the asylum case, providing expert insight into the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.

Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

• At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in El Salvador or another Latin America & Caribbean country.
• At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.

Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report
1. Contextual Analysis
An expert witness report confirms the broader situation in El Salvador and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.

2. Personal Risk Assessment
The report demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s individual threats and the conditions in their country. Whether it’s due to their political views, ethnicity, religion, or gender, the report will explain why they are personally at risk in El Salvador or another Latin America & Caribbean country.

3. Strengthening the Evidence Base
An expert witness report verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution. Vulnerable groups can include ethnic or religious minorities, journalists, political activists, and women, particularly in countries like El Salvador, where these groups may face targeted violence.

4. Support with Credible Sources
The report references authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others. All sources are formatted according to the OSCOLA citation standard.

Country Expert Witness on El Salvador and Latin America & Caribbean Countries
At The Human Rights, we specialize in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from El Salvador and other countries in the Latin America & Caribbean region. Our reports are tailored to asylum cases in the UK, USA, Canada, and the EU, ensuring compliance with immigration law standards and expert witness requirements.

We provide in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in El Salvador and other Latin America & Caribbean countries, addressing issues such as:

• Violence and Organized Crime: El Salvador is known for having one of the highest homicide rates in the world, driven largely by violent gangs, cartels, and organized criminal groups. Asylum applicants from El Salvador, particularly those who are public figures, journalists, human rights activists, or members of vulnerable groups, may be at risk of violence, extortion, and death threats from these groups.
• Gang Violence and Recruitment: Youth in El Salvador, particularly young men, are often targeted for gang recruitment. Those who resist or attempt to escape are subject to violent retribution. Applicants seeking asylum who have been directly threatened by gangs may face a continued risk if returned to El Salvador.
• Impunity and Weak Rule of Law: El Salvador has been criticized for widespread impunity, with law enforcement and the judicial system often failing to effectively address crime and violence. Asylum seekers who have been victims of violence or persecution may find it difficult to seek protection or justice due to this systemic failure.
• Political Persecution: Political dissidents, opposition figures, and human rights activists who criticize government policies in El Salvador may be subject to harassment, threats, or violence by both state and non-state actors. These individuals may face arrest, torture, or worse for exercising their right to free speech.
• Gender-Based Violence: Women in El Salvador face extremely high rates of domestic violence, sexual violence, and femicide. The country’s law enforcement system is often ill-equipped to protect women or prosecute offenders, leaving women vulnerable to abuse and harm. Female applicants seeking asylum may be at risk of severe violence, especially in cases where they are targeted for their gender.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: Members of the LGBTQ+ community in El Salvador face widespread discrimination, violence, and harassment. Homophobic violence is common, and there is often little support from authorities. Asylum applicants from this community may face significant risks due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Why Choose Our Expert Witness Reports?
Collective Expertise & Verification
Our reports are prepared by regional country experts, researchers, and legal analysts, ensuring accuracy and depth. Every report undergoes fact-checking and validation by our senior experts before submission.

Court-Tested Reports & Expert Testimony
Our experts are available to testify in court, reinforcing the credibility of the asylum applicant’s case. We follow the highest standards of expert witness reporting, including OSCOLA citation formatting and references to leading human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR, etc.).

Customized Reports for Each Case
We tailor each report to the specific applicant’s circumstances, linking their personal risks to the broader situation in their country of origin.

Strong Track Record of Success
Our reports have played a key role in successful asylum applications and appeals, helping individuals prove their risk of persecution.