ABSTRACT

Forced migration can cause a vulnerable situation, 1 which affects the right to health. Asylum seekers 2 are confronted with various health risks, such as traumatic experiences and inadequate access to health care, during transit and even in the receiving countries (Norredam, Mygind & Krasnik 2005, p. 285). Furthermore, asylum seekers face numerous obstacles (such as cultural, legal, administrative, and financial barriers) to health care and health-related services in comparison with citizens (Razum & Bozorgmehr 2016; Schneider, Joos & Bozorgmehr 2015). This is also the subject of concern in several country reports by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). In the case of Germany, the UN Committee

notes with deep concern the situation of asylum-seekers who […] have access only to emergency health care’ and ‘urges the State party to ensure, in line with international standards, that asylum-seekers enjoy equal treatment in access to […] health care.

(CESCR 2011, para. 13)