Country-condition evidence can be central to a Canadian refugee claim, Refugee Appeal Division appeal or Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. The evidence should be reliable, current and connected to the claimant’s particular risk rather than consisting only of general reports about the country.
IRB National Documentation Packages
The Immigration and Refugee Board publishes National Documentation Packages (NDPs) containing publicly available country-of-origin information selected according to the IRB’s methodology. The IRB states that NDPs are reviewed and updated regularly and that documents are added, removed or replaced as country conditions and available sources change.
Evidence to consider
- Current IRB National Documentation Package for the country
- Government and international-organization reports
- Credible human-rights and civil-society reporting
- Regional, local and identity-specific conditions
- Evidence relevant to state protection
- Evidence relevant to an alleged internal flight alternative
- Country evidence addressing the claimant’s particular profile and agents of harm
Country evidence and the claimant’s evidence
Country information does not replace the claimant’s testimony, Basis of Claim evidence or individualized corroboration. For an example of country-specific context, see our article on refugees from Pakistan and asylum claims in Canada. The record should connect objective conditions to the specific facts and legal issues in the case.
Check the current NDP
Because NDP contents change, refugee submissions should use the current package and identify any additional reliable evidence needed to address issues not adequately covered by the NDP.
Immigration criteria, document requirements and public policies can change. Advice should be based on the rules and facts applicable when you apply.