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![]() Effective Date: March 12, 2007 Policy on Country-of-Origin Information Packages in Refugee Protection ClaimsOperations BranchTABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PurposeThe objective of this policy is to ensure that common, nationally issued country-of-origin information (COI) packages are used as the standard country information evidence by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) across Canada. This policy supports quality and consistency in the determination of refugee protection claims and enables efficient operations and effective case management. 2. ApplicationThis policy applies to all COI packages disclosed to the parties by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) under Rule 29 of the Refugee Protection Division Rules for use in all RPD proceedings. This policy supersedes any documents or portions of documents previously issued that conflict with this policy. In particular it replaces the December 2003 Policy for Producing Country of Origin National Documentation Packages,as well as any references to it in other instruments. 3. Definitions"Country-of-origin information" is reliable, timely, and publicly available country information that:
Country-of-origin information does not include information about individual claimants collected by officers of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration or the Canada Border Services Agency under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, or information that is specific to a particular claim. A "country-of-origin information package" is a selection of documents that, although not an exhaustive source of information, aims to accurately and objectively report on human rights and country conditions in the countries from which refugee claimants originate. COI packages are standard in format, are nationally issued and provide the best available current COI to decision makers and IRB officers involved in the refugee determination process. This information is equally available to all other parties involved in the process and does not limit, restrict or preclude the submission of additional information to the Board by such parties, particularly the claimant. 4. ContextThe IRB's mission is to make well-reasoned decisions on immigration and refugee matters efficiently, fairly, and in accordance with the law. In support of this goal, the IRB uses the best available current information about human rights and country conditions in countries from which claimants originate. The IRB strives for consistency in the information it collects and uses for claims of a similar type in order to ensure that claimants are treated equally and fairly, regardless of the region in which their claim is heard. The IRB's experience in using documentation packages has demonstrated that packages must effectively address the issues that arise in the types of claims that come before it. This evidence must be up-to-date and must respond to information needs identified during the refugee determination process. 5. Policy StatementIt is the policy of the IRB to create, implement, and use standard COI packages to serve as the Board's disclosure of information in all RPD proceedings. The development of COI packages is a process that involves the careful selection, production and use of documents about a specific country as a single source of country information for use by the RPD in all of its regional offices. This process is designed to ensure that there are no discrepancies in the information used in and between regional offices, and that the IRB relies on a common base of evidence. The development of these COI packages is based on the following principles:
5.1 General Principles
6. ImplementationThe Operations Branch, the RPD, and regional offices share responsibility for the creation, production, distribution, and ongoing use of COI packages. As such, they will collaborate in developing and maintaining the relevant administrative support to this policy. Regional Directors and Assistant Deputy Chairpersons are responsible for the application of this policy in all IRB regional offices. 7. MonitoringThe monitoring of this policy will be carried out by the Operations Branch in collaboration with the RPD. 8. ReferencesLegislation and policies:
9. InquiriesFor information contact: Director, Research Directorate Available in English and French on the IRB's Web site. |
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