National Documentation Packages

​​​National Documentation Packages (NDPs) are lists of public documents that provide information about conditions in specific countries. Updates occur periodically based on publicly available information. Countries with high volumes of claims may be updated more frequently. In periods of rapid change and/or uncertainty, updates may be delayed to build a body of relevant information.

NDPs support the refugee determination process. They do not imply recognition of a particular territory's sovereignty or political status.

NDPs include Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) published by the IRB on its website. RIRs may have attachments that are not available online. To obtain a copy of any such attachment, please email us.​


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Jurisprudential Guides Notes

Jurisprudential Guides Notes

On July 28, 2022, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a Jurisprudential Guide:          

  • Decision TC1 05038 – The proper interpretation of the ‘generalized risk’ exception to protection found at subparagraph 97(1)(b)(ii) of the Act, in claims for protection involving allegations of gang-targeting or other acts of criminality.

On December 22, 2020, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a Jurisprudential Guide.          

  • Decision MB8-00025 – This Jurisprudential Guide addresses, in applying Article 1E of the Refugee Convention, whether members should consider allegations of risk in a country of residence if they conclude that a refugee claimant has the rights and obligations which are attached to the possession of nationality in that country.

On July 6, 2018, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being a Jurisprudential Guide.          

  • Decision TB7-19851 – Nigeria – This Jurisprudential Guide addresses internal flight alternatives in major cities in south and central Nigeria for claimants fleeing non-state actors. Revoked

The country documentation referenced in each of these decisions has been included in s.16 of the updated National Documentation Packages published on July 10, 2018.          

On July 20, 2017, the Chairperson identified the following Refugee Appeal Division decision as being Jurisprudential Guides.          

  1. Decision TB7-01837 – Pakistan – Whether the treatment experienced by Ahmadis in Pakistan amounts to persecution, whether state protection is available and whether there is a viable internal flight alternative.
  2. Decision MB6-01059/60 – India – Availability of an internal flight alternative in India for claimants from Punjab. Revoked
  3. Decision TB6-11632 – China – Analysis of the efficacy of the Chinese national computer network known as the Golden Shield Project and its impact on whether a person wanted by the authorities can exit China via an airport using a genuine passport. Revoked

The country documentation referenced in each of these decisions has been included in s.16 of the updated National Documentation Packages published on July 20, 2017.          

Disclaimer

National Documentation Packages (NDPs) include country-of-origin information that is publicly accessible at the time of publication and available within time constraints. While the Research Directorate strives to maintain the NDP with current information, the research is not exhaustive and country conditions can change rapidly. Members of the public are invited to suggest documents they feel are relevant to the NDP. 

NDPs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the NDPs are the responsibility of independent IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.  

All sources are fully cited, including a hyperlink, to facilitate the location of the information. The IRB will attempt to ensure that these links are maintained for the most recent NDP. It cannot guarantee or be responsible for:  

  • the functionality of links to external sources,
  • the content accessed by these links,
  • the availability of external content in both English and French,
  • any other part of a third party website.

The information presented in NDPs solely reflects the views and perspectives of the sources cited and does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRB or the Government of Canada. 

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