National Documentation Packages (NDPs) are lists of public documents that provide information on country conditions. Updates occur on a regular basis.
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 which may have attachments that are inaccessible due to technical constraints and may include translations of documents originally written in languages other than English or French. To obtain a copy of such attachments and/or translated version of the
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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.
-
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.
-
Decision MB6-01059/60 – India – Availability of an internal flight alternative in India for claimants from Punjab.
Revoked
-
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.
Back
31 August 2017
BELGIUM
List of Documents
1.
General Information and Maps
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Accessed Date:
5 November 2012
Title:
Belgique. L'Encyclopédie en ligne.
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Title:
Belgium. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
1 August 2017
Accessed Date:
24 August 2017
Title:
Belgium. Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2016.
Source:
United States. Social Security Administration.
Date of Document:
September 2016
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
3 March 2017
Accessed Date:
6 March 2017
Title:
Belgium. Amnesty International Report 2016/17: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Freedom in the World 2016.
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Keywords:
children; conflict; country overview; election; ethnic and national groups; extremist/terrorist organizations; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of movement; gender equality; government corruption; Internet; judicial efficacy; labour; legislation; minorities; nationality; penal system; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; race; religion; sexual minorities; social services; trafficking in persons
Title:
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Belgium
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
11 April 2016
Accessed Date:
12 July 2016
Keywords:
children; ethnic and national groups; extremist/terrorist organizations; female genital mutilation; gender equality; gender-based violence; legislation; minorities; penal system; police/security forces; race; sexual minorities; sexual violence; social services
Title:
Belgium. Punching Below its Weight: Laws and Practices Provide Inadequate Human Rights Protection.
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
6 October 2015
Accessed Date:
12 July 2016
Keywords:
domestic violence; ethnic and national groups; extremist/terrorist organizations; gender-based violence; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; penal system; police efficacy; political activities; religion; sexual minorities; social services
Title:
Belgium. Country report. Non-discrimination. Reporting period 1 January 2015 – 31 December 2015.
Source:
European Commission. European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination.
Date of Document:
4 October 2016
Author:
Emmanuelle Bribosia et al.
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
3.
Identification Documents and Citizenship
Title:
Code de la nationalité belge
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
children; citizenship; legislation
Title:
Permanent resident permits, including whether permanent resident status can be acquired through marriage, whether it can be revoked because of a divorce, and whether it can be reacquired; the types of documents issued by the authorities to person...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
13 August 2013
Accessed Date:
25 August 2014
Keywords:
citizenship; identity documents; nationality
Title:
The status of a child born in Belgium to parents who are permanent residents, including whether the child has a right to Belgian citizenship and, if so, the procedure for applying for citizenship (2012-August 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
5 September 2013
Accessed Date:
25 August 2014
Keywords:
children; citizenship; nationality
Title:
Belgium Reciprocity Schedule
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Accessed Date:
24 August 2017
4.
Political Activities and Organizations
Title:
Federal Elections in Belgium - Chamber of Representatives Results Lookup (Elections of 25 May 2014)
Source:
Election Resources on the Internet
Accessed Date:
25 August 2014
Keywords:
election; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Belgium. Chambre des représentants (House of Representatives).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
7 February 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Sénat – Senaat – Senat (Senate).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
17 October 2016
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
5.
Gender, Domestic Violence and Children
Title:
Belgium. Compilation of Country Profiles.
Source:
Women Against Violence Europe
Date of Document:
July 2016
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Country report. Gender equality. How are EU rules transposed into national law? Reporting period 1 July 2015 – 1 April 2016.
Source:
European Commission. European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination.
Date of Document:
26 September 2016
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
The Policy on Gender Equality in Belgium – Update 2015
Source:
European Parliament. Directorate General for Internal Policies.
Date of Document:
10 June 2015
Author:
Erika Schulze et al.
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Social Institutions and Gender Index 2014.
Source:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
children; domestic violence; family law; female genital mutilation; freedom of the press; gender equality; labour; legislation; marriage; sexual violence; social services
Title:
La politique criminelle en matière de violences conjugales : une évaluation des pratiques judiciaires et de leurs effets en termes de récidive. Rapport final.
Source:
Belgium. Institut National de criminalistique et de criminologie.
Date of Document:
March 2016
Author:
Charlotte Vanneste
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Keywords:
domestic violence; ethnic and national groups; gender-based violence; honour crimes; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; legislation; marriage; minorities; race; religion; social services; statistics
Title:
Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of Belgium. Addendum. Information received from Belgium concerning follow-up to the concluding observations.
Code:
CEDAW/C/BEL/CO/7/Add.1
Date of Document:
11 January 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe. 6th Edition.
Source:
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. ILGA-Europe.
Date of Document:
May 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
7.
Criminality and Corruption
Title:
Belgium (Tier 1). Trafficking in Persons Report 2017.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2017
Accessed Date:
24 August 2017
Title:
Belgium. 2017 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
31 January 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
8.
Military Service - (No items in this section)
9.
Judiciary, Legal and Penal Systems - (No items in this section)
10.
Police and Security Forces
Title:
Rapport annuel. Convention Police fédérale – Unia. Budget 2016.
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
March 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
11.
Media Freedoms - (No items in this section)
12.
Religion - (No items in this section)
13.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Race
Title:
Rapport annuel 2015. Le vivre ensemble mis à l'épreuve.
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
14 June 2016
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Evaluation. Loi du 10 mai 2007 modifiant la loi du 30 juillet 1981 tendant à réprimer certains actes inspirés par le racisme ou la xénophobie (MB 30 mai 2007) (loi antiracisme). Loi du 10 mai 2007 tendant à lutter contre certaines formes de discrimination (MB 30 mai 2007) (loi antidiscrimination).
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
16 February 2017
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Y a-t-il une 'question Rom' en Belgique?
Source:
Coordination et initiatives pour réfugiés et étrangers
Date of Document:
8 July 2015
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
14.
Exit/Entry and Freedom of Movement
Title:
European Union: Application of the Protocol on Asylum for Nationals of Member States of the European Union (2013-June 2015)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
9 July 2015
Accessed Date:
31 July 2015
Keywords:
citizenship; freedom of movement; identity documents; legislation; political activities; statistics
Title:
European Union: Freedom of movement, residency and social security regulations for European Union (EU) nationals who move to other EU countries; the situation of Czech, Hungarian, and Slovak nationals who move to other EU countries, including...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
16 July 2015
Accessed Date:
31 July 2015
Keywords:
citizenship; freedom of movement; identity documents; legislation; political activities; statistics
15.
Labour, Employment and Unions - (No items in this section)
16.
Other - (No items in this section)
The following changes have been made to the previous package dated 31 March 2017:
Title:
Belgium. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
8 August 2016
URL:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/be.html
Keywords:
country overview; map
Title:
Belgium. Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2014.
Source:
United States. Social Security Administration.
Date of Document:
September 2014
URL:
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2014-2015/europe/belgium.pdf
Accessed Date:
12 August 2015
Keywords:
family law; labour; legal system; legislation; social services
Title:
Belgium. Amnesty International Annual Report 2015/16: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
URL:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/belgium/report-belgium/
Accessed Date:
12 July 2016
Keywords:
extralegal executions/killings; extremist/terrorist organizations; institutional efficacy; legal system; penal system; religion; sexual minorities; torture
Title:
Belgium Reciproctiy Schedule
Source:
United States. Department of State.
URL:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/BE.html
Accessed Date:
12 July 2016
Keywords:
identity documents
Title:
Belgium. Chambre des représentants (House of Representatives).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
12 November 2014
URL:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2029.htm
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Keywords:
election; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Belgium. Sénat – Senaat – Senat (Senate).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
1 April 2016
URL:
http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2030.htm
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Keywords:
election; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Country Report. Gender Equality. Belgium. 2015.
Source:
European Commission
URL:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/files/ge_country_reports_d1/2015-be-country_report_ge_final.pdf
Accessed Date:
12 July 2016
Keywords:
domestic violence; gender equality; gender-based violence; judicial efficacy; labour; legal system; legislation; social services
Title:
Belgium. Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe.
Source:
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. ILGA-Europe.
Date of Document:
May 2016
URL:
http://www.ilga-europe.org/sites/default/files/2016/full_annual_review.pdf
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
family law; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; judicial efficacy; labour; legislation; political activities; sexual minorities
Title:
Belgium (Tier 1). Trafficking in Persons Report 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2016
URL:
http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2016/258724.htm
Accessed Date:
18 August 2016
Keywords:
children; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; labour; legal system; legislation; police efficacy; social services; statistics; trafficking in persons
Title:
Belgium. 2016 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
16 March 2016
URL:
https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19297
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
crime; extremist/terrorist organizations; Internet; minorities; police/security forces; religion; transport infrastructure
Title:
Belgium. Wave Report 2014. Specialized Women's Support Services and New Tools for Combatting Gender-Based Violence in Europe.
Source:
Women Against Violence Europe
Author:
Kelly Blank et al.
URL:
http://fileserver.wave-network.org/researchreports/COUNTRY_REPORT_2014.pdf
Accessed Date:
13 August 2015
Keywords:
domestic violence; gender-based violence; social services; statistics
Title:
The protection provided by the authorities for Kurdish women who are threatened by members of the Kurdish community (2010-August 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
13 August 2013
URL:
http://irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/ResRec/RirRdi/Pages/index.aspx?doc=455473&pls=1
Accessed Date:
28 August 2014
Keywords:
domestic violence; ethnic and national groups; gender-based violence; honour crimes; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; labour; legislation; marriage; minorities; race; religion; social services
Title:
Rapport parallèle du Centre pour l'égalité des chances et la lutte contre le racisme sur les seizième, dix-septième, dix-huitième et dix-neuvième rapports présentés par la Belgique sur l'application de la Convention international sur l'élimination ...
Source:
Centre pour l'égalité des chances et la lutte contre le racisme
Date of Document:
January 2014
URL:
http://unia.be/files/legacy/rapport_parallele_cntr_fr_version_courte.docx
Accessed Date:
25 August 2014
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; citizenship; ethnic and national groups; gender equality; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; labour; legislation; minorities; nationality; penal system; police efficacy; police/security forces; political activities; race; rejected asylum seekers; social services
Title:
Loi modifiant la législation concernant l'accueil des demandeurs d'asile
URL:
http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=2012011913
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Title:
Belgium. Country report. Non-discrimination. Reporting period 1 January 2015 – 31 December 2015.
Source:
European Commission. European network of legal experts in gender equality and non-discrimination.
Date of Document:
4 October 2016
Author:
Emmanuelle Bribosia et al.
URL:
http://www.equalitylaw.eu/downloads/3676-2016-be-country-report-nd
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Belgium. Compilation of Country Profiles.
Source:
Women Against Violence Europe
Date of Document:
July 2016
URL:
http://fileserver.wave-network.org/researchreports/WAVEReport2015_Compilation_Country_Profiles.pdf
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
The Policy on Gender Equality in Belgium – Update 2015
Source:
European Parliament. Directorate General for Internal Policies.
Date of Document:
10 June 2015
Author:
Erika Schulze et al.
URL:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2015/519192/IPOL_IDA(2015)519192_EN.pdf
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Concluding observations on the seventh periodic report of Belgium. Addendum. Information received from Belgium concerning follow-up to the concluding observations.
Code:
CEDAW/C/BEL/CO/7/Add.1
Date of Document:
11 January 2017
URL:
http://undocs.org/en/CEDAW/C/BEL/CO/7/Add.1
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Rapport annuel. Convention Police fédérale – Unia. Budget 2016.
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
March 2017
URL:
http://unia.be/files/Documenten/Publicaties_docs/JV_Conventie_2016_Final_310317_FR.pdf
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Rapport annuel 2015. Le vivre ensemble mis à l'épreuve.
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
14 June 2016
URL:
http://unia.be/files/Documenten/Jaarrapport/Unia_Rapport_2015_opmaak_FR_AS_manu.pdf
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Evaluation. Loi du 10 mai 2007 modifiant la loi du 30 juillet 1981 tendant à réprimer certains actes inspirés par le racisme ou la xénophobie (MB 30 mai 2007) (loi antiracisme). Loi du 10 mai 2007 tendant à lutter contre certaines formes de discrimination (MB 30 mai 2007) (loi antidiscrimination).
Source:
Centre interfédéral pour l'égalité des chances
Date of Document:
16 February 2017
URL:
http://unia.be/files/Documenten/Publicaties_docs/Evaluation_2e_version_LAR_LAD_Unia_PDF_(Francophone).pdf
Accessed Date:
11 July 2017
Title:
Y a-t-il une 'question Rom' en Belgique?
Source:
Coordination et initiatives pour réfugiés et étrangers
Date of Document:
8 July 2015
URL:
https://www.cire.be/thematiques/politiques-migratoires/y-a-t-il-une-question-rom-en-belgique
Accessed Date:
11 July 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.