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.
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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 March 2017
RWANDA
List of Documents
1.
General Information and Maps
Source:
United Nations. Cartographic Section.
Date of Document:
June 2008
Accessed Date:
23 October 2013
Title:
Burundi - Rwanda. L'Encyclopédie en ligne.
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Title:
Rwanda. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
21 November 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Operational Guidance Note: Rwanda
Source:
United Kingdom. Home Office.
Date of Document:
9 March 2009
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; election; ethnic and national groups; marriage; minorities; political opposition; political organizations
Title:
UNHCR's Presence in Rwanda
Source:
United Nations. High Commissioner for Refugees.
Accessed Date:
31 October 2016
Title:
Rwanda: Population of Concern to UNHCR as of 1st September 2016
Source:
United Nations. High Commissioner for Refugees.
Date of Document:
1 September 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Rwanda. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
3 March 2017
Accessed Date:
7 March 2017
Title:
Rwanda. Amnesty International Report 2015/16: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
1 January 2016
Accessed Date:
31 October 2016
Title:
Rwanda. Freedom in the World 2016.
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Rwanda. World Report 2016: Events of 2015.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2016
Accessed Date:
31 October 2016
Title:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Maina Kiai
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
16 September 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; conflict; corruption; country overview; election; freedom of assembly; human rights activists; legal system; legislation; police/security forces; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; political prisoners
Title:
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Rwanda
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
18 December 2015
Accessed Date:
31 October 2016
Title:
Submission to the Human Rights Committee in advance of the fourth periodic review of Rwanda
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
12 February 2016
Accessed Date:
31 October 2016
Title:
Information on ingando camps, including organization, structure, programs and participation; instances of human rights violations in the camps (2010-November 2014)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
24 November 2014
Accessed Date:
9 October 2015
Keywords:
political activities; political organizations
Title:
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Rwanda
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Committee.
Date of Document:
2 May 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
3.
Identification Documents and Citizenship
Title:
Presidential Order N° 21/01 of 27/05/2009 Establishing the Procedure for the Application and Acquisition of Rwandan Nationality
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Keywords:
legislation; nationality
Title:
New / Renew Passport Requirements
Source:
Rwanda. High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda.
Accessed Date:
4 November 2016
Title:
Process by which Congolese nationals of Rwandan origin can obtain Rwandan nationality, including: what family ties are sufficient for entitlement to Rwandan nationality; documentary proof that is required of applicants and whether it is ...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
29 April 2008
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Keywords:
citizenship; ethnic and national groups; identity documents; legislation; nationality
Title:
Information on the official death certificate (acte de décès) and the doctor's death certificate (certificat de décès) for a Rwandan citizen, including the procedure for obtaining death documents (2012-June 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
21 June 2013
Accessed Date:
31 October 2013
Keywords:
identity documents
Title:
Procedures for obtaining the National Identity Card, including a physical description of the card; information on when recent versions of the national identity card were made available and where individuals can obtain such cards...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
21 September 2010
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Keywords:
identity documents
Title:
Rwanda Reciprocity Schedule
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
4.
Political Activities and Organizations
Source:
United Nations. Integrated Regional Information Networks.
Date of Document:
11 April 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
armed groups; children; ethnic and national groups; minorities; race
Title:
Rwanda: Justice After Genocide - 20 Years On
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
28 March 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; conflict; country overview; ethnic and national groups; freedom of expression; humanitarian situation; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; minorities; penal system; tribes/clans
Title:
The Rwanda National Congress (RNC), including information on its structure and leaders; treatment of RNC members by the government
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
26 March 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
conflict; extralegal executions/killings; government corruption; judicial corruption; political activities; political opposition; political organizations
Title:
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), including its structure, the name of its president and its senior leaders; the treatment of its members by the authorities (2009-February 2012)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
1 March 2012
Accessed Date:
12 December 2012
Keywords:
political opposition; political organizations; state surveillance
Title:
Republic of Rwanda. Election for President (President) of 9 August 2010.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
5 October 2015
Keywords:
election; political organizations
Title:
I. Political Transformation. Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2016 — Rwanda Country Report.
Source:
Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung
Accessed Date:
7 November 2016
Title:
The Social Party-Imberakuri (PS-Imberakuri), including treatment of its members by the authorities (2010-May 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
13 May 2013
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; conflict; election; ethnic and national groups; freedom of expression; police/security forces; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; political prisoners
Title:
Republic of Rwanda. Election for Chambre des Députés (Chamber of Deputies) of 16 September 2013.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
election; political activities; political organizations
Title:
Rwanda. Chambre des Députés (Chamber of Deputies).
Source:
Inter-Parliamentary Union. Parline.
Date of Document:
27 May 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
election; political activities; political organizations
5.
Gender, Domestic Violence and Children
Title:
Domestic violence, including legislation, state protection, services and legal recourse available to victims (2011-September 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
18 October 2013
Accessed Date:
31 October 2013
Keywords:
domestic violence; gender equality; gender-based violence; legislation; police efficacy; police/security forces; sexual violence; social services
Title:
Law No 59/2008 of 10/09/2008 on Prevention and Punishment of Gender-Based Violence
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Title:
Exploring Community Perceptions and Women's Experiences of Violence Against Women and Use of Services in Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Rwanda. Strengthening Research and Action on Gender-based Violence in Africa.
Source:
International Center for Research on Women; Gender-based Violence Prevention Network; South African Medical Research Council; Rwanda Women's Network; South African Medical Research Council
Accessed Date:
23 October 2013
Keywords:
corruption; domestic violence; gender-based violence; police corruption; sexual violence; social services
Title:
Rwanda. Social Institutions and Gender Index 2014.
Source:
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
Accessed Date:
5 October 2015
Keywords:
children; conflict; domestic violence; extralegal executions/killings; family law; freedom of movement; gender equality; gender-based violence; labour; legal system; legislation; marriage; police/security forces; political activities; sexual violence; torture
Title:
Rwanda. Report: The State of Human Rights for LGBT People in Africa.
Source:
Human Rights Campaign Foundation; Human Rights First
Date of Document:
July 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
sexual minorities
Title:
Situation of sexual minorities and treatment of this group by society and the authorities; legislation, state protection and support services (2011-August 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
9 September 2013
Accessed Date:
31 October 2013
Keywords:
legislation; police efficacy; sexual minorities
Title:
Sexuality, Poverty and Politics in Rwanda
Source:
Institute of Development Studies
Date of Document:
5 October 2015
Author:
Polly Haste, Tierry Kevin Gatete
Accessed Date:
5 October 2015
Keywords:
gender equality; human rights activists; legal system; nationality; race; religion; sexual minorities; social services
Title:
A landscape analysis of the human rights of sex workers and LGBT communities in Rwanda
Source:
UHAI EASHRI: The East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative
Author:
Irwin Iradukunda, Roselyn Odoyo
Accessed Date:
16 November 2016
7.
Criminality and Corruption
Title:
Rwanda (Tier 2 Watch List). Trafficking in Persons Report 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2016
Accessed Date:
7 November 2016
Title:
Fighting Corruption While Undermining Accountability: The Case of Rwanda. Anti-Corruption Policies Revisited. Background Paper on Rwanda.
Source:
German Institute of Global and Area Studies
Date of Document:
6 December 2013
Author:
Alessandro Bozzini
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
conflict; corruption; country overview; crime; election; ethnic and national groups; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; gender equality; government corruption; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; legislation; police corruption; police/security forces; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Rwanda. 2016 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
25 May 2016
Accessed Date:
7 November 2016
8.
Military Service - (No items in this section)
9.
Judiciary, Legal and Penal Systems
Title:
Country Report on Human Rights and Justice in Rwanda
Source:
Netherlands. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Date of Document:
18 August 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Rwanda: International Tribunal Closing Its Doors
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
23 December 2015
Accessed Date:
7 November 2016
Title:
Treatment by society and by authorities of family members of people who were convicted by a gacaca court
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
29 June 2012
Accessed Date:
25 March 2013
Keywords:
extralegal executions/killings
Title:
Civic Freedom Monitor: Rwanda
Source:
The International Center for Not-For-Profit Law
Date of Document:
19 August 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Correction to ZZZ104930.E of 30 July 2014 on state protection offered by the Burundi government to individuals persecuted by Rwandan authorities, and who have citizenship in both countries; whether the Burundi government allows Rwandan authorities...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
19 August 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
citizenship; conflict; ethnic and national groups; legislation; nationality; police/security forces; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; race; torture
Title:
Rwanda: Locking Up the Poor
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
21 July 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Whether the gacaca courts are still operational; if not, the new mechanisms for solving issues that were under the jurisdiction of gacaca courts (July 2010-Sept. 2012)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
4 October 2012
Accessed Date:
12 December 2012
Keywords:
legal system; legislation
Title:
The process that people who lost their parents during the 1994 genocide must follow to reclaim property; related legislation; whether there are any obstacles to reclaiming property, including ill-treatment of people who attempt to reclaim property...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
10 May 2010
Accessed Date:
12 November 2012
Keywords:
children; legislation
Source:
United Nations. United Nations Development Programme.
Date of Document:
18 June 2012
Accessed Date:
23 October 2013
Title:
Rwanda: Spate of Enforced Disappearances
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
16 May 2014
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
abduction; arbitrary arrest and detention; armed groups; crime; disappeared persons; legislation; police/security forces; political organizations; torture
10.
Police and Security Forces - (No items in this section)
Title:
Rwanda. Freedom of the Press 2016.
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Rwanda. Freedom on the Net 2016.
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
12.
Religion - (No items in this section)
13.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Race
Title:
Treatment by authorities of people of mixed nationalities, particularly if the father is Congolese and the mother is Rwandan; society's attitude towards people of mixed origins (2012-March 2013)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
12 April 2013
Accessed Date:
27 October 2014
Keywords:
armed groups; children; conflict; ethnic and national groups; gender equality; legislation; marriage; minorities; nationality; penal system; political activities; race; tribes/clans
Title:
Concluding observations on the eighteenth to twentieth periodic reports of Rwanda
Code:
CERD/C/RWA/CO/18-20
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
10 June 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
Title:
Reports of ill-treatment of members of the Tutsi ethnic group, in particular genocide survivors and perceived or actual government opponents (2008-September 2014)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
14 October 2014
Accessed Date:
30 October 2014
Keywords:
ethnic and national groups; minorities; race; witness protection
Title:
Alternative Report for the CERD Review of Rwanda
Source:
International Organization for Self-Determination and Equality; Association of Global Development of Batwa in Rwanda
Date of Document:
3 April 2016
Accessed Date:
24 November 2016
14.
Exit/Entry and Freedom of Movement
Title:
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Burundi/Rwanda: Travel between these countries, including whether a passport is required to travel between them, and other documents used for travel
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
15 March 2012
Accessed Date:
16 November 2012
Keywords:
freedom of movement; identity documents
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 30 November 2016:
Title:
Rwanda. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
13 April 2016
URL:
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2015&dlid=252717
Accessed Date:
19 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; children; citizenship; corruption; disappeared persons; domestic violence; ethnic and national groups; extralegal executions/killings; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; gender equality; institutional efficacy; internal displacement; Internet; labour; legal system; minorities; penal system; police efficacy; police/security forces; political activities; political prisoners; race; religion; sexual minorities; sexual violence; state surveillance; torture; warrants
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.