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 May 2017
BELARUS
List of Documents
1.
General Information and Maps
Source:
United Nations. Cartographic Section.
Date of Document:
January 2004
Accessed Date:
5 November 2012
Title:
Biélorussie. L'Encyclopédie en ligne.
Accessed Date:
5 November 2012
Title:
Belarus. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
9 May 2017
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Common core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Belarus.
Date of Document:
18 January 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. 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:
Belarus. Amnesty International Annual Report 2016/17: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. World Report 2017: Events of 2016.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2017
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. Nations in Transit 2017.
Author:
Andrei Kazakevich
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Belarus. Freedom in the World 2016.
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Belarus
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
13 July 2015
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
children; domestic violence; freedom of expression; gender equality; legal system; legislation; penal system; religion; torture; trafficking in persons
Title:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
21 April 2017
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
3.
Identification Documents and Citizenship
Title:
Law of the Republic of Belarus on Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus (2010 edition)
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Keywords:
citizenship; legislation
Title:
Belarus Reciprocity Schedule
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Country Report: Belarus
Source:
European University Institute. EUDO Citizenship.
Date of Document:
January 2013
Accessed Date:
28 May 2013
Keywords:
citizenship; country overview; ethnic and national groups; legislation; minorities
Title:
The Law of the Republic of Belarus of January 4, 2010 No. 105-Z on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Belarus
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
4.
Political Activities and Organizations
Title:
I. Political Transformation. Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2016 - Belarus Country Report.
Source:
Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
corruption; election; ethnic and national groups; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; judicial corruption; legal system; legislation; minorities; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; religion; sexual minorities
Title:
Republic of Belarus. Election for President of 11 October 2015.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
political activities; political organizations
Title:
The United Civil [Civic] Party (UCPB, UCP), , including its structure (national and local), number of members, duties of members; whether the party issues membership cards, appearance and format of membership cards, including a sample; treatment...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
12 January 2016
Accessed Date:
27 May 2016
Keywords:
political activities; political organizations
Title:
Republic of Belarus. Election for Palata Predstaviteley (Belarusian Chamber of Representatives) of 11 September 2016.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
5.
Gender, Domestic Violence and Children
Title:
Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of Belarus
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Date of Document:
25 November 2016
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
#IamNotAfraidToSayIt: Belarusian Women Speak Out Against Sexual Violence
Date of Document:
9 August 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Universal Periodic Review of Belarus
Source:
Sexual Rights Initiative; GayBelarus
Date of Document:
May 2015
Accessed Date:
27 May 2015
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of assembly; legislation; sexual minorities
Title:
Belarus. 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:
26 May 2017
7.
Criminality and Corruption
Title:
Belarus (Tier 3 Watch List). Trafficking in Persons Report 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. 2015 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
16 September 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
BELARUS: 'Alternative service exists, not for me'
Source:
Forum 18 News Service
Date of Document:
3 August 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
9.
Judiciary, Legal and Penal Systems - (No items in this section)
10.
Police and Security Forces - (No items in this section)
Title:
Belarus. Freedom of the Press 2016.
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. Freedom on the Net 2016.
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Belarus. International Religious Freedom Report for 2015.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
10 August 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Belarus. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom 2017 Annual Report.
Source:
United States. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Date of Document:
April 2017
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Belarus: Do individuals have religious freedom or only registered organisations?
Source:
Forum 18 News Service
Date of Document:
11 December 2015
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; legislation; religion; state surveillance
13.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Race
Title:
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention. Twentieth to twenty-third periodic reports of States parties due in 2016: Belarus.
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
29 July 2016
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
14.
Exit/Entry and Freedom of Movement - (No items in this section)
15.
Labour, Employment and Unions
Title:
Belarus. The 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index. The World's Worst Countries for Workers.
Source:
International Trade Union Confederation
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
16.
Other - (No items in this section)
The following changes have been made to the previous package dated 31 March 2017:
Title:
Belarus. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
6 May 2016
URL:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bo.html
Accessed Date:
17 May 2016
Keywords:
country overview; drug trafficking; map; statistics; trafficking in persons
Title:
Belarus. 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/belarus/report-belarus/
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; Internet; police/security forces; political opposition; torture
Title:
Belarus. World Report 2016: Events of 2015.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2015
URL:
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2016/country-chapters/belarus
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; legislation; political activities; political opposition; political prisoners; sexual minorities
Title:
Belarus. Nations in Transit 2015.
Author:
Alena Vysotskaya Guedes Vieira
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/NIT2015_Belarus.pdf
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; corruption; election; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; government corruption; human rights activists; Internet; judicial efficacy; legislation; political activities; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Belarus. Freedom in the World 2015.
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/belarus
Accessed Date:
27 May 2015
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; corruption; domestic violence; election; ethnic and national groups; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; gender equality; Internet; labour; legislation; minorities; political activities; political opposition; political prisoners; race; religion; sexual minorities; sexual violence; state surveillance; trafficking in persons
Title:
Situation of Human Rights in Belarus: Note by the Secretary-General
Source:
United Nations. General Assembly.
Date of Document:
14 August 2015
URL:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/newyork/Pages/GA70thSession.aspx
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; disappeared persons; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; Internet; judicial efficacy; labour; legal system; legislation; penal system; police/security forces; police/security forces complaints; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; political prisoners; state surveillance; torture
Title:
Belarus Reciprocity Schedule
Source:
United States. Department of State.
URL:
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/BO.html
Accessed Date:
17 May 2016
Keywords:
identity documents
Title:
Belarus. 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://ilga-europe.org/sites/default/files/2016/belarus.pdf
Accessed Date:
17 May 2016
Keywords:
children; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; human rights activists; legislation; police/security forces; sexual minorities; statistics
Title:
Belarus (Tier 3 Watch List). Trafficking in Persons Report 2015.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
1 July 2015
URL:
http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2015/243394.htm
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
children; institutional efficacy; labour; legislation; social services; trafficking in persons
Title:
Belarus. 2015 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
23 December 2015
URL:
https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=18772
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
corruption; crime
Title:
Belarus. Freedom of the Press 2015.
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2015/belarus
Accessed Date:
28 May 2015
Keywords:
freedom of expression; freedom of the press; Internet; legislation; police/security forces; political opposition; statistics
Title:
Belarus. Freedom on the Net 2015.
URL:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2015/belarus
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of expression; human rights activists; Internet; legal system; legislation
Title:
Belarus. International Religious Freedom Report for 2014.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
14 October 2015
URL:
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2014&dlid=238358
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; legislation; minorities; police/security forces; religion; statistics
Title:
Belarus. USCIRF 2016 Annual Report.
Source:
United States. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Date of Document:
30 April 2015
URL:
http://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/USCIRF_Monitored_Belarus.pdf
Accessed Date:
17 May 2016
Keywords:
freedom of assembly; legislation; military service; police/security forces; religion
Title:
Belarus. The 2015 ITUC Global Rights Index. The World's Worst Countries for Workers.
Source:
International Trade Union Confederation
URL:
http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/survey_global_rights_index_2015_en.pdf
Accessed Date:
12 April 2016
Title:
Situation of human rights in Belarus
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
22 July 2015
URL:
http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?m=140
Accessed Date:
17 May 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; children; disappeared persons; domestic violence; election; ethnic and national groups; extralegal executions/killings; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of movement; freedom of the press; gender equality; human rights activists; Internet; judicial efficacy; labour; legal system; legislation; minorities; penal system; police efficacy; police/security forces; police/security forces complaints; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; political prisoners; race; religion; sexual minorities; sexual violence; torture
Title:
Analytical review of the human rights situation in Belarus. October-December 2014.
Source:
RHRPA Belarusian Helsinki Committee; Belarusian Association of Journalists; Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs of Belarus; Legal Transformation Center; Human Rights Centre Viasna; Committee Salidarnasc
URL:
http://belhelcom.org/en/node/19697
Accessed Date:
27 May 2015
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; Internet; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; police/security forces; political activities; political opposition; political organizations
Title:
Law of the Republic of Belarus On Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Persons Without Citizenship in the Republic of Belarus
URL:
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/6424
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Title:
Belarus. 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:
27 May 2015
Keywords:
children; domestic violence; legislation; marriage; police efficacy; police/security forces; sexual violence; social services; statistics
Title:
Belarus. Attacks on the Press in 2013.
Source:
Committee to Protect Journalists
URL:
https://cpj.org/2014/02/attacks-on-the-press-in-2013-belarus.php
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; Internet; legal system
Title:
Belarus. Enemies of the Internet Report 2014.
Source:
Reporters Without Borders
Date of Document:
12 March 2014
URL:
http://12mars.rsf.org/2014-en/2014/03/10/belarus-apparatus-of-repression/
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Keywords:
corruption; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; Internet; labour; legal system; legislation; police corruption; police/security forces
Title:
Belarus: Religious freedom survey, September 2014
Source:
Forum 18 News Service
Date of Document:
16 September 2014
URL:
http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=1997&pdf=Y
Accessed Date:
27 May 2015
Keywords:
freedom of assembly; political opposition; political prisoners; religion; state surveillance
Title:
Common core document forming part of the reports of States parties: Belarus.
Date of Document:
18 January 2016
URL:
http://undocs.org/HRI/CORE/BLR/2015
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
The Law of the Republic of Belarus of January 4, 2010 No. 105-Z on the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Republic of Belarus
URL:
http://uvd.mogilev.by/page/legal-status-foreign-citizens-and-stateless-persons-republic-belarus
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
Republic of Belarus. Election for Palata Predstaviteley (Belarusian Chamber of Representatives) of 11 September 2016.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
URL:
http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2488/
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of Belarus
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Date of Document:
25 November 2016
URL:
http://undocs.org/en/CEDAW/C/BLR/CO/8
Accessed Date:
26 May 2017
Title:
#IamNotAfraidToSayIt: Belarusian Women Speak Out Against Sexual Violence
Date of Document:
9 August 2016
URL:
http://belarusdigest.com/story/iamnotafraidtosayit-belarusian-women-speak-out-against-sexual-violence-26715
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
BELARUS: 'Alternative service exists, not for me'
Source:
Forum 18 News Service
Date of Document:
3 August 2016
URL:
http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2204
Accessed Date:
12 April 2017
Title:
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention. Twentieth to twenty-third periodic reports of States parties due in 2016: Belarus.
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
29 July 2016
URL:
http://undocs.org/CERD/C/BLR/20-23
Accessed Date:
12 April 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.