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
30 April 2018
AZERBAIJAN
List of Documents
1.
General Information and Maps
Source:
United Nations. Cartographic Section.
Date of Document:
September 2014
Accessed Date:
25 June 2015
Title:
Azerbaïdjan. L'Encyclopédie en ligne.
Accessed Date:
8 July 2016
Title:
Azerbaijan. The World Factbook.
Source:
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Date of Document:
19 July 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
20 April 2018
Accessed Date:
24 April 2018
Title:
Azerbaijan. Amnesty International Report 2016/17: The State of the World's Human Rights.
Source:
Amnesty International
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. World Report 2017: Events of 2016.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
January 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. Freedom in the World 2017.
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Committee.
Date of Document:
16 November 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. Nations in Transit 2017.
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review: Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
5 July 2013
Accessed Date:
25 June 2015
Keywords:
children; conflict; corruption; crime; domestic violence; election; ethnic and national groups; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; gender equality; gender-based violence; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; Internet; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; minorities; organized crime; penal system; police/security forces; religion; social services; statistics; torture; trafficking in persons
Title:
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders on his mission to Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Human Rights Council.
Date of Document:
20 February 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Nagorno-Karabakh. Freedom in the World 2016.
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Mid-term Report of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on implementation of recommendations indicated in the report (A/HRC/24/13) of the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council on Universal Periodic Review
Accessed Date:
13 June 2016
Keywords:
corruption; domestic violence; ethnic and national groups; family law; freedom of assembly; freedom of movement; gender equality; government corruption; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; internal displacement; judicial corruption; judicial efficacy; labour; legal system; legislation; marriage; minorities; religion; social services; statistics; torture; trafficking in persons
Title:
Harassed, Imprisoned, Exiled: Azerbaijan's Continuing Crackdown on Government Critics, Lawyers, and Civil Society
Source:
Human Rights Watch
Date of Document:
20 October 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
ECRI Report on Azerbaijan (fifth monitoring cycle)
Source:
Council of Europe. European Commission against Racism and Intolerance.
Date of Document:
7 June 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
III. Démocratie et droits de l'homme: pour une approche équilibrée encourageant l'ouverture de l'Azerbaïdjan. Rapport d'information déposé en application de l'article 145 du règlement.
Source:
France. Assemblée nationale.
Date of Document:
15 February 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee). Honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan. Information note on a fact-finding visit to Baku (12-14 January 2017).
Source:
Council of Europe. Parliamentary Assembly.
Date of Document:
19 February 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
3.
Identification Documents and Citizenship
Title:
Law of the Azerbaijan Republic on Citizenship of the Azerbaijan Republic
Accessed Date:
25 June 2015
Keywords:
citizenship; identity documents; legislation
Title:
Biometric passports, including issuance procedures within the country and abroad
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
9 June 2014
Accessed Date:
26 June 2014
Keywords:
identity documents; legislation
Title:
Law of the Azerbaijan Republic On Identification Document of Citizen of the Azerbaijan Republic
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Keywords:
children; citizenship; identity documents; legislation; military service
Title:
Azerbaijan. Country Reciprocity Schedule.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Requirements and procedures for individuals born in the country in the late 1970s to obtain citizenship, if they departed the country in the early 1990s (2015-November 2016)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
25 November 2016
Accessed Date:
17 July 2017
4.
Political Activities and Organizations
Title:
Azerbaijan. Election for President (President) of 9 October 2013.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
24 June 2014
Keywords:
election; political opposition; political organizations; statistics
Title:
Azerbaijan. Election for Milli Məclis (National Assembly) of 1 November 2015.
Source:
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide.
Accessed Date:
25 July 2016
Keywords:
election; political opposition; political organizations; statistics
Title:
I. Political Transformation. Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2016 — Azerbaijan Country Report.
Source:
Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung
Accessed Date:
8 July 2016
Keywords:
citizenship; conflict; election; ethnic and national groups; extralegal executions/killings; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; gender equality; government corruption; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; Internet; judicial corruption; judicial efficacy; legal system; minorities; nationality; police efficacy; police/security forces complaints; political activities; political opposition; political organizations; religion; sexual minorities; statistics
Title:
Information on the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party including its membership, structure, activities, involvement in demonstrations prior to and after the elections of 1 November 2015, including police and government response; treatment of members by the police and by government
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
16 May 2016
Accessed Date:
14 July 2016
Keywords:
police efficacy; police/security forces; political opposition; political organizations
Title:
Final Report. November 1, 2015 Parliamentary Elections Republic of Azerbaijan.
Source:
European Platform for Democratic Elections
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
“Revolving Doors”: The Ongoing Persecution of Government Critics in Azerbaijan
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
16 June 2016
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; Internet; judicial efficacy; legal system; police/security forces; political opposition; political prisoners
Title:
Azerbaijan. Preliminary Opinion on the Draft Modifications to the Constitution Submitted to the Referendum of 26 September 2016.
Source:
Council of Europe. Venice Commission.
Date of Document:
20 September 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Alternative View of the Third Referendum in Azerbaijan. Assessment Report on preparation and results of 26 September 2016 Referendum on the Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Source:
European Platform for Democratic Elections
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
The Future Azerbaijan Party (FAP), including leadership, activities, and office locations; information on membership cards, including description and designated signing authority; treatment of members by authorities (2014-March 2017)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
21 March 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Whether the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) provides membership documents, including identification cards and letters; appearance of such documents (2015-January 2017)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
27 January 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
A Unified list of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan
Source:
The Working Group on “A Unified List of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan”
Date of Document:
25 November 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Civic Freedom Monitor: Azerbaijan
Source:
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
Date of Document:
29 May 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
5.
Gender, Domestic Violence and Children
Title:
Azerbaijan. Social Institutions and Gender Index 2014.
Source:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prevention of Domestic Violence
Accessed Date:
2 November 2012
Keywords:
domestic violence; gender-based violence; legislation; social services
Title:
Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Date of Document:
12 March 2015
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
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:
27 July 2017
Title:
Being Gay in Azerbaijan
Source:
Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Date of Document:
7 July 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
7.
Criminality and Corruption
Title:
Azerbaijan (Tier 2). Trafficking in Persons Report 2017.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
June 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. 2017 OSAC Crime and Safety Report.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
30 January 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report 2017, Volume I: Drug and Chemical Control.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
March 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Fourth Evaluation Round. Corruption prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. Compliance Report Azerbaijan.
Source:
Council of Europe. Group of States against Corruption.
Date of Document:
17 March 2017
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Anti-Corruption Reforms in Azerbaijan. Fourth Round of Monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
Source:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Date of Document:
16 September 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
Compulsory military service, including requirements and exemptions; penalties for evasion and desertion (2011-May 2016)
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
2 June 2016
Accessed Date:
26 July 2016
Keywords:
military service
Title:
Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector (again) one of 20 current prisoners of conscience
Date of Document:
19 November 2015
Accessed Date:
21 June 2016
Keywords:
judicial efficacy; legal system; military service; penal system; police/security forces; police/security forces complaints; political prisoners; religion; statistics
9.
Judiciary, Legal and Penal Systems
Title:
Justice behind bars: The persecution of civil society in Azerbaijan
Source:
International Partnership for Human Rights; Civic Solidarity
Date of Document:
1 December 2015
Accessed Date:
8 July 2016
Keywords:
election; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; penal system; political activities; political prisoners
Title:
Submission to the Committee against Torture in relation to its examination of the fourth periodic Report of Azerbaijan
Source:
World Organization against Torture; International Partnership for Human Rights
Date of Document:
26 October 2015
Accessed Date:
21 June 2016
Keywords:
arbitrary arrest and detention; conflict; crime; election; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; human rights activists; institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; medical records; nationality; penal system; police/security forces complaints; political activities; political prisoners; torture
Title:
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Committee against Torture.
Date of Document:
27 January 2016
Accessed Date:
13 July 2016
Keywords:
institutional efficacy; judicial efficacy; legal system; legislation; penal system; police efficacy; police/security forces; political activities; torture
Title:
Defenceless Defenders: Systemic Problems in the Legal Profession of Azerbaijan. ICJ Mission Report 2016.
Source:
International Commission of Jurists
Date of Document:
14 November 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
Title:
The Functioning of the Judicial System in Azerbaijan and its Impact on the Right to a Fair Trial of Human Rights Defenders
Source:
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
Date of Document:
September 2016
Accessed Date:
18 July 2017
10.
Police and Security Forces
Title:
Legal Assessment Facts on Human Shielding and Use of Indiscriminate Attacks against the Civilian Population of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijani Military Forces
Source:
Nagorno Karabkh Republic (Artsakh Republic); Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman)
Date of Document:
2 May 2016
Accessed Date:
21 June 2016
Keywords:
conflict; legislation; police/security forces; police/security forces complaints; torture
Title:
Explaining Azerbaijan's Surprise Prisoner Amnesty
Source:
Institute for War and Peace Reporting
Date of Document:
22 March 2016
Accessed Date:
21 June 2016
Keywords:
penal system; political activities; political opposition; political prisoners; statistics
Title:
False Friends: How Fake Accounts and Crude Malware Targeted Dissidents in Azerbaijan
Source:
Amnesty International
Date of Document:
10 March 2017
Author:
Claudio Guarnieri et al.
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. Freedom of the Press 2016.
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. Freedom on the Net 2016.
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Preliminary Report on Media Coverage prior to the 26 September Constitutional Referendum 20 August – 25 September 2016 Azerbaijan.
Source:
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety; Memo 98
Date of Document:
10 October 2016
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Freedom of Expression Ahead of Controversial Constitutional Referendum. 2016 Third Quarterly Report on Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan.
Source:
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety
Date of Document:
14 November 2016
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Concerns and Recommendations on Azerbaijan. Response to List of Issues Submitted to the UN Human Rights Committee prior to its fourth periodic review of Azerbaijan.
Source:
Article 19 et al.
Date of Document:
18 October 2016
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan cracks down on remaining critical journalists
Source:
Reporters Without Borders
Date of Document:
22 June 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. International Religious Freedom Report for 2015.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
16 August 2016
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Azerbaijan. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Annual Report 2017.
Source:
United States. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Date of Document:
April 2017
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Regime jails Muslims, doesn't arrest torturers
Date of Document:
9 February 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
Title:
Raids, fines enforce state religious censorship
Date of Document:
16 November 2016
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
13.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Race
Title:
Concluding observations on the combined seventh to ninth periodic reports of Azerbaijan
Source:
United Nations. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Date of Document:
10 June 2016
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Query response on Azerbaijan: Information about the Talysh community (rights and treatment)
Source:
Austrian Red Cross. Austrian Centre for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation.
Date of Document:
16 May 2017
Accessed Date:
27 July 2017
14.
Exit/Entry and Freedom of Movement
Title:
Law of the Azerbaijan Republic about exit from the Country, entry into the Country, and about Passports
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Readmission, return and reintegration: Legal framework in the Republic of Azerbaijan
Source:
European University Institute. Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies.
Date of Document:
June 2013
Accessed Date:
20 July 2017
Title:
Exit procedures and documents required for citizens leaving the country; whether passports are scanned and interviews are conducted by customs officials; whether persons wanted by authorities are able to leave the country legally or without...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
26 June 2017
Accessed Date:
27 April 2018
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 July 2017:
Title:
Azerbaijan. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016.
Source:
United States. Department of State.
Date of Document:
3 March 2017
URL:
http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2016&dlid=265396
Accessed Date:
6 March 2017
Title:
Exit procedures and documents required for citizens leaving the country; whether passports are scanned and interviews are conducted by customs officials; whether persons wanted by authorities are able to leave the country legally or without...
Source:
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Date of Document:
26 June 2017
URL:
http://irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/ResRec/RirRdi/Pages/index.aspx?doc=457102
Accessed Date:
27 April 2018
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.