Responses to Information Requests

​​​​​​​Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) are research reports on country conditions. They are requested by IRB decision-makers.

The database contains a seven-year archive of English and French RIRs. Earlier RIRs may be found on the European Country of Origin Information Network website.

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Disclaimer

Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) cite publicly accessible information available at the time of publication and within time constraints. A list of references and additional sources consulted are included in each RIR. Sources cited are considered the most current information available as of the date of the RIR.            

RIRs 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. More information on the methodology used by the Research Directorate can be found here.          

The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the RIRs are the responsibility of independent IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.           

The information presented in RIRs 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.          

7 December 2010

COD103649.FE

Democratic Republic of Congo: Whether Congolese passports that are no longer in circulation bear the notation “2ème conseiller d’ambassade” (2nd Counsellor of the Embassy); whether the notation means that the passport was issued outside the country (2002 - 2006)
Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

In a 29 November 2010 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Ottawa provided the information set out in the following paragraph.

The notation “2ème conseiller d’ambassade” (2nd Counsellor of the Embassy) is included in Congolese passports that are no longer in circulation. This notation does not mean that the passports were issued outside the country; rather, it refers to the official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ministère des Affaires étrangères) responsible for the Passport Branch (Service des passeports). The main difference between passports issued in the country and passports issued outside the country is found in the notation “Fait à…” (Done at…). All Congolese passports issued in the country contain the notation “Fait à Kinshasa,” while passports issued outside the country contain the notation “Fait à…,” followed by the name of the city or country where they were issued. For example, the notation “Fait à Ottawa” is provided in Congolese passports issued in Canada. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Références

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 29 November 2010. Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ottawa. Telephone interview with a representative.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to reach representatives at the Embassies of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Brussels, Lusaka and Paris, and of Keesing Reference Systems, were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: African Press Organization - APO, Afrol News, AllAfrica.com, Education International (EI), European Research Council (ERC), Le Figaro [Paris], InfoSud Belgique (InfoSud), Keesing Reference Systems, Migrants outre-mer (MOM), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF), Organisation suisse d’aide aux réfugiés (OSAR), Panapress (PANA), Radio Okapi, Réseau des médias francophones (MEDIAF), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United States - Department of State.

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