Research Program
The Research Program exists to meet the information requirements of those involved in Canada's refugee protection determination process by providing and making publicly available, current, and reliable information related to human rights and to refugee and migration issues, through documentation that supports fair refugee determination.
The primary role of the Research Program is to meet the information needs of the Refugee Protection Division, although its collection of information and the services it offers may also assist those involved with the Board's Immigration and Immigration Appeal Divisions.
Products
The Research Program attempts to provide a thorough and objective analysis of a broad range of topics relating to the social, political, economic and human rights conditions in countries of origin of refugee claimants. Information is gathered from a variety of sources, including national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations, human rights monitors, academics, publications and news services. More on Research Methodology
The following online products contain a selection of the Research Program's collection of information on countries of origin:
National Documentation Packages
Contain a selection of documents on human rights, security conditions and other issues that are relevant to the determination of refugee protection claims.
Issue Papers and Country Fact Sheets
Provide basic factual information as well as in-depth research on issues relevant to the refugee determination process.
Responses to Information Requests
Responses to focused queries or requests for information that are submitted to the Research Directorate in the course of the refugee protection determination process.
Services
Print copies of National Documentation Packages are available at the IRB's Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver offices. All other documents are only available on our website.