A Legal Analysis of a Crucial Element in Country Guidance Determinations: Country of Origin Information

Abstract

This article examines the use of Country of Origin Information (COI) by the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the United Kingdom Upper Tribunal in country guidance determinations. The article assesses which standards regarding the use of COI are set by the Tribunal. Furthermore, it examines how these standards are applied by the Tribunal while it assesses the general situation or the situation of a particular group of persons at risk in Iran, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. The examination of country guidance determinations shows that the Tribunal’s assessments are based on a comprehensive range of COI, including information from expert witnesses, governmental agencies, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and news agencies. However, the country guidance determinations would benefit from a more uniform, structured approach to improve the transparency of the assessment of the reliability of information and the balancing process of COI. This would ensure a visibly ‘effectively comprehensive’ decision.1