Researching information from the country of origin (COI)
Target group: key parties involved in the asylum procedure, including judges, lawyers, legal advisors and decision-makers of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (GII)
Goal: to support asylum and migration authorities in making correct, fair and fully informed decisions in the asylum procedure
Activities: research, translation and dissemination of Country of Origin Information (ITO), according to European standards, through thematic reports, country fact sheets or specific responses, training future experts in the field on the principles and standards of research.
Period 1999 - 2027
1. About the project
Title: Managing the research and use of Country of Origin Information
Short description: Through this project, we provide relevant information and produce accurate and up-to-date reports on the human rights situation in third-party countries of the European Union, upon request. Thus, we support asylum and migration authorities in making fair and equitable decisions in the asylum procedure or in developing policies in the field.
“Country of Origin Information” (ITO) refers to data and information relevant to the asylum procedure, about third- party countries, regarding the political and economic situation, human rights, living conditions or public safety
Implementation period: The projects have been implemented since 1999 until now, as follows:
1999 - 2007 - funded by UNHCR - UN Refugee Agency
2007 - 2014 - funded by the European Refugee Fund and the European Return Fund under the General Programme for Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows (SOLID)
2014 - 2020 and 2021 - 2027 - funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) through the project Management of Research Processes and Use of Country of Origin Information, in partnership with the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
2. How?
We provide people involved in the asylum process with detailed responses, including decision-makers of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, judges, lawyers and legal advisors, as well providing access to specific ITO materials - thematic reports and country sheets, covering issues of interest for the asylum system in Romania. These resources have been made available through the national ITO portal "Indicium".
We inform decision-makers of the General Inspectorate for Immigration IGI, judges, lawyers and legal advisors on the use of country of origin information in the asylum procedure in interactive seminars, focused on the principles and standards of research in the field.
The national portal "Indicium" functions as an essential tool for the main parties involved in the asylum process, facilitating access to updated information on various countries of origin.
The ITO project contributes to building a more efficient and fair asylum system, which provides adequate protection to refugees and asylum seekers. With the help of ITO information, the asylum procedure becomes faster and more accurate, leading to better-founded decisions.
3. What have we achieved?
In 2023, we provided 987 specific responses, following requests received from lawyers, legal advisors and courts.
In the first 6 months of 2024, we provided 570 specific responses. In terms of requests, the following countries of origin had the most distinct requests addressed: Somalia (9), Syria (8), Pakistan (8), Iran (7).
4. Partners
5. Funding Source
UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency and the European Union through the European Refugee Fund, the European Return Fund and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.