ARC provides a country of origin information research service to support asylum claims and undertakes research, advocacy and training to improve the quality of refugee status determination
Our services
- Case specific COI research and analysis
- A free bi-monthly COI Update
- Country specific, thematic or customised training
- Policy briefings
- Research consultancy and project management
News
ARC, in collaboration with the Dutch Council for Refugees published Comments on the EASO Country of Origin Report Methodology in November 2012. This document sets out our main comments, concerns and recommendations on the stated purpose, content and choice of language contained in the methodology for EASO's COI reports, which to date have both been prepared on Afghanistan.
In AK (Article 15(c)) Afghanistan CG [2012] UKUT 00163(IAC) promulgated on 18th May 2012, the Tribunal determined that “there may be a useful role in country guidance cases for reports by COI (Country of Origin) analysts/consultants” such as ARC (headnote A (iv) and para. 178) and considered that ARC consultants have the “relevant skills and experience to undertake this work” (para. 178).
Country of Origin Information Update
In order to keep up to date with recent publications and developments in the top refugee producing countries, ARC produces a free bi-monthly COI Update, which also contains notifications of new UKBA country of origin publications.
View the Archive of COI Updates or download the most recent updates here:
For notification of COI Updates and publications, please email us to subscribe to our mailing list.
Recent training
The Still Human Still Here Coalition in collaboration with ARC ran a series of free training seminars in May 2012 on 'How to challenge the conclusions reached in the UKBA's Operational Guidance Notes (OGNs) using country of origin information' (COI). The seminars were held across the UK for lawyers and those providing legal assistance to asylum seekers and included the Coalition's latest findings from the commentaries on the DRC, Occupied Palestinian Territories and Iraq OGNs, as well as useful techniques and tips on conducting country of origin research.
Research Projects
In 2012 ARC prepared country reports on Belize, Jamaica and the Russian Federation to support UNHCR's project “Country-of-origin information to support the adjudication of asylum claims from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex and (‘LGBTI’) asylum-seekers":
- Commentary on the October 2012 Somalia OGN
- Commentary on the August 2012 Zimbabwe OGN
- Commentary on the June 2012 Sudan OGN
- Commentary on the May 2012 DRC OGN
- Commentary on the April 2012 Sri Lanka OGN
- Commentary on the April 2012 Zimbabwe OGN
- Commentary on the February 2012 Jamaica OGN
- Commentary on the February 2012 OPT OGN
- Commentary on the February 2012 Afghanistan OGN
- Commentary on the December 2011 Sri Lanka OGN
- Commentary on the December 2011 Iraq OGN
- Commentary on the October 2011 Somalia OGN
- Commentary on the September 2011 Eritrea OGN
- Commentary on the August 2011 Sudan OGN
- Commentary on the May 2011 Jamaica OGN
- Commentary on the April 2011 Zimbabwe OGN
- Commentary on the March 2011 Sri Lanka OGN
- Commentary on the March 2011 Iran OGN
- Commentary on the March 2011 Afghanistan OGN
In April 2011 ARC was commissioned by Freedom from Torture (formerly known as the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture) to undertake a literature review of international examples of good practice in relation to transitional justice and holistic rehabilitation initiatives and to prepare a report which identified common multi-disciplinary international standards for conducting ethical research.
Visit the Freedom from Torture website
Visit the Environmental Law Foundation website
ARC was appointed as the UK counterparts of an EU-funded project to identify the UK legal provisions that refer to guidance and standards regarding country of origin information.
View the full report and visit the Hungarian Helsinki Committee website