Gathering Evidence

Gathering Evidence

Identity:

• • Submit high-quality copies of official documents with your name and date of birth, such as a passport, national identity card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, school transcript, driver’s license, military document, or professional and religious membership cards.
  • Bring the original documents to your hearing.

Relevant Evidence:

• • Submit documents that support your claim and demonstrate:
    • Your credibility.
    • A genuine fear of persecution in your country.
    • Personal risk in your country.
    • The inability of your country’s government to protect you.
    • The impossibility of living safely in another region of your country.
    • Examples include proof of political organization membership, medical or psychological reports, police reports, business records, news clippings, travel documents, witness statements, photos, and documents related to past moves.

Conditions in Your Country:

• • Submit reports on country conditions (political, social, cultural, economic, and human rights) from respected sources.
  • Review the National Documentation Packages (NDPs) for your home country on the IRB website.
  • The IRB will consider NDPs as part of the evidence.

Witnesses

You may bring witnesses to support your claim.

Submit the following information about each witness at least 10 days before your hearing:

• • Contact information.
  • Purpose and content of their testimony.
  • Duration of their testimony.
  • Your relationship to the witness.
  • Whether they will testify in person, by videoconference, or by telephone.
  • Interpreter needs (language and dialect).
  • For expert witnesses, include their qualifications and a summary report of their testimony.

Submitting Evidence

• • If you gather additional documents after submitting your BOC Form, provide two copies to the RPD at least 10 days before your hearing.

Steps to Submit Documents and Evidence:

1. Translation:

• • If documents are not in English or French, provide translated documents and a translator’s declaration (including the translator’s name, language, statement of accuracy, and signature).

2. Prepare Documents:

• • Print, scan, or photocopy documents on 8½ by 11 inch (21.5 by 28 cm) paper in at least 12-point font.
  • Number pages consecutively and add a cover page with your name, address, date, claim number, and list of documents with page numbers.

3. Make Copies

• • Keep a copy for yourself and submit the other to the RPD.

4. Submit Documents

• • Deliver the package to the RPD yourself, send it by courier, or fax if fewer than 20 pages.
  • Submit electronically through Canada Post’s secure Connect service if you established a secure conversation.

5. Ministers Counsel

• • If participating, submit a copy to the Minister’s counsel and confirm this with a letter to the RPD.
  • Address for Minister’s counsel will be on the Notice of Intervention received.

6. Hearing Preparation

• • Bring all related paperwork, including originals and copies, to your hearing.