Refugee Protection Division

What We Do

The Refugee Protection Division decides claims for refugee protection made by persons in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) decides refugee resettlement claims made outside Canada, in Canadian embassies and consulates.

The Refugee Protection Division also makes decisions on loss applications regarding refugee protection status. These applications are filed by CIC.

Canada has an obligation to grant protection to refugees and other persons in need of protection under a number of United Nations conventions, including the:

• 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
• 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• 1984 Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Legal References

• Interpretation of the Convention Refugee Definition in the Case Law (December 2002, Addendum #2 - December 2004)
• Assessment of Credibility in Claims for Refugee Protection (January 2004)
• Weighing Evidence (December 2003)
• Consolidated Grounds in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: Danger of Torture (May 2002)
• Consolidated Grounds in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: Risk to Life or Risk of Cruel and Unusual Treatment or Punishment (May 2002)

Related Documents

• Claimant's Guide (December 2009)
• Designated Representative's Guide (January 2012)
• Training Manual on Victims of Torture (February 2008)
• Frequently Asked Questions (January 2007)
• Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada: An Overview (June 2006)
• Refugee Protection Division Rules
  (Commentaries to the Refugee Protection Division Rules) (June 2002)
• Information Sheet: Refugee Claims
• Procedures
• Policies