Khasho May 2014

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Khasho May 2014 April / May 2014 Khasho ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE First Muti From Khumalo’s Ukuthwala murderer protector to killer case in WC sentenced predator sentenced Contents Letter from the Letter from the 2 Ms Bulelwa Makeke Managing Editor Managing Editor Chief Director: Communications Letter from the NDPP 3 Letter from the CEO 4 Stepdaughter subjected The use of social media tools in about their expectations and experiences 5 to eight months of hell governments around the world has on the programme. We look forward to been gaining acceptance as part of the From protector to meeting all the Aspirants and judging from 6 information dissemination and public predator the visits we’ve already done, this is one education arsenal and the South African of the most exciting projects that we’ve Ficksburg muti government has not been left behind murderer sentenced to 7 undertaken and it is such a wonderful in this development. This provides an Life Imprisonment experience meeting each and every one opportunity for two-way communication of the Aspirants. Harshest sentence in between government and citizens, The Oscar Pistorius trial is certainly putting South Africa in the first partners and stakeholders thereby 8 the prosecution profession in focus, and Ukuthwala case in the increasing the frequency and speed of Western Cape as we say, prosecutions is now the new engagement. We are thrilled to see the sexy. The NPA communication mailbox Vryheid man sentenced NPA Facebook page growing in leaps and 9 has been inundated with messages of to 125 years for rape bounds. We have started to experience support and from the public from across Supermarket killers large volumes of people interacting with the globe since the trial started. We sentenced to life 10 us on the page. We urge you to join our have also received hundreds of enquiries imprisonment page, if you haven’t yet (The National from interested students and aspiring She still had a life ahead Prosecuting Authority of South Africa) 11 prosecutors who express their interest of her as a teenager The NPA participated in the Royal Show in in joining the profession. This exposure Meet Michael Pietermaritzburg and like in previous years, is very pleasing in that it has brought Mabunda Director of our exhibition stand was awarded a gold to sharp focus the calibre and quality of Administration in the 13 medal. Winning a medal means we have the prosecutors we have, and it can sure DPP North Gauteng achieved over 80% for service excellence serve as motivation for younger, up and office and overall look of our exhibition stand. coming prosecutors as to the expected NPA Interns 2013/14 14 Well done to all who made it possible, levels of skill and finesse that will keep particularly the KZN staff and aspirants for Know your library 15 the NPA ahead of its game. making the NPA brand stand out at the Right next to the hall where Oscar Pistorius Operation clean audit 17 Royal Show. trial is taking place in the Pretoria High Reverend Banzana’s nd On the 2 of May the NPA welcomed a Court there was equally another intriguing corrupt gifts forfeited to 18 new group of Aspirant Prosecutors into the state case where a young lady also died in the its fold. We have embarked on a journey hands of her boyfriend and her name is Stepmom killer jailed to document the Aspirant Prosecutor 20 Zanele Khumalo. This edition of Khasho for life Programme in the form of a DVD, which brings you the details of the events that we will use to market the programme, led to the gruesome murder of this young especially when we visit universities lady and how justice was delivered to the for recruitment drives. As part of this alleged murderer. programme, we have started visiting We hope you enjoy going through the the current aspirants and those who variety of articles in this edition. Till next have recently completed the programme time. across the country, to capture their views 2 ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE Letter from the NDPP Mr Mxolisi Nxasana NDPP NPA News April/May 2014 April/May News NPA The rate of attrition among prosecutors so that we are aware of our limitations and saddens me as it constitutes a great loss to the boundaries. organisation. The tragic and gruesome loss of There are officials who provide the media with Mr Louis Heunis, who was a prosecutor in the false information and unfounded allegations Northern Cape DPP office left us all in shock. Our about other NPA members. This unsavoury sincere condolences go to all those families that practice must stop immediately. If anyone, for have lost their loved ones recently. Our thoughts any reason, is aggrieved with their employment and prayers also go to the family, friends and agreement, due process should be followed. colleagues of Mr Danny Kubai, a prosecutor based at the Protea Magistrates Court who was I congratulate all prosecutors for the manner in ferociously assaulted, robbed of his property and which they have handled NPA high profile cases. left for dead. It makes us proud and restores the confidence in this organisation. The NPA prides itself with The political tolerance that was displayed during a wealth of expertise and my wish is that every election campaigns is noteworthy. All South prosecutor should be afforded the opportunity to Africans must be applauded for the manner in display their skills, knowledge and expertise. which they conducted themselves. The NPA, through its participation in the joint security The performance by the Lower and High courts forces, called the NatJoints, played a pivotal role has been impressive, but the need to do better in ensuring that the elections went off smoothly. still exists. My special thanks to Corporate Coordinators and prosecutors were on standby Services, for providing the support to prosecutors to assist in any eventuality that may have arisen. that enables them to execute their duties in the manner in which they do. The scourge of violence and crimes against women and children cannot go on unabated. We have not achieved all annual targets that were It must be completely rooted out from our outlined in the Annual Performance Plan but communities. We reaffirm our commitment to concerted efforts were made by all prosecutors bring to book, all perpetrators of violence against to ensure an improved performance, despite the these vulnerable groups. Communities have a challenges experienced by the courts. significant role to play and are urged to report The time has arrived once again, where we are these crimes so that they may be dealt with required as the organisation, to submit our annual speedily and obliterated from society. performance to the Auditor General. I thank all Crimes committed during service delivery officials who have worked hard to produce a protests are on the increase. While we report which will hopefully be unqualified. acknowledge the rights of members of the public Let me welcome our new Minister, Michael to demonstrate within certain boundaries, every Masutha and also promise that we will all give him effort will be made to bring the crimes under the our support. I also thank Minister Jeff Radebe, guise of service delivery to book. SC and his Director General, Ms Nonkululeko I reiterate my call to the officials to familiarise Sindane for fostering good work relations with themselves with the NPA policies and directives us in the NPA during his tenure. 3 ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE Letter from the CEO Ms Karen van Rensburg CEO NPA News April/May 2014 April/May News NPA I acknowledge the leadership of the The daunting task of completing Deputy CEO, Ambassador Sisulu, the Annual Report, including Annual who was left at the helm of Corporate Financial Statements is upon us once Services (CS) during my three weeks again. We rely on you to get this work of absence in April. My sincere done and I thank those that provided appreciation to all who supported us with required information on time. I her in ensuring that service delivery thank the team that continues to work to the prosecutors continued, in an tirelessly to ensure that we put together uninterrupted manner. a cutting edge document that mirrors the organisation’s state of affairs and The 2013/14 financial year ended on financial statements of the previous a high note as far as expenditure is fiscal year. concerned. We were able to once again spend 100 percent of the budget. This The auditing period is continuing in was achieved through the commitment earnest and this is a busy time when and efforts of all staff. I pride myself much is asked of people. I urge you to on a good team that supports me - a exercise patience whilst you deal with winning team of highly professional the auditors and provide the assistance individuals driven by their commitment that is required of you. I reiterate my to the organisation. previous position on the attainment of a clean audit. As we discharge our During the new financial year, the daily duties, we must be prudent in our formula and the approach will remain actions and remember that governance unchanged. We are committed to is at the centre of a clean audit. continue with our quest to keep our prosecutors satisfied and endeavor to I call upon all staff to be familiar with improve on the quality of service that the Public Service Regulations and we discharge. abide by it. In particular, refer to office hours which is not being complied The 2014/15 Annual Performance Plans with by everyone.
Recommended publications
  • Breaking Free: Workbook: Help for Survivors of Child Sex Abuse Free
    FREE BREAKING FREE: WORKBOOK: HELP FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE PDF Carolyn Ainscough,Kay Toon | 256 pages | 14 Apr 2000 | SPCK Publishing | 9780859698047 | English | London, United Kingdom | The Courage to Heal (ebook), Ellen Bass | | Boeken Geschreven bij The Courage to Heal. Een helder geschreven boek over vrouwen die als kind seksueel zijn misbruikt. Er wordt niet alleen over de vrouwen en het onderwerp geschreven, maar de vrouwen komen ook zelf aan het woord met hun persoonlijke verhaal. De insteek dat het laat zien, dat je kunt helen van dit misbruik, zonder de verregaande gevolgen van het gebeurde te bagatelliseren, maakt dat ik dit boek echt een aanrader vindt voor vrouwen, die zijn getroffen door seksueel misbruik. Eigenlijk zou iedereen het moeten lezen, ongeacht of je er in je persoonlijke leven mee te maken hebt of hebt gehad. Het boek geeft een goed inzicht in het totale fenomeen seksueel misbruik bij kinderen. Er is bewust gekozen voor de vrouwen, die dit is overkomen. Dit is geen ontkenning van seksueel misbruik bij jongens, echter een afbakening van het terrein waarin wordt gewerkt. Levertijd We doen er alles aan om dit artikel op tijd te bezorgen. Het is echter in een enkel geval mogelijk dat door omstandigheden de bezorging vertraagd is. Bezorgopties We bieden verschillende opties aan voor het bezorgen of ophalen van je bestelling. Welke opties voor jouw bestelling beschikbaar zijn, zie je bij het afronden van de bestelling. Taal: Engels. Auteur: Ellen Bass Laura Davis. Ebooks lezen is heel makkelijk. Na aankoop zijn ze direct beschikbaar op je Kobo e-reader en op je smartphone of tablet met de gratis bol.
    [Show full text]
  • Burning Woman Pdf Free Download
    BURNING WOMAN PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Lucy H. Pearce | 282 pages | 22 May 2016 | Womancraft Publishing | 9781910559161 | English | Ireland Burning Woman PDF Book If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Copyright KSLA. Read this again. I have actually finished this book but still pick it up from time to time to re-read the odd chapter that resonates with where I am in my personal journey right now. Chlamydia, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis are all linked with preterm delivery. May 05, Adva rated it liked it. Aleyamma Mathew was a registered nurse at a hospital in Carrollton, Texas , who died of burn wounds on 5 April Welcome back. The life force. Patch testing using the suspected allergen to stimulate a controlled reaction in a clinical setting can help to identify which substance is creating the burning sensation. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. The reason, It was thought inducing. Preview — Burning Woman by Lucy H. Finally, some scholars argue that the dowry practice came out of British rule and influence in India to distinguish "different forms of marriage" between castes. I realised I coulst and to lose everything - my reputation, my community, my beloved husband, my precious children - simply for doing the work that I burn to do. If you say that women are being abused by marketing companies and the media then I guess you've never seen a Calvin Klein or your usual deodorant ad Then it is up to you to decide if you will answer.
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Abortions in America
    Forced Abortion in America Coercion, Violence and Murder ... Risks and Injustices to Women 64% INVOLVE COERCION, WHICH CAN BECOME SEVERE Women pay a high price for a choice that’s not a choice. • When his wife refused to abort, her husband jumped on her stomach until their baby died . • A daughter was pushed into an abortion clinic at gunpoint by her mother . • Outside a parking garage, a physician shouted, “I’m giving you an abortion!” as he injected the mother of his child with an abortifacient drug . • A school counselor ridiculed the student and put her on the weekly bus to the abortion clinic . • A homeless woman was denied shelter until she had an abortion . • A 13-year-old was returned to her molester after he took her in for a cover-up abortion . • 3 sisters were raped repeatedly and forced into repeat cover-up abortions for nearly a decade . • A waitress was fired after refusing to abort ... 65% SUFFER TRAUMA. SUICIDE 7X HIGHER. The pain didn’t go away. It just waited. • PART I – THE COERCED ABORTION EPIDEMIC Not Informed, Counseled or Screened for Coercion. • PART II – PORTRAITS OF COERCION “I screamed that I did not want the abortion.” • PART III – COERCION CAN LEAD TO VIOLENCE Pregnancy Places Women at Higher Risk of Attack • PART IV – VIOLENCE CAN LEAD TO MURDER Murder: The #1 Cause of Death for Pregnant Women Forced Abortion — Part I Most involve coercion, which can become violent. The Un-Choice: 64% involve coercion.1 Pressure can become violent.2 67% not counseled.1 65% suffer trauma.1 Suicide 6-7 times higher.3 Forced Non-Choice ..
    [Show full text]
  • Supplemental Report on Improving Family Violence Prevention in Ohio
    Supplemental Report on Improving Family Violence Prevention in Ohio Health Policy Institute of Ohio 200 West Fourth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 241-2880 (513) 852-6886 FAX www.greatercincinnatifdn.org Supplemental Report on Improving Family Violence Prevention in Ohio TABLE OF CONTENTS How to Read This Report ........................................................................................................................4 The Ohio Family Violence Prevention Project .......................................................................................4 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................5 What do practitioners, government and community leaders think of the vision of family violence and prevention articulated in the White Paper? ....................................8 Methods...............................................................................................................................................8 Findings.............................................................................................................................................10 What examples of our recommendations currently exist in Ohio? ........................................................19 Increase the quality of Ohio’s home visitation programs .................................................................19 Create school environments that promote healthy relationships ......................................................20
    [Show full text]
  • The Swallows of Kabul
    REPRESENTATIONS OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN LITERATURE OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD by Arpita Mandal A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in English Education with Distinction Spring 2014 © 2014 Arpita Mandal All Rights Reserved REPRESENTATIONS OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN LITERATURE OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD by Arpita Mandal Approved: __________________________________________________________ Michael Cotsell, PhD Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: __________________________________________________________ Emily Davis, PhD Committee member from the Department of English Approved: __________________________________________________________ John Montano, PhD Committee member from the Board of Senior Thesis Readers Approved: __________________________________________________________ Michelle Provost-Craig, Ph.D. Chair of the University Committee on Student and Faculty Honors ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My heartfelt thank you goes to my Abba Father in Heaven, primarily, for innumerable blessings in the form of an incredibly supportive family and a wonderful thesis committee. I would also like to thank my mentors Dr. Ware (you got me started with researching!) and Dr. Michael Cotsell (for introducing me to the delightful and challenging world of literatures from the Islamic world and for being incredibly supportive in my endeavors. I will always treasure all that I have learned from you). A special thanks to Dr. Emily Davis for providing not only constructive criticism and insight in my project but also an immense amount of support. Your dedication inspired me to write better and think critically. Another thanks to Dr. John Montano for his positive attitude and understanding throughout my project. I would also like to thank the UD Summer Scholars Program and the Ronald E.
    [Show full text]
  • INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN Trafficking in Persons and Marriage ISSUE PAPER This Publication Has Been Prepared with the Support of HEUNI
    INTERLINKAGES BETWEEN Trafficking in Persons and Marriage ISSUE PAPER This publication has been prepared with the support of HEUNI. UNITED NATIONS OFFICE ON DRUGS AND CRIME Vienna Interlinkages between Trafficking in Persons and Marriage ISSUE PAPER UNITED NATIONS Vienna, 2020 © United Nations 2020. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication has not been formally edited. Cover drawing and artwork, © Yasser Rezahi. Publishing production: English, Publishing and Library Section, United Nations Office at Vienna. Acknowledgements The present publication was developed by the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the leadership of Ilias Chatzis and the UNODC Crime Research Section under the leadership of Kristiina Kangaspunta, as well as the substantive guidance of Silke Albert, Tejal Jesrani and Pascale Reinke-Schreiber. The publication was drafted by Minna Viuhko (consultant) and Anniina Jokinen (consultant). Special thanks are extended to Jesper Samson of the Crime Research Section, Natalia Ollus, Director of the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI) and Rahel Gershuni (independent expert) for their input and support. Furthermore, we would like to thank our UNODC colleagues from the Justice Section, Claudia Baroni, Anna Giudice and Sven Pfeiffer, for their invaluable insights into and review of this issue paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights
    REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS A HANDBOOK FOR NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS A HANDBOOK FOR NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS NOTE The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Secretariat concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. * * * Symbols of the United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a figure indicates a reference to a United Nations document. HR/PUB/14/6 © 2014 United Nations All worldwide rights reserved All photographs © UNFPA CONTENTS List of Boxes 7 List of Abbreviations 8 The Role of the United Nations Population Fund 10 The Role of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 10 The Role of the Danish Institute for Human Rights 11 Acknowledgements 11 Preface 12 Introduction 13 Purpose 13 Key Definitions 18 Content 20 1. Promoting the Reproductive Rights Agenda 21 Reproductive Rights are Human Rights 21 Examples of Key Practical Elements of Reproductive Rights 22 Understanding Sexual and Reproductive Health 24 International Commitments – a Historical Overview 24 2. The National Human Rights Institution Mandate 31 Assessing Workplace Policies and Building the Reproductive Rights Competence of Staff 35 Legislative and Administrative Provisions 38 Monitoring and Reporting at the National Level 42 Reproductive Rights: A Tool for Monitoring States’ Obligations 45 Ratification of International Instruments 56 International Reporting 57 Other Forms of International Accountability and Cooperation 60 Human Rights Education and Research 65 Increase Public Awareness 69 Complaints Handling 72 3.
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Download Investigating Child Exploitation And
    INVESTIGATING CHILD EXPLOITATION AND PORNOGRAPHY : THE INTERNET, LAW AND FORENSIC SCIENCE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Monique M. Ferraro | 320 pages | 02 Nov 2004 | Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc | 9780121631055 | English | San Diego, United States Investigating Child Exploitation and Pornography : The Internet, Law and Forensic Science PDF Book In this respect, campaigns appear to be an appropriate strategy for deterring people from viewing CSAM, that sits alongside other initiatives. It might be argued that this as opposed to the evidence required for prosecution of a contact offence against a child will increase the number of successful convictions. Your browser is unable to render the navigation correctly. Please join our advisory group to let us know what more we can do. Sep 27, Footnote 86 It seems likely that changing the contexts in which sexual crimes take place may offer greater opportunity to effect change. Shields, M. Earl, J. President Donald Trump vetoed two bills during the final month of his presidency. Clarke, pp. When the investigation substantiates that abuse has taken place If the investigation indicates that a child has been sexually abused, interventions are taken to protect the child from immediate harm. Floydian Slip. Add links. Facebook removes Footnote 46 However, live streaming has also been reported in high- income countries such as the UK. In their empirical study they proposed two SNS environmental conditions that offered criminogenic opportunities for a likely offender to engage in SNS bullying. If you have any questions, please see the Help Section or contact us. Remember that removing a child is always the very last resort that is considered.
    [Show full text]
  • South Africa.Docx
    SOUTH AFRICA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY South Africa is a multiparty parliamentary democracy in which constitutional power is shared between the president and the parliament. In 2009 the country held a largely free and fair election in which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) won 65.9 percent of the vote and 264 of 400 seats in the National Assembly, which then elected ANC President Jacob Zuma as the country’s president. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. Principal human rights problems included police use of lethal and excessive force, including torture, against suspects and detainees, which resulted in deaths and injuries; vigilante and mob violence; and prison overcrowding and abuse of prisoners, including beatings and rape by prison guards. Other human rights problems included arbitrary arrest; lengthy delays in trials and prolonged pretrial detention; forcible dispersal of demonstrations; pervasive violence against women and children; societal discrimination against women, persons with disabilities, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community; trafficking in persons; violence resulting from racial and ethnic tensions and conflicts with foreigners; and child labor, including forced child labor and child prostitution. The government investigated and prosecuted officials who committed abuses, but there were numerous reports of impunity. Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports of politically motivated killings by the government or its agents; however, police use of lethal and excessive force, including torture, toward suspects and detainees resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. Investigations into some of the killings committed during the year were ongoing, and some perpetrators had been punished by year’s end.
    [Show full text]
  • TOP 10 MYTHS ABOUT ABORTION by Ingrid Skop, M.D
    Cover TOP 10 MYTHS ABOUT ABORTION By Ingrid Skop, M.D. family research council Washington, D.C. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I hope the points I have raised in this paper will cause those who consider themselves to be “pro-choice” to question some of the assumptions they have made about abortion. Abortion is a difficult topic to talk or even think about. It has invaded deeply into the fiber of our society precisely because most of us do not want to address it until it confronts us directly. While most Americans have ignored it and while our health departments and medical societies have turned a blind eye to it, abortion has adversely affected far too many women, injured many physically and emotionally, destroyed families, and damaged the psyche of our country. Pro-abortion rhetoric sounds so benign (“women’s rights”; “reproductive freedom”; “women’s health care”) that many times we fail to think about what these terms represent. You don’t have to believe like I do—that abortion is harmful to women, families, and society. But please have the courage to look into it yourself. Follow the leads I have provided in the citations to study this subject more deeply. Begin to have difficult conversations with friends and family so you can help others to really confront this issue too. It is time that our country sees abortion for what it really is—for the sake of women and children yet unborn. Ingrid Skop, M.D. April 23, 2018 Ingrid Skop, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
    [Show full text]
  • Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence
    CLOSING THE GAP—IMPROVING LAWS PROTECTING WOMEN FROM VIOLENCE WOMEN, BUSINESS AND THE LAW Closing the Gap—Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence by Alena Sakhonchik, Isabel Santagostino Recavarren, and Paula Tavares When she was 12, Chimwemwe married a 17-year-old boy. By exposed to severe partner violence earn 60% less than women the time she was 13 she had dropped out of school and had a who are not exposed.9 baby. In Malawi, where Chimwemwe lives, this is not unusual. About half of the girls are married before they are 18.1 But Violence against women and girls occurs in the home, on the Chimwemwe’s marriage would not be legal today; in 2015 in streets, in schools, and in workplaces, and can involve physi- the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill, the Malawian cal, sexual, psychological, and economic violence.10 It is rooted parliament raised the legal age of marriage to 18. in gender discrimination and results in greater vulnerability of women throughout their lifecycle. Chimwemwe’s story is not unique. Each year 15 million girls around the world are married before they are 18.2 Early mar- riage is often seen as a solution to poverty by families who Protecting Women from Violence: think they will have one less mouth to feed, or where payment What We Measure by a prospective husband to the bride’s family—bride price— can represent a source of income. However, girls who marry Women, Business and the Law examines where economies before they reach 18 are more likely to be exposed to intimate provide legal protection for women and girls in areas such partner violence and sexual abuse than those who marry later.3 as child marriage, domestic violence, and marital rape.
    [Show full text]
  • Background Note South Africa
    Country Background Note South Africa Version 2.0 August 2020 Preface Purpose This note provides a summary of and links to country of origin information (COI) for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) general background to the country concerned, including demography and geography; and (2) issues which may be relevant to protection claims. Unlike country policy and information notes, it does not contain an assessment of risk, availability of protection or reasonableness of internal relocation. Decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts. Country of origin information The country information in this note has been carefully selected in accordance with the general principles of COI research as set out in the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation’s (ACCORD), Researching Country Origin Information – Training Manual, 2013. Namely, taking into account the COI’s relevance, reliability, accuracy, balance, currency, transparency and traceability. The structure and content of the country information section follows a terms of reference which sets out the general and specific topics relevant to this note. All information included in the note was published or made publicly available on or before the ‘cut-off’ date in the country information section. Any event taking place or report/article published after this date is not included.
    [Show full text]