Country Expert Database: New Findings from 120+ Countries

Last updated: 16 September 2026

Photo: United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) - United States Mission Geneva

The country expert database covers more than 50 countries across the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This Week 4 update highlights new expert findings on Russia, Iran, Syria, and Iraq, as well as cross-regional trends in honour-based violence and conscription evasion. The database is updated continuously as country conditions change and as new expert network members join. For broader asylum evidence context, see the asylum guide collection.[1]

Database updates matter because country conditions change faster than most background sources are republished. Weekly tracking ensures that expert reports commissioned through our network reflect the current reality on the ground, not a snapshot from 12 or 18 months ago.

Week 4 Database Updates by Country

The following country updates reflect new information added to the database this week. Each update is sourced from primary human rights documentation, UNHCR guidance, Home Office CPINs, and academic research.[2]

Russia

Three new findings were added to the Russia database profile this week. First, OVD-Info documented 94 new criminal cases against Russian men who fled conscription after September 2022. Second, the network added analysis of FSB surveillance of Russian diaspora communities in Germany, the UK, and the Czech Republic. Third, a new academic paper on the regional variation in conscription enforcement was incorporated — rural regions show higher enforcement rates than Moscow and St Petersburg.

Iran

The Iran profile was updated with the April 2026 Home Office CPIN on political opposition and dissent. This is the most significant CPIN update in 18 months. Key new findings include: the CPIN explicitly acknowledges risk to women who have publicly removed the hijab; it confirms that diaspora political activity can attract MOIS attention; and it notes continuing executions related to the 2022-2023 protests. Our Iran expert has reviewed and integrated these findings into the country database.

Syria

The Syria database received its most significant update since December 2024. UNHCR's February 2026 eligibility guidelines are now fully integrated. Key additions: regional breakdown of protection needs (Damascus versus rural Homs versus northern Syria); updated analysis of armed group activity post-transition; and new data on the situation of Alawites, Christians, and Yazidis. The database now distinguishes between the five main geographic zones of Syria for risk assessment purposes.

Iraq

New findings on Iraq honour-based violence have been added following the publication of a comprehensive UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) report on violence against women in March 2026. Key data: over 3,400 women were reported killed in gender-based violence in 2025; Article 409 of the Iraqi Penal Code continues to provide effective immunity for honour killers; Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) courts are more likely to prosecute than federal Iraqi courts, but prosecution rates remain low. See also the detailed Iraq country report for full analysis.

Regional Trends Across the Database

This week's database review identified three cross-regional patterns that affect multiple countries simultaneously.[3]

Conscription evasion: a pan-regional issue

Conscription evasion claims are rising across Russia, Ukraine, and several African countries. The database now includes a comparative module covering ten countries where military conscription creates asylum-relevant risks. Key distinctions: some countries prosecute deserters; others prosecute draft evaders differently based on whether they left before or after call-up. Expert reports must address the specific legal and factual position in the claimant's country and region.

Honour-based violence: Middle East and South Asia

The database's honour-based violence module now covers twelve countries in the Middle East and South Asia. This week's update added new data from Iraq (see above) and refreshed the Pakistan data following a government statistics release in March 2026. A key cross-country finding: countries with codified honour defences in their penal codes (Iraq, Jordan, Syria pre-2025, Pakistan) all show prosecution rates below 15% for documented honour killings. This data underpins expert reports on gender persecution claims across the region.

LGBTQ+ persecution: new African data

Three African countries were added to the LGBTQ+ persecution module this week: Uganda (following Anti-Homosexuality Act enforcement data), Ghana (following parliamentary debate on similar legislation), and Nigeria (updated data on federal versus state enforcement). The database now covers 28 countries where LGBTQ+ individuals face criminal or extrajudicial risk.

How to Use the Country Expert Database

The database is accessible through the find expert witness service. Lawyers can search by country, case type, and expert profile. Each expert listing shows their country specialisms, recent case experience, and typical turnaround times.[4]

The search process works as follows. First, enter the claimant's country of origin. Second, select the relevant case type — persecution grounds, gender-based violence, LGBTQ+, military conscription, political opinion, religious persecution, or minority ethnic group. Third, review the matched expert profiles. Fourth, use the contact form to make an initial inquiry. Most experts respond within 48 hours and offer a short introductory call to confirm fit and scope.

New Expert Profiles Added This Week

Three new expert profiles were added to the database this week. New profiles are added when an expert joins the network, completes their onboarding assessment, and provides a sample report for quality review.[5]

• Russia expert: A political scientist who worked with Memorial Human Rights Centre until its forced closure. Specialises in conscription, political prosecution, and diaspora monitoring. Based in Germany.
• Iraq/Middle East expert: A social anthropologist with field experience across Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. Specialises in tribal law, honour-based violence, and gender persecution. Based in the UK.
• West Africa expert: A human rights lawyer with experience in Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Specialises in LGBTQ+ persecution, witchcraft accusations, and political persecution. Based in the Netherlands.

Conclusion

The Week 4 country expert database update adds significant new coverage across Russia, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and three African countries. The cross-regional themes of conscription evasion, honour-based violence, and LGBTQ+ persecution continue to grow in volume and complexity. Expert reports commissioned through the database are current, profile-matched, and court-compliant. Use the find expert witness service to search for a country specialist. For individual country background, the country reports section provides detailed analytical overviews. The database will be updated again next week with new findings from Sudan, Afghanistan, and Venezuela.