Country Expert Database: New Findings from 120+ Countries

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Photo: Tenth Article XIV conference at the United Nations Headquarters - The Official CTBTO Photostream

Our country expert database draws together findings from over 50 countries, built up through hundreds of asylum cases. This Week 8 update highlights the newest findings our experts have added across the regions we cover. The database underpins the country expert reports we prepare and helps practitioners understand the documented patterns relevant to their cases.[1]

For the wider framework on how this knowledge supports asylum claims, see our companion articles on country expert reports and our expert witness database overview.

How the Database Works

The country expert database organises documented findings by country, by Convention ground, and by risk profile. Each entry links a documented pattern to the source evidence and the relevant country guidance. As a result, when an expert prepares a report, they can quickly locate the documented patterns relevant to the applicant's specific profile. The database is updated continuously as new developments emerge.[2]

New Findings by Region

Middle East and North Africa

This week's MENA findings reinforce the documented patterns of political and religious persecution. In Egypt, continued Cybercrime Law prosecutions confirm sur place risk for diaspora critics. In Tunisia, Decree 54 cases against lawyers reinforce the criminalisation of expression. In Libya, militia detention reports from both Tripoli and the east confirm returnee risk. See our analyses of Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.[3]

Post-Soviet Space

CIS findings this week focus on Azerbaijan's continued crackdown and Central Asian religious prosecutions. The Azerbaijan post-COP29 acceleration and the Uzbek mahalla-reported religious cases both confirm documented patterns. See our analyses of the Azerbaijan 2026 crackdown and the Uzbek mahalla system.[4]

South and Central Asia

South Asian findings continue to document Pakistan's customary violence patterns. The collective family responsibility doctrine in Pashtunwali, jirga rulings in KP, and police corruption in rural districts all reinforce the structural state protection failure. See our analyses of honour violence, jirgas, and police corruption.[5]

Latin America

Latin American findings reinforce the documented patterns of cartel territorial control, judicial capture, and returnee risk. The structural state protection failure in the Northern Triangle and the reintegration gap for deportees both remain central to asylum analysis. See our analyses of cartel territorial control and Northern Triangle impunity.[6]

A continuously updated country expert database is the foundation of high-quality expert reports. It ensures that every report rests on the most current documented patterns, properly sourced and linked to the relevant country guidance.
The Human Rights expert network, Week 8 database review

How Practitioners Can Use the Database

1. Identify the relevant country and profile for your case.
2. Locate the documented patterns for that profile in the database.
3. Match the patterns to your applicant's individual facts.
4. Commission an expert report drawing on the documented findings. See our country expert reports guide.
5. Keep the evidence current — the database is updated as conditions change.

Conclusion

The country expert database brings together documented findings from over 50 countries and 363 cases. This Week 8 update reinforces the documented patterns across the Middle East, North Africa, post-Soviet space, South Asia, East Asia, East Africa, and Latin America. The database underpins the country expert reports that strengthen asylum claims.

For applicants and representatives, the database is a resource for identifying documented patterns relevant to a specific case. Our expert directory can match a specialist to your case. See next week's update for further findings.