Country Expert Database: New Findings from 120+ Countries

Last updated: 16 September 2026

Photo: United Nations Square - André-Pierre du Plessis

Our country expert database draws together findings from over 50 countries, built up through hundreds of asylum cases. This Week 9 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.

New Findings by Region (Week 9)

CIS Region: Continuing Consolidation

The CIS region's findings this week reinforce documented patterns. Belarus continues retrospective prosecutions of 2020 protest participants; the Cyber Partisans February 2025 disclosure has produced new prosecution waves. Tajikistan continues pressure on the Pamiri community and prosecutions of "Salafi"-categorised Muslims. Azerbaijan continues post-COP29 crackdown. See our analyses of Belarus 2026 update, Tajikistan 2026 update, and Azerbaijan 2026 crackdown.[2]

MENA: Cybercrime Frameworks Sustained

MENA findings continue the documented patterns of cybercrime-law enforcement against political expression. Egypt's 2018 Cybercrime Law produces continued sur place risk for diaspora critics. Tunisia's Decree 54 continues to produce prosecutions of lawyers and journalists. Algeria's Article 87 bis continues to be used against Hirak activists. See our analyses of Egypt's Anti-Terrorism and Cybercrime Laws, Tunisia Decree 54, and Algeria Hirak prosecutions.[3]

South Asia: Customary Violence Continues

South Asian findings document continued honour violence patterns in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ongoing jirga rulings despite 2018 FATA merger, and structural police corruption preventing state protection. See our analyses of honour violence in Pashtun communities, jirgas in KP, and Pakistan police corruption.[4]

Latin America: Healthcare and Detention

Latin American findings document continuing healthcare-system collapse in El Salvador, the sustained State of Exception, and continued cartel territorial control across the Northern Triangle and Mexico. See our analyses of El Salvador healthcare collapse, El Salvador State of Emergency, and cartel territorial control.[5]

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. Week 9 updates reinforce sustained patterns across the regions we cover.
The Human Rights expert network, Week 9 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's Week 9 update reinforces documented patterns across seven regions. The CIS findings on Belarus, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan; the MENA findings on cybercrime-law enforcement; the South Asian findings on customary violence; and the Latin American findings on healthcare collapse and detention all support pending asylum cases.

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.