Iraq: European Asylum Support Office: Country Guidance - Iraq (June 2019)
The country guidance represents the common assessment of the situation in the country of origin
by senior policy officials from EU Member States, in accordance with current EU legislation and
jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
This guidance note does not release Member States from the obligation to individually, objectively
and impartially examine each application for international protection. Each decision should be
taken on the basis of the individual circumstances of the applicant and the situation in Iraq at the
moment of the decision, according to precise and up-to-date country information, obtained from
various relevant sources (Article 10 of the Asylum Procedures Directive).
The analysis and guidance provided within this document are not exhaustive.
Introduction
Why is this country guidance developed?
On 21 April 2016, the Council of the European Union agreed on the creation of a senior-level policy
network, involving all Member States and coordinated by EASO, with the task to carry out a joint
assessment and interpretation of the situation in main countries of origin.1 The network supports EUlevel policy development based on common country of origin information (COI), by jointly interpreting
such information in light of the relevant provisions of the asylum acquis and taking into account the
content of the EASO training material and practical guides where appropriate. The development of
common analysis and guidance notes was also included as a key area in the new mandate of the
European Union Agency for Asylum proposed by the European Commission.
The country guidance is intended as a tool for policy-makers and decision-makers in the context of the
Common European Asylum System (CEAS). It aims to assist in the examination of applications for
international protection by applicants from Iraq, and to foster convergence in decision practices across
Member States.
Is this guidance binding?
The country guidance, developed by the Member States and published by EASO, is not binding. The
guidance note, accompanied by the common analysis, shall be taken into account by Member States
when examining applications for international protection, without prejudice to their competence for
deciding on individual applications.
Who was involved in the development of this country guidance?
This document is the result of the joint assessment by the Country Guidance Network, whose work
was supported by a Drafting Team of selected national experts and by EASO. The European
Commission and UNHCR provided valuable input in this process.
What is the applicable legal framework?
In terms of applicable legal framework, the common analysis and guidance note are based on the
provisions of the Qualification Directive (QD)3 and the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status
of Refugees, as well as jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU); where
appropriate, the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is also taken into
account.