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Country policy and information notes (previously known as country information and guidance reports) are used by UK Visas and Immigration officials to make decisions in asylum and human rights applications.
The notes also give information on asylum seekers’ countries of origin.
A new version of the country policy and information note on military service has been updated. The following sections have been updated: recruitment, deployment, and service conditions of Russian conscripts, reservists, contract soldiers, and mercenaries; deferral of and exemption from mandatory military service as well as alternative civilian service; punishments for draft evasion and desertion as well as on conditions in Russian penitentiary institutions.
Information notes 'Muslims, Russia' and 'Critics of the state, Chechnya' removed.
Added information on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
The following country policy and information notes have been removed as they are out of date: sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, November 2020; Jehovah’s Witnesses, April 2021.
Country policy and information note: military service has been added.
Information on Muslims in Russia added.
Added country policy and information note on Chechnya: critics of the state.
Added country policy and information note: critics and opponents of the government, Russia, August 2022.
Added country policy and information note on Jehovah’s Witnesses.