A facsimile sent to the DIRB on 7 November 1995 by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ottawa stated the following:

Under German Refugee Legislation the spouse and children of a refugee will acquire refugee status as well if the marriage was already existing when still residing in the country they suffered from political persecution and if the spouse applied for asylum before or at the same time as the other spouse or immediately after arriving in Germany. The above mentioned also applies to unmarried children under age. In case the spouse does not acquire refugee status, he or she will still be entitled to a residence permit in Germany.

For additional information on the above-mentioned subject, please consult the letter sent to the DIRB on 27 November 1995 by Citizenship and Immigration's International Service Group in Hull.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ottawa. 7 November 1995. Facsimile sent to the DIRB.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada, International Service Group, Hull. 27 November 1995. Letter including telex from the Canadian mission in Bonn.