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The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) is calling for measures to adequately protect the rights of trafficked persons in Canada, in particular through legislative amendment (or in PDF version). The CCR also urges Canadians to educate themselves about the realities of trafficking and to take action in favour of the rights of trafficked persons.
Guiding Principles
The CCR has identified the following principles to guide responses to trafficking:
- Non-punitive: Measures must not penalize trafficked persons
- Human rights: Measures must be guided by and be respectful of the human rights of trafficked persons
- Economic rights: Measures must be guided by and be respectful of the economic rights of trafficked persons
- Supportive services: There is a need for supportive services for trafficked persons
- Gender and race analysis: A gender and race analysis should be brought to any consideration of trafficking issues
- Inclusive of trafficked persons: Discussions about trafficked persons should include trafficked persons themselves
The issue of trafficking in women is one that the Canadian Council for Refugees, through its Gender Issues Core Group, has been following for several years. In December 2001, CCR adopted a resolution acknowledging the needs of trafficked women in Canada and the fact that NGOs are not necessarily sensitized and responsive to their needs. The CCR also commented on the inadequacy of C-11 (now enacted as the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) to respond to the needs of trafficked persons.
In February 2000, the CCR produced a paper, Migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, as part of ongoing efforts to give input on the development of the UN protocols on smuggling and trafficking.
In 2003, the CCR launched a project with the goal of developing the capacity among Canadian NGOs to respond appropriately to the needs of trafficked persons in Canada, especially women and girls, and to work towards the eradication of forced labour in Canada. The project organized a series of meetings, regionally and nationally, to consult, network and develop recommendations. A report, Trafficking in Women and Girls, Report of Meetings, was produced in February 2004.
In January 2008 the CCR testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, on Bill C-17.
In December 2009, the CCR organized a National Forum on trafficking, National Forum: Improving Services and Protection for Trafficked Persons, as part of continuing efforts to promote a discussion on human trafficking and to identify existing services and multi-sector needs to better protect trafficked persons. The Forum brought together NGO's, academics, government and law enforcement representatives.
The CCR continues to lead and coordinate activities across the country aimed at moving forward with the recommendations developped through the meetings, particularly with respect to raising public awareness and advocating for measures to protect trafficked persons.
In 2011 the CCR developed a database of trafficking resources, with financial support from the Department of Justice Canada. The purpose of this database is to offer convenient access to tools to support work on the issue of human trafficking, in the realm of awareness-raising and of service provision. Resources included are both Canadian and international.