How will you mark Refugee Rights Day this April 4th? Have you decided on a theme for your events and activities? Here are some ideas to take action as a group or as an individual this Refugee Rights Day.

Upholding non-citizen children’s rights

In 2012, the United Nations is examining Canada on its compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Join the CCR and the CCR Youth Network in speaking out about children and youth rights under the Canadian immigration system leading up to the UN visit.

Visit the Youth Network webpage for more information on Children and Youth Rights under the Canadian Immigration System.

Protecting Refugees from Bill C-31

No to Bill C-31

On 16 February 2012, the government issued Bill C-31 to reform Canada’s refugee determination system.

The bill will create a two-tier system of refugee protection in Canada. It will make refugee protection in Canada dangerously vulnerable to political whims, rather than ensuring a fair and independent decision about who is a refugee. It also includes costly measures to detain refugee claimants and to revoke the status of refugees who are now permanent residents.

Bill C-31 must be withdrawn and replaced with legislation which is fair, affordable, and independent, and which complies with the Charter and Canada’s international obligations.

Join the CCR in calling for Bill C-31 to be withdrawn or defeated. Help to raise awareness of these costly government proposals: for refugees and for Canadian taxpayers.

What We Want for Refugees in Canada

Do you want to join with Canadians in standing up for a fair and independent refugee system? Do you want to help communicate to the public the importance of honouring our obligations towards refugees, through policies that are affordable for all? Join us in communicating what we want for refugees in Canada!

For more information and to take action, visit: What We Want for Refugees in Canada: 4 faces, 4 values

What is Refugee Rights Day?

April 4th is the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1985 Singh decision.

In this decision the Supreme Court found that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental rights of refugees. The Court decided that ‘everyone’ includes refugee claimants in the sentence: ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.’

Refugee claimants are therefore entitled to an oral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law.