CCR Resolutions Database

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  • Res.: 10
    Whereas:
    1. The Canadian Council for Refugees has promoted the involvement of NGOs in the identification of refugees overseas;
    2. Citizenship and Immigration Canada`s refugee resettlement model proposes the involvement of NGOs as overseas service partners;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR adopt as its position its paper Conditions for the Involvement of NGOs as Overseas Service Partners.

  • Res.: 15
    Whereas:
    1. The Immigration and Refugee Board has begun to conduct refugee hearings using video-conferencing whereby IRB members in one city conduct hearings on claimants in another city;
    2. The IRB has done no analysis of the impact of such video-conference hearings on the ability of claimants to have a fair hearing;
    3. The use of video-conference hearings is contrary to the IRB's own stated policy of making the setting of refugee claims less intimidating and less formal;
    4. The use of video-conferencing for refugee hearings is a denial of due process to refugee claimants;
    5. Videoconferencing is also being used in detention reviews, similarly compromising the rights of detainees to a fair hearing;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call upon the IRB to immediately stop the use of video-conferencing for the conducting of refugee claim hearings and detention reviews.

  • Res.: 20
    Whereas:

    There have been numerous formal and informal complaints about the IRB procedures and members have not been treated seriously;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR ask that the mandate of Mr Ratushny be expanded to include the complaints process and violations of fundamental rights in all of the CRDD's regions, the details of which are to be provided by the Working Group on Refugee Protection.

  • Res.: 3
    Whereas:
    1. There has been inadequate consultation with immigrants into their views on the proposed IMM 2000 card;
    2. The stated purpose is to prevent fraud which suggests that landed immigrants are perpetuating fraud;
    3. There will be costs to the landed immigrant over and above the discriminatory Right of Landing Fee (Head Tax);
    4. There are concerns about the information that will be able to be accessed by the IMM 2000 card;
    5. We believe that the use of biometrics is a violation of basic human rights;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR contact the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and request consultations with the CCR and representatives of new Canadian communities before proceeding further with the IMM 2000.

  • Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. Colombia continues to experience a plague of human rights violations with comparatively little world attention and near total impunity for the perpetrators;
    2. The Colombian government continues to disavow responsibility for the human rights violations;
    3. On 16 May 1998 Colombian paramilitaries murdered seven people and disappeared 25 others in Barrancabermeja;
    4. A campaign has been organized by a coalition of Colombian NGOs to try the perpetrators of this crime in public opinion tribunals in several countries, including Canada;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR wholeheartedly embrace the international campaign for people's opinion tribunals to judge and allocate responsibility for the May 16, 1998massacre in Barrancabermeja, Colombia

  • Res.: 13
    Whereas:
    1. The CCR supports the right of the Canadian government to deny refuge to people who have committed crimes against humanity and to others who pose serious national security threats, except where refoulement is in contravention of the Convention Against Torture or where there will be a risk of capital punishment;
    2. It is the right and duty of the state to ensure that a just system for identifying such persons is in place;
    3. The definitions in the Immigration Act relating to inadmissibility on the basis of security are over-broad;
    4. Decisions regarding security inadmissibility are made without respecting the due process rights of those affected;
    5. There is no time limit within which a decision may be made, leading to indefinite delays for some of those affected;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the Canadian Government to:

    1. Introduce a system for identifying potential security risks with:

      a)a right to a hearing before an independent decision-maker for those alleged to be inadmissible on security grounds;

      b)protection of due process rights;

      c)an obligation to render a decision within a fixed time frame;

    2. Amend the Immigration Act to give a more precise definition of security risk.
  • Res.: 18
    Whereas:

    The CCR is concerned that refugee claims are being put into the abandonment - show cause stream at the IRB because claimants are being served by CIC with their eligibility and referral documents several days after the date of issuance of these documents;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Write to CIC to ensure that claimants are served their eligibility and referral documents in a timely fashion;
    2. Write to IRB to request that abandonments not be scheduled where the claimant has not enjoyed the full period for filing their PIF due to slow determinations of eligibility, making reference to the related inquiry from the BC Legal Services Society, which has not yet been replied to.
  • Res.: 1
    Whereas:
    1. Civic participation, including taking out citizenship, being aware of political issues and voting, is key to full participation in Canadian society;
    2. Political representation seems to be lagging behind demographic change;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge its members to:

    1. Actively encourage more civic participation by immigrants and refugees;
    2. Explore the development of programming to facilitate this goal.
  • Res.: 6
    Whereas:
    1. Convention refugees who have not been landed are living permanently in Canada;
    2. Access to higher education is a key to Canadian life and economic independence;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Write to the minister of Human Resources Development Canada urging him to amend the Canada Student Loans Act to include Convention Refugees in their eligibility criteria;
    2. Urge its members to raise this issue with their local Members of Parliament;
    3. Encourage provincial governments to:

      a) advocate this change with the Federal government;

      b) make the same change in their provincial legislation.

  • Res.: 11
    Whereas:
    1. The CCR has passed an earlier resolution that the Right of Landing Fee is discriminatory, exclusionary and racist because of the vast variance in country and individual income around the world, and is particularly burdensome for refugees;
    2. Previous to 1995 refugees were not charged interest on transportation loans, admissibility loans and assistance loans;
    3. The interest rate charged is above prime rate;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Continue to call for a repeal of the Right of Landing Fee for all newcomers accepted for landing in Canada;
    2. Insist that no interest be charged on any immigration loans;
    3. Urge the government, pending legislation to repeal interest charges, to charge no more than the prime rate.
  • Res.: 16
    Whereas:

    The nomination process and the renewal of mandates at the IRB do not have the confidence of the legal and human rights communities;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Call for a moratorium on nominations and non-renewals until a fair process can be instituted.
    2. Ask the Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to hold hearings on these issues.
  • Res.: 4
    Whereas:
    1. Immigrants and refugees are coming to this country with qualifications and professional skills that are needed in Canada;
    2. Many newcomers have been denied access to their professions or trades because of inflexible accreditation bodies;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on the federal and provincial governments to ensure that there is a fair process whereby newcomers can gain recognition of the skills they acquired elsewhere and have:

    1. access to training to meet Canadian standards;
    2. a right of appeal from denial of such recognition or access.
  • Res.: 9
    Whereas:
    1. General Augusto Pinochet is presently detained in the United Kingdom pending extradition proceeding initiated by Spain, France and Switzerland;
    2. General Pinochet's 1973 coup d'état against Chile's democratically elected government and the brutal dictatorship which he directed until 1990 was responsible for the deaths and/or disappearance of more than 3,000 Chileans and others, the torture and imprisonment of many thousands more and the forced exile of still more thousands to many countries including Canada;
    3. Applications have been made to the government of Canada by a Canadian citizen who was detained and tortured in Chile in October 1973, as well as by a number of Canadian citizens of Chilean origin who experienced severe abuses throughout the Pinochet years, for the prosecution and extradition of General Pinochet;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Send congratulations to the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords on their historic decision upholding the primacy of human rights over state rights;
    2. Send a message to the United Kingdom Home Secretary urging him to uphold the primacy of human rights over political considerations and to allow the extradition proceedings against General Pinochet to go ahead, or prosecute him in Great Britain for his crimes against humanity, and request the government of Canada to send a similar message;
    3. Urge the government of Canada to institute criminal proceedings against General Pinochet in the above mentioned cases and request his extradition from the United Kingdom to Canada.
  • Res.: 14
    Whereas:
    1. The CCR is concerned that the drive for efficiency at the CRDD is resulting in the denial of the right of claimants to full and fair hearings;
    2. The CCR is concerned about allegations of bias by members at the CRDD in their rendering of decisions in claims based on sexual orientation;
    3. The CCR is concerned that the inability of lawyers to obtain conventional tape recordings of CRDD hearings is placing obstacles in the way of a claimant's right and a lawyer's ability to apply properly for leave to commence judicial review proceedings at the federal court;
    4. The CCR is concerned about the misconduct by RCOs during refugee claim hearings;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR write to the chairperson of the IRB to express our concerns and request action on the above issues.

  • Res.: 19
    Whereas:
    1. François Crépeau and France Houle have prepared a report entitled Compétence et Indépendance, dated 6 March 1998 which makes seven key recommendations on the IRB appointments process;
    2. The report was endorsed by CCR's IRB workshop in Ottawa on 28 November 1998;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR endorse and promote the recommendations of the report on the appointments process.

  • Res.: 2
    Whereas:
    1. The settlement agencies of Ontario have been living with uncertainty since the introduction of "Settlement Renewal" three years ago;
    2. The Ontario Government does not appear to want the responsibility of settlement;
    3. Clients' needs are best served by stable agencies which are focused on client service;
    4. Many of the practices of Ontario Region are inconsistent with the practices of other CIC regions;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Write to CIC National Headquarters asking that:

      a)The Federal Government cease active pursuit of negotiations on settlement renewal with the government of Ontario;

      b)CIC Ontario Region proceed as if settlement renewal will not go forward.

    2. Suggest that CIC improve their management of ISAP, Host and LINC contracts by:
      • Reducing the micro management of contracts, by, among other things, moving from monthly to quarterly reporting and by being more flexible and, at a minimum, implementing the ISAP Handbook which states that "you may shift funds from one cost category to another without prior approval";
      • Respecting agencies' difficulties with cashflow and interest charges by systematically making reasonable advances of funds;
      • Paying salary and administrative costs, including benefits, at a just level of remuneration across the country;
      • Seeking substantive agency input into all of the above.
  • Res.: 2
    Whereas:
    1. In many areas immigration policy affects men and women differently;
    2. There is no central coordination of gender analysis within the Immigration Department;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR call on CIC to establish a gender policy advisor.

  • Res.: 7
    Whereas:
    1. There are 3,000 Assyrian Christians who fled Iraq due to the war and persecution and are living temporarily in Jordan;
    2. There are 2,000 Assyrian Christians living temporarily in Turkish refugee camps;
    3. There have been many cases of further mistreatment in both Turkey and Jordan;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Write to the UNHCR and ask them to monitor the treatment of Christian Assyrians by the Jordanian and Turkish governments.
    2. Write to the Turkish and Jordanian authorities and ask that they protect refugees in their countries.
    3. Write to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and request that her department meet with the Assyrian Christian community and help them sponsor Assyrian refugees to Canada.
  • Res.: 12
    Whereas:
    1. Bill C-40 contains provisions which amend the Immigration Act to deem some persons facing extradition to have received a decision of the Immigration and Refugee Board and to be found not to be a Convention Refugee even though no hearing of the Immigration and Refugee Board was actually held;
    2. These amendments to the Immigration Act deny refugee claimants their right to a hearing before the IRB and to make submissions to establish their claim to refugee status;
    3. International human rights have been involved in extraditions and expulsions by Canada and have been the object of views by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, for example, in the cases of Ng, Khan, and Cox;
    4. In the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Canada has accepted responsibility for measures necessary to ensure these international rights;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Call upon the Government of Canada to withdraw the proposed amendments and redraft them to ensure refugee claimants' rights to a fair hearing before the IRB are protected and to ensure that the Extradition Act and Immigration Act conform with Canada's international human rights treaty obligations and related international standards;
    2. Request the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration review the proposed amendments and accept submissions from the CCR and other interested parties.
  • Res.: 17
    Whereas:
    1. In June of 1996, in response to the U.S. INS detention of Canada-bound refugee claimants and the subsequent processing of said claimants for deportation, the CCR passed a resolution urging CIC to cease turning refugee claimants back to the U.S.;
    2. INS detentions of Canada-bound refugee claimants have continued and, in fact, broadened in 1998 to include detentions in the Niagara Region, Blackpool and Minnesota;
    3. INS has continued to detain certain refugee claimants, even after such claimants have received Canadian eligibility determinations, thereby denying these claimants the opportunity to pursue their refugee claims in Canada;
    4. In an April 29, 1998 letter to the President of the CCR, the Acting Director General of the Enforcement Branch, CIC NHQ, stated, "...it is our policy that no person will be returned to the United States where there is reason to believe that they will be removed from the U.S. before the scheduled eligibility determination or would otherwise be unavailable because of detention. We are reviewing our procedures manual to ensure that this is clearly understood";
    5. Despite the above-cited policy, CIC in the Niagara Region has continued to direct refugee claimants back to the United States to await eligibility determinations, which has resulted in the detention of a troubling number of people;
    6. CIC's practice at certain border crossings of closing the border to refugee claimants on certain days of the week or at certain times of the year has also led to U.S. detentions of Canada-bound refugees awaiting Canadian processing;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge CIC to:

    1. Process refugee claimants immediately upon their arrival at the border, rather than closing the border to refugee claimants on certain days of the week or at certain times of the year.
    2. Discontinue the practice of directing refugee claimants back to the United States.
    3. In cases where Canada-bound refugee claimants have been detained by the INS, request that INS release such individuals to Canada to proceed with Canadian refugee claims.
  • Res.: 5
    Whereas:
    1. The CCR adopted Resolution 3 in November 1997 concerning changes from AAP to RAP and has not received a satisfactory response;
    2. There has been no consultation about the changes to services with the organizations that deliver the services, let alone with the refugees receiving the services;
    3. CIC is committed to promoting through its services greater independence in government-assisted refugees;
    4. CIC is continuing to impose a quantitative approach (defining the numbers of hours of service to be delivered, and the period within which they are to be delivered);
    5. The changes appear to mean, at least in some regions, significant cutbacks in services for government-assisted refugees;
    6. In some areas the role of reception centres is being called into question, but without open discussion and consultation;
    7. Citizenship and Immigration Canada is developing national standards for services to arriving refugees, again without consultations;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Reaffirm its call for RAP services to be contracted on a "global" basis - both temporary accommodation and services -  while maintaining the financial contribution to existing reception centres at the 1997-98 level;
    2. Note that "independence" for resettled refugees is best achieved through timely, holistic, effective and appropriate services;
    3. Call on Citizenship and Immigration Canada i) to review the proposed RAP implementation and develop national standards, in consultation with NGOs delivering the services and with resettled refugees, and ii) to hold a national meeting for this consultation.
  • Res.: 10
    Whereas:

    Groups applying for Joint Assistance Sponsorships for Women at Risk can face unexpected requests for travel costs in addition to the resettlement support they promised;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to:

    1. Ensure that Canada's response to its international obligations with respect to refugees such as women at risk is unambiguous and independent of voluntary cash contributions from the Canadians who are willing to make possible resettlement by the government in other ways;
    2. Introduce clarity into refugee resettlement programs so that Canadians who come forward to assist the government can predict the costs before they begin and do not suddenly face requests for cash contributions for travel costs.
  • Res.: 15
    Whereas:
    1. Board members are under pressure to move quickly on cases at the expense of fairness, thus violating the fundamental right of refugee claimants to a fair and impartial hearing;
    2. The Montreal IRB has started giving negative decisions with no credible basis in a systematic and abusive fashion;
    3. There is a serious problem with Board members not treating fairly victims of torture and a general problem of insensitivity linked to a lack of proper training for Board members;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Express our opposition to increased findings of no credible basis in Montreal and call on the IRB to cease abusive use of such findings.
    2. Request training of IRB members with the active involvement of the UNHCR, the Canadian Bar, the CCR and other appropriate NGOs. This training must include sensitivity training on treatment of torture victims, a code of ethics for Board members and training on the rules of fundamental justice.
  • Res.: 3
    Whereas:

    There is a need to share information on services for refugee claimants and to explore how the work can be improved and better communication networks established across the country;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the Executive of the CCR give priority consideration to establishing an ad hoc joint committee (Settlement/Protection) to deal with the issues of services to refugee claimants.

  • Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. Human rights violations in Guatemala have increased significantly since the April 1998 assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera two days after he presented the report of the Interdiocesan Project to Recover the Historical Memory (REMHI) which named some of the perpetrators involved in torture, killings, massacres and disappearances;
    2. The REMHI report not only documents 55,021 cases of victims, holding the Guatemalan Army and paramilitary squads responsible for 85.4% of the crimes and the insurgency responsible for 9.3% of those crimes, but also exposes the way the repressive apparatus operates allowing powerful perpetrators of human rights violations to continue to act with impunity;
    3. Luis Yat, indigenous mayor of El Quiche was assassinated in front of his wife and children last May 6 and numerous members of indigenous, women's and human rights organizations continue to be threatened and intimidated;
    4. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States (OAS) requested the Guatemalan State to provide protective measures for 110 members of REMHI and workers at the Human Rights Office of the Catholic Archdiocese who are at risk;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Write to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and ask that the number of government-assisted refugees from Guatemala be increased and that she direct her department to take note of the worsening human rights situation in Guatemala when considering risk assessments, humanitarian and compassionate applications and deferring removals.
    2. Write to the government of Guatemala to demand that they protect the 110 members of REMHI and workers at the Human Rights Office of the Catholic Archdiocese.
    3. Write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs asking him to protest to the Guatemalan government at the murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera and to pressure the Guatemalan government to protect the REMHI members and Human Rights Office workers.