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Rights organizations call for oversight mechanism in response to CBSA abuses
On 5 March, the CCR together with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) called on the federal government to end its long inaction on the need for an independent and effective complaints and monitoring mechanism for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and proposed essential points for a future independent oversight body.
While CBSA has sweeping police powers, it is unlike most other police forces in Canada because there is no independent oversight body to review its actions and to ensure respect for the human rights of refugees, migrants, and Canadians who deal with the agency. Municipal and provincial police across Canada, as well as the RCMP, have various forms of complaint agencies and independent investigation agencies to supervise their conduct.
The organizations presented three recent examples of situations that urgently cry out for independent investigation:
- CBSA officers share information about refugee claimants with individuals in the country of origin, potentially endangering the safety of the claimants or their families.
- Evidence suggests that CBSA may have given the Sri Lankan security authorities an affidavit from a Sri Lankan man alleging to have been tortured by those same authorities, possibly putting him and his family in danger.
- Lucia Vega Jiménez died in late December 2013 while in CBSA detention: information was not made public about this death until more than a month after it occurred.
For further information, see: Seven Years of Inaction: Rights organizations call for oversight mechanism in response to CBSA abuses
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Changes to citizenship in Canada will have profound consequences: Loly Rico, CCR President
CCR President, Loly Rico, has written a news piece detailing proposed changes to citizenship in Canada that will have profound consequences. Because of the scale of these changes, we invite you to share this opinion piece in your local news. Versions of the text are available in English, French, Spanish, Tamil and several other languages.
If you or someone else you know is able to help publish this piece, please send an email to Janet Dench at jdench@ccrweb.ca
Here’s a sneak peak at what Loly has to say:
Citizenship rules not only determine which individuals are Canadian, they also tell us a lot about who we are as a country. So we all need to pay careful attention to a recently tabled bill, which is described by Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Alexander as the first comprehensive reforms of the Citizenship Act “in more than a generation.”
The bill will make it more difficult for newcomers to become citizens. More applicants will have to pass language and knowledge tests (everyone from 14 to 64 years of age, compared to 18-54 years now). People will have to wait longer: they will need 4 years’ residence in Canada, rather than 3 years (...)
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How will you mark Refugee Rights Day this 4 April?
How will you mark Refugee Rights Day this April 4th? Here are some ideas to take action as a group or as an individual this Refugee Rights Day.
Recent changes in Canada have increased negative talk and make it tougher for refugees to find protection and to feel welcome. Pledge to stand for a Canada that is strong on rights for refugees. Sign on as a group or an individual and find out what you can do to change the conversation about refugees in Canada.
On Refugee Rights Day, reach out to groups in your community standing for social justice, but for whom issues affecting refugees are not front and centre. Why not get local healthcare providers, educators, faith groups and other community groups involved as participants, promoters and even planners for your
Walk with refugees for a stronger Canada?
- Sign the pledge to stand for a Canada that is strong on rights for refugees (available online next week)
- Reach out to local community groups and kick off plans to join the cross-country Walk with refugees for a stronger Canada in June 2014
For more information, check out our
Refugee Rights Day webpage.
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This June join the Walk with refugees for a stronger Canada
How can we change the conversation about refugees and others seeking protection close to home? Show familiar places and faces from a new point-of-view with stories and a few steps…
As a part of the
Proud to Protect Refugees campaign, we invite you to organize a walking tour in your community with stops highlighting significant places and stories for refugees, former refugees and others seeking protection (examples: businesses owned/operated by (former) refugees, health clinic, places of worship, schools, etc.) as part of a national
Walk with refugees for a stronger Canada.
For more information, including walking tips, see the
Proud to Protect Refugees campaign or
Walking with refugees for a stronger Canada
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Gateways to hope, pathways to belonging: CCR Spring Consultation, Halifax, 29-31 May 2014
