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Iraqi refugee crisis: call for increased Canadian response

Resolution number
7
Whereas
  1. The situation created by the massive numbers of persons who have fled Iraq to neighbouring countries is putting heavy strain on the infrastructures of these countries and is threatening to destabilize them to the extent that they will be unable to accommodate the refugees already there and those arriving;
  2. The international response from Canada and other members of the international community has not reflected the gravity of the need for intervention, especially through comprehensive approaches to supporting the host countries, with donations of bilateral aid and other assistance to sustain protection and local integration;
  3. There are Canadians, including Iraqi Canadians, who want to respond with offers of resettlement to Iraqi refugees;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR call on the Canadian government to:

  1. Provide increased bilateral and multilateral support to Syria, Jordan and other neighbouring countries in the region that are hosting over two million Iraqi refugees.
  2. Urge the governments in the region to keep their borders open to Iraqi refugees seeking asylum.
  3. Increase overall resettlement targets (for both government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees) so that there can be a significant increase in numbers of Iraqi refugees resettled to Canada, without reducing the number of refugees resettled from other regions.
  4. Expedite the processing of Iraqi refugees being resettled to Canada, including the security checks.
  5. Educate the Canadian public about the needs of Iraqi refugees and promote the involvement of Canadians in the private sponsorship of Iraqi refugees.
  6. Respond positively to UNHCR referrals for resettlement of Palestinian refugees in the border camps between Iraq and Syria.
  7. Press other countries not to forcibly return Iraqis to their country of origin.
  8. Allocate additional resources to the Damascus mission to ensure that the processing of refugees is not negatively affected by the expediting of family class applications.
Working Group
Overseas Protection and Resettlement