IRB inquiry

Resolution number
13
Whereas
  1. The CCR is committed to seeking refugee policies and practices guided by principles of refugee protection. We believe in the importance of having people who have worked with refugee communities in positions of responsibility within the Immigration and Refugee Board;
  2. The CCR has developed a position on these matters entitled "Position on Essential Principles in Response to Hathaway and Davis/Waldman Reports" (September 1994);
  3. The CCR does not know the full details of the complaints made against Michael Schelew, nor of the process which led to his suspension;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR reaffirm the folllowing principles to which we are committed:

  1. The independence of Board members as decision-makers and of the IRB as a quasi-judicial tribunal.
  2. The need for a credible, transparent and accessible mechanism within the IRB for dealing with complaints.
  3. The need for an independent and impartial process for the appointment and reappointment of the members of the IRB.

We are furthermore deeply concerned with the barrage of media attacks on the refugee determination process. We are dismayed that no effort seems to have been made by the Minister's office to address the many distortions and inaccuracies contained in the various articles, when what is at stake may be the very principle of refugee protection.

Working Group
Inland Protection