Resolution number
11
Whereas
- The government of Canada has made a commitment to expedite the processing of Sierra Leonean refugees overseas after strongly encouraging Sponsorship Agreement Holders across Canada to get involved in the Sierra Leone special initiative;
- The situation in Sierra Leone is still dangerous, unstable and volatile in spite of the presence of a 17,000 member United Nations peacekeeping force and the return of some Sierra Leonean refugees who are still internally displaced. The recent influx of 10,000 Liberian refugees also adds to the instability in Sierra Leone;
Therefore be it resolved
That the CCR strongly urge the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to impress upon his Department the need to honour the commitment to refugees, family members in Canada and private sponsors to expedite the processing of the refugees' cases and, in particular, not to refuse cases based upon the changing circumstances in Sierra Leone, which are not conducive for return.
Working Group
Overseas Protection and Resettlement