Voluntary return

Resolution number
21
Whereas
  1. Unsuccessful refugee claimants who have exhausted all remedies in Canada may be interested in voluntary return to their countries;
  2. Such unsuccessful refugee claimants have a need for informed and independent counselling about the pros and cons of such a decision;
  3. In some European countries, NGOs have developed programs to provide counselling for those unsuccessful claimants who are considering voluntary return, including partial return of taxes or pension contributions and establishment money;
  4. CIC has began to pilot voluntary return programs and those subject to such programs receive no counselling on their rights and options except from CIC officials and no assistance except for the cost of airfare in some cases;
Therefore be it resolved

That the CCR:

  1. Support the proposition that NGOs have a role to play in the provision of counselling for unsuccessful refugee claimants as to the consequence of voluntarily returning to their countries.
  2. Form a committee to study the issue of voluntary return of refugees and to report on possible models of providing counselling and assistance to unsuccessful refugee claimants.
  3. The above committee in preparing its report consult with potential partners in the provision of such counselling such as, but not limited to, UNHCR, IOM, Amnesty International, and CIC.
Working Group
Inland Protection