Skip to main content

CCR Resolutions Database

Date
Filter by year and month (in format YYYY-MM)

  • Canada’s global resettlement program

    Res.: 6
    Whereas:

    Canada is directing resources to its group processing initiatives at the expense of its global program for refugees seeking protection through resettlement;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge the Canadian government to commit to maintain global access to resettlement and increase the resources to make that access effective.

  • Iraqi refugee crisis: call for increased Canadian response

    Res.: 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.

  • Increased refugee resettlement

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. The situation of many refugees is dire, particularly that of Iraqis in Syria, Jordan and Turkey;
    2. Canadians, particularly those involved with private sponsorship, wish to be as helpful as possible;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR request that the Canadian government increase the overall numbers of refugees to be resettled in Canada, and that, within this increase, special consideration be given to increasing the number of Iraqis to be resettled.

  • Canadian support for durable solutions in protracted refugee situations

    Res.: 6
    Whereas:
    1. The length of protracted refugee situations is increasing, leading to impoverishment and deprivation of the refugees in these camps and urban settings;
    2. Canada is committed to working towards finding durable solutions for persons in protracted refugee situations including repatriation, local integration and resettlement;
    3. All refugees will benefit from education and skills training made available before persons leave the camps, especially but not exclusively those being resettled;
    4. The CCR and more recently the UNHCR have expressed to the government of Canada their interest in engaging Canadian NGOs in resettlement activities abroad, including those with an integration focus, recognizing the benefits to the refugees and to the receiving communities;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Request to the Government of Canada, especially CIDA and CIC, to work with NGOs to develop a Canadian strategy to address protracted refugee situations that uses all tools at Canada’s disposal including funding for preventative health treatment, job skills training, health treatment, education etc. in refugee camps and urban settings;
    2. Urge the Government of Canada to amend the Terms and Conditions of various instruments to allow for more flexibility and responsiveness in programming, including the flexibility to fund integration programming overseas;
    3. Request the Government of Canada that Canada’s contributions to the World Bank include instructions that poverty reduction strategy papers should include strategies to help reduce poverty within refugee populations.

  • African refugees

    Res.: 7
    Whereas:
    1. There are evident disparities in processing of African refugees’ files in terms of waiting times, refusal rates and systematic DNA testing, in comparison to other regions;
    2. African refugee situations are among the most protracted in the world.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Request the Government of Canada establish an NGO-Government Committee on African refugee and immigrant issues to further monitor and document the situation and propose viable solutions;
    2. Seek collaboration on these issues with Canadian Council on International Cooperation (CCIC), especially the CCIC Africa Group;
    3. Once again request to be involved meaningfully in the Annual Levels Consultation process.

  • War in the Horn of Africa

    Res.: 4
    Whereas:
    1. The possibility of a war is looming in the Horn of Africa due to political intervention and ambition by the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea in the civil war in Somalia.
    2. Many innocent people, mainly women and children, are already displaced and on the move to other neighbouring countries, such as Kenya, which already houses many refugees.
     
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR ask the Canadian government to collaborate with the African Union to achieve a more humane approach to diplomacy in the Horn of Africa and to use unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral means to apply pressure on:

    1. The Ethiopian government to withdraw its soldiers from Somalia and to refrain from further escalating the tension by dragging people into war.
    2. The Eritrean government to stop trying to wage their conflict with Ethiopia in Somalia.

  • Interpreters at visa offices

    Res.: 2
    Whereas:

    Recent information from various sources and complaints from refugees interviewed by the Damascus and other visa posts suggest that some refusals may be due to interpretation.

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge CIC to review increasingly serious concerns around interpretation at interviews, including allegations of bias, and ask that standards be adopted to ensure quality of interpretation.

  • Liberian Refugees in West Africa

    Res.: 3
    Whereas:
    1. The situation in Liberia is in transition and is improving.
    2. The country is not able to absorb big numbers of returnees.
    3. Human rights are not generally respected.
    4. Repatriation is not a durable solution for all Liberian refugees in the region and some may meet the Country of Asylum Class criteria.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge CIC to consider resettlement of Liberians to Canada for whom repatriation is not the preferred option and as part of a broader effort to achieve durable solutions for all Liberian refugees in West Africa.
    2. Ask CIC to consult with interested NGOs in Canada regarding resettlement to Canada of Liberian refugees in West Africa.
    3. Encourage CIC to review sponsorship cases rejected in 2006 if the refugees live in camp-based situations and were rejected on the basis that repatriation is available to them.
    4. Request UNHCR to stop reducing financial support to the refugees in Buduburam Camp and restore the assistance to the past year level.
    5. Request CIDA to become actively involved in the post-war reconstruction in Liberia.

  • Protracted refugee situations

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. Nearly 7 million out of the 11 million worldwide refugee population have been “warehoused”  – confined to camps or segregated settlements or otherwise deprived of basic rights – in situations lasting indefinitely;
    2. Refugee protection is an international responsibility;
    3. There are proposals for a future EXCOM resolution on self-reliance;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Advocate that the future conclusion of UNHCR Executive Committee on “self-reliance” be broadly stated to include such activities as the right to work, practice professions, run businesses, own property, move freely and choose their place for residence and have travel documents.
    2. Advocate that the future conclusion on self-reliance affirm that such rights are integral to UNHCR’s protection mandate.
    3. Advocate that CIDA integrate refugee rights to self-reliance activities into its aid and development programs.

  • Protection solutions for Haitians

    Res.: 9
    Whereas:
    1. Human rights violations in Haiti have been described as catastrophic by UNHCR officials;
    2. Many persons are unable to escape Haiti in order to seek protection as refugees;
    3. There are very limited options for protection in the region;
    4. The situation calls for a comprehensive regional protection plan;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Advocate for the addition of Haiti to Canada’s Source Country Resettlement Program.
    2. Urge the Canadian government and the UNHCR to find protection solutions for Haitians, both refugees and those internally displaced, including resettlement to Canada of vulnerable persons.
    3. Join with NGOs in the USA and elsewhere in the Americas seeking a comprehensive solution to the protection needs of Haitians, both IDPs and refugees.

  • Reproductive Health

    Res.: 7
    Whereas:

    The US Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children has prepared a Reproductive Health General Statement that outlines challenges to comprehensive reproductive health care for women, men and youth in conflict-affected settings and calls for increased funding and political support for reproductive health services;

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Support the provision of comprehensive gender-based reproductive health care for all, and women and girls in particular, in conflict-affected settings.
    2. Recognize that diminished political support for reproductive health combined with reduced funding for these programs can have and is having a devastating impact on refugee and displaced women, men and youth.
    3. Endorse the Reproductive Health General Statement that calls upon the US government, lawmakers, donors, United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to renew their commitment and strengthen their response to reproductive health needs for women, men and youth in conflict-affected settings through increased funding and political support.

  • Refugees in Ethiopia and Eritrea

    Res.: 10
    Whereas:
    1. United Nations and western countries have expressed serious concerns that war might break out between Eritrea and Ethiopia;
    2. Eritrea and Ethiopia are moving their troops to the border and preparing for war;
    3. If war breaks out, civilians, especially Eritrean refugees who are in Ethiopia and Ethiopian refugees in Eritrea, will face the consequence of the war as in the earlier rounds of wars;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge the UNHCR and CIC to recognize Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia and Ethiopian refugees in Eritrea as in urgent need of protection.
    2. Urge the Canadian government to expedite processing of private and government sponsorship of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia and Ethiopian refugees in Eritrea.
    3. Urge the UNHCR that the cases of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia and Ethiopian refugees in Eritrea who have been accepted by UNHCR as in need of protection and who wish to be resettled in Canada be referred to the relevant Canadian embassy.
    4. Ask the Canadian government to work towards peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

  • Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in detention in Israel

    Res.: 9
    Whereas:
    1. Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention exempts refugees from being punished because of their illegal entry or presence;
    2. UNHCR’s Revised Guidelines on the Detention of Asylum Seekers states that “[a]s a general rule, asylum seekers should not be detained”, and that “the use of detention, in many instances, is contrary to the norms and principles of international law.”
    3. There are 68 refugee claimants from Ethiopia and Eritrea who are detained in Israel for prolonged periods amounting to 18 months and without obtaining adequate assistance from any party except for the African Refugees Development Centre(ARDC);
    4. The detention practices are inconsistent with established human rights standards;
    5. The Israeli authorities, after long discussion and debate, have agreed to release these detainees on an estimated bail of between $8,500-10,000 CAD for two months if there is tangible evidence of a sponsorship application to Canada and for 12months if an invitation for an interview at the Canadian Embassy is extended;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge the UNHCR to demand compliance that Israel comply with the 1951Convention and the 1967Protocol, and adhere to UNHCR’s standards on detention regarding refugees.
    2. Urge the UNHCR to intervene in accordance with the above-mentioned UNHCR Guidelines on the Detention of Asylum Seekers so that the illegally detained refugees are released and obtain fair procedures for timely review.
    3. Urge CIC to request its visa post in Tel Aviv to fulfill the following:
      a)process each application and make determination in a fair manner consistent with the IRPA guidelines;
      b)process the private sponsorship of these refugees in an expedited and consistent manner.
    4. Work with the African Refugees Development Center (ARDC) on all issues regarding African refugees and asylum seekers residing in Israel with an intention/process to immigrate/resettle in Canada.

  • Enhancing the role of NGOs in group processing of refugees to Canada

    Res.: 7
    Whereas:
    1. The UNHCR has demonstrated a keen interest in enhancing the role of NGOs in refugee resettlement, in particular in group processing initiatives;
    2. The 2003-2004 Group Processing Initiative, that is currently under evaluation by CIC, reveals some areas for improvement that may be addressed in part by NGO participation;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Request CIC to consult with partners and stakeholders on the benefits of including NGO personnel in all phases of group resettlement initiatives from identification and referral to post-arrival settlement;
    2. Encourage CIC to invite CCR (SAHs and settlement agencies) to pilot the inclusion of NGO personnel in forthcoming group processing initiatives in the field;
    3. Urge CIC to ensure that the CCR (SAHs and settlement agencies) and community partners in destination communities have sufficient, timely information to identify gaps and challenges and to plan how they will meet those needs, including by CIC placing Canadia NGO personnel in the countries of asylum in order to establish effective, timely linkages between the asylum countries and destining communities.

  • Uighurs in detention in Guantanamo Bay

    Res.: 10
    Whereas:
    1. There are 22 Uighurs, Chinese nationals, being detained by the USA in Guantanamo Bay since their arrest in Afghanistan following the events of September11, 2001;
    2. The USA has determined that these Uighurs do not pose a threat to national security but is considering refoulement back to China where they will face persecution and torture at the hands of the regime that views them as terrorist activists advocating separation of their homeland;
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge the UNHCR to publicly demand that the Uighurs are not refouled to China;
    2. Urge the UNHCR to intervene to seek a durable solution for these Uighurs as a means for their protection including to facilitate the resettlement of the Uighurs to the USA, where US nationals of Uighur heritage have offered to assist in their settlement, and/or resettlement to other countries as a means for their protection from refoulement or continued detention at Guantanamo;
    3. Use its opportunities at meetings with Canadian government officials and the UNHCR and at international fora to further the protection and achievement of a durable solution for the Uighurs currently held in Guantanamo.

  • Iraqis in Europe

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. There are many Iraqis in European countries who have been refused refugee status by these countries,
    2. A number of these people have no durable solution in these European countries and have family members in Canada who have been accepted by Canada under the Convention Refugee or Country of Asylum Class,
    3. These people will be deported to Iraq as soon as the host countries consider it safe,
    4. These people no longer have family or homes in Iraq,
    5. The assisted relative program and last remaining member of the family programs no longer exist,
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR strongly urge Citizenship and Immigration Canada to develop a humanitarian and compassionate mechanism to allow these families to be reunited with family members in Canada.

  • Overseas processing and targets

    Res.: 10
    Whereas:
    1. Overseas processing targets are inadequate, as reported in the “No Faster Way?” and “More than a Nightmare” documents, to meet demand in the family reunification and refugee sponsorship queues;
    2. Canada has an obligation to respond to the legitimate needs of Canadians, including its refugee sponsorship community and its separated families.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge the Government to review the 60/40 ratio in order to increase the numbers of Humanitarian class cases being processed.
    2. Urge the Government to establish and implement service standards for all immigration categories which are simple, fast (in less than 8-12 months) and accessible.
    3. Reaffirm a consistent application for all posts of the policy priorizing refugees.

  • Support for repatriation

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. UNHCR’s stated mandate is to facilitate and support the voluntary repatriation of refugees in safety and dignity to their home countries when conditions within the country are sufficiently stable to sustain their return.
    2. The international community has strong interest involuntary repatriation as a durable solution for refugees
    3. The international community are donors of UNHCR and financially support its efforts.
    4. The levels of support to sustain persons during their repatriation process are grossly inadequate and do not provide the means forre-establishment. This is the situation for Sierra Leoneans currently repatriating.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR request the government of Canada to work with the UNHCR and other countries to increase the levels of support and security given to refugees repatriating through UNHCR initiatives.

  • Iraq

    Res.: 9
    Whereas:
    1. The violence and lawlessness in Iraq continues to escalate and the possibility of a peaceful solution does not seem imminent,
    2. Many Canadian families have been impacted by resulting tragedies,
    3. Relatives and friends and former neighbours of Canadians are fleeing Iraq for Syria, Jordan and Turkey on a daily basis,
    4. They feel compelled to flee because a member of their family has already been targeted and killed, because they have received death threats, because their children have been kidnapped and held for ransom or because of vendettas in the context of lawlessness,
    5. The UNHCR has suspended Refugee Status Determination for Iraqis and
    6. Those who have sought asylum in Turkey, Syria and Jordan are struggling to meet their basic needs because they left their belongings behind and they are not allowed to work.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urgently request the UNHCR to immediately:
      i)    Resume refugee status determination for Iraqis in the region,
      ii)    Provide care and support for Iraqis who have sought asylum in these countries,
      iii)    Dialogue with resettlement countries including Canada to implement resettlement as a solution for Iraqis in the region,
    2. Urge the Government of Canada to immediately:
      i)    Dialogue with the UNHCR to facilitate the resettlement of Iraqi refugees through the Private Sponsorship Program as well as the Government Assisted Refugee Program,
      ii)    Increase staff in the Damascus Visa Post to accommodate the increased need for resettlement from the region and to expedite cases already in process.

  • Darfur

    Res.: 7
    Whereas:
    1. The political situation in the Darfur Region of the Sudan continues to deteriorate, with widespread human rights violations leading to deaths of an estimated quarter of a million people.
    2. The government of the Sudan refuses to yield to the international pressures to put an end to the conflict.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge the Canadian government to:

      i)    Use all available means, including by adding its voice to those who have already named the situation as genocide, to ensure that the international community intervenes to stop the abuses.
      ii)    Put more pressure on the Sudan government to immediately end the conflict against the Fur people by suspending all aid to the Sudan except humanitarian aid.
      iii)    Encourage and support the African Union to intercede in the conflict in Darfur.
      iv)    Assist the UNHCR in providing humanitarian aid for safety, health and maintenance of refugees in Chad and internally displaced persons in the Sudan.

    2. Urge the UNHCR to expedite the resettlement processing of vulnerable Furians in refugee camps in Chad.

  • Ethnic cleansing in Darfur (Sudan)

    Res.: 14
    Whereas:

    The government of Sudan is engaged in a policy of ethnic cleansing against the population of the Darfur region, as it has done in the past against other ethnic groups in the country.

    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge the Canadian government to:

    1. Send a strong protest to the government of Sudan condemning its deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing in Darfur region and requesting the government of Sudan to grant full and unhindered access to Darfur region by international organizations.
    2. Raise the issue of ethnic cleansing in Darfur at the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) and other international for a.
    3. Explore the possibility of joining in a fact finding trip to Darfur region.

  • Repatriation

    Res.: 12
    Whereas:
    1. UNHCR recognizes voluntary repatriation as one of the three durable solutions and thus actively promotes it when and where conditions permit.
    2. These conditions must be not merely transient but fundamental such as the restoration and rehabilitation of infrastructure, restitution of land and lost property, and all other factors which make voluntary repatriation sustainable.
    3. It is crucial that refugees, including refugee women, have a say in all decisions and activities that affect them, including decisions and activities on voluntary repatriation.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR ask the Government of Canada to urge UNHCR to insist as a matter of principle in its discussions and negotiations with host governments and governments of countries of origin that refugees, especially refugee women, be included as active partners in the negotiation, planning and implementation of all voluntary repatriation processes.

  • Slow processing times

    Res.: 10
    Whereas:
    1. There is a long, 2-3 year backlog of privately sponsored refugee applications.
    2. CCR adopted Res. 13, May 02 on long processing times.
    3. All government-assisted refugees (GARs) are now referred by the UNHCR (other than in source countries) and CCR has repeatedly been told that there are limited visa office resources.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR urge CIC to simplify the overseas refugee determination process, and to eliminate the perennial backlog by not re-interviewing UNHCR referred GARs, and through temporary staff re-deployments.

  • CIC’s reaction to the Turkish government’s exit permit requirement for privately sponsored refugees

    Res.: 8
    Whereas:
    1. There have been long-standing difficulties in obtaining exit permits from Turkey for privately sponsored refugees.
    2. CIC has decided unilaterally to close all current private sponsorship files, including cases which have already been accepted by the visa post to come to Canada.
    3. The Sponsorship Agreement states that the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program “is a symbiotic partnership between SAHs and CIC wherein each relies on the other to fulfill their responsibilities in order for the program to succeed” and “the partnership … provides a framework where SAHs may collaborate with CIC to respond to special measures … and emergency situations” (Principles b and g).
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR:

    1. Urge CIC to keep all current private sponsorship files in Turkey open until all avenues have been pursued and until such time as an agreement can be reached with the SAH representatives, and to lift the ban on new undertakings, pending a solution(s) to the exit permit issues.
    2. Urge the government of Canada to continue working with the Multilateral Technical Committee to find a solution(s) to the current and future Turkish exit permit issues.
    3. Urge CIC to respect the terms of the SAH agreement (Principles b and g) and work in full collaboration with elected SAH representatives in further negotiations.
    4. Urge UNHCR to take proactive steps to assist in facilitating the departure from Turkey of persons accepted by the Canadian visa post.

  • Torture in Iraq

    Res.: 13
    Whereas:
    1. The news about torture, murders and disappearance of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay by American and coalition forces has shocked the conscience of the world and has led to widespread reaction in the USA and elsewhere.
    2. An Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, dealing with the mandate of the UN Committee against Torture to enter and monitor conditions in places of detention, has been adopted by the UN General Assembly and is ready for accession.
    Therefore be it resolved:

    That the CCR write to the Prime Minister of Canada demanding that Canada:

    1. Make a public condemnation of torture in Iraq and Afghanistan by US and coalition forces, and ask for the US administration to:
      a) Adhere to the international legal instruments against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
      b) Train US military personnel and other enforcement official to adhere to these human rights standards.
      c) Allow outside inspection of US-controlled jails, detention centres and other facilities where persons are detained.
      d) Designate an independent ombudsperson to receive complains about torture and other human rights abuses.
    2. Accede to the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and encourage other countries – including and especially the USA – to do the same.