In an effort to promote and safeguard human rights globally, Canada is doubling resettlement spaces for human rights defenders (HRDs) from 250 to 500.
The expansion was
announced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 25. The ministry said this reflects Canada’s steadfast commitment to providing sanctuary for those who courageously champion justice while facing persecution in their home countries.
“By doubling our resettlement spaces for human rights defenders, we send a resounding message of support and solidarity, ensuring that those who fight for justice are not left alone in their struggle,” then-immigration minister Sean Fraser said in a statement, while urging international partners and other resettlement countries to also dedicate themselves to more protection measures.
In addition, Mr. Fraser said the government will re-engage with Canadian civil society organizations over the coming months on the development of a temporary protection pathway for HRDs in need. The IRCC said the government has been working in partnership with organizations like Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu, as well as the United Nations Refugee Agency, to identify, assess, and refer vulnerable HRDs for resettlement under the
Government-Assisted Refugees program.
According to the statement, Canada provided resettlement for over 47,500 refugees from more than 80 countries in 2022. In addition, in 2021, Canada launched
a refugee stream to provide safe haven for HRDs at risk who are fleeing persecution in their home countries.
UN Human Rights Council
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly
announced in May that Canada will seek a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2028 to 2030. The council was created in 2006 to replace the Commission on Human Rights, which was widely criticized for allowing countries with poor human rights records to become members. But the U.N. Human Rights Council itself
has also elected a number of countries with a history of such abuse, including China, Pakistan, and Russia. The latter
left the Council in April 2022, after U.N. members voted to end its membership due to its invasion of Ukraine.
The human rights situation in China continues to draw international attention. In April, the Canadian Embassy in Beijing
called for the immediate release of two Chinese human rights lawyers, Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi, after the communist authorities sentenced them to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively.
In Hong Kong, advocates for human rights and democracy are increasingly facing threats to their safety after the draconian national security law was passed in June 2020.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for eight self-exiled democracy activists, including Canadian-born lawyer Dennis Kwok.
“I was not sure that I would be able to continue raising my voice as a human rights defender for vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan. Thanks to the humanitarian assistance of the Government of Canada, now I have the opportunity to fight for the basic rights of Afghan youth and women while facing no direct threat to my life,” Mr. Jahed wrote in a statement on July 25
Matthew Horwood contributed to this report
