A new opportunity to move to Canada legally
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino: "Our country is opening its doors to human rights defenders and persecuted journalists.
On July 16, Marco El Mendicino, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada is launching a new immigration stream and is now ready to grant political asylum to those who face serious persecution in their countries and need rescuing more than others.
The specialized immigration stream will take place under the State-supported Refugee Assistance Program and gives all human rights defenders who have to flee persecution in their home country the chance to enter this country. In addition, persecuted journalists and abused women will also benefit from this chance to immigrate to Canada.
As Mendicino noted, "The work of human rights defenders is one of the most difficult and dangerous professions in the entire world. Too often these people risk their own lives to denounce injustice and hold the powerful accountable."
Thus, Canada is one of the first countries to offer a special permanent migration path for human rights defenders and their families. It is willing to accept up to 250 human rights defenders annually.
As the Minister noted, Canada has a long proud tradition of protecting all whose lives are at risk. In 2020, it topped the list of countries that have sheltered the largest number of persecuted displaced persons (one-third of the world's refugee population).
"We live in a world where human rights and democracy are under siege. Most people think of refugees who have been forced from their homeland by conflicts and wars. But those who have witnessed these tragedies or advocated for human rights may also be at risk of arrest, torture and death," the minister added.
The Government of Canada will work together with Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu, and with other international partners including the UN Refugee Agency. The aim of this collaboration is to identify human rights defenders who face threats, are at risk and require protection and resettlement to a place of safety. Canada stands ready to pay particular attention to persecuted women, journalists and LGBT human rights defenders.
For reference:
Human rights defenders are people who, individually or in association with others, non-violently promote or seek to protect and realise human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national or international level. Generally, they are most likely to protect those who suffer from the arbitrary actions of state structures or officials.
