Canada seeks to become a home for human rights defenders forced to leave their home
Fraser announced an expansion of immigration stream for human rights defenders.
Human rights defenders are active around the world and play a crucial role in promoting and defending human rights internationally. In some countries, human rights defenders are at increasing risk of violence, often receive threats, and suffer injustice. They are forced to leave their homes to protect themselves and their families and cannot always return to their home country. Canada recognizes this and is rushing to help those for whom defending the rights of others is a lifelong endeavor.
On Tuesday, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser announced the expansion of the immigration stream for human rights defenders, doubling the number of resettlement places for human rights defenders and their families under the stream from 250 to 500. The initiative, driven by the belief that no one should be persecuted for standing up for justice, reflects that it is important for Canada to provide safe havens for those who risk their lives defending the freedoms of others.
Human rights defenders help build democratic and inclusive societies, which contributes to an atmosphere of peace and prosperity around the globe. Canada has a long tradition of helping those in need, of which the country can be proud. For four consecutive years, Canada has ranked first in the world in the number of people resettled. Last year, the country welcomed more than 47,000 refugees from more than 80 countries. Canada was one of the first countries to offer a special permanent immigration program for human rights defenders.
Expanding the immigration stream for human rights defenders and partnering with civil society organizations is one way Canada is signaling its commitment to support human rights defenders at risk. As part of its commitment to support human rights defenders, the country's Department of Immigration will be working more closely with civil society organizations in the coming months to develop a temporary protection pathway for human rights defenders in need.
