The Refugee Program
Accomplishments
The Refugee Network helps more than 50 refused refugees annually and responds to hundreds of requests from individuals, lawyers, NGOs and the Canadian government on country-specific issues.
Amnesty International Canada members respond to action appeals on behalf of refugees in Canada and around the world.
In 2002-2003 RefNet members and staff:
- Participated in actions which opposed the refugee-related border agreement between Canada and the United Sates and the failure of the Canadian government to implement the appeal provided for in the new Immigration ad Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
- Held information sessions on the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in Ottawa and Toronto. A RefNet member trained lawyers in Saskatchewan on IRPA and Amnesty's refugee work. RefNet staff and members participated in the training of officials of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Toronto and Vancouver.
- Consulted with Citizenship and Immigration Canada regarding their process of selection of countries to which they temporarily suspend removals.
- Issued Urgent Actions on behalf of two individuals at risk if removed from Canada.
- Provided letters in support of 20 refugee cases. Of the outcomes known so far, one person was granted protection and three others were removed from Canada. Decisions are pending for the others.
- Conducted a "Train the Trainers" session for RefNet members and held new RefNet member training sessions in Toronto and Montreal.