From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Human rights defenders play a crucial role in safeguarding the rights of individuals worldwide, often at great personal risk. Canada has a storied history of offering protection to those in danger, welcoming almost a third of all resettled refugees globally in 2020.<\/p>\n In a groundbreaking move, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco E. L. Mendicino, announced a specific refugee stream for human rights defenders fleeing persecution. With this initiative, Canada becomes one of the pioneers in providing a permanent resettlement pathway for these individuals and their families, aiming to support up to 250 resettlements annually under the Government-Assisted Refugees Program.<\/p>\n Canada will collaborate with organizations like Front Line Defenders, ProtectDefenders.eu, and the United Nations Refugee Agency to identify human rights defenders in urgent need of refuge. This initiative focuses on those at heightened risk, including women, journalists, and LGBTQ2 defenders, offering them a secure pathway to permanent residency.<\/p>\n The international community has urged for dedicated measures to protect human rights advocates. Canada’s new stream not only aligns with this call but also provides a vital lifeline for defenders who cannot safely return home.<\/p>\n “Human rights defenders expose violations and tell crucial stories, often at significant personal risk. Canada’s new refugee stream offers protection and a safe home to these courageous individuals, reflecting our values as a nation.” \u2013 The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n “Front Line Defenders applauds Canada’s dedicated refugee stream for human rights defenders. While many seek to continue their work within their countries, those facing extreme danger need asylum. This initiative will be a lifeline for those who’ve risked everything for human rights.” \u2013 Andrew Anderson, Front Line Defenders<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n “Supporting human rights defenders involves ensuring they have safe resettlement options. Canada’s commitment to providing such support is excellent news, and we anticipate a productive partnership.” \u2013 Gerald Staberock, ProtectDefenders.eu<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Media Inquiries:<\/strong><\/p>\n Alex Cohen Media Relations:<\/strong><\/p>\n Communications Branch To reach Front Line Defenders: Human rights defenders are those who nonviolently promote and strive for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a national or international level.<\/p>\n They often endure persecution from state and non-state actors, including threats, torture, and even assassination.<\/p>\n The new refugee stream plans to resettle up to 250 human rights defenders and their families each year.<\/p>\n For further details, Read our immigration guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The work of human rights defenders is essential to promote and protect the human rights of people around the world. Too often, they put their own lives at risk to denounce injustices and hold the powerful to account. … <\/i>Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5131,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5131"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Introduction of a New Refugee Stream<\/h2>\n
Collaborative Efforts for Protection<\/h2>\n
International Recognition and Support<\/h3>\n
Perspectives from Leaders<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
Key Information<\/h2>\n
\n
Additional Resources<\/h2>\n
\n
Contact Information<\/h2>\n
Minister\u2019s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064<\/p>\n
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
Andrew Anderson
Executive Director
resettlement@frontlinedefenders.org<\/a><\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Who qualifies as a human rights defender?<\/h3>\n
What risks do human rights defenders face?<\/h3>\n
How many human rights defenders will Canada resettle annually?<\/h3>\n