Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I actually have two questions, but I understand we have a few minutes left. The first question is ostensibly based on one of the things I want to be clear on—and I know, Mr. Abraham, you did allude to this in your opening comments: why it's important

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I assure you, Mr. Shelow, I was perfectly aware of the fact that, by asking you the question, I was getting you to repeat what you had already said. I did that knowingly, because I wanted it to be very clear. Obviously, we will not throw stones at anyone. Everyone around

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you. That actually is extremely clear. In your response to my Liberal friends, in that discussion, I heard that it's fine to have safe countries, but under the safe countries in this law, you will not have a right to appeal, which then, Mr. Shelow, is really

Citizenship and Immigration committee  No, madam. I think we've been quite clear on that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  Thank you. I just want to be clear when it comes to the issue of the safe country of origin concept. When this is used to fast-track certain claims, as long as—I think I pointed this out—the designation process is rigorous and transparent, your agency does not oppose the safe

Citizenship and Immigration committee   that or not? Yes or no, because I'm not clear as to whether you support this element or not. You're saying safe countries is possible, but I'm also hearing that you want every refugee's claim to be determined individually. If that's the case, if you're from a safe country, you would not get

Citizenship and Immigration committee  So just let me be clear—

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think you're quite clear, but I think I'll let my colleague here answer that.

Citizenship and Immigration committee  I think UNHCR has been quite clear that we believe that all refugees should have access to an appeal on the merits, both as to law and fact. That basically stems from Canada's convention obligations, which include reference to the non-discrimination clauses in the 1951

Citizenship and Immigration committee  . If the safe country of origin concept is employed, there must be clear and objective benchmarks for the assessment of general safety and mechanisms, including review of changes, both gradual and sudden, in any given country. Separated and unaccompanied children require special procedural

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act  . The UN is very clear that under chapter VII, article 39, the Security Council should be the only one to determine whether there is a threat to peace. There was no chapter VII, article 39 authorization for the invasion of Iraq. There was one for Afghanistan. Chapter VII was never

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act   orders. Article 18 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and chapter 5, section B, of the UN handbook for determining refugee status, make clear that conscientious objectors to war have rights and can require protection from states. Kimberly Rivera and her

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act   the government cite the issue of national security. I wonder how anyone who has been security cleared in order to become a member of the U.S. army could suddenly become a threat to national security. Was the parliamentary secretary suggesting that the American army hires potential terrorists

Citizenship and Immigration committee   the IRB board member to make the decision and who asks all the questions is hardly neutral and is very harsh. In Maria Eva's hearing, the person was absolutely not neutral. She was extremely harsh with her around describing the sexual violence she suffered, and she made it very clear

Citizenship and Immigration committee   inappropriately collected or reflects a bias of any type, that will be cleared up very quickly. I say that without any hesitation. Having had experience with adjudicators, having been with the department and so on, I can say they were truly independent beings. When an important decision