Letter on Afghan Sikh & Hindu Persecution
Hello Hon. Marco Mendicino,
Could you please let us know what Canada is planning on doing with regard to the unrest in Afghanistan. We have many constituents in Abbotsford, BC who are pressing us on this issue.
Sincerely,
Raymond Kobes
Office of the Hon. Ed Fast
Member of Parliament for Abbotsford
Raymond Kobes
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast, P.C., M.P.
Abbotsford
2020-01105611
Dear Raymond Kobes:
Thank you for your correspondence of March 30, 2020, addressed to the Honourable Marco E.L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in which you include an email from your constituent, Bhavrit Sandhu, regarding Afghan Sikhs and Hindus.
Your support for your constituents is noted and appreciated. Canada relies on referrals from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), other designated referral organizations, or a private sponsorship group to identify refugees in need of resettlement to Canada. Individuals presenting vulnerabilities and compelling protection needs in the country of asylum are prioritized in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook (Chapter 6).
The UNHCR prioritizes cases based on vulnerability. Individuals cannot apply directly for resettlement to Canada nor can refugee claims be made at the Embassy of Canada. In Canadian visa offices abroad, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) highly trained immigration officials review the information that is provided and conduct an interview in order to make the final assessment. Each decision is made on a case-by-case basis on the specific facts presented by each person.
Please note that Canada’s Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program is designed to provide protection for refugees who are outside their country of origin. To be considered a refugee under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, applicants must be outside their home country or the country where they normally live.
For more information on Canada’s refugee system, please visit IRCC’s Website at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/canada-role.html”
While I understand that this may not be the response you had anticipated, I hope that you will find this information to be helpful in responding to your constituents.
Sincerely,
F. Macmillan
Ministerial Enquiries Division