Canada is doubling its resettlement spaces from 250 to 500 for human rights defenders.

Human rights defenders (HRDs) are committed to promoting and protecting human rights in every part of the world. In many countries, HRDs are subject to the risk of violence, threats, and injustices, forced to flee their homes due to fear of attack and reprisal, and unable to return to their home country.

On July 25th, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the expansion of the global human rights defenders stream, doubling the number of resettlement spaces from 250 to 500 for HRDs and their family members.

Canada has been proudly responding to the needs of vulnerable people. For the fourth year in a row, Canada was the top resettlement country in the world, welcoming over 47,500 refugees from over 80 countries in 2022.

“I was not sure that I would be able to continue raising my voice as a human rights defender for vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan. Thanks to the humanitarian assistance of the Government of Canada, now I have the opportunity to fight for the basic rights of Afghan youth and women while facing no direct threat to my life,” said – Masiullah Jahed, HRD from Afghanistan resettled to Canada.

Source: Canada.ca