Refugee Protection: Resettlement of Human Rights Defenders

On July 25, 2023, Canada increased the number of resettlement spaces for Human Rights Defenders and their family members from 250 to 500.

To seek refugee protection in Canada, Human Rights Defenders facing persecution in their home country should contact the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR will then refer the Human Rights Defenders to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for assessment under its Urgent Protection Program (UPP). Under the UPP, a decision to resettle a refugee is made within 24-48 hours.

For more information about the Human Rights Defenders, please refer to the IRCC’s news release “Canada doubles resettlement spaces for human rights defenders” and guidelines “Voices at Risk: Canada’s Guidelines on Supporting Human Rights Defenders.”