To:
The Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
The Honourable Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – Canada Office

 
I am writing this petition with urgency and deep concern as a sponsor with relatives among Afghan refugees currently living in Tajikistan. Many of these individuals hold legal refugee status granted by the Tajik government and have active private sponsorship applications submitted to IRCC by their family members in Canada.

These refugees have endured unimaginable trauma and hardship. They are desperately waiting to reunite with their loved ones in Canada and begin a new life in peace and dignity. Most are women and children who escaped persecution and violence in Afghanistan, and now live in constant fear of being returned to the same danger.

In recent days, the situation has become critical. Multiple Afghan refugee families—including women and young children—have already been forcibly deported from Tajikistan, despite holding valid refugee documentation. Some were taken from their homes, and others from their workplaces. In Vahdat city, where hundreds of Afghan refugees reside, widespread warnings have been issued: all Afghans must leave the country within 15 days or face forced removal, without even being allowed to take their belongings.

While these threats have not been officially announced by the Tajik government, deportations are actively happening, and the refugee community is terrified. Those currently being sponsored to Canada—including families with full applications submitted and approved—now face a life-threatening reality. 

Among them is my relative: a mother with young child(ren), who is the principal applicant in an active Canadian sponsorship application. If deported, she would face not only the trauma of returning to a country that has already harmed her, but also the inability to work, provide for her children, or live in safety. She also faces the very real danger of being forced into marriage with a member of the Taliban, as has tragically happened to other women in similar situations. Her life, freedom, and dignity would be at immediate risk.

These families have fulfilled every requirement. Their sponsors in Canada have deposited the necessary funds in trust or personal accounts and pledged to provide housing, food, and full support. They will not require any government assistance. If needed, IRCC can verify this directly with the sponsors.

 
We respectfully urge the Canadian Government, IRCC, and UNHCR to take the following urgent actions:

1. Immediately evacuate Afghan refugees in Tajikistan who are at risk of deportation and have active Canadian sponsorship applications.
2. Issue urgent temporary or emergency visas to allow them safe travel to Canada, or relocate them to a third safe country until their cases are processed.
3. Accelerate IRCC processing of privately sponsored refugee applications from Tajikistan, prioritizing vulnerable families, especially women and children.
4. Communicate directly with sponsors to confirm financial and settlement readiness.
5. Work with UNHCR and international partners to ensure protection and human rights for these refugees during this critical time.

These families have already been displaced and traumatized. They have followed every rule and placed their hopes in Canada’s promise of protection and humanitarian leadership. Deportation now would not only endanger their lives—it would erase their last chance at safety.

Refugees are like birds who build temporary nests wherever they can. But unlike birds, they carry hopes, dreams, and responsibilities. They cannot keep starting over from nothing. They deserve the chance to rebuild their lives in peace.

For the safety and security of the refugees, I, the undersigned author of this petition, have chosen not to disclose my full name publicly. However, I am willing to provide further information or clarification, and may be contacted at:

📧 omsubhaankhan@gmail.com

Thank you for your compassion and for taking urgent action to protect the lives of Afghan refugees who are already on their path to Canada.

Respectfully,
"Name Withheld for Security Reasons"
Email: omsubhaankhan@gmail.com

✍️ Please sign this petition to urge the Canadian Government and IRCC to protect these Afghan refugee families and expedite their safe resettlement in Canada.

Every voice counts. Please help bring these families to safety.

Note: The picture shown in this petition is taken from the Amu TV website,  provided below.

https://amu.tv/185457/