Urgent Action: Grant Exit Permits to Approved Refugee Cases in Pakistan
The Issue
Dear concerned citizens and advocates for human rights,
We, the undersigned, come together through this petition to call upon the Government of Pakistan and the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to address a pressing issue affecting the lives of many vulnerable refugees in Pakistan. These individuals, whose refugee cases have been approved by the IRCC, are living in limbo, unable to begin their new lives in safety and stability due to the lack of exit permits. We implore both governments to grant these refugees the exit permits they desperately need.
Many of these refugees have fled their home countries in search of safety and security, escaping persecution, violence, and grave threats to their lives. The IRCC has recognized their need for protection by approving their refugee cases, but the lack of exit permits is preventing them from moving to Canada and starting anew. This situation leaves them in a state of uncertainty, unable to fully rebuild their lives, and at risk of further harm in Pakistan.
It is crucial to understand that these refugees are not economic migrants but individuals who have been granted refugee status due to their genuine fear for their lives in their home countries. They have taken refuge in Pakistan as a temporary measure, with the hope and expectation of being able to resettle in Canada as soon as possible.
We urge the Government of Pakistan to expedite the process of granting exit permits to these approved refugee cases. Providing these individuals with the necessary documentation to leave Pakistan is not only a humanitarian duty but also a legal obligation under international refugee law.
According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, countries are obligated to provide basic rights to life and liberty to protect persecuted people from either going back to their circumstances or living in worse conditions than they came from [1].
The principle of non-refoulement is the cornerstone of international refugee protection. It prohibits states from returning refugees to their state or expelling them to any state in which they would face persecution. Specifically, Article 33 of the 1951 Convention provides “no contracting state shall expel or return (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened” [1]
In accordance with the 1993 Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and UNHCR, Generally, Pakistan acknowledges UNHCR's decisions to grant refugee status and permits both asylum-seekers (currently undergoing the process) and recognized refugees to reside in Pakistan until a durable solution can be identified[1].
Furthermore, it is important to note that these refugees, who have fled to Pakistan to seek safety, have been registered with the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners' Aid (SHARP-Pakistan). SHARP-Pakistan is a respected organization dedicated to upholding and advocating for the rights of refugees and vulnerable individuals. They play a vital role in providing essential support, legal assistance, and protection to refugees during their stay in Pakistan.
Therefore, we call upon the IRCC, UNHCR, and IOM to work closely with the Pakistani authorities to facilitate the timely issuance of exit permits and ensure the safe and swift resettlement of these refugees to Canada. The delay in their departure poses a serious risk to their safety, well-being and being forcibly returned to the country they fled..
By granting exit permits to these approved refugee cases, Pakistan and Canada can demonstrate their commitment to upholding the principles of refugee protection and human rights. It is essential to act swiftly to prevent further suffering and instability in the lives of these vulnerable individuals.
We, the undersigned, urge both the Government of Pakistan, IRCC, UNHCR and any relevant authorities to prioritize this matter and take immediate action to grant exit permits to approved refugee cases. We believe that by doing so, we can save lives, uphold the values of compassion and justice, and give these refugees the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a place of safety and security.
Sign this petition to join us in calling for change and making a difference in the lives of those who have already endured so much.
Sincerely,
Nasir Afzali
October 08, 2023
Please share this petition with your friends, family, and networks to amplify our message and bring attention to this urgent issue. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that approved refugees find the safety and protection they deserve.
1,266
The Issue
Dear concerned citizens and advocates for human rights,
We, the undersigned, come together through this petition to call upon the Government of Pakistan and the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to address a pressing issue affecting the lives of many vulnerable refugees in Pakistan. These individuals, whose refugee cases have been approved by the IRCC, are living in limbo, unable to begin their new lives in safety and stability due to the lack of exit permits. We implore both governments to grant these refugees the exit permits they desperately need.
Many of these refugees have fled their home countries in search of safety and security, escaping persecution, violence, and grave threats to their lives. The IRCC has recognized their need for protection by approving their refugee cases, but the lack of exit permits is preventing them from moving to Canada and starting anew. This situation leaves them in a state of uncertainty, unable to fully rebuild their lives, and at risk of further harm in Pakistan.
It is crucial to understand that these refugees are not economic migrants but individuals who have been granted refugee status due to their genuine fear for their lives in their home countries. They have taken refuge in Pakistan as a temporary measure, with the hope and expectation of being able to resettle in Canada as soon as possible.
We urge the Government of Pakistan to expedite the process of granting exit permits to these approved refugee cases. Providing these individuals with the necessary documentation to leave Pakistan is not only a humanitarian duty but also a legal obligation under international refugee law.
According to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, countries are obligated to provide basic rights to life and liberty to protect persecuted people from either going back to their circumstances or living in worse conditions than they came from [1].
The principle of non-refoulement is the cornerstone of international refugee protection. It prohibits states from returning refugees to their state or expelling them to any state in which they would face persecution. Specifically, Article 33 of the 1951 Convention provides “no contracting state shall expel or return (‘refouler’) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened” [1]
In accordance with the 1993 Cooperation Agreement between Pakistan and UNHCR, Generally, Pakistan acknowledges UNHCR's decisions to grant refugee status and permits both asylum-seekers (currently undergoing the process) and recognized refugees to reside in Pakistan until a durable solution can be identified[1].
Furthermore, it is important to note that these refugees, who have fled to Pakistan to seek safety, have been registered with the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners' Aid (SHARP-Pakistan). SHARP-Pakistan is a respected organization dedicated to upholding and advocating for the rights of refugees and vulnerable individuals. They play a vital role in providing essential support, legal assistance, and protection to refugees during their stay in Pakistan.
Therefore, we call upon the IRCC, UNHCR, and IOM to work closely with the Pakistani authorities to facilitate the timely issuance of exit permits and ensure the safe and swift resettlement of these refugees to Canada. The delay in their departure poses a serious risk to their safety, well-being and being forcibly returned to the country they fled..
By granting exit permits to these approved refugee cases, Pakistan and Canada can demonstrate their commitment to upholding the principles of refugee protection and human rights. It is essential to act swiftly to prevent further suffering and instability in the lives of these vulnerable individuals.
We, the undersigned, urge both the Government of Pakistan, IRCC, UNHCR and any relevant authorities to prioritize this matter and take immediate action to grant exit permits to approved refugee cases. We believe that by doing so, we can save lives, uphold the values of compassion and justice, and give these refugees the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a place of safety and security.
Sign this petition to join us in calling for change and making a difference in the lives of those who have already endured so much.
Sincerely,
Nasir Afzali
October 08, 2023
Please share this petition with your friends, family, and networks to amplify our message and bring attention to this urgent issue. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that approved refugees find the safety and protection they deserve.
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Petition created on October 8, 2023