Legal Rights for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Canada

A Legal Guide to the Rights of Refugees in Canada

It can be a daunting task to maneuver the new country for refugees and asylum seekers. It is crucial to remember that men need to know their legal rights and taking certain precautions in Canada. This article aims at offering the refugees and asylum seekers’ legal rights in Canada as well as resources, organizations, and service providers to you.

1. The Right to Protection

Canada has set its principles for the protection of refugees and asylum seeking individuals. The Canadian legislation gives asylum to those who failed Canadian and international human rights and who have reasonable fear of persecution, torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment in their home countries. In Canada fundamental rights and freedoms can be sought under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for example, the right to life, liberty and security of the person. Protection against refoulement – Being a refugee or asylum seeker you cannot be expelled or returned to a country where your life is in danger.

2. Assistance in form of legal representation and being accorded a fair hearing

Your rights include right to a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) since as an asylum seeker in Canada you qualifies to be afforded this right. The IRB is an independent decision maker with regard to the refugee status claims. You may have an opportunity to present your case in a hearing and you are entitled to be represented by a legal counsel, which is advisable to be accompanied with. In most provinces there are available Legal aid services which can help refugees and asylum seekers who are unable to pay for a lawyer’s service.

Right to Work and Education is perhaps the most treasured ordinary right being enjoyed by the masses both young and old, employed and unemployed and everybody in between, white-collar and blue-collar, literate and illiterate, men and women all around the world especially in the developed and Developing countries of the world.
Applicants who have submitted their refugee claims may be granted a work permit during the wait which permits an applicant to seek for employment in Canada. Possessing a work permit means that there is an avenue to fend for yourself and your family as your petition goes through the process. It also includes protection of refugees and asylum seekers’ rights to basics such as access to education for their children to enable them continue with their studies in Canada.

5. Prominent Reference and Support Bodies of Law

Several organizations across Canada provide legal support and resources for refugees and asylum seekers:Several organizations across Canada provide legal support and resources for refugees and asylum seekers:

Refugee Legal Aid Program: Provides pro bono legal services to refugees and asylum seekers.
Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR): Refugee support and advocacy non-profit organization, helping newcomers to integrate into the community.
Legal Aid Societies: Present in most of the provinces targeting to provide legal services to the people who cannot hire attorneys.
They also do legal assistance to the refugees and asylum seeker to enable them to know what legal recourse is available for them In Canada.

Conclusion

It is imperative that you know your legal status as a refugee or an asylum seeker the laws that will protect you in Canada. From the right not to be returned to torture to social, health and legal assistance Canada provides a strong framework of protection for refugees. It is important to familiarize one self with the available resources and organizations in the country so as to be well equipped to deal with the legal system in the country to avoid being exploitative to people with disability.

Tags #AsylumSeekerGuide #CanadaImmigration #CanadianLaw #HumanRights #ImmigrationCanada #LegalAidCanada #LegalProtection #RefugeeRights #RefugeeServices #RefugeeSupport