As we enter the second year of the “I Welcome” campaign for refugees, there is much to be done.
There are over 22 million refugees worldwide, of which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has identified 1.2 million urgently needing resettlement.
South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
The crisis in South Sudan spurred the fastest-growing refugee population in 2017. As a result, in August, Uganda passed a milestone. The UNHCR announced that the number of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda has reached 1 million. Amnesty International continues to call on rich countries to step up and increase support for refugees in Uganda. This support can come through increased aid to Uganda and robust refugee resettlement programs, which bring the most vulnerable to safety in other countries.
1. GATHER SIGNATURES ON OUR PETITION
Gather signatures in your community for our petition urging Canada to keep its promise to refugees in Uganda.
2. TAKE ACTION ON TWITTER
Send tweets to Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s Minister of International Development, and Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, urging them to take action.
#Uganda isn’t running out of generosity, but it is running out of money @mclaudebibeau #keepyourpromise to refugees in Uganda
Uganda hosts over one million refugees from South Sudan @AhmedDHussen provide #resettlement places for #refugees in #Uganda
Safe Third Country Agreement
In July and August, refugees continued to cross the border from the United States into Canada irregularly. Many of these asylum seekers are Haitians who believe their permission to remain in the United States will expire in the near future. Others are coming from a number of refugee-producing countries, including Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Honduras and El Salvador. These asylum seekers have chosen to cross irregularly as a result of the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement. They do not trust the US authorities will respect their rights. Amnesty International is calling on Canada to rescind the Safe Third Country Agreement as we are concerned that US laws, policies and procedures do not respect the Refugee Convention.
1. TAKE ACTION NOW
Sign and share our online action calling on Canada to rescind the Agreement.
2. GATHER PETITION SIGNATURES
Gather signatures in your community for our petition calling on Canada to rescind the Agreement.
3. LEARN MORE
Learn about our legal challenge of the Safe Third Country Agreement and find other resources for more information.
Syrian Refugees
The crisis and armed conflict in Syria continues to be marked by war crimes, crimes against humanity and widespread gross human rights abuses by all sides.
1. ORGANIZE A FILM SCREENING
Organize a screening of Not Who We Are, a documentary chronicling the stories of five refugee women from Syria who have sought refuge in Lebanon.
>>> Request the film and discussion guide
2. LEARN MORE
Visit our website on the Syrian refugee crisis to learn more and access resources.
Refugee Champions
Canada is home to millions of Refugee Champions. Refugee Champions include refugees who have made a new home in Canada and all those who welcome refugees to Canada. Help us expand the message of ‘I Welcome’ by acknowledging Champions who uphold and respect refugee rights. Do you know a refugee Champion? You can add your profile, or that of a friend, to our Refugee Champions site by telling us who you are and why you or your friend(s) are refugee champions!
