International Law

Temporary Suspension of Removals Lifted Against Burundi, Liberia, Rwanda

By immlawyer

The TSR (temporary suspension of removals) list has grown shorter:

Temporary Suspensions of Removals Lifted for Burundi, Liberia and Rwanda

Ottawa, Ontario, July 23, 2009 ?The Government of Canada announced today that due to improved conditions in Burundi, Liberia and Rwanda, the temporary suspensions of removals to these countries have been lifted, effective immediately.

"After a thorough review of country conditions and consultations with stakeholders, the Government is lifting the suspension of removals to these three countries," said the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety. "This decision is in line with the actions of other Western nations that also remove inadmissible individuals to Burundi, Liberia and Rwanda."

"The removal of individuals who are not lawfully in Canada is key to maintaining the integrity of the immigration program and to ensuring fairness for those who live in this country lawfully," added Minister Van Loan.

The temporary suspensions of removals to Haiti, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe are NOT being lifted. The conditions in these countries make it appropriate to continue the existing suspensions.

The Government of Canada may impose temporary suspensions of removals to countries when conditions such as war or environmental disaster endanger the safety and security of the civilian population.

A suspension of removals is always only a temporary measure. It is lifted when conditions in the country improve and there is no longer a generalized risk.

Exceptional humanitarian and compassionate measures have been implemented by the Government of Canada to accommodate individuals affected by the lifting of the temporary suspensions of removals (see backgrounder).

Full post as published by Canadian Immigration Blawg on July 24, 2009 (boomark / email).