Canada is on the brink of fulfilling its commitment to resettle 40,000 Afghans before the end of this year, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The pledge, made by Ottawa in August 2021 when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, was driven by concerns for the safety of Afghans who had collaborated with Canadian programs and the former Afghan government.
In the past two years, Canada has successfully assisted the resettlement of at least 39,730 Afghans, more than half of whom have been admitted under a humanitarian program specifically tailored for human rights activists, journalists, religious and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTI individuals.
An additional 12,000 Afghans, who had worked for the Canadian government in Afghanistan before 2021, found safety in Canada through a special immigration visa program.
“Canada’s Afghan resettlement commitment is one of the largest on a per capita basis in the world and is second only to that of the United States in overall numbers,” Mary Rose Sabater, IRCC’s communication adviser, told VOA.
Among those resettled across Canada, at least 17,000 are women, many of whom are former government employees, lawmakers, and civil society activists.
Afghan women have been disproportionately affected by the Taliban’s rule, which is often referred to as the world’s only gender-apartheid system, denying them fundamental rights such as education and employment.
The resettlement effort has been challenging, with the IRCC facing criticism for delays in processing applications and providing support to refugees once they arrive in Canada.
However, the IRCC has said that it is working to address these challenges and is committed to ensuring that all Afghans who have been offered asylum in Canada can resettle safely and successfully.
Canada’s commitment to Afghan refugees
Canada has a long history of welcoming refugees, and its commitment to Afghan refugees is a testament to its values of compassion and human rights.
The resettlement effort is also a recognition of the important contributions that Afghans have made to Canada, both before and after the Taliban’s takeover.
The arrival of Afghan refugees has enriched Canada’s cultural diversity and strengthened its economy. It has also sent a powerful message to the world that Canada stands with those who are fleeing persecution and violence.
