A lawyer for Human Rights Watch says he hopes that with British Columbia’s decision to end its immigration detention system Canada Border Services Agency Will create a “domino effect” across the country.
Public Security Minister Mike Farnsworth announced B.C.’s decision on Thursday to end its deal with the agency to keep immigration detainees in provincial correction centers, saying the arrangement does not align with the province’s stance on human rights.
The move comes after Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International called for B.C. to end its contract with the federal government.
Samir Muskati, Associate Disability Rights Director at Human Rights Watch, called the decision a “historic step”.
“Hopefully this will put an end to some of the abuse we’re seeing and prevent people from being detained in the worst possible circumstances, at least in British Columbia. We’re hoping it creates a domino effect where Other provinces will take the lead that BC is taking to make this happen,” Muscati said in an interview on Thursday.
“Hopefully this is also a wake-up call for the federal government to realize that the existing immigration detention system they have in place is not sustainable and they really need to see a paradigm shift in how they do it.” “
Farnsworth said the province conducted a review that analyzed its contracts with the agency, including public safety, and consulted with advocacy groups.
“The review has shown that aspects of the system do not align with our government’s commitment to uphold human rights standards or our dedication to advancing social justice and equality for all,” he said.
The CBSA said it could not respond to the questions by the deadline.
The report said the number of immigration detainees in provincial custody is declining but that provincial prisons are used to hold “high-risk detainees”.
It also said that CBSA compensates BC reforms for keeping detainees, but it does not cover the total cost.
“This is a trend that is likely to continue given the overall reduction in the number of detainees in provincial custody. If the arrangement comes to an end, these are resources that can be used to support BC Improvement’s customers, including individuals with complex needs and behaviours,” it said.
Calls for reform began in June 2021 when Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International released a report that said immigrants with no criminal charges were detained in centers, federal prisons or provincial prisons for an “indefinite amount of time”. goes. He began a campaign last October calling on BC to terminate his contract, and later expanded his push to Quebec and Nova Scotia.
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The groups said in a joint news release following Thursday’s announcement, “Canada is one of the few countries in the global north with no legal limit on the length of immigration detention, meaning people can be detained for months or even years.” can be placed.” “British Columbia’s decision marks a major milestone in Canada’s path to ending immigration detention in provincial prisons.”
Sarah Lopez, an immigrant who was detained for three months at the Alouette Correctional Center for Women in Maple Ridge after seeking asylum in 2012, called the decision a relief.
She said she never understood why the CBSA was keeping people in prison who were “just running away from violence.”
“Fingers crossed that it happens in every province of this country,” she said in an interview on Thursday.
Amnesty International Canada Secretary General Katie Nivyabandi said in a statement she commended B.C. for being the first province to make the decision, calling it a “significant step”.
“This is a true human rights victory, upholding the dignity and rights of those who come to Canada in search of security or a better life,” she said.
BC Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender joined groups in their call for an end to the practice across the country, saying CBSA data shows 94 percent of immigration detainees are held for administrative reasons and have no access to the public. There is no risk.
“Detaining innocent migrants in prisons is cruel, unjust and violates human rights commitments. The CBSA may still place migrants in a detention centre, but it is an important first step towards affirming the human rights of detainees,” she said in a news release on Thursday. “Now, it is up to the federal government to end all migrant detention and expand the use of community-based options that support individuals.”
Farnsworth said BC Corrections will provide CBSA with 12 months of termination notice as required under its current contract. The review states that CBSAs may need “time to plan and implement additional facilities or options that are safe and secure so as not to compromise the public safety in BCs or those in their care – employees, contractors.” And don’t put the prisoners at risk in any way.”
Human rights groups said BC Corrections told them the province would give the agency an official written notice to terminate the contract next week.
“We expect this to be a step towards eliminating immigration detention,” Muscati said, while resisting finding other ways to detain people through holding centers or other types of punitive measures. ” “Here’s a real opportunity to do something different.”
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