GC29 Latin-American Refugees (1982L115)

WHEREAS it has been thoroughly documented by the Inter-Church Committee for Human Rights in Latin America and the Christian Reformed Church, among others, that there is no protection for refugees in the neighbouring Latin American countries to which they flee; and

WHEREAS people living as refugees are often at risk in regard to their personal safety, and may have barely adequate and extremely crowded shelter, with one meal a day and water to drink; and

WHEREAS experience has shown that refugees have very quickly become contributors to our communities and economy, often creating their own employment; and

WHEREAS Alberta Conference has already taken this action:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the General Council, by means of letters from the Secretary of General Council to Prime Minister P.E. Trudeau and the Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, Ministry of Manpower and Immigration:

1. COMMEND the government of Canada for being open to receive up to 1,000 Latin American refugees this year; and

2. ASK that in view of the urgent situation of so many people in Central America, the quota for Latin Americans be increased to at least equal the quota of 4,000 from Indo-China and/or the quota of 6,000 from eastern Europe, and that the means be provided to ensure the meeting of these annual quotas; and

3. REQUEST that the criteria for immigration put more emphasis on the needs personal safety of the potential immigrant and less on the needs of Canadian society.

GC29 1982 ROP, p. 481.

Nov. 1982 G.C. Exec., p. 42