Could Canada implement a relocation program for human rights defenders as Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland have done?

Colombian human rights defender Victor Hugo Moreno Mina is currently in the Netherlands because of multiple threats against him. For a short PBI-Netherlands video about Victor and the Shelter City Network initiative in Utrecht, please click here.

In response to the dangers faced by human rights defenders (HRDs), temporary international relocation initiatives have been established in which a defender spends a period of time abroad, often as a measure of last resort, for their protection.

The need for such programs is clear. In 2019, 304 human rights defenders were killed and hundreds more were threatened. 13% of those killed were women, while 40% of those killed worked on land, Indigenous peoples and environmental issues.

Germany

In June 2020, the Federal Foreign Office of Germany launched the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative (ESI) for the protection of threatened human rights defenders.

The initiative includes:

1- temporary admittance of threatened HRDs into Germany for a period of 4-6 months

2- temporary stays at safe places within their home countries or regions

3- support on the ground through the German embassy (notably monetary assistance for legal support, security measures).

The Institute for Foreign Relations (Institut fur Auslandsbezihungen/ifa) outlines the programme in more detail in English here.

It explains: “The initiative provides temporary relocation grants for those who, due to their peaceful commitment to human rights, are threatened with physical and psychological violence, arrest, occupational disqualification, and even murder.”

“These include e.g. ethnic minority groups fighting for land rights, women defending themselves against discrimination and violence, LGBTIQ+ activists campaigning for their right to sexual identity, or journalists exposing cases of corruption.”

And it notes: “The Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative organises temporary relocation with host organisations which integrate and accompany the human rights defender. The initiative is implemented by ifa with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office.”

The Netherlands

The Shelter City initiative began in 2012 in The Hague, Netherlands. There are now 12 cities in the Netherlands that provide support, a safe space, and protection to human rights defenders for a three-month period.

As explained on the Shelter City website (in English): “The Shelter City Network is an initiative founded by Dutch human rights organisation Justice and Peace Netherlands, and is powered by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society organisations, universities, municipalities, and embassies. Each Shelter City is coordinated by local organisations.”

PBI-Netherlands has been part of the Shelter City project since 2015. It has welcomed 16 human rights defenders from around the world to Utrecht.

Ireland

And Human Rights First has noted: “Ireland has a dedicated humanitarian visa scheme for human rights defenders” for three month stays in Ireland.

In 2011, the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore explained: “The aim of the scheme is to provide a quick response to facilitate recognised human rights defenders to travel to Ireland for short stays for the purpose of respite, and because of temporary acute threats to their safety. This further underlines the commitment of the Irish people to supporting human rights defenders.”

Canada?

At present, the Canadian government does not support short term stays for human rights defenders needing to escape risk/persecution. PBI-Canada will be consulting with allies about the possibility of a relocation program in Canada for human rights defenders and hopefully initiate an advocacy strategy in this regard.