There has been a big jump in the number Hungarian Roma accepted as refugees by Canada, reports the National Post newspaper. Acceptance of these asylum-seekers reached record lows in 2009-2010. Only one to two per cent of their claims were accepted as the Conservative government cracked down on what it called “bogus” refugees.
Refugee advocates were horrified at the government’s use of the term. A team of Toronto legal researchers examined more than 11,000 refugee claimants between 2008 and 2012 and concluded that Hungarian Roma were treated unfairly by lawyers, politicians and government officials.
Acceptance of Roma rose steadily
The acceptance rate increased to 20 per cent in 2013, 35 per cent in 2014 and 68 per cent in the first part of 2015, according to statistics from the Immigration and Refugee Board. One refugee advocate says this proves Canada was wrong in 2012 to place Hungary on a list of countries unlikely to produce refugees.
This meant the claims of Roma from there and other asylum-seekers from “safe countries” were processed much more quickly and rejections could not be appealed. They were also ineligible for health care or work permits while they awaited a decision.
Canada’s Federal Court ruled some of the restrictions were unconstitutional and they were eased. The government of Canada is however appealing that decision.
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