Event Date: April 3, 2025 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Location: FSS 4007 and Zoom, 120 University Private, University of Ottawa

Registration: Google Forms

Presented by CIPS, the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) and the Canadian Council for Refugees

The Canadian Council for Refugees, the Centre for International Policy Studies and the Human Rights Research and Education Centre are hosting a panel discussion to commemorate Refugee Rights Day in Canada. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Singh Decision, which ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the fundamental rights of refugees, including refugee claimants and their right to an oral hearing in the determination of their case.

Speakers will underline the importance of Canada’s commitment to protect the right to asylum and to an oral hearing through Canada’s world-renowned Immigration and Refugee Board. The conversation will address increasing threats to securing this right in Canada and the United States amidst growing anti-refugee discourse and policies and explore strategies to ensure Asylum with Dignity for all.

For those joining virtually (via Zoom), interpretation will be available from English to French.

Speakers:

• Diana Gallego, Canadian Council for Refugees
• Laïla Demirdache, Community Legal Services of Ottawa
• Thomas Ndayiragije, Capital Rainbow Refuge
• Aditya Rao, Canadian Union of Public Employees

Moderator:

• Christina Clark-Kazak, University of Ottawa