Special Events

June 26: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Speaking Notes of Lewis Chan, Assistant Deputy Chair, Ontario Region, Immigration and Refugee Board

Good evening, I want to thank the CCVT for inviting me to say a few words.

This is a significant day for those of us who work in the field of refugee protection as we recognize that victims of torture must be permitted to express their stories in a supportive environment.

The CCVT assists and counsels victims of torture, but it also assists the decision-makers and staff of the IRB in order to help them provide just such a supportive environment.

The CCVT has a long history of working with us:

Providing professional development sessions for staff and decision makers
Helping us to deliver new Member training
Giving case specific advice and guidance as needed

The Convention Against Torture which Canada has ratified, stipulates that states may not "expel, return or extradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture."

With the consolidation of protection grounds, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act now provides protection under the Convention Against Torture, and the CCVT's expertise and knowledge will be even more valuable to us, as we strive together to protect the survivors of torture.