Photo:  ©AmnestyInternational

The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada and the United States puts refugees at risk. Under the STCA, many refugees are forcibly returned to the US, where they are at risk of arbitrary detention and potential return to their countries of origin, where they may face persecution and death.

Amnesty International, the Canadian Council for Refugees, and the Canadian Council of Churches challenged the Safe Third Country Agreement in the courts on the basis that it violates refugees’ rights to equality, and life, liberty and security of the person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Although the Supreme Court of Canada failed to decisively rule that the STCA violates refugees’ rights, it directed the court to consider our equality challenge, leaving open the possibility that STCA could be declared unconstitutional. 

In the meantime, we know refugees will be exposed to further rights violations while awaiting yet another court decision. 

TAKE ACTION NOW: Call on the Minister to respect refugee rights by rescinding the Safe Third Country Agreement.