CIMM – Supporting Safe Passage for Clients in Afghanistan – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

• [Redacted]
• The Government of Canada recognizes the important role of non-governmental organizations on the ground, such as Aman Lara, Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), and the Veterans Transition Network (VTN), and will continue collaborating with them to help facilitate the safe passage of Afghans through third countries and onwards to Canada.

Key Messages

• [Redacted] and face multiple challenges as they seek to leave. While many IRCC clients in Afghanistan have completed the first stages of processing, many face great risks when attempting to leave Afghanistan or are simply unable to make the journey to a third country unassisted, to complete the final stages of processing.
• Working with like-minded countries, partners in the region, and non-government organizations, the Government is prioritizing efforts to support Afghan clients in leaving Afghanistan safely and facilitating travel for those in third countries.
• Obstacles such as passport requirements, entry and exit requirements, and increasingly stringent limitations on the movement of women and girls leaving Afghanistan present significant challenges in facilitating safe passage out of Afghanistan. 

Supplementary Information

• Bill C-41 received Royal Assent on June 20, 2023. The amendments to the Criminal Code provide for the Public Safety Minister to grant authorizations that shield government officials and implementing partners from criminal liability when carrying out immigration activities, including safe passage.
• IRCC and Global Affairs Canada are working with Public Safety to implement the new authorization regime.