Groups speak out on Tamil refugees arrival in Canada

Groups speaking out about the arrival of the Tamil refugees in Canada are both side of the issue. There is concern that terrorists and smugglers are mixed in with victims of violence from Sri Lanka.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is encouraged that Canada is receiving and providing assistance to the Sri Lankans of Tamil origin that were on board the Sun Sea. Steps are being taken to ensure that care is being given to any of the passengers that are seeking asylum. The UNHCR is concerned that some smugglers may be mixed with the true refugees. In the case of Sri Lanka the UNHCR has revised their guidelines for decision-makers when it comes to claims for asylum since the improved security situation since the end of May 2009. It is now recommended that those seeking asylum be considered on individual merits. World Vision is applauding the Canadian government's intention to seek out and bring to trial any traffickers and smugglers involved in the Sun Sea situation off the B.C. coast. World Vision is concerned with the protection of any children and families that ventured to Canada as a refuge on the Sun Sea. The ask the government to provide physical, emotional and psycho-social support. The recent passage of Bill C-268 imposing minimum sentences for those who traffick children will be in play with this case. World Vision is urging that the government act strongly to ensure that the new law is enforced. "The children on that boat have been through way too much already. Canada's first priority must be to protect them. We would prefer that these children never enter a detention centre at all when they first arrive in Canada, but if they do, they should always remain with their families and their transition to a supportive refugee centre or church community should be quick." - Caroline Riseboro, VP Public Affairs, World Vision Canada One concern in B.C. is the fact that the correctional facilities are already overcrowded. Housing the up to 500 refugee claimants in Lower Mainland correctional facilities could over tax an already stressed institution. "The Fraser Regional Correctional Centre already houses double the number of inmates it was designed to handle," says Dean Purdy, chair of the BCGEU's Corrections and Sheriff Services Component in a press release. "Adding hundreds more people to the facility at this time will severely test our ability to manage a safe facility, and shows once again why we need new corrections facilities to serve the needs of the justice system." The Fraser Regional facility was meant to house 254 people. It now houses 550 inmates and is being asked to hold 400 additional refugee claimants. The women on the Sun Sea will be taken to Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. Alouette is also overcrowded, holding double the size of inmates it was built for. "As federal and provincial governments move to toughen crime laws, we can expect more inmates to move through B.C. facilities," says Purdy. "You can't expect corrections staff to handle an expanding prison population without jeopardizing public safety. New facilities are important, to protect the public and our members."