Following the success of four Canadian provinces in rescinding their migrant detention contracts with the Canada Border Services Agency CanadaHuman rights organizations and lawyers in that country are now focusing their efforts on the federal government, urging it to stop using provincial prisons to detain people for immigration-related crimes.

On November 14, human rights defenders will launch the “12 Days of Action” campaign to urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to repeal outstanding migrant detention treaties between the federal and provincial governments. The campaign will begin with a press conference on Parliament Hill, where Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International will be joined by two former Liberal Cabinet ministers, Allan Rock and Lloyd Axworthy, as well as Sara Maria Lopez Gomez and Abdelrahman Elmady, two people with experience immigration detention.

Since the start of the campaign #Welcome to Canada in October 2021, the British Columbiathe Nova ScotiaI’alberta and the Manitoba have all canceled their migrant detention contracts. Once these rulings come into effect, residents of these provinces will no longer be held in provincial jails solely on immigration-related grounds. The use of provincial prisons to detain migrants is inherently criminal and incompatible with international human rights standards, not to mention the devastating effects on the mental health of those affected. in one Report published in 2021, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International found that people from black communities, and black men in particular, were being held in immigration detention centers under more restrictive conditions and for longer periods. Migrants with disabilities also face discrimination during their detention.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are working with a Coalition of Canadian Social Justice Organizations, Academics and Community Organizations, and with people who have been imprisoned for immigration violations to increase the pressure on the federal government. During the 12 days, several community organizations including Matthew house, chin guard and the Halifax refugee clinic, will organize events across the country to raise awareness of the range of care and compassionate support available to migrants and asylum seekers as alternatives to immigration detention. The campaign is also punctuated by statements, open letters and other actions by organizations that provide services and protect the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.

Four provinces have since withdrawn from their migrant detention treaties. It is time, therefore, for the Prime Minister to listen and show the leadership needed to end this harmful practice once and for all.

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