THE ASYLUM SEEKERS
 
Esly (Honduras)
At 20 years old, Esly has experienced enough violence to last a lifetime. She came to Canadaseeking protection from the violent street gangs of Honduras. Timid and tormented by the past, Esly is unable to speak of the violence she experienced, and the recent murder of her common-law husband. She is living with relatives in Canadaas she awaits her refugee hearing and the decision as to whether or not she and her son will be granted protection in Canada.
 
“Until you get through that refugee hearing it’s like you are living in limbo and it’s like you have to think about these things everyday because nothing is ever resolved. Hopefully getting through the refugee hearing she’s going to be able to come to some sort of resolution and be able to live with what has happened …” – Stewart Istvanffy, Esly’s Lawyer
 
Najia (Afghanistan)
As a Human Rights Activist, Najia spent decades campaigning for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Due to her involvement with various social justice campaigns, Najia began receiving death threats. After two of her colleagues were killed and her own family was also threatened, Najia made the difficult decision to flee Afghanistanand ask for asylum in Canada. Due to the strength of her case and the fact that she is a well-known public figure in her country, Najia could be fast-tracked through Canada’s refugee determination system. She is awaiting her expedited interview where her future in Canadawill be decided.

“It’s not easy to be a refugee;  to feel that no one knows you and no one knows your value…how useful you were for your people and country. You are working and investing for almost all of your life to establish yourself in a place and when you are leaving that place, you feel that you’re lost…” – Najia
 
Leyla (Democratic Republicof Congo)
Leyla fled the Democratic Republic of Congo, with her young daughter Sophia, to escape the sexual violence she had experienced at the hands of soldiers in her war-torn country. During Leyla’s expedited refugee interview in Canada, questions were raised surrounding her identity.  Her case has been sent back into the system where she is awaiting her full refugee hearing. Tormented by the past and also fearful of her indefinite future in Canada, Leyla has to do all that she can to obtain identity documents proving she is indeed who she claims to be. The consequences could mean that both she and her daughter are returned to the violence that they narrowly escaped.

“I feel like now I don’t see my future. I don’t know where I am going.  I don’t know where I am. I am really worried about my daughter’s future. I want her to live like normal kids… That’s why I came here.” – Leyla
 
Fouad (Palestinian from Lebanon)
Fouad is a refugee claimant that has fallen through the cracks of the system. Both he and his brother Mohamad escaped Lebanonfleeing threats and violence from the Fateh militia. The brothers claimed refugee status in Canadawhere their cases were heard before two separate Board Members at the Immigration and Refugee Board. To Fouad’s dismay, his claim was rejected while that of his brother was accepted. With little recourse and no possibility of appealing the decision, Fouad faces deportation from Canada.

“I think about my wife.  I think about my children. Who stays seven or eight years alone without seeing anyone from their family? It’s very difficult.” – Fouad
 
Kader (Algeria)
Kader is a blind man from Algeriawho finds himself at the end of the refugee road in Canada. His claim for refugee status was rejected as were his repeated requests to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. In 2005, Kader was given a deportation order and told to leave the country. However, touched by their fellow neighbour, Kader’s community of Pointe St-Charles rallied around him offering him sanctuary in their local church. Since taking sanctuary, hundreds of organizations and community groups have supported Kader’s case. Determined to stay in Canada, Kader and his supporters are fighting to have the Minister of Immigration grant him status in Canada.    

 “The government can’t forget about me, but they can choose to ignore me. That’s how I feel…” –  Kader

 
THE “SPECIALISTS”

Peter Showler, Former Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board (1999 -2002)
Peter Showlerhas written Refugee Sandwich: stories of exile and asylum, a collection of stories inspired by his experience as Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada from 1999 to 2002. Peter Showlerteaches Immigration and Refugee Law and Advanced Refugee Law at the Universityof Ottawa. He knows Canada’s refugee determination system inside and out, then frequently speaks and writes on refugee issues. He is both a loyal defender of the system and one of its biggest critics.

“No other judge in Canadamakes decisions that, if incorrect, result in torture or loss of life. That is the potential consequence of a mistake being made at the Immigration and Refugee Board ” – Peter Showler

Fernand Gauthier, Former Board Member of the Immigration and Refugee Board (1988-1998)
Fernand Gauthier spent a decade serving as a Board Member and the Immigration and Refugee Board where he ruled on hundreds of refugee claims. A true insider of the system, Fernand speaks first hand about the difficulties in judging refugee claims and some of the trends he has seen in the system over the years. Fernand continues to work in the refugee field holding regular workshops about Canada’s refugee determination system for community groups and social workers.

“Before you is someone with a story you could never imagine and you’ll never have enough time to really understand, despite all your expertise. Being a Board Member is very tough. You’re never totally certain of doing a good job…” – Fernand Gauthier