OTTAWA, 19 July 2013—The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) welcomes the judgment issued today by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Ezokola, which addresses fundamental issues related to exclusion from refugee status on grounds of ”association with war crimes”.
“This is an important judgment for refugee adjudication in Canada and beyond” said Furio De Angelis, UNHCR Representative in Canada. “The Supreme Court of Canada has unequivocally rejected the notion of complicity by association.”
About UNHCR:
UNHCR’s primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, the Office strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily. The UN refugee agency, which has won two Nobel Peace Prizes, was established by the UN General Assembly in 1950 and works in partnership with governments, regional organizations, international and non-governmental organizations.
For further information:
Gisèle Nyembwe, 613-232 0909 ext 225, email: nyembwe@unhcr.org
