Celebrate refugee rights in Canada on April 4
Refugee Rights Day is commemorated on April 4 every year in Canada to bring attention to the advances made in the protection of refugee rights in Canada as a result of the Supreme Court Singh decision in 1985.
Join us this year to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the 'Singh Decision'.
Statement by Toronto Planning Committee for Refugee Rights Day .
Events
What is Refugee Rights Day?
April 4, 1985 was a milestone for refugee rights in Canada. On that day, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of refugee claimants in Canada to life, liberty and security of the person, and that claimants are therefore entitled to an oral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law. This ruling has become known as the 'Singh decision' in recognition of Harbhajan Singh, Sadhu Singh Thandi, Paramjit Singh Mann, Kewal Singh, Charanjit Singh Gill, Indrani and Satnam Singh who brought their cases to the Court.
To learn more about the 1985 Singh decision, watch this presentation by Barbara Jackman, one of the lawyers who argued the case.