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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Canada toughens its visa demands | Canada toughens its visa demands |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Canada has imposed visa requirements on travellers from Mexico and the Czech Republic after a big jump in refugee claims from these two countries. | Canada has imposed visa requirements on travellers from Mexico and the Czech Republic after a big jump in refugee claims from these two countries. |
| Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said a significant number of such claims were rejected or abandoned, raising doubts about their legitimacy. | Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said a significant number of such claims were rejected or abandoned, raising doubts about their legitimacy. |
| Since 2007, some 3,000 Czech nationals have requested asylum, while 9,400 Mexicans applied last year. | Since 2007, some 3,000 Czech nationals have requested asylum, while 9,400 Mexicans applied last year. |
| The Czech government says the move is wrong and is recalling its ambassador. | |
| Announcing the new visa requirements, Mr Kenney said they were aimed at reducing the burden on Canada's refugee system. | Announcing the new visa requirements, Mr Kenney said they were aimed at reducing the burden on Canada's refugee system. |
| More than half the claims by Czech nationals were abandoned or withdrawn before a final decision was made, Mr Kenney said, indicating that many claimants may not be genuine refugees. Only 11% of claims by Mexicans were accepted in 2008. | More than half the claims by Czech nationals were abandoned or withdrawn before a final decision was made, Mr Kenney said, indicating that many claimants may not be genuine refugees. Only 11% of claims by Mexicans were accepted in 2008. |
| "In addition to creating significant delays and spiralling new costs in our refugee programme, the sheer volume of these claims is undermining our ability to help people fleeing real persecution," Mr Kenney said. | "In addition to creating significant delays and spiralling new costs in our refugee programme, the sheer volume of these claims is undermining our ability to help people fleeing real persecution," Mr Kenney said. |
| "All too often people who really need Canada's protection find themselves in a long line, waiting for months and sometimes years to have their claims heard." | "All too often people who really need Canada's protection find themselves in a long line, waiting for months and sometimes years to have their claims heard." |
| Persecution | Persecution |
| The number of Mexicans applying has almost tripled since 2005 to 9,400 in 2008, accounting for a quarter of all claims received. | The number of Mexicans applying has almost tripled since 2005 to 9,400 in 2008, accounting for a quarter of all claims received. |
| The Czech Republic is the second main source of refugee claims. Since Canada lifted visa requirements on Czech nationals in 2007, nearly 3,000 claims have been lodged, compared with just five in 2006. | The Czech Republic is the second main source of refugee claims. Since Canada lifted visa requirements on Czech nationals in 2007, nearly 3,000 claims have been lodged, compared with just five in 2006. |
| Almost all the claimants are members of the Roma or gypsy minority, fleeing what they say is persecution in the Czech Republic where there has been a sharp rise in far-right extremism. | Almost all the claimants are members of the Roma or gypsy minority, fleeing what they say is persecution in the Czech Republic where there has been a sharp rise in far-right extremism. |
| Canadian officials acknowledge that about 85% of claims by Czech nationals which are heard are accepted. | Canadian officials acknowledge that about 85% of claims by Czech nationals which are heard are accepted. |
| Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout said Canada's action was unprecedented against a European Union member, while the Prime Minister, Jan Fischer, said it was one-sided and wrong. | |
| The Czech government has indicated it will reciprocate by imposing visas on Canadian diplomats and business travellers. | |
| The Mexican government said it regretted Canada's decision and that it would be closely monitoring the implementation of the requirements to ensure the rights of Mexicans are respected. | The Mexican government said it regretted Canada's decision and that it would be closely monitoring the implementation of the requirements to ensure the rights of Mexicans are respected. |
| Officials said they had been working with Canadian authorities to try to tackle fraudulent claims. | Officials said they had been working with Canadian authorities to try to tackle fraudulent claims. |
| The visa requirement came into effect on 14 July but people already travelling to Canada will be able to apply for a visa on arrival until 2359 on 15 July. | The visa requirement came into effect on 14 July but people already travelling to Canada will be able to apply for a visa on arrival until 2359 on 15 July. |