Canadian Activists, Refugees, Worry About Mexico's 'Safe' Designation Liam Britten - MetroNews
go to original February 23, 2013

Mexico’s recent inclusion on Canada’s Designated Countries of Origin (DCO) list has raised some eyebrows among Vancouver activists.

Countries on the list are considered safe. Refugee applications from those countries are fast-tracked, but if unsuccessful, are rarely granted an appeal.

Having Mexico on that list doesn’t make sense to Karla Lottini, a Mexican refugee.

A former journalist, Lottini fled her homeland in 2008 when she received death threats against her and her family after she reported on government corruption.

“Mexico is not a safe country,” she said “We’re talking about missing people, kidnapping, people dying. … People in black plastic bags.”

In May of 2011, she was allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Gay, lesbian and transgendered Mexicans also make refugee claims to stay in Canada, said Dara Parker.

She is the executive director of QMUNITY, a group that works with LGBT people in distress, including refugees.

She said Mexico has laws to protect gays and lesbians, but corruption and poor enforcement weaken them.

“[There are] policies on paper, but the reality for a gay person or a trans person living in the country can be completely different,” Parker said.

Sharalyn Jordan of Rainbow Refugee, a group for LGBT refugees, said refugees of all stripes are in danger because of the changes.

She said the lack of appeals and poor oversight by Canada’s federal government could lead to a refugee being deported to torture and death.

As well, refugees will no longer be approved to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

“To imply that this is adequate protection is a gross misrepresentation of what is going on,” she said.

A spokesperson from the federal government said fast-track DCO country claimants will ensure that genuine refugees get help, and quickly remove those with unfounded claims.

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