Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Kenny's safe country list problematic

Designed to fast-track applications and quickly boot out illegitimate claimants from democratic countries that are unlikely to produce bona fide refugees - namely European Union nations - safe country provisions in the omnibus refugee bill set to become law at the end of the month have come under fire because they put too much power in the hands of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

Kenney has insisted his powers are limited by the legislation, but even under the new criteria, Postmedia News has discovered there are three EU countries where people could meet the statistical test for refugee status in Canada.

A review of 2011 rejection, abandonment and withdrawal rates suggests Bulgaria, Lat-via and Romania wouldn't make the "safe country" list. The figures suggest many of the claims were found to be valid. For Bulgaria, 67 per cent of the 41 claims finalized last year were accepted. In Latvia and Romania, a third of the 80 and 100 claims finalized respectively were accepted.

According to the bill, only countries with a combined rejection/withdrawal/abandonment rate of 75 per cent or higher or a withdrawal/abandonment rate of 60 per cent or higher will qualify as a safe country.

For countries that produce few claimants, a "qualitative checklist" that considers whether a country has an independent judicial system, recognizes basic rights and permits the existence of civil society organizations will be used.

Original Article
Source: vancouver sun
Author: Tobi Cohen

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