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Canada has doubled to 40,000 the variety of Afghans fleeing the Taliban that it plans to soak up, the Canadian overseas minister mentioned Monday, fulfilling a marketing campaign pledge made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The announcement, which got here every week after Mr. Trudeau’s party won re-election, was sure to be welcomed by humanitarian teams in Canada. They’d been urgent the federal government to do considerably extra when it initially dedicated final month to soak up 20,000 refugees after the Taliban swept into energy
With the Taliban’s harsh interpretation of Islamic regulation and their repression of girls, many Afghans have been hoping to depart the nation, and members of Mr. Trudeau’s cupboard had mentioned throughout the marketing campaign that they’d elevate the variety of refugees they’d settle for past the unique 20,000 determine.
However the announcement Monday by Marc Garneau, the overseas minister, as he was addressing the annual Common Meeting on the United Nations, was the primary official phrase of the enlargement.
The doubling will put the Afghan effort on the identical stage because the Syrian resettlement program that marked Mr. Trudeau’s first yr in workplace. It introduced in 39,636 refugees from November 2015 to the top of the next yr.
Mr. Garneau famous Canada’s resettlement of the Syrians in saying its Afghanistan plan on the rostrum of the Common Meeting in New York.
“Now, confronted with a heart-wrenching scenario in Afghanistan, Canadians have as soon as once more proven their openness to those that don’t want to reside underneath Taliban rule however choose to face up for democracy, human rights and gender equality,” he mentioned.
“The truth is, Canadians overwhelmingly known as on us to do extra,” he mentioned. “And in response to their generosity and welcoming spirit, we have now now dedicated to welcoming 40,000 Afghan refugees to Canada — in order that they can also contribute to our success, whereas we proceed to assist their efforts for a extra peaceable, tolerant world.”
As was the case earlier with Syrian refugees, teams of particular person Canadians will be capable to privately sponsor Afghans trying to come to the nation and be accountable for their resettlement.
Marco Mendicino, the immigration minister, mentioned in an interview that Canada has established overland routes to evacuate Afghans to neighboring nations.
“It’s important that we proceed to make sure that the Taliban respect the best of secure passage in order that as many Afghans who want to go away are in a position to take action,” Mr. Mendicino mentioned. He added that the expanded resettlement effort will deal with girls, women, L.G.B.T. Afghans, and folks belonging to ethnic and non secular minorities, which have been focused by the Taliban up to now.
Mr. Garneau additionally used the diplomatic world’s largest stage to criticize China over its treatment of two Canadian citizens seized on nebulous fees after Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a prime government of the Chinese language expertise big Huawei, on an extradition request by america practically three years in the past. Ms. Meng was released Friday, and China freed the two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.
“Canada noticed the rule of regulation, and two Canadian residents paid a heavy value for this dedication,” Mr. Garneau mentioned. “We proceed to oppose the best way these two fantastic folks have been handled.”
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