Canada finally releases African refugee detained for 5 and half years

Posted by admin Canadian Politics, Headlines Thursday, December 6th, 2018

By Nicholas Keung, Immigration Reporter

Wed., Dec. 5, 2018

Eight immigration detainees who were held behind bars for more than a year have been granted their freedom after the launch of a review into a system that critics charge has long favoured incarceration and has resulted in non-citizens being left to languish in jail.

Six of those long-term detainees are now out of jail, while the release of two others is imminent, a spokesperson for the Immigration and Refugee Board told the Star. In addition, two former long-term detainees have been deported following the review of 27 long-term detention cases involving inmates locked up for at least a year.

Ebrahim Toure, right, is greeted by friends Mohamadou Dukuray, left, and Gebere Mageraga after his release in September after more than 5-1/2 years in immigration detention. He had been jailed indefinitely because immigration officials believed he would not show up for his deportation if it was ever arranged. In the end, officials conceded they could not deport him. Rick Madonik/Toronto Star File Photo (RICK MADONIK / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)

The review was launched in the wake of a damning independent audit this summer that revealed a system that unfairly keeps people behind bars for months on end due to ill-informed adjudicators, decision-making based on inaccurate information, unchallenged faith in border enforcement officials and inadequate legal representation for detainees.

It also followed a Star investigation last year that found an immigration detention system that indefinitely warehouses non-citizens, away from public scrutiny and in conditions intended for a criminal population.

While those who were freed are still subject to constant monitoring and reporting requirements, the remaining 17 long-term detainees remain incarcerated and are entitled to periodic assessment for possible release. The board notes that the number of detainees who have been released is based on the latest information it had available.

The board is now reviewing cases where detainees have been held between six and 12 months.

-The Star

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