Immigration Minister Jason Kenney: Announcement

Czech Republic Dept: The government s latest announcement means 35 countries are now considered safe. Countries from the original list include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Hungary and Slovenia, according to The Star. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement late this week and it becomes effective as of Feb. 15, 2013 and eight new countries have been added to Canada s list of nations that are considered safe for refugees, including Mexico, Iceland, Israel excluding Gaza and the West Bank and Japan, triggering renewed criticism from refugee advocacy groups and human rights lawyers. The designation of safe country means these countries are able to protect their nationals from discrimination and any asylum claims from these nations will become part of a new expedited process, according to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.