Petition calls for stronger protest rights for migrants in Canada

More than 250 organizations have backed a petition calling for stronger protections for migrants who participate in civil protests across Canada.

The campaign, supported by organizations including Amnesty International, Greenpeace and the United Church of Canada, is urging authorities to ensure migrants can exercise freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of repercussions.

Campaign organizers argue migrants should be able to exercise the same fundamental freedoms protected under Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Migrants are part of every movement in this country,” said Bikramjit Singh of the Post-Graduate Work Permit Committee, a member organization of the Migrant Rights Network.

Singh said recent events in Calgary were intended to discourage people from speaking out, but added that migrants would continue organizing, protesting and defending their rights.