5.5
The complainant argues that the State party’s submissions, in substantial part, merely
repeat the arguments stated in the immigration officer’s final decision, dated 13 October 2000,
without explaining why the conclusion in two decisions of the Federal Court, that the
complainant’s deportation to India would expose him to a risk of irreparable harm, was
disregarded in that decision. With regard to the denial of leave to apply for judicial review,
counsel explains that judicial review was denied by a new judge who had just joined the
Federal Court in March 2001.
5.6
According to the complainant, his risk of being tortured upon return to India is increased
by the fact that he is perceived as a militant sympathizer since the Punjabi police has accused
him of supporting Sikh militants. Moreover, his poor physical condition would add to the
security forces’ belief that he was involved in the armed struggle.
5.7
With respect to current human rights violations in India and, in particular, in Punjab,
the complainant states that even though the situation has improved in comparison to the early
nineties, torture in police and military custody is still widespread. In support of this claim, he
submits several voluminous reports on continuing human rights violations in Punjab as well as
on the Canadian refugee determination system.
5.8
With regard to the alleged violation of article 16 of the Convention, the complainant
submits that this claim is not merely based on the lack of appropriate medical treatment in
India, but also on the traumatic experience of returning to the country where he had been
subjected to torture.
5.9
The complainant maintains that Canadian immigration officers are generally not trained
in human rights. Instead, they receive training on how to challenge the credibility of a refugee
claimant. The complainant also reiterates that judicial review by the Federal Court constitutes an
insufficient control over abuses by the immigration authorities, and cites the present case as an
example for the inadequacy of that remedy.
State party’s additional observations and counsel’s comments
6.1
In an additional submission of 12 November 2002, the State party argued that, apart
from being unsubstantiated, the complaint was also inadmissible under article 22, paragraph 2,
as incompatible with article 3 of the Convention, since no decision to remove the author had
been taken at that stage, as well as under article 22, paragraph 5 (b), of the Convention and
rule 107 (e), of the Committee’s rules of procedure, because the complaint had not exhausted
remedies under the new Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) procedure. Subsidiarily, the
State party maintains that the complaint is without merit.
6.2
The State party submits that, under the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
of 28 June 2002, any person awaiting removal from Canada is entitled to a further risk
assessment, based on fresh evidence, which automatically stays the removal order, if submitted
within 15 days of the notification informing the applicant of the possibility to apply for PRRA
protection. The assessment is conducted by a PRRA officer trained to apply the Geneva
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, as well as the Convention against Torture. In case
of a negative PRRA determination, the applicant may apply for leave to apply for judicial review
to the Federal Court, which can grant relief on grounds of a simple error of law or manifestly
erroneous findings of fact. A decision of the Federal Court Trial Division can be appealed to the
152
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents